Val Fisher is a Melton resident who runs three different support groups at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House. Peers describe her as a remarkable woman who goes above and beyond to help people. She spoke to Star Weekly about her connection to Melton.
What’s your connection to Melton?
I’m originally from London but I’ve been living in Melton for almost 23 years and I love it.
What do you like about where you live?
I like how we have a community spirit, you hear about people in drive-throughs paying for people in front, there’s groups on facebook where people help other people that are less fortunate, there’s good and bad everywhere but I’ve never had a problem in Melton.
What drives you to run multiple community groups?
I enjoy helping people. That’s it really.
Tell us about your time/work with the women’s group?
I’ve been running a Women’s Support Group for nine years, this started off as a Mental Health Support group but has expanded to any ladies that need support for any reason.
The group is friendly, non judgemental and supportive.
I have a diploma in counselling but the group is for peer support.
The ladies are very supportive of one another and many have formed new friendships.
You can find us on Facebook as ‘Women’s Support Group Melton’.
We meet every Monday at 1pm and are located at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The centre is located to the left of the Police Station.
Tell us about your community singing group?
I’ve been running a Community Singing Group for about the same amount of time as the Support Group.
We rehearse and also perform at local aged care facilities.
The residents at these facilities always look forward to having a sing with us.
It’s amazing how much music can help with depression, anxiety and many other mental health issues.
The group can be found as ‘The Melton Singers’ on Facebook.
Tell us about your Chatty Cafe?
Chatty Cafe is a group for people who are feeling lonely, isolated or just want to make new friends. It’s a friendly group, and we get free coffee which is a good thing.
I’ve just made a Facebook Group called Chatty Cafe Melton.
We meet once a week on Fridays at 10.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
The place we go for the coffee on Friday mornings, Latin Food and Wines in Wallace square. Their coffee and food is just amazing.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
If I could change anything about Melton it would be to get our new hospital as soon as possible rather than it keeping on being delayed.
Melton needs more mental health professionals in the area, there are very few, particularly psychiatrists.
The last thing someone with mental health difficulties needs is to have to travel to another area to seek help.
