Sonshine group aims to brighten lives

Using a room at Eden Hill Church, 12 residents have formed a group called Sonshine Mondays for “fun, friendship and fellowship”.

Co-ordinator Symia Hopkinson, who runs Hopkinson Art Studio in Eden Hill, said there was a need in the community for more social and support options.

“People come in (to the art studio) and they’re lonely; they’re not necessarily down-and-outs but lonely,” Mrs Hopkinson said.

“There is a need in the community – the local shopping centre plaza has gone, there’s no place for people to meet.

“I don’t want it to be a seniors’ group, I want it to be a group where anyone can come.”

Mrs Hopkinson said they would play ukulele and guitar and sing. They would also play Scrabble, mah-jong and cards, and do crafts such as crochet, macrame, knitting and scrapbooking.

She said the group would set up a mini resource centre with information about community events and services such as Medicare.

Sonshine Mondays will start be held every Monday, noon-3.30pm starting April 4.

For more information about the group, call 0474 187 759.