When I was unwell, the support I received from the Flourish Australia team in Newcastle made me want to give back to others in the community, in the way I’d been helped. It’s so rewarding to now do this for a living!
As a young TAFE student, taking part in the Youth Group and Street Soccer Program at Flourish Australia’s drop in centre on Hunter Street in Newcastle inspired my interest in a career where I could help other young people. Taking part in their Youth Group, Youth Camp and Street Soccer Program was a great way to connect with lots of interesting people my own age and gave us opportunities to try so many new activities together.
Whether I wanted to just kick a soccer ball around, or visit places I’d searched online, the team were always happy to take me there.
With their encouragement, I completed a Diploma in Youth Work and a Certificate IV in Mental Health and now apply these skills to my role as a Support worker providing home visits for people experiencing mental health issues. What I’ve learned along my recovery journey to overcoming both mental health and physical health issues enables me to identify with what people are going through.
I still get home visits from my Support Coordinator who encourages me to keep pursuing my interests, like learning to speak Filipino. I was born and raised Australian but would like to be able to chat with my parents and extended family in our native language, so I’m looking into an online course.
Music makes me happy too and I’m getting into guitar and rap. I stay active by shooting hoops, running up and down and doing three pointers with the basketball, which also helps with my peace of mind. Going cold turkey from vaping is one of the best things I’ve done for my wellbeing, making exercise so much easier than when I used to feel sick and struggle to breathe.
Socially, I’m meeting people at work and make time for my family on weekends. Though I have a group of close friends I’ve known for many years, I’m so busy with work through the week that I don’t always have time to hang out with them.
What my journey has taught me is to not give up when you hit hard times. It doesn’t mean your life is over and when you get to the other side of whatever challenge you’re facing, reflecting on how others doubted you will actually make you feel stronger in yourself.
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