The Barossa Mag Summer 2019 | Page 18

18 | T H E B A R O SSA M A G Annemarie's story New mum, Annemarie Hardy, originally from Scotland and now living in Tanunda, reached out to Andrea from the Kindness Collective after the birth of her daughter Isla. This is her story. "I’d had anxiety for a long time and was diagnosed with post-natal anxiety and depression. "I had really good support from professional services but sometimes you don’t necessarily have the words to share with family and friends. "As well as practical support – she held the baby and had a glass of water and Kind Hearted Kitchen meals to stick in the freezer – it was just her openness and honesty and the easy way she shared her story. "Some days I felt really lonely. "It was a bit of a wake-up call listening to her; I thought ‘I feel like that’. "I’d seen (The Kindness Collective) on Facebook when it launched and it sounded like such a great community initiative. "Almost without objectively doing it, she was giving me permission to let go of some of the anxiety and guilt and stress. "Andrea was the most down-to-earth, loveliest person. It was a bit like the biggest bear hug from someone who’s basically a stranger, but isn’t a stranger. Although we had different experiences of motherhood, we also had similarities and she just seemed to get it. "Sometimes you just need someone else to take your worries for a little bit and replace it with their little gift of kindness and warmth – she even bought me a biscuit as well! "It was really easy conversation and all the best bits of a friend. "For those two hours I just forgot everything. It really made such a difference to me." BAROSSA VALLEY VILLAGE ▪ KIDS UNITE ▪ BUBS AND UP ▪ HIVE ▪ KIND HEARTED KITCHEN ▪ THE REAL PANTRY ▪ NICOLE DURDIN & SEPPELTSFIELD ROAD DISTILLERS ▪ BAROSSA CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE (CAFHS) ▪ BRIGHT THREADS ▪ KIDS WORLD ▪ BAROSSA COMMUNITY HELPERS ▪ CROSSFIT BAROSSA ▪ CWA ANGASTON ▪ ANGASTON FOOTBALL CLUB WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION ▪ A N G A S TO N P R I M A R Y S C H O O L ▪ LYNDOCH VINTAGE CHEF ▪ AMIKI CLEANERS A Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame Experience Ph. (08) 8562 8373 | Murray Street, Greenock www.murraystreet.com.au