Kitch 'n' Caboodle

I have had a dream to start a business here in my local town for a number of years now. In this area there is limited mental health supports available which often means that people can't access the help they need when they need it. At times this has resulted in serious mental health issues, or in the most serious of cases, suicide. I'd like to team up with some of our local community businesses etc. to provide something that isn't available here yet. This would be in the form of a holistic space where people can connect and seek help.

At Kitch ’n' Caboodle, the main objective is to, initially, break down the stigma that Western culture has developed towards asking for help. Moreover, the heart of this business is to support our community in achieving their dreams. To achieve this, Kitch ’n' Caboodle will create a holistic space which caters for peoples mental, physical and spiritual health in one building. This will include a cafe, a boutique, counselling options, exercise classes and a beautifully landscaped outdoor area.

Being in a small country town, having the different aspects within the one building will help people feel more comfortable to come in and make the first step towards getting help.

The café will be the hub and the heart of the business. It provides a space for people to connect with each other, the staff and become comfortable in the space. This will build trust and help build the therapeutic relationship minimising the number of sessions required within counselling (this would help to lower the cost for the individuals). Furthermore, the café will provide connections within the community and opportunities for new jobs and connections between individuals and other organisations. It will also cater for the nutritional needs of the individual; both indulgent options and healthy options (this will include the possible addition of pairing nutritional effects with mental health). Furthermore, the possibility of providing work opportunities for at risk young people, people that are transitioning back into the workforce and people with disabilities will be assessed and hopefully initiated after a couple years of business. 

The boutique will provide a space to support local artists. These artists have a passion and talent in their area and this will provide an opportunity to display and sell their goods at a low cost to themselves. 

Physical exercise plays a large part in our mental health. Providing opportunities to do yoga sessions (meditation, stretching etc.) helps to release good endorphins in the body and build confidence in self.  Furthermore, meditation (mindfulness) has been found to benefit us in many ways as it can change the structure of the brain: improves memory, slows down neurodegenerative diseases, helps reduce blood pressure, increases ability to multitask, helps manage pain, and helps relieve individual levels of anxiety and depression. This will provide a space to refer clients that would benefit from learning how to meditate or participate in mindfulness.

Counselling rooms will provide for the mental health aspects of the community’s needs. Having a balance of gender (male and female counsellors) and age in counsellors will provide for a wide range of clients. Moreover, a counsellor with a passion and experience in working with disabilities, behavioural issues and special needs will help develop adjustments for learning needs between schools and families. These rooms will also be available for other professionals to rent (psychologists etc.).

The garden would be utilised for a number of uses. One would be to produce vegetables and fruit for use in the café. It will also be a space for people to come and sit or walk through and enjoy the sunshine (another influential factor in mental health). Throughout an oasis there would be vegetable patches as well as quiet sitting areas.