Supportive centre without judgment

DABBLE: Lisa Crook, team leader Pathways (left), Ian Chapman, King Street Artworks co-ordinator, and Cheryl Cavanagh, Pathways support worker, trying their hand at robot painting.

When mental health providers get together in Wairarapa, they do it with paint and glue.

King Street Artworks invited all Wairarapa mental health and addiction providers to a networking workshop yesterday.

Centre co-ordinater Ian Chapman said King Street Artworks wanted to give the providers the opportunity see what the centre had to offer and to "hopefully encourage them to access our services a bit more".

"Anyone with issues with mental health or addictions can turn up to any mental health provider and know they will be directed to the right place for their need."

Mr Chapman said the centre is free for all and their oldest member is 88.

He said GPs and other health providers directed people to the centre as a "green prescription".

Studio manager Linda Tilyard said the centre has about 700 people on its roll and about 40-60 people turn up each day to get creative.

Activities on offer yesterday included painting, textiles, pottery and print making.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson popped in to make an Anzac-themed print.

She said the centre played a huge role in the community and was a great asset.

"People can come into this supportive environment with no judgment.

"I'm a big supporter of the work that they do here," said Mrs Patterson.