Art of creating enduring bond

Jennifer Dawson and Jeanette Southam met three years ago through the Compeer volunteer program and have since formed a friendship so strong that they regard each other as “soul sisters.”

Compeer is an award-winning volunteer program which helps break down the stigma and loneliness associated with mental illness through friendship and social support.

Ms Southam decided to become a Compeer volunteer after reading an advertisement in the newspaper, and said the experience has been immensely rewarding.

“I learnt a lot more about how isolated people with a mental illness are – and how much of a stigma is still attached to it,” said the Corrimal resident.

“I used to think that people with schitzophrenia were scary and I think a lot of that has to do with the media and how they portray it – I didn’t realise how isolated they are.

“As part of the Compeer training we completed an exercise where someone sat on either side of you and spoke to you while you were trying to do something – the experience recreated what it is like to have schitzophrenia and it was a real eye-opener.”

Ms Southam and Ms Dawson were drawn together by their common interest in art – a shared hobby that has led to an upcoming joint exhibition, appropriately called “Compeer Friends”.

Ms Southam, 57, said the fact that they had something in common helped her friendship with Ms Dawson blossom into something enduring.

“Everyone needs friends – and most people can count on their fingers the number of true, enduring friendships they have,” she said.

“Jennifer is like a soul sister to me, we get along fantastically and we did from the time we met. The experience of volunteering with Compeer Illawarra has been very, very rewarding for me.”

The “Compeer Friends” Art Exhibition will be held at Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club, Morgan Place, Bellambi, from 10am until 4pm on October 11 and 12.

For more information on getting involved with Compeer Illawarra call 4276 4229.