We have six events during September and October to put in your diaries (two of them are not events we are putting on, but we will have a stall at them)! The first is our AGM on the 9th of September, 2pm, we promise to keep the formalities to a minimum, and we aim to have some fun, including a yummy afternoon tea. Everyone very welcome! Of course we would love to see new people become involved in managing our organisation, we welcome new members for our committee, or perhaps you might want to be our new Secretary or fill another management position! We pride ourselves on being welcoming and inclusive, of working well together to make a difference in our community.

See below for the flyer regarding the Older Persons Mental Health Caregivers “Come Together Day”, 22nd September, 10am to 1pm. Are you an Older Person supporting a family member/friend who is living with mental health challenges? This day is for you with a coffee and chat, a fun creative arts session and a shared lunch with people who understand. The aim is also to discuss establishing a NW Coast Older Persons Mental Health Caregivers support group, a group to be designed by those who have this lived experience and understand what older caregivers need for their own wellbeing and support.

Then there is a Grow wellbeing session on the 7th of October, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Find out about this weekly program which has changed the lives of so many people for the better. Our peer-to-peer support group provides a safe and understanding space where people from all backgrounds can connect, share, and grow together. The session includes an Odd Socks parade, with prizes, and afternoon tea. Contact Robin on 0421 461 724 for further information.

Thirdly the SAP team have done a great job gaining a grant for two Get Online Week sessions. A huge thank you to Good Things Australia for providing the funding. The workshops, to be held at the Live Well Community Centre, will involve a welcoming, interactive and supportive environment where participants can learn digital skills through hands on activities and meaningful connections. There will be two sessions. The first workshop on the 20th of October, 1 to 2.30pm, will focus on building foundational skills, including navigating smartphones and tablets, accessing the internet, using email, connecting online, and improving digital safety through scam awareness, privacy protection and secure passwords. The second workshop on the 22nd of October, 3.30pm to 5pm, will be more advanced, it will build on these skills by exploring online services, useful apps, digital tools and an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), including practical ways AI can support everyday tasks. Contact Kalani on 0456 780 525 for more information

We will have a stall at the Wynyard Wellness Expo “Get Inspired” to be held at the Wynyard Yacht Club on the 25th of October, 10am to 3pm. This will be a day dedicated to exploring a range of wellness topics such as naturopathy, nutrition, movement, wellness products, stress management, and healthy eating. The event aims to inspire and educate our community about living healthier lives. Join local health professionals, wellness practitioners and inspiring businesses for a day filled with expert talks, interactive experiences, specialty stores, and practical ideas you can take home and use every day. Entry: Gold coin donation supporting a local community organisation.

We will also have a stall at the Wellways Annual Dog Walk and Lunch, on the 18th of October at Anzac Park in Somerset. This event aims to support mental health, while celebrating our four legged friends! See flyer below.

Social Activation Project (SAP) Shortlisted for the Trailblazer Program!

We have some really exciting news to share! The Live Well Tasmania Social Activation Program (SAP) has been shortlisted for the ABC Heywire Trailblazer Program. After submitting an application, we were thrilled to hear that we had made it through to the next stage and were invited to take part in an interview. The interview was a great opportunity to talk about SAP, what we have been working on, and the difference the program has made us young people and our wider community.

We were able to share some of the workshops, events and projects we have been involved in, as well as talk about the importance of giving young people the chance to have a voice, try new things and be involved in the community. It was also a really nice opportunity to stop and reflect on just how much SAP has grown and everything the group has achieved so far. There have been plenty of busy days, new ideas, learning along the way and lots of great connections made through the program.

We are really proud to have been shortlisted and grateful for the opportunity to share the SAP story. We are now waiting to hear the outcome, but regardless of what happens, being recognised in this way is something we are incredibly proud of. A big thank you to everyone who has supported SAP, joined us at our events, shared their knowledge and helped bring our ideas to life. We are excited to see where SAP goes next!

Support the Wellways Annual Dog Walk & Lunch: Dogs are good for our mental health!

This report (at https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/) explains why spending time with our four-legged friends can boost our mood. 

“Dogs are wonderful greeters. They’re waiting for you to come home, and they’re always happy to see you. In turn, this increases our feel-good hormones, like dopamine and serotonin,” explained Chivonna Childs, PhD.

Along with boosting those happy hormones, dogs may also help lower stress hormones that negatively affect our bodies. Dr. Childs said dogs are so beneficial because they offer companionship and give us a sense of purpose.

They also get us out of the house and keep us moving.

Dr. Childs said those daily walks not only provide exercise but give us a chance to socialize with others as well. 

“It’s similar to how people react when they see a cute baby. When you’re out with your dog, everyone wants to say hi, and that can open the door to new social interactions,” Dr. Childs said.

If you don’t have a dog, that’s OK.

Dr. Childs said you can get similar benefits by spending time with other people’s dogs – or with other animals in general.