Each way for shop support

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
SOCIAL support organisation EACH in Yarra Junction has opened an op-shop to encourage clients to gain retail skills, lift their artistic profile and open doors to the community.
The new Community Access Mental Health Alliance (CAMHA) op-shop, based in “the purple church”, will sell second hand clothes while also displaying its clients’ hand-made jewellery and art work, which is also for sale.
CAMHA is an activity-based program that supports people to manage mental illness and nurture the road to recovery and good health.
The program has been based in Yarra Junction for six years, and CAMHA team leader Ally Green said the op-shop would be a great benefit to the clients and the community.
“We wanted to be able to display clients’ art and jewellery to sell,” she said.
“So we’re hoping to get people in the door, clothe them in good quality clothing, and let them see the quality of art.”
Ms Green said the staff had been donating clothes and that Croydon’s Between Friends Recycle Boutique also donated clothes.
The shop was started with the help of a $1500 community grant from the Yarra Ranges Council.
Funds will go to the artists and back into the CAMHA program, and fed back into other community programs.
The clients, currently a group of 70, will run the shop on a voluntary basis and learn retail skills so they can go on and get employment.
Ms Green said there was a stigma around mental health.
“Everyone can have a bad day but once there are many and the thoughts they may be having get negative then its time to reach out,” she said.
“There are a lot of great programs out there to encourage people to check whether their friends are OK.”
CAMHA client Suzie King proudly cut the ribbon to open the new shop on Thursday 1 September and also made the first purchase of the day.
She’s looking forward to helping out in the shop and selling some of her colourful paintings.
EACH Yarra Junction is open from 9am to 5pm five days a week for social support drop in as well as activity based programs.
Look out for the purple church at 2468 Warburton Highway.