LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE : Annelise and Nicole Cullen
by Lorna Gordon
Many people in our community can feel like they don ’ t fit in . Life can be difficult when you have disabilities , chronic illness or neurodiversity and your needs are different from other people .
One such person who has had an ongoing struggle with anxiety is Annelise Cullen . This talented artist started her university career earlier this year doing a course in Visual Communication and Graphic Design at the University of Western Sydney .
Annelise uses her creative skills to make Emotional Support Buddies for people who need extra help .
Having anxiety can make day to day activities difficult , with people often requiring a little extra support to help them transition to new experiences , like starting university . Support can come in the form of people physically being there or sometimes objects like fidgets or stuffed animals which can give the person comfort . Annelise told me how she tried to cope during her first few days when by wanting to take her stuffed animals to help her through the stress .
“ When I went to uni , I had my bag of stuffed animals but had no room for the important things like laptop and lunch ,” she laughed when she told me .
The realisation that stuffed animals can be difficult to transport and are not always socially acceptable got Annelise and her mum , Nicole , thinking about what she could take with her instead .
The idea of key chains or pins to remind you of your favourite stuffie came up through their discussion , and after thinking about it more they decided this was an idea that could work for more people than just Annelise .
Annelise and Nicole got some extra advice from Annelise ’ s OT and university lecturers who helped with a business plan , and after eight weeks of brainstorming , modifying artwork and finding suppliers , they were ready to launch their new business , Emotional Support Buddies
The cute keychains , pins and stickers that Annelise designed are sold on her website and in person at local markets and are starting to become more popular as
Colourful Minds Markets provide a comfortable and safe environment for people with disabilities , chronic conditions or neurodiversity to shop and meet new people .
her products get known . However , going to markets and speaking to people face to face is a challenge when you have chronic anxiety , so Nicole came up with a second idea , Colourful Minds Markets .
Sometimes going to these events can be a difficult process , so the idea was born of having a market for people like Annelise who are disabled , neurodiverse or have chronic conditions . The idea was to make the market accessible with volunteer mentors to help support the vendors .
This comfortable environment would allow people to be themselves , not have to mask or try to be ‘ normal ’ and meet other people who they can connect with .
The first market was a success and a second is on the cards to be scheduled next year , with the hope to encourage more people to display and sell their creative work in a comfortable environment with less pressure than a typical market to see if they enjoy it .
If you are interested in purchasing your own Emotional Support Buddy , or know someone who would enjoy a cute reminder to take care of themselves , you can go to www . emotionalsupportbuddy . au and you can find the Colourful Minds Markets on Instagram at @ colourfulmindsmarket to get more information on their next event .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! ISSUE 114 // DECEMBER 2024 11