The Hub takes drumming to the community

Participants from the Townsville Drop in Centre came together to enjoy the healing benefits of drumming at the Mental Health Hub’s recent Rhythm to Recovery drumming circle outreach activity.

The Hub team visited the Townsville Drop In Centre last month to provide a sample of what will be on offer during the six-week drumming program starting in January.

The fun and engaging activity provides safe, stress free environment for people to improve their social and emotional wellbeing.

The drumming circle facilitator, Melissa Rake said the therapeutic benefits of the activity helped attendees to rebuild their emotional and social connections.

“From reducing stress and anxiety to promoting feelings of happiness and wellbeing - drumming has been used therapeutically since ancient times,” said Melissa.

“Many attending the Drop In Centre have experienced anxiety, low self-confidence and past traumas which is often compounded by the effects of homelessness.

“The activity encourages those involved to build confidence and resilience which helps to improve their mental wellbeing,” said Melissa.

Drop In Centre activity organiser Kirsty said they welcomed new activities and the drumming circle was popular with the attendees.

“It is great to partner with services like the Mental Health Hub so that people coming to the centre can participate in activities that they enjoy but would not normally be in a position to access easily.

“We can’t wait for the program to start in January. We have already had a lot of interest so I think we will need to look at running it more regularly,” said Kirsty.

The Mental Health Hub has a key focus on flexibility and accessibility and provides outreach activities for diverse and hard to reach groups within the Townsville community.

For more information on the Mental Health Hub or its innovative outreach activities email mhhubtsv@selectability.com.au or call 4781 2600.