Newsletter - Issue 3 - September 2021
Our News
In September, we expect to see our pretty cottage garden come into bloom - we’ve already seen some daffodils and other flowers we didn’t know we had! We look forward to visitors being able to drop in to enjoy the garden too; until then, our Covid working arrangements remain in place.
We remain open 5 days a week from 9 till 4, but we ask that people make appointments where possible. We still want the women of the Wingecarribee to be able to drop into our cottage in Bowral. But for now, advanced notice will help our staff maintain a safe environment for everyone.
The restrictions have also meant that our community presentations have all been online - like so many people, we’re getting good at presenting on screen! This month alone we’ve met with the CWA, a local playgroup and a parenting program. If you’re part of a community group or business, and you’d like to hear more about Pop In, please get in touch.
In the last newsletter we introduced you to our Volunteer Coordinator, Sharon Eskell. We were delighted to see an extended interview with Sharon featured on The Fold Southern Highlands.
Don’t forget that you can keep track of Pop In’s activities - and help more people discover our services - by following our social media profiles.
Vicki Kelley,
Chair
Our Results
There are many different paths for a woman to take in order to get back on her feet. We’d like to tell you a typical story of a woman we recently helped at Pop In. We’ve changed some details to protect her anonymity, but this is the true story of a woman from the Wingecarribee - your neighbour, your colleague, your friend.
Over two months, Kylie and her case worker at Pop In worked together to put in place safety plans and support services so that she was able to leave without escalation from her abusive partner.
Our community
We’re grateful for the help of Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, who have been busily working in the backyard at Pop In over the past few weeks.
When the committee heard we had a new garden shed that needed to be built, President Will Eddowes stepped in on behalf of the club to offer assistance. “Domestic violence and abuse is a huge problem, and we recognise that. We’re very happy to do anything we can to help Pop In and its cause,” Will said.
Rotary had already helped with the finishing touches on our balcony. They sent a team of volunteers to erect the new shed, and they’ll also do the groundwork before we build our new family consulting and sensory play area. (We’ll have more news on that project in the next newsletter.)
By the time the current Covid restrictions are eased, we expect to be able to show visitors our new garden shed, and the new project will also be well under way.
Our people
Dr Louella Grattan-Smith
We’d like to introduce Dr Louella Grattan-Smith, the Pop In board member who looks after our Operations: staffing and volunteers, planning and policy, strategy and implementation. In her professional life, Louella is a medical practitioner and holistic psychotherapist, which made her a great fit for the role in many ways. “This has given me a genuine sense of the wonder, strength and hope implicit in the human spirit,” Louella said. “Trauma is so often not the end but the beginning of personal growth.”
As well as the opportunity to work with the other board members, Louella was drawn to Pop In’s vision to build a community-driven and community-funded organisation, guided not only by evaluation and data but also by shared values. “Pop In wants to be more than just a temporary band-aid,” she said. “We want to walk alongside women in their search for a meaningful, connected and peaceful life - however long that journey may be.”
Our partners
There are lots of ways to help Pop In. This month, we’re saying thanks to Argyle Housing, who have been part of the Pop In story right from the very beginning, as well as local community group Inner Wheel Southern Highlands.
Inner Wheel allows dedicated women to share their friendship and passion for community service and take action for lasting change. We were honoured to host Inner Wheel Southern Highlands members Barbara Smith and Jacqui Bayley at our launch event, and to receive a generous donation from the community group.
The team at Argyle Housing are part of Pop In’s origin story. We’ve been in talks with them right from the start, and we’re proud to play a role in the community that they’ve been part of for decades. Argyle Housing delivers quality housing options and connections to community for people in NSW and the ACT. For our clients who need help with housing, it’s an important resource.
Particular thanks to CEO Wendy Middleton and board member Yvette Pietsch: their experience and passion is invaluable.
Learn more
Follow Pop In on Instagram and Facebook
Get in touch online or by emailing admin@popin.org.au
Phone us on 02 4872 1229
Pop In is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. Make an appointment to visit 2 Mona Rd, Bowral.
This service is for women who live in the Wingecarribee LGA. Visitors from other areas will be referred to support closer to home. Women of all ages, ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds are welcome.
