Our Connections Program provides vital support to people on a mental health recovery journey. Donate today to ensure this unique Program can continue to change lives.
What is Connections?
The Connections Program is a one-to-one social support and mentoring program for people living with a mental health condition or physical disability. This social support and mentoring is provided by screened and appropriately trained volunteers.
The Connections Program follows a strengths-based recovery-oriented model to reduce stigma associated with mental illness, social isolation and to increase positive self-perception. Our aim is to set up safe and supportive structured friendships enabling people who may be isolated to reconnect with their broader community.
The Connections staff work in collaboration with mental health consumers (participants), volunteers, relevant health professionals, and family and/or friends to encourage the participant to reconnect with the community.
How does the program work?
Once a volunteer/participant match has been considered, the Connections Program staff facilitate an introduction meeting. This meeting presents an opportunity for the volunteer and participant to meet, share some information about each other and consider how they can work together to achieve three activities nominated by the participant when joining the Program.
Following the introduction our volunteers and participants collectively organise regular meet-up times/activities, engage in conversations and share many laughs together while in the community.
The ongoing success of the Program is the result of the hard work and commitment of our volunteers. Without their highly valued contribution the great social outcomes achieved through the Program would not be possible.
Please note that due to fundraising regulations you must be a resident of the Australian Capital Territory to make a donation.