Volunteering and giving back programs

The purpose of this program is to combine our Positive Mental Health (PMH) objectives with our Indigenous/Non-indigenous Connection and ‘Closing the Gap’ objectives, validated by Positive Psychology evidence based best-practice and thought leaders in the space; and co-created with respected Indigenous leaders of the communities we work with.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Total duration: 6 weeks
Delivery method: Online, Face-to-face, Experiential

THE FINER DETAILS

1. Introductory Workshop Series

Duration: 4 weeks (1 x workshop per week)
Deliver a series of powerful and targeted Positive Mental Health (based on Positive Psychology evidence-based model) workshops and Aboriginal cultural awareness training, online and within the workplace, over a four-week period.
Workshops will be delivered by key partner organisations and will be aligned with Life Again pillars of Connection, Storytelling & Giving Back


2. On Country Experience

Duration: 2 day & 5 day trip options (TBC)
Indigenous men to host non-Indigenous men On-Country for an immersive experience of Indigenous culture, values, history and connection to Country through various activities including
· Cultural competency and awareness conversations (learning about Aboriginal culture and facing the past – in a powerful and constructive way)
· Sharing/Yarn/ Storytelling circles
· Dreamtime Stories and spiritual connection with the land workshops
· Visiting Sacred sites and understanding significance
· Bush tucker, cooking
· Bush medicine
· Aboriginal Art
· Developing mentoring relationships


3. Integration & ‘Giving Back / Engagement’ Pathways Workshop Series

Duration: 2 weeks (1 x workshop per week)
Deliver a series of powerful and targeted integration positive mental health workshops, education or activities, along with Aboriginal cultural awareness training (timeframe to be determined based on uptake 4-12 weeks – online, in nature and within the workplace)

Workshop 1
Integration of On-Country experience (yarning circle)
Check-in, reflection insights, storytelling and identification of opportunities for growth and to ‘Close the Gap’
Partner Organisation: Life Again / YARN Australia (Indigenous organisation)
Delivery: Online
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pillar/s: Connection, Storytelling, Giving Back

Workshop 2
Sustained Positive Change & Closing the Gap – Giving Back/Volunteering and Building A Mentor Relationship community engagement and mentoring pathways workshop
Training session Presentation of volunteering/contribution opportunities – Give Back & Get Involved – connecting men with opportunities to support the Eastern Maar community
Partner Organisation: Life Again / Easter Maar Corp / Mentoring Men
Delivery: Online
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pillar/s: Connection, Storytelling, Giving Back


4. Ongoing Community Engagement programmes

Enrol and engage participants in ongoing programmes to support sustained positive outcomes in the mental health of participants (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) and Aboriginal community Including (but not limited to)
– Volunteering with Aboriginal organisation identified programs (through Be Collective)
– Cross cultural knowledge exchange and emotional support through a structured Indigenous and non-Indigenous mentoring program
– Identify and facilitate employment pathways for indigenous men
– Ongoing Indigenous-led community engagement to support ‘Closing the Gap’ initiatives and promote connections
– More to be identified
Delivery: Online/face-to-face
Duration: Various
Pillar/s: Connection, Storytelling, Giving Back

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES / OUTCOMES

  • To combine LA’s Positive Mental Health (PMH) objectives with our Indigenous/Non-indigenous Connection/Reconciliation objectives, as validated by respected Indigenous leaders and mental health thought leaders in the space.
  • To make a positive difference to the mental health of men who participate in our programs (using Life Again’s Process of Change LA-POC model – refer below for details) and also those within the Indigenous communities we connect with; while concurrently affecting positive (Indigenous-led) change towards ‘Closing the Gap’.
  • It will be a ground-breaking program/immersive trip/experience which will have many psychological and social benefits and serve as the foundation for developing ongoing sustainable connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous men.
  • Sustained and embedded programming through pathway programs will follow on from the experience i.e. mentoring (both ways), volunteering, employment pathways for indigenous me, ongoing Indigenous-led community engagement.
  • To inspire personal change within non-indigenous participants and also Indigenous men (in line with LA-POC) and create fertile ground for connection and reconciliation between Indigenous and white Australia.
  • Positive Mental Health psychometrics will be measured and reported in order to communicate ROI for organisations, for continuous improvement, to determine efficacy and to strengthen LA’s value proposition.
  • Outcomes for Aboriginal communities will be measured and reported in order to ensure efficacy, continuous improvement and to communicate ROI for donors, sponsor and grant providers.
  • The program/experience will to be co-created in close partnerships with Elders/leaders of indigenous communities in order to deliver PMH outcomes for all involved.
  • Through powerful, evidence based experiential processes we will facilitate during the experiences or ‘trips’ men will be supported to connect with themselves, others and nature in powerful and meaningful ways – an experience some men may never have had.
  • Connection is a key pillar and should be embedded in the program delivery and outcomes.
  • Storytelling will be key to everything we do and utilised not only to empower men to express themselves but also to reach them.
  • Giving back opportunities will be presented with simple pathways provided for both white and Indigenous men to enrol in ‘Giving Back’ programs.
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28 Thistlewaite St
South Melbourne 3205