Exhibition to capture women’s wellbeing stories

A NEW exhibition is set to document the ways fifteen women have coped throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Bendigo Community Health Services are calling on local women keen to increase their photography skills to register to take part on the public exhibition in June.

“Audiences and participants alike will be invited to reflect on the unique and diverse experiences of local women through the pandemic, while also thinking about some of the ways that they can build on their strengths and resilience, even through challenging times,” said Tricia Curry, CEO of WHLM.

“We know that many women have been hit hard over the last couple of years, with the effects of the pandemic having a significant and ongoing impact on the mental and physical load of women in our region.”

Last year, research from Gender Victoria revealed 35 per cent of Victorian women have experienced moderate to severe levels of depression during the pandemic, compared to 19 per cent of men.

As part of the process to exhibit professional photographer Penny Ryan will lead two workshops for participants to grow their visual storytelling skills.

The exhibition draws on the five ways to wellbeing toolkit, which is advocated for by BCHS and includes principles of connect, give, keep learning, be active and take notice.

Promotion and community engagement officer for BCHS Siobhan Sullivan said the exhibition is a chance for women to develop some new skills while sharing their experiences.

“We are grateful to be able to partner with WHLM to support local women to share their stories of resilience and develop their personal skills at the same time,” she said.

For more information and to register head to bit.ly/3JLlMlH.