HiveMind Community Apiary
A community enterprise focused on connecting people at risk of or living with a mental health condition like depression, anxiety and/or social isolation through the use of beekeeping as a therapeutic intervention
About
HiveMind Community Apiary Ballarat Inc. is a community enterprise established in 2019 to help connect people at risk of or living with a mental illness like depression, anxiety, PTSD or social isolation through the use of beekeeping as a complementary therapeutic intervention.
Inspired by Canadian social enterprise Hives for Humanity, an episode of Gardening Australia featuring South Australian Beekeeper and former English Army Veteran Crispin Boxhall.
The HiveMind Community Apiary Committee all have life experiences of mental illness either personally or as a family member, friend, work colleague, teacher, team mate or military veteran.
A Season of Beekeeping
A Season of Beekeeping is a 15 session (30 hour) program held between Spring and Autumn at the HiveMind Community Apiary and Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat.
Practical session are held on Sundays between 1pm-3pm at the Apiary and theory including Introduction to Beekeeping and Advanced Beekeeping is held at Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat.
The courses are delivered by an experienced beekeeper who holds the nationally recognised Certificate Three in Beekeeping and Certificate Four Training and Assessment.
The program focuses on allowing beginning beekeepers ample time to learn, practice and refine core skills required to be become a proficient beekeeper.
The cost of the program is $300.00 per participant which covers the cost of delivery of the two courses and resource manuals.
Arrangements can be made for participants who are experiencing financial difficulties.
Pollinator Friendly Garden
The pollinator friendly demonstration garden was established in 2019 and funded by the City of Ballarat Community Impact Grant. The wicking garden beds were sourced from local disability enterprise Ballarat Regional Industries and planted out with a range of herbaceous and perennial flowering plants which provide high value nectar(carbohydrate) and pollen(protein) forage courses for European honeybees and Australian Native Bees.
Plants featured in the Pollinator Friendly Demonstration Garden are available for purchase from Spot on Pots and Nursery, Wallis Street, Delacombe.
Friends of HiveMind Community Apiary
Friends of HiveMind Community Apiary provides the opportunity for supporters of the program to help through assistance with:
- beekeeping activities if they are an experienced beekeeper
- site upkeep and maintenance of the pollinator friendly demonstration garden
- support and promotion of fundraising activities
- propagation of pollination friendly plant varieties for sale
- production of pollinator friendly seed bombs and tea light candles for sale
Shop
- Honey $10.00
- Seed Bombs $10.00
- Tealight Candles $10.00
- Happy Bee Badges $10.00
- Lavender Pellet Smoker Fuel $5.00
Need help?
If you’re losing hope or you’ve lost a loved one, help is available. The Ballarat and District Suicide Support Network can point you in the right direction.
The Ballarat and District Suicide Prevention Network can put you in touch with the people, services and information that can help you get through the difficult times and get you back on your feet.
Awareness and Support
If you need help coping with suicide prevention or you are looking for suicide bereavement support groups, these vital community services can help you. Please contact them today.
- headspace Ballarat– 03 5304 4777
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Mensline Australia Line – 1300 789978
- Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659467
New Projects
Funding is currently being sought to establish a Mood Food Garden based on research conducted by the Deakin University Mood Food Centre.
A horticultural therapy approach will be applied in the cultivation of Mood Foods with participants in collaboration with Ballarat Community Health.
