RESILIENCE MATTERS

Please enjoy the latest edition of our Community Resilience Newsletter! This issue marks an exciting milestone as we officially welcome our newly inducted Community Resilience Team (CRT) volunteers. Their dedication and passion will be invaluable as we continue building a resilient, supportive community.

In addition we are offering free training courses to community members, including Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Emergency Preparedness and Resilience workshops. These sessions are designed to equip you with the vital skills needed to provide practical and emotional support in times of need.

As we move forward, these courses will enhance our community's ability to tackle challenges with both strength and compassion, ensuring our neighbourhood and community stay safe, connected and well-prepared.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to community resilience.

Together, we can stay safe and resilient.

Free Upcoming Community Event

Community Resilience Volunteers (CRT) Update

We would like to share the latest developments from our Community Resilience Volunteers (CRT) team! Over the past few months, our group has grown and strengthened, with our volunteers taking vital steps to support and empower our community.

 
Some of the milestones we shared together were:
 

New volunteers induction: new volunteers were welcomed and introduced to the mission and values of our Community Resilience Team. The enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers have been truly inspiring!

Professional Development Training: Most of our volunteers have now completed critical training, including:

• Mental Health First Aid: Equipping volunteers with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges, ensuring they can provide crucial support during times of need.

• Resilience Workshop: Helping volunteers develop personal resilience and the ability to help others bounce back from adversity, further strengthening our community’s overall well-being.

• Psychological First Aid: Providing volunteers with essential tools to offer emotional support during emergencies and crises, fostering a sense of calm and care when needed.

Thanks to these training sessions, our volunteers are now better equipped to respond to challenges, from everyday mental health struggles to large-scale emergencies.

We are incredibly proud of how far our volunteers have come and excited to see them put these skills into action as they continue to support and uplift our community.

Don't miss the opportunity to get involved and join our CRT of volunteers. Register your interest below, and together, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient community!

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

A big thank you to the Gold Coast Primary Health Network for supporting our latest group of participants in completing the Mental Health First Aid Course! The training has equipped them with invaluable skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges in their communities.

Throughout the course, participants learned how to:

• Identify early signs of mental health struggles

• Offer effective first aid in moments of need

• Foster a compassionate culture that strengthens neighbourhood bonds

The hands-on training provided tools to address issues like anxiety, depression, and crises such as panic attacks or suicidal thoughts. By the end, each participant felt more confident to guide others through difficult times and support the community when needed most.

The knowledge gained benefits the whole community, helping to build a more resilient, compassionate environment. In moments of distress, someone trained in mental health first aid can make all the difference, breaking down stigma and providing crucial support. By fostering a culture of care, we ensure no one faces challenges alone. 

View our upcoming free training opportunities available to the community this October and November. We are offering workshops on Resilience, Psychological First Aid and Red Cross Emergency Preparedness - click below for more details and to book your spot today!

Heartfelt Support for a Young Family

The Community Recovery team continues its vital work daily, supporting those affected by the Christmas storms. Here is a moving example of their impact:

Lauren from Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre recently assisted a young family severely affected by the SEQ storms. Among the hardest hit was their six-week-old baby’s room, which sustained severe damage, resulting in the loss of all their baby items. Though they received a contents grant, it didn't cover everything, and their structural grant was still pending. The family urgently needed essential items such as a bassinet, pram, and cot.

When the mother reached out for help, the center quickly contacted Baby Give Back, who provided a new cot, mattress, linens, and a care package with essentials. The centre also used emergency relief funds to buy a new pram and bassinett. The family’s gratitude and relief were profound when the items were delivered.

This story is a testament to the power of community and the importance of support networks in times of crisis. We are thankful to Baby Give Back for their generosity and proud of the Community Recovery team to provide timely help to community members in need.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact us. We are here to support you.

Empowering Digital Confidence

Raffle Survey Winner's

A huge congratulations to the winners of our recent Disaster Preparedness Raffle! Community members gained free entry into the raffle by completing our survey, and we were thrilled to see such an amazing response, with so many of you demonstrating your readiness to face unexpected challenges.

The survey not only provided us with essential information on the community’s preparedness for emergencies and disasters but also helped identify areas where further work and training are needed to strengthen resilience.

Our first prize, a fully-equipped Ready-to-Go Disaster Kit, was awarded to Lola, setting her up for any emergency. Second through fifth prizes went to Heinrich, Chantelle, Sharma, and Jasmin, who received a Portable Burner, Solar Charger, and First Aid Kit respectively — fantastic tools for staying prepared.

Thank you to all who participated, your efforts remind us that preparedness strengthens our community!

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness

Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ Workshop (Free)

Wednesday 9th October 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Hosted by: Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre

Facilitated by: Red Cross
 

Discover the Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ workshops, a vital resource for enhancing disaster resilience through our award-winning Rediplan. Our free workshops integrate academic research with real-life experiences, offering a comprehensive approach to psychosocial preparedness and support to help individuals and communities effectively manage emergencies.

Our EmergencyRedi™ workshops focus on building psychosocial skills and fostering community connections. Grounded in behavior change theories, participants learn practical and emotional strategies to prepare for emergencies and strengthen resilience.

Key Features:

• Psychosocial Support: Address long-term impacts like housing loss and grief, and gain tools for emotional well-being.

• Holistic Approach: Learn to manage stress, build resilience, and create community support networks.

• Social Connections: Strengthen relationships within your community to foster trust and collaboration.

• Personal Resilience: Develop your own EmergencyRedi™ plan tailored to your needs.

Workshops are flexible, customized, and held in a relaxed, engaging setting—perfect for adults and mature teens.

To register for this workshop, please click on the below link:

Tour of the DEMC

Disaster and Emergency Management Centre

Recently, our Community Resilience Team (CRT) volunteers had the opportunity to tour the Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Management Centre (DEMC) in Ashmore, getting an inside look at the heart of disaster response operations. Accompanied by some of our dedicated volunteers, we explored where critical decisions are made during emergencies, from coordinating resources to managing community safety.

Our volunteers were able to see firsthand how the centre prepares for and responds to disasters, reinforcing the importance of the work we do on the ground. It was an inspiring and informative experience, showcasing how our efforts at the community level connect with larger emergency management processes.

A huge thank you to the DEMC team for hosting us, and to our volunteers for their ongoing commitment to community resilience!

Don't miss your chance to tour the new building! For available session times and bookings, please click the link below.