Strength and expression through art

EXPLORE a junkyard jungle these school holidays.

Not-for-profit the Satellite Foundation is coming to Ballarat for the first time, to lead a creative workshop for children aged eight to 11 on Wednesday 27 September at Uniting Ballarat East.

Creative director Sylvie Meltzer said the Junkyard Jungle session is not only designed to offer hands-on fun, but to get young people expressing themselves, thinking about mental health, and their personal strengths.

“Junkyard Jungle is a such a fun space for young people to come and connect with one another, and definitely go wild with creativity, individually and as a group,” she said.

“The best part about this workshop is the invitation for young people to experience two things simultaneously; the opportunity to make really cool stuff out of easy to find things, and to have the opportunity to use things they might not have at home.

“This is all while playing and reflecting on their own strengths by thinking about which animals might represent who they are.”

The Satellite Foundation’s aim is to assist youth who come from families with experience of mental health issues.

Zane took part in the workshop last year and said he felt he could be honest and truly himself with the support of Satellite staff.

“I don’t have to mask any disability or to try to make myself seem normal to what society thinks,” he said. “It’s very welcoming and it’s very accepting, so I can just feel safe and just be who I am.”

The Junkyard Jungle session will be held from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 27 September at Uniting Ballarat East on the corner of Queen Street and Dyte Parade and is free for eligible families.