Phil's pouches popular
Phil with some purse designs * image John Caldwell
By IAN McDOUGALL
Phil Hankin has come a long way in the past 14 months. From a down-at-heart-and-body person who has been through jail, alcohol abuse, family disruption, depression, anxiety and harrowing electro-convulsive therapy, Phil has worked his way back into society, and into himself.
He and his two teenage children Kirra and Nate - they’re both blooming - are living independently. He sees a bright future for them all. He’s got a car. He’s turned his hobby into a home-based income earner, scoring his first wholesale deal in recent weeks. Life is, he beams, pretty bloody good!
Much of Phil’s achievements have come through accepting an invitation to take lead in his recovery via the Federally-funded Partners in Recovery (PIR), coordinated by Aftercare Facilitator Adam Dreyer.
PIR uses a holistic approach to connect people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness - and their carers and families - with the services and supports they need.
“PIR is like my family – it’s heartening to be acknowledged and appreciated,” Phil said.
Phil’s determination through leatherwork skills he learned as a teenager from his father has also helped him shape his own future. His love for leatherwork remained dormant for decades but a couple of years ago in prison, he took lessons which reignited his passion.
“Leatherwork keeps me busy, and my mind creative and active, off bad things. When I got out I found a starter kit at Cash Converters,” Phil said.
Adam presented a case to PIR’s Flexible Funding Committee, which approved a voucher enabling Phil to purchase tools and material and expand his opportunities. BACKSTORY - CRAFTING A FUTURE Phil set up a workshop on the kitchen table where it remains in spite of added resources and an unsuccessful bid to relocate it in the small flat.
“I was uncomfortable. I kept knocking my elbows and got a sore neck and back from sitting awkwardly,” Phil said. “I tried it elsewhere but that didn’t work out. It was too close to the front door and I lost my inspiration. I got sort of … like ‘writer’s block’. Since I shifted it back, rearranged the layout and changed my working posture it’s all go!”
Phil is now cutting, shaping, sewing and stitching shoulder bags, tobacco pouches, key rings, hairpins and tee holders, mostly to his own designs. Three of his eye-catching women’s handbags were sold by a mate to colleagues at work.
Adam: Phil’s resilience and confidence is growing each week; he’s quite the entrepreneur and is becoming more assertive. He recently fronted a retail shop, seized the initiative to get the ball rolling.
Phil: “The manager at the tobacco shop liked what she saw but wanted me to change the design to put a holder for cigarette papers in the front or back. I said I’d spoken with a lot of smokers and they found those types too bulky for their pockets, that’s why my design has a paper holder sewn under the top flap. She nodded, bought two on the spot and agreed to hold another two on consignment (beams).
Phil Hankin has come a long way in the past 14 months. From a down-at-heart-and-body person who has been through jail, alcohol abuse, family disruption, depression, anxiety and harrowing electro-convulsive therapy, Phil has worked his way back into society, and into himself.
He and his two teenage children Kirra and Nate - they’re both blooming - are living independently. He sees a bright future for them all. He’s got a car. He’s turned his hobby into a home-based income earner, scoring his first wholesale deal in recent weeks. Life is, he beams, pretty bloody good!
Much of Phil’s achievements have come through accepting an invitation to take lead in his recovery via the Federally-funded Partners in Recovery (PIR), coordinated by Aftercare Facilitator Adam Dreyer.
PIR uses a holistic approach to connect people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness - and their carers and families - with the services and supports they need.
“PIR is like my family – it’s heartening to be acknowledged and appreciated,” Phil said.
Phil’s determination through leatherwork skills he learned as a teenager from his father has also helped him shape his own future. His love for leatherwork remained dormant for decades but a couple of years ago in prison, he took lessons which reignited his passion.
“Leatherwork keeps me busy, and my mind creative and active, off bad things. When I got out I found a starter kit at Cash Converters,” Phil said.
Adam presented a case to PIR’s Flexible Funding Committee, which approved a voucher enabling Phil to purchase tools and material and expand his opportunities. BACKSTORY - CRAFTING A FUTURE Phil set up a workshop on the kitchen table where it remains in spite of added resources and an unsuccessful bid to relocate it in the small flat.
“I was uncomfortable. I kept knocking my elbows and got a sore neck and back from sitting awkwardly,” Phil said. “I tried it elsewhere but that didn’t work out. It was too close to the front door and I lost my inspiration. I got sort of … like ‘writer’s block’. Since I shifted it back, rearranged the layout and changed my working posture it’s all go!”
Phil is now cutting, shaping, sewing and stitching shoulder bags, tobacco pouches, key rings, hairpins and tee holders, mostly to his own designs. Three of his eye-catching women’s handbags were sold by a mate to colleagues at work.
Adam: Phil’s resilience and confidence is growing each week; he’s quite the entrepreneur and is becoming more assertive. He recently fronted a retail shop, seized the initiative to get the ball rolling.
Phil: “The manager at the tobacco shop liked what she saw but wanted me to change the design to put a holder for cigarette papers in the front or back. I said I’d spoken with a lot of smokers and they found those types too bulky for their pockets, that’s why my design has a paper holder sewn under the top flap. She nodded, bought two on the spot and agreed to hold another two on consignment (beams).
A selection of Phil's handiwork * image John Caldwell
“I am visiting other places, talking to managers or owners, leaving my business cards. I feel good, getting positive feedback and endorsements of my products.”
Adam: With his sales, Phil is achieving his earnings goals early. His kids will have a good Christmas this year.
Phil is full of praise for Matt, his psychologist. “He’s easy to get on with; I am very comfortable opening up and talking about stuff. He’s been of great assistance, helping me to reduce my anxiety and clear away the clouds.”
Adam: Phil’s utilising anxiety in a healthy way. He’s become quite resourceful and uses different approaches.
“With preparation comes opportunity,” Phil said. “I’ve developed a template introductory letter with core content which I amend to suit different businesses.
Ditto my sales pitches, which I practice. I get very nervous beforehand but when I start speaking, it just comes out (smiles).
“I’ve gone to different leather outlets trying to do better deals, to upholsterers etc asking about offcuts and I’ve even spoken to a saddler. I also do market research. I approached a bead shop at the Carrara markets for advice on types of fasteners. I was nervous, had to work up the courage.
“I chose quite a rainy Sunday and a time when I reckoned when there wouldn’t be too many people about. I got some great advice and left with a lot of clear packaging for my tobacco pouches. I’d like to have my own stall there some day with (daughter) Kirra serving customers and me working at a bench. People like to see craftsmen at work. But I’ll start out at other smaller community/car boot-style markets and work my way up.”
Adam: I encouraged Phil to reconnect with one of his passions and involve that at the core of the things he does that makes him feel well. We worked on some financial management skills, turned a hobby into a business goal.
Phil gets out his diary cum workbook in which he sets timetables and deadlines, jots down ideas and designs and, importantly, records progress.
“With this book I can see how far I have come,” Phil said.
“I have limited money coming in so far but I managed to put aside some for a vice, materials and a sewing machine. I blitzed using the sewing machine the first time it but (wry smile) not so since. I have trouble getting all the bits right: bobbins, threading etc. I need someone to sit down and go through it with me.
“I also bought a butcher’s block off Gumtree. This is solid so I avoid damaging my workbench – which really is, or was, the kitchen table (smiles) – and reduce the noise of hammering, stamping etc. I have to go to Brisbane to source some items so I buy in quantity to save on both products costs and petrol.
Adam: With his sales, Phil is achieving his earnings goals early. His kids will have a good Christmas this year.
Phil is full of praise for Matt, his psychologist. “He’s easy to get on with; I am very comfortable opening up and talking about stuff. He’s been of great assistance, helping me to reduce my anxiety and clear away the clouds.”
Adam: Phil’s utilising anxiety in a healthy way. He’s become quite resourceful and uses different approaches.
“With preparation comes opportunity,” Phil said. “I’ve developed a template introductory letter with core content which I amend to suit different businesses.
Ditto my sales pitches, which I practice. I get very nervous beforehand but when I start speaking, it just comes out (smiles).
“I’ve gone to different leather outlets trying to do better deals, to upholsterers etc asking about offcuts and I’ve even spoken to a saddler. I also do market research. I approached a bead shop at the Carrara markets for advice on types of fasteners. I was nervous, had to work up the courage.
“I chose quite a rainy Sunday and a time when I reckoned when there wouldn’t be too many people about. I got some great advice and left with a lot of clear packaging for my tobacco pouches. I’d like to have my own stall there some day with (daughter) Kirra serving customers and me working at a bench. People like to see craftsmen at work. But I’ll start out at other smaller community/car boot-style markets and work my way up.”
Adam: I encouraged Phil to reconnect with one of his passions and involve that at the core of the things he does that makes him feel well. We worked on some financial management skills, turned a hobby into a business goal.
Phil gets out his diary cum workbook in which he sets timetables and deadlines, jots down ideas and designs and, importantly, records progress.
“With this book I can see how far I have come,” Phil said.
“I have limited money coming in so far but I managed to put aside some for a vice, materials and a sewing machine. I blitzed using the sewing machine the first time it but (wry smile) not so since. I have trouble getting all the bits right: bobbins, threading etc. I need someone to sit down and go through it with me.
“I also bought a butcher’s block off Gumtree. This is solid so I avoid damaging my workbench – which really is, or was, the kitchen table (smiles) – and reduce the noise of hammering, stamping etc. I have to go to Brisbane to source some items so I buy in quantity to save on both products costs and petrol.
Phil hard at it on his kitchen table workshop * image John Caldwell
“I am still getting computer savvy, learning tricks and shortcuts to make things easier … but (sighs) I’m having trouble with those spreadsheets!”
Adam: We approached a design school for help with promotional material … but got knocked back! Through a men’s circle I arranged someone to help Phil design his marketing material, certificate of authenticity, business cards etc. Phil is repaying by fixing his leather jacket.
“Yeah, I have learned it’s okay to get some knockbacks. It’s all up to me. I can’t rely on people to hold my hand. I just have to be patient, pick up and try again.”
Phil shows us a bookmark from first leather kit he ever used. He only found it recently. “It has POP stamped in it. It brought lots of memories flooding back and lifts my spirits every time I hold it.”
Phil goes quiet, his head drops. He sighs deeply, then again, then he looks up, tears streaking his cheeks.
“Dad called the other day (chokes up). He’s got cancer. He’s getting on, getting old. We’ve had our issues over the years and don’t talk too often but he’s still my dad. I think if he came in here today and saw me making a go of it from what he taught me all those years ago, he’d be proud of me. Yeah … he’d be proud.”
His spirits brighten. “Look, it feels good to impress other people but mostly I am impressing myself!”
Daughter Kirra, 17, has been a rock for the family on the past couple of years. She’s doing a Diploma of Child Care at Southport. “Kirra’s got her Ls now but working the clutch is a problem … better she uses the instructor’s car than mine! (grins)
“The Kids in Focus program was good for Nate. It made a big difference in his behaviour at school and at home but he outgrew it. He’s in Year Seven at high school now.
"I was worried about all the changes but he’s put the lid on his Leggo tin and grown through X Box into a new circle of friends. He’s got a soft heart (beams) … just like me!"
Adam: Nate’s very likeable, polite, not afraid to get in there and meet new people, try new things.
“I’d like to have those skills; well, to get them back one day,” Phil said.
He presents gifts; a tee holder he made for golfer Adam from his own design and a key ring for me.
Adam: My lesson: return of service, small gifts, showing gratitude, appreciation.
Phil chuffs up. “I’ve got a library card again! I let it slip because they sent me a note about membership but I was afraid to go in. I thought Kirra had knocked up a big overdue bill. Adam called for me. The librarians just wanted to see a licence or ID to reconfirm my details. Big relief. I realised I’d put up my own barriers. Now I can go in to use internet, look up resources on materials, methods.”
For personal service:
Phil Hankin email or 0438 361 792
Photography by John Caldwell
Adam: We approached a design school for help with promotional material … but got knocked back! Through a men’s circle I arranged someone to help Phil design his marketing material, certificate of authenticity, business cards etc. Phil is repaying by fixing his leather jacket.
“Yeah, I have learned it’s okay to get some knockbacks. It’s all up to me. I can’t rely on people to hold my hand. I just have to be patient, pick up and try again.”
Phil shows us a bookmark from first leather kit he ever used. He only found it recently. “It has POP stamped in it. It brought lots of memories flooding back and lifts my spirits every time I hold it.”
Phil goes quiet, his head drops. He sighs deeply, then again, then he looks up, tears streaking his cheeks.
“Dad called the other day (chokes up). He’s got cancer. He’s getting on, getting old. We’ve had our issues over the years and don’t talk too often but he’s still my dad. I think if he came in here today and saw me making a go of it from what he taught me all those years ago, he’d be proud of me. Yeah … he’d be proud.”
His spirits brighten. “Look, it feels good to impress other people but mostly I am impressing myself!”
Daughter Kirra, 17, has been a rock for the family on the past couple of years. She’s doing a Diploma of Child Care at Southport. “Kirra’s got her Ls now but working the clutch is a problem … better she uses the instructor’s car than mine! (grins)
“The Kids in Focus program was good for Nate. It made a big difference in his behaviour at school and at home but he outgrew it. He’s in Year Seven at high school now.
"I was worried about all the changes but he’s put the lid on his Leggo tin and grown through X Box into a new circle of friends. He’s got a soft heart (beams) … just like me!"
Adam: Nate’s very likeable, polite, not afraid to get in there and meet new people, try new things.
“I’d like to have those skills; well, to get them back one day,” Phil said.
He presents gifts; a tee holder he made for golfer Adam from his own design and a key ring for me.
Adam: My lesson: return of service, small gifts, showing gratitude, appreciation.
Phil chuffs up. “I’ve got a library card again! I let it slip because they sent me a note about membership but I was afraid to go in. I thought Kirra had knocked up a big overdue bill. Adam called for me. The librarians just wanted to see a licence or ID to reconfirm my details. Big relief. I realised I’d put up my own barriers. Now I can go in to use internet, look up resources on materials, methods.”
For personal service:
Phil Hankin email or 0438 361 792
Photography by John Caldwell
