Here is an update on where I am at with The
Morning Tea Project, what it will look like and how it will work. It will take
a while to get this one off the ground, particularly as I am a business and not
a non-for-profit company. I have also included some things that I would like to
get out in the open from the start, including Little Wooden Toybox’s financial gain and
intentions behind this project, ie: there is no financial gain but I will
discuss it further below.
Firstly I would like to thank everyone for
taking the time to complete the survey. Your feedback has been hugely valuable
and has helped shape the direction in which this project will progress; based
on the needs reflected in your answers.
To those that emailed, messaged and called
to give me your support – thank you so much!
The winner of the $100.00 collection of
wooden toys will be drawn on March 31, 2015 when the survey closes, giving you
another 7 days to get your feedback in and a chance to win!
What
is The Morning Tea Project?
At this stage there will be both an event
and an online aspect to The Morning Tea Project.
Event: this will more
than likely be held monthly to start with in a central location in Perth WA. I
am aiming to launch in June 2015 and tickets will be only $5 to $10; keeping in
mind this is heavily subsided from the actual cost of running the event. Tickets
will be limited for the first few events as we gauge the logistics of hosting
such an event including space, equipment, parking, facilities/equipment for
child care, catering etc.
Online: I am looking for bloggers (anonymous if need
be) who are brave and willing to share their stories and experiences around
depression, anxiety and/or post-natal depression – and the whole story, not
just the glossed over bits. One of the most upsetting bits of feedback was that
65% of mums feel/felt that they are suffering alone. I want mums to know that
they are not suffering alone. I want people to tell their stories so that other
mums can relate and know that what they are experiencing, while not ‘normal’,
is not uncommon. And that there is help, light and hope at the end of the
tunnel.
I might as well add here that I haven’t
experienced depression, anxiety or post-natal depression and therefore will not
be posting on these topics myself and won’t presume to know what it feels like.
I have, however, been surrounded by those with depression my whole life but
that is another story for another day… well actually it’s not my story to tell at
all; so I will leave this part up to our brave volunteers.
If this is something you feel that you are
interested in, please email me at tash@littlewoodentoybox.com.au.
I would like to get this part of the project up and running as soon as possible.
Partnerships
beyondblue will assist The
Morning Tea Project by providing speakers at the event to tell their stories and
experiences around depression. beyondblue is working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and
understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery,
management and resilience.
Act-Belong-Commit have and will
continue to help and guide me in setting up the event, keeping in mind legal
issues and implications, as well as all the other things that I need to do get
this started successfully. They will also support The Morning Tea Project by
promoting it through their website events page. Act-Belong-Commit is a mental health campaign that encourages
individuals to take action to protect and promote their own mental well-being.
Being active, having a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life all
contribute to happiness and good mental health.
I hope to partner with PANDA (Post and
Antenatal Association Inc.) and Connect Groups WA as well as some other
similarly aligned local, state and government organisations. You will see more
on this over the coming weeks as the project starts coming together and taking
shape!
Will
Little Wooden Toybox profit from The Morning Tea Project?
No, Little Wooden Toybox will make no
profits on running this event, but will rather incur costs. As Little Wooden
Toybox grows and becomes more financially stable, the ticket prices will
decrease as we cover more of the costs - if all goes to plan!
I believe it is important that I be
transparent on the expenses of running this event. I need to consider venue
hire, insurance for public liability, equipment, catering and I would love to
have a little gift for everyone that attends. I may also be eligible for grants
to help get this off the ground, but whatever happens I will keep you updated
as I go.
Little Wooden Toybox will sponsor the event
and advertise through its own avenues including the website, Facebook and the
LWT blog, but will otherwise be no more present at the event than any of the
other partners including beyondblue and Act-Belong-Commit. LWT will not
recruit, push or sell products at these event.
Will The
Morning Tea Project be a Support Group (like an AA Meeting)?
No. This event will also be a ‘mother’s
group’ (I will find a better term for this after meeting with Connect Groups
WA) not a ‘support’ group. The purpose of The Morning Tea Project is not to
provide help through counsellors and psychologists but rather to generate
awareness around depression for the wider community while creating a safe place
for mums to come and relate to other mums in similar situations – ultimately to
let mums know that they are not struggling alone.
Organisations like beyondblue are trained
to provide professional help and we will refer people to them.
Where
will The Morning Tea Project be held and how often?
A location has not been confirmed yet.
Depending on the feedback and success of
the first events, we will duplicate The Morning Tea Project in other areas of
Perth, based on the needs and ‘manpower’ available.
