Nar Nar Good resident Bek Bishop is making it her mission to improve the mental health of those who work in the construction industry.
To help builders and other tradespeople forget their Covid-woes, Ms Bishop organised an afternoon of barefoot bowls held at the Pakenham Bowls Club.
With more than 11 and 15 years experience in the legal sector and construction industry respectively, Ms Bishop knows first-hand how difficult it has been for workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“The event was spectacular and gave everyone the opportunity to relax and be around like-minded, supportive people,” she said.
“The last two years has been really tough in my industry and this is really the year of learning to slow down, and I’m providing a space for people to do that.”
Representatives of MasterBuilders, Hazard Co, Getter, and the Pakenham Men’s Shed networked and enjoyed a barbecue in the sunshine on Friday 25 February.
Mental health strategies were shared at the event by Mindful director Matt Runnalls, who ran people through a number of exercises including taking 60 seconds to tell someone why they matter.
Ms Bishop said people were honest and vulnerable during the exercises, and learnt that they were not alone.
“It’s very Australian to just say ‘good, how are you?’ when someone asks how you are, but you lighten the load when you share how you’re really feeling,” she said.
“We’re all busy and can work 20 hours a week, seven days a week but we have to mindfully set aside time for ourselves.
“I thank everyone for taking the time for themselves because we work so bloody hard.”
