SEWB news

Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workforce Development Support Unit

We’re hiring!

Welcome to the August edition of SEWB news! In an effort to maintain effective communication we hope you find this edition user-friendly and informative and we look forward to your feedback for future editions. Send your feedback and suggestions to the team at sewb@qaihc.com.au.

COVID-19

We are on the lookout for a SEWB Regional Coordinator to join our team, working from our Cairns office. For more information email sewb@qaihc.com.au.

Swab for mob

The Workforce Development Support Unit (WDSU) is funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) (now the National Indigenous Australians Agency) and are contracted to:

If you have any of the following symptoms, no matter how mild, it’s important to get tested: • cough • sore throat • shortness of breath • runny nose • fatigue • loss of smell/loss of taste.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful time and can cause anxiety for some of us. There have been many changes to everyday life that we have needed to adapt to.

But it’s important to remain alert and to continue social distancing and washing hands with soap and water and/or hand sanitiser often.

This is the best way that you can protect your mob.

• encourage organisations to support their SEWB workforce with training and professional development.

• establish close working relationships with the SEWB workforce and registered training organisations (RTOs) to deliver nationally recognised training to meet the mandatory minimum qualifications as set out in the relevant program handbooks.

Contact your local health service for advice about where to get tested or visit qld.gov.au/health/ conditions/health-alerts/ coronavirus-covid-19/stayinformed/testing-and-fever-clinics

It’s important to take care of yourself during stressful times.

On the last page of this newsletter you will find a poster with a few places to reach out to if you feel you need to talk to someone or need assistance.

QAIHC have developed some great culturally appropriate resources to share that can be found at qaihc.com.au/resources/covid-19coronavirus-resources

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• hold regular jurisdictional SEWB workforce forums each calendar year to provide peer support, networking and sharing of best practice models.

• promote best practice models of service delivery in SEWB programs.

The WDSU recognises that self-determination is central to the provision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, education and training and utilises a co-design approach when engaging and planning activities with communities.

www.qaihc.com 1

TRAINING QAIHC SEWB WDSU are utilising a user choice option for the provision of accredited training and this option has resulted in improved completion rates for the workforce who are seeking to obtain their qualifications.

If you have PM&C (NIAA) staff that do not have their minimum qualifications please contact QAIHC’s SEWB WDSU Manager Samone Sallik to arrange commencement.

The courses available include: • Certificate III in Addictions Management and Community Development • Certificate III in Community Services • Certificate IV in Mental Health • Certificate IV in Indigenous Mental Health • Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care • Diploma of Leadership and Management • Diploma of Counselling.

This funding is limited but we cannot process or consider training if staff, team leaders or managers have not contacted us to advise what training is required.

Please note: funding is only available for course fees. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered; however, you may be eligible for Abstudy to assist with these costs. The RTO or QAIHC’s SEWB Regional Coordinator can assist with your application, if necessary.

REQUEST FOR FUNDED TRAINING PROCESS: 1. Forward your request for funded training to sewb@qaihc.com.au.

2. Ensure you have completed a current training needs analysis to assist the team in assessing your eligibility.

3. Once approval for funded training is received from the WDSU, you will receive confirmation via email.

4. Your designated RTO will then contact you for enrolment into your course.

WORKFORCE

profiles

Owen Richardson WELLBEING COORDINATOR

Normanton Recovery & Community Wellbeing Service, Gidgee Healing

My name is Owen Richardson, I am a proud Tagalaka man from the Gulf of Carpentaria.

I have worked for Gidgee Healing for 5 and a half years at the Normanton Recovery and Community Wellbeing Service. I started off as a Wellbeing Officer then moved into the position of Wellbeing Caseworker and now I am the Wellbeing Coordinator.

I really enjoy working for Gidgee Healing because we are strongly committed to working with the Lower Gulf communities. We work to develop local solutions to alcohol and other drugs misuse and social and emotional wellbeing challenges that is damaging to all of our mob.

I like that we have a strong emphasis on incorporating culture, tradition and connection to country to help our mob heal.

I am very passionate about helping my mob and being a part of their healing journey and I’m also a big believer in advocating for my community and my mob when they don’t have a voice or if they haven’t found it just yet.

From my first day with Gidgee Healing, I have felt like they have really supported me in developing my skills. I first got my Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and have recently completed my Diploma of Leadership and Management and my Certificate 4IV in Mental Health with Gallang Place.

I am looking forward to taking up more training opportunities that will benefit, support and help the communities and my mob who I work with.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

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WORKFORCE

profiles

Derek Baker

Christine Kanofski

Ferdy’s Haven Rehabilitation Centre, Palm Island

Link-Up (QLD)

CASEWORKER

My name is Derek Baker, a proud Maori (Ngapuhi) man from the far northern part of the North Island of (Aotearoa) New Zealand. I am currently working at Ferdy’s Haven Rehabilitation Centre full time as a Residential Caseworker in the Recovery Program.

For the past 30 years I worked as a qualified butcher throughout Australia and New Zealand.

I started my Certificate IV in Mental Health in November 2019 here on Palm Island with Health Industry Training. I found it easy to connect with the facilitator and complete my learning exercises which I am now still progressing.

SEWB COUNSELLOR

My name is Christine Kanofski and I am a proud Ugarapul woman from the Ipswich area. I have been working with Link-Up (Qld) for nine months as a SEWB Counsellor.

I care deeply for my community and prior to this spent 15 years working with Aboriginal community groups in foster and kinship care and the Ipswich Murri Court. My current role is very rewarding as I support members of the Stolen Generation and their descendants on their healing journey to find and deepen their connections to family, culture and country.

Since coming on board with Ferdy’s Haven Rehabilitation Centre it has sparked a passion in me for helping people from all walks of life, especially the Indigenous community, men’s business, mentoring young men and leadership programs.

I began my Diploma of Counselling this year through Gallang Place. Under COVID-19 restrictions the course is delivered online. The program is easy to use, but it can be challenging learning in an environment that is not face-to-face. I’ve made many new friends over Zoom, and connections with people from all different communities. Everyone in my classes has been supportive and I hope that soon we‘ll get to meet in person!

I am hoping to further my education in this field of work so I can be better equipped to advocate and support our Indigenous communities.

I am very appreciative of the team at Link-Up (Qld) and CEO, Pat Thompson who have supported and encouraged in my role and also with my studies.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

Thalep Ahmat

HEALING AND WELLBEING FACILITATOR

Helem Yumba – Healing Centre

My name is Thalep Ahmat. I am a proud husband and father of two.

I was born in Cairns, Queensland and my heritage is from Badu Island from Torres Strait.

I am a Healing and Wellbeing Facilitator at Helem Yumba – Healing Centre. This role gives me the opportunity to get involved, support families and communities with a holistic approach.

I am currently studying a Diploma of Counselling through Gallang Place which is nearly finished, which I am excited about.

While working for Helem Yumba – Healing Centre, it has driven my passion for wanting to support and advocate for our communities and empower them to strengthen their skills to create a happy life for themselves and their family.

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communities SEWB IN OUR

Keep Mob Safe Pack

In May 2020 the Goondir Health Services (Goondir) SEWB Unit identified that some of their clients were experiencing distress from continued home isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. Clients reported that they needed basic hygiene packs as a result of people from other communities and larger cities panic buying all of the supplies from the local shops. Clients also voiced that they were experiencing increased anxiety due to this and the uncertainty of the virus.

The packs were well received and much appreciated by the clients, with positive responses such as ‘Too Deadly’, ‘Awesome’, ‘Thank you so much, it was appreciated’ and ‘It’s lovely to know that Goondir cares, these will definitely come in handy’.

Goondir SEWB counsellors and QAIHC staff worked together to organise 150 Keep Mob Safe Packs to be delivered to their most vulnerable clients within the Goondir catchment area (Tara, Chinchilla, Dalby, Oakey and St George). These packs contained many items to facilitate resilience during an uncertain time.

The packs included: • food vouchers • fidget products • relaxation techniques • apps to assist with meditation, exercise, stress • herbal teas • antibacterial wipes, hand sanitisers, face masks, tissues • first aid kits, shampoo, soaps, brush, dental hygiene • crosswords, find a word, words of empowerment • candles, incense and essential oils • information about hygiene, COVID-19, mental health in isolation • a personalised letter from the SEWB staff.

Melissa Riddiford QAIHC’s SEWB Regional Coordinator was working from home in her community of Dalby and lent a hand putting the kits together and delivering them to Goondir clients throughout the area. All of the packs were delivered adhering to social distancing guidelines with most dropped at the front gates of people’s homes for them to collect themselves, and also made available to pick up directly from the clinic.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

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news

Harvesting the bunya nut with WORKFORCE the Gira Gira Women’s Group Goondir Health Services (Goondir) has supported the Gira Gira Women’s group for ten years. The group was initially a depression support group and later evolved into the Gira Gira Women’s Group, who meet every Tuesday for different activities like sewing, cooking, beading and scrapbooking as well as a yarn.

QAIHC’s SEWB Regional Coordinator, Melissa Riddiford was honoured to be invited to attend the triannual traditional event of harvesting the bunya nut. Once every three years between December and March a large harvest of nuts is produced.

Rain is often heaviest during his time and generally floods the region rejuvenating the grounds, filling the creeks and clearing dust from the windows. It was during this time that the Bunya Gatherings occurred, with Aboriginal groups traveling from all over Southeast Queensland.

Traditionally at these gatherings groups conducted business: • items, food, information and new knowledge were traded and shared • cultural, social and kinship obligations were observed and arranged • disputes and complaints were resolved • ceremonies were conducted and future events organised • songs, stories and dances were swapped between groups to be taken home to their own people.

These were huge festivals and incredibly important socially, culturally and spiritually. Through this trading and exchange of information, songs, stories and material culture trade routes were established across Australia. It was fantastic to hear that even today this harvest tradition lives on with the women of Gira Gira.

Discussion on the 40km drive from Dalby out to the forest was intently focused on secret spots, where to find the best nuts top or bottom of

the slopes, what they look like when perfectly ripe for harvest, how to dry them properly, and most importantly who was going to shell them all.

When elders, Melissa and Goondir SEWB staff finally arrived in the rainforest the canopy of green was incredible, the sounds and smells engulfed everyone and the first touch of silence occurred as the women took in the beauty of their surrounds.

If you have an upcoming event or good news story that you would like included for the June 2020 edition please email sewb@qaihc.com.au

It was made apparent from the start that Melissa was to be the collector for the afternoon—it was her duty to learn and she happily obliged.

Melissa traversed the steep slopes of the Bunya Pine forest collecting nuts weighing up to 5kgs, bringing them back and forth, up and down the tracks to the women to check each one for quality. If they failed the inspection the nut would be returned to where it had been found.

While Melissa ran up and down, the women talked about everything— from their health to their homelife, what’s going on in the community, how it was back in the day—and all throughout there was a sense of connection. These women have the courage and support to engage in open discussions with one another and find empathy and understanding.

Although on the outside gathering nuts seems a simple activity, once you dissect it you see the deeper connections these women have formed and the support they share.

This is SEWB in motion—utilising an activity to encourage a culturally appropriate discussion that empowers women to make better choices and improve their way of life.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

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no shame

THERE’S IF YOU NEED TO TALK

Reach out for help Talk to a trained mental health Professional for free. Calls are confidential.

Provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Free telephone counselling support line for children and young people ages 5 to 25.

PHONE

PHONE

PHONE

1300 22 46 36

Free online mental health support for young people, available 9am–1am, 7 days a week.

VISIT

headspace.org.au/ eheadspace

1800 551 800

131 114

Free and open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

PHONE

1800 737 732

24-hour hotline assisting struggling Aboriginal men.

Culturally safe, staffed entirely by Aboriginal men, including elders.

PHONE

1800 435 799

www.qaihc.com.au