Connections #2 Summer 2013

CONNECTIONS | ISSUE #2 SUMMER 2013 1

ISSUE #2 SUMMER 2013

IN THIS ISSUE • RICHMONDPRA JOINS WITH KIDSTUFF TOY STORES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS • RICHMONDPRA IN TAMWORTH • SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FEATURE

CONNECTIONS | ISSUE #2 SUMMER 20132

What a wonderful way to welcome the Christmas season, with our own Christmas tree and special wishes for all Connections newsletter readers.

RichmondPRA’s first year of operation has seen us move into our new Headquarters, expand our mental health programs in the community, embrace the Commonwealth’s new Partners In Recovery scheme, win awards, launch new social enterprises and continue to find ways to improve the way we support the people who use our services.

In this edition, we are highlighting the services RichmondPRA provides in Tamworth, New South Wales. Besides the range of mental health community services in which we are involved there, Tamworth is interesting because it was one of only a small number of locations in which PRA and Richmond Fellowship of NSW both operated before our 2012 merger. So Tamworth is something of a case study into how the merger has worked “on the ground”. We are delighted with the results so far, and being awarded lead agency status by the Commonwealth for operation of the

Partners In Recovery Program is testament to the enduring partnerships we have established in Tamworth over the years.

We also have some interesting news on our social enterprises and the way in which they are providing employment for a growing number of people with psychosocial disabilities. This is a particularly challenging area in which RichmondPRA works, one in which we are required to deal with a whole range of risks beyond those normally confronting community mental health providers. I hope you find these stories interesting and informative.

Finally, please accept my best wishes and all of us at RichmondPRA for a happy Christmas and a joyous New Year. Thank you for your support.

Pamela Rutledge

CEO, RichmondPRA

CEO’s Message

RichmondPRA and KidStuff Toy Stores work together for Kids at Christmas

Children who, with their mums, are involved in RichmondPRA’s Women and Children’s Program will be the recipients of gifts donated by the public after a unique partnership with KidStuff stores around New South Wales.

Each year, KidStuff stores provide their customers an opportunity to purchase toys as gifts which can be distributed as presents at Christmas. This year, the toys will go to RichmondPRA’s Women and Children’s Program.

What made the partnership even more meaningful this year was the involvement of teams of people from around the State who use RichmondPRA services. They joined in a number of art working groups to prepare the gift cards that decorate the KidStuff stores in the lead up to Christmas, and ultimately end up attached to the presents the children receive.

So thanks to the dozens of people from all over who helped to prepare the trees and gift cards for the KidStuff stores, and to the people who generously gave a gift. And happy Christmas to the children who will benefit from this wonderful gesture.


During the meeting special guests, members, board, supporters, and staff were able to reflect on the year gone by and feel inspired by the work that is changing lives around the state.

We heard from consumers who had endured personal trauma only to triumph in the end. Sherika Defreitas put her family back together over a number of months, by living in and using the residential and program supports offered through our Women and Children's Program. Lee Rowell was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2011 and her journey has brought her to be now a Peer Worker with RichmondPRA.

Our special guest speaker Damian Griffis, CEO, First People’s Disability Network gave us an insight into the needs of Aboriginal people with a psychosocial disability, and he challenged us to reflect on how we can improve our partnerships and services to be more responsive to their needs.

The meeting ended with a great display of hospitality from the Figtree Conference Centre and staff, with a delicious lunch enjoyed by many.

Annual Report paints the picture of our first year RichmondPRA’s first Annual Report is now available in print and online. The Report showcases the work of our new organisation, highlighted by consumer stories of recovery, full of hope and encouragement.

Figtree Conference Centre was a hive of activity on 12 November as RichmondPRA’s first Annual General Meeting got underway.

AGM marks OUR FIRST YEAR

Over 4,300 people helped by RichmondPRA services in 62 locations

42% of RichmondPRA’s staff of almost 600 are people with a lived experience of mental illness

Consumer satisfaction rating of 95% amongst people using RichmondPRA services

Over $43 million spent by RichmondPRA on services for people with mental illness

Features of the year:


Renewable Recyclers, based in Wollongong, is a social enterprise established by RichmondPRA with a seeding grant from the Commonwealth Government. Renewable Recyclers reduces, reuses and recycles electronic waste (e-waste), and was set up to create sustainable jobs for people with barriers to mainstream employment in the Illawarra region.

By diverting e-waste from landfill and recovering valuable non-renewable resources that would otherwise go to waste, Renewable Recyclers is working towards a sustainable Illawarra through a range of e-waste management solutions.

In September, Renewable Recyclers were announced winners of the NSW Government’s top environmental award for Regional Sustainability at the Green Globe Award ceremony at NSW Parliament House.

The winning project “Above Ground Mining – Wa$te to Wage$’ focuses on reducing, reusing and recycling electronic waster (e-waste), creating green jobs and training opportunities for people with barriers to mainstream employment in the Illawarra region through ‘above ground mining’.

The end results are better environmental outcomes and employment and social interaction opportunities for local people who are disadvantaged and at risk of being marginalised and isolated.

RichmondPRA CEO, Pamela Rutledge said the award validates the businesses status as a leader in environmental excellence and employment.

“It’s exciting for everyone behind Renewable Recyclers to be recognised for making a significant environmental contribution, and at the same time providing disadvantaged people with barriers to employment an invaluable leg-up into the workforce,” Pamela added.

Renewable Recyclers Business Manager, Miles Lochhead said the recognition was a tremendous morale boost. He said,

“It’s one thing to know you’re making a big environmental and social difference on a day-to-day basis, but another to be so comprehensively recognised. This is a big credit to every worker and organisation who has been involved with the project.”

As well as Renewable Recyclers growing commercial success, its contribution to employment in the Illawarra is equally important. The majority of the staff are people who have experienced social disadvantage and have been recruited through our local partnership with Salvation Army Employment Plus.

Renewable Recyclers Honoured with Top Environmental Award

Renewable Recyclers has over 50 clients from whom over 500kg was processed in 2012/13.

The business has plans to increase this throughput to 1000 tonnes per annum.

Newly adopted Stewardship Protocols being introduced by the Commonwealth to divert e-waste from landfill will help make this target a reality.

The Commonwealth Government’s Enterprise Connect Program Is reviewing Renewable Recyclers business practices, and this will provide suggestions for diversification, growth and long term viability.


RichmondPRA has partnered with Kwik Kopy Australia to create more career opportunities for people with psychosocial disabilities.

Kwik Kopy is well known as a leading provider of graphic design, print, web and marketing services with over 100 centres operating throughout Australia.

By opening and running a Kwik Kopy store in Sydney’s CBD, RichmondPRA plans to gradually integrate workers with a lived mental health experience into the business, enabling them to gain premium training, skills and experience in the printing and graphic design sector under the Kwik Kopy banner.

Eligible staff will go through a pre-employment support program enabling them to prepare for the demands of working in a fast-moving and customer-focused environment. This program gives workers tailor-made training, guidance and mentorship. Vocational support will be provided to give each worker the best chance of excelling, and complementary education through TAFE will also be encouraged.

More significantly, workers are able to side-step the isolation and stigmatization that often goes with mental illness by interacting with other workers in a stimulating environment where they can build new social networks and make a positive contribution. This helps provide a huge boost in self-esteem and makes an enormous difference to the recovery journey.

RichmondPRA Chief Executive, Pamela Rutledge says, “What started as a conceptual idea only eighteen months ago has blossomed into an exciting and unprecedented commercial reality with enormous social benefits.”

It is intended that about half of the centre’s staff will eventually be made up of people who have a lived experience of mental illness. 25 year old Ashleigh Parnell is one of the first people to be employed at the centre and so far she has been receiving training in data entry, packaging and binding.

“I feel like I’ve started a new journey of opportunity and hope. I know first-hand how devastating anxiety and unemployment can be when combined. But now I feel as though I’ve got day-to-day direction and I’m doing something meaningful. I feel like I’m in with a big chance to make progress with my life.” Ashleigh

Kwik Kopy Australia Chief Executive David Bell said the arrangement with RichmondPRA is highly innovative. “Everything is in place for this tremendous venture to move forward, and we’ll be watching closely to be sure that both the corporate and social results stack up.”

Kwik Kopy Partnership is RichmondPRA’s latest social enterprise

Pictured: Kwik Kopy manager, Mary Glastras and Ashleigh Parnell


Australians identify Tamworth as our Country Music Capital. To people on the land, Tamworth is also Australia’s National Equine Capital. It is home to the Kamilaroi people. Spread out along the banks of the beautiful Peel River, Tamworth is an important centre for business and administration, servicing a population in New England and the North West of over 200,000 people.

RichmondPRA opened its first community mental health support service in Tamworth in 2005. By 2013, our range of services there has grown to now include Aboriginal services, Housing, accommodation and community support, specialised homelessness services, and leadership of the Commonwealth’s new Partners In Recovery Program. Tamworth is also the management hub for RichmondPRA’s services in a wider area, which stretches to Armidale and Moree. Altogether, the mental health support services we provide in the area this year will cost $5.5million.

New England Partners In Recovery Conference To mark Mental Health Month during October, our Tamworth Team, led by our local Manager Jim Booth, organised a successful Partners in Recovery (PIR) Conference, attended by around 100 people from Tamworth and neighbouring areas. Partners In Recovery aims to streamline the multiple services and supports people use in their recovery journeys, to have those services work in a more co-ordinated and collaborative way. RichmondPRA is funded by the Commonwealth as the lead PIR agency in New England.

RichmondPRA CEO, Pamela Rutledge welcomed everyone to the conference, and set the scene for what was to be a busy two days. Informative and challenging speakers included John Feneley, NSW Mental Health Commissioner, Janet Meagher AM, National Mental Health Commissioner, Helen Glover, Recovery Orientated Educator and Trainer, Joan Wakeford, Carer and Founding Member of Tamworth’s iconic Billabong Clubhouse, and Amodha Ratnayeke from Infoxchange.

The conference focused on the challenges and opportunities that the Commonwealth’s new mental health program offers to regional communities to address the needs of people not yet effectively serviced by the range of local mental health and other supports in the area.

The conference also provided a timely opportunity to the relatively newly merged RichmondPRA to engage with the local community in our new form, rather than the two separate organisations locals have dealt with in the past. The “glue” that binds the new organisation is a strong recovery focus, and this also proved a most appropriate focus for those attending the conference.

RichmondPRA In Tamworth


RichmondPRA CEO talks Business Over BreakfastRichmondPRA CEO Pamela Rutledge was the key note speaker at the Tamworth Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on the 24 October.

150 people, employers from Tamworth and surrounds, filled the room.

Pam spoke about the importance of employers who are looking to hire recognising the role that can be played in the workforce by people who have a lived experience of mental illness. Quite often these people make better employees because they know their strengths and limitations, and they are determined to work and get ahead. They won’t take their jobs for granted.

Pam mentioned the stigma around mental illness, and how employers need to look beyond this. It’s also true that one in five people in society will experience mental illness of some sort during their lives, meaning there are many people in the workforce already who may not have disclosed that they might have a mental illness. People who disclose their illness shouldn’t be discriminated against.

Pam’s visit also provided employers an opportunity to discuss their own experiences of dealings in the workplace with people with a lived experience of mental illness.

Below: An exciting new initiative in Tamworth sees RichmondPRA partner with Homes North Community Housing to redevelop Minoa Court, a housing and support facility in Tamworth that has provided for socially disadvantaged people since 1972. In the new facility, funded by NSW Health, we will provide accommodation with 24 hour support, to assist people with mental illness and homeless men to transition into the local community.

..the mental health support services we provide in the area this year will cost

$5.5million


A Social Enterprise is a business that trades for a social purpose. It can be a very effective way of providing sustainable responses to social issues which impact on individuals and communities. Among the many examples of social enterprises are businesses that:

employ people who have difficulty finding employment due to some level of social disadvantage; or

provide traineeships as a pathway to the open labour market, or

provide for a community need; or

reinvest their profits in charitable causes.

A social enterprise might look like a “normal” business, but it is not just another business. If a social enterprise can’t make a profit, then it will go out of business. But profit is not the only goal. To be successful, a social enterprise must also demonstrate that it is making a difference through its social impact.

The idea of social enterprise is important to RichmondPRA. We have a strong commitment to finding jobs for people with psychosocial disability. We opened our first “sheltered workshop” in 1958, and have run businesses continuously since then, all with the aim of helping people who want to include the work experience in their personal recovery journey. We know how important work is

to a person’s self esteem. Many of the people who look to our services for support rate having a job as an important goal in their life.

If organisations like RichmondPRA have been running businesses for a social purpose for such a long time, why is social enterprise being talked about as if it is a new idea? The answer lies in the world-wide realisation that Governments simply don’t have the financial resources to address all of the community’s needs. As Governments search for responses to this problem, social enterprise models are attractive because:

they offer an opportunity for other individuals and institutions to invest in programs once thought of as only the concern of Government; and

with programs established on more commercial footings, they give rise to an expectation of financial sustainability without the need for ongoing Government financial support.

Under the social enterprise model, Governments might provide seed funding to a non Government organisation to establish a program and accept responsibility for its ongoing management and funding. It is then up to the non Government organisation to support the operation of the program, either by operating it as a successful business, or by finding other commercial or philanthropic partners.

Understanding Social Enterprise

Continued on Page 12

Pictured: Marina Talevska, Julie Fraser and Alison Perizi


In 2011, the Queensland Department of Communities funded a unique and ground-breaking service when it invited RichmondPRA to establish a Consumer Operated Service (COS) in Hervey Bay. The service enables consumers to direct their own level of involvement, participation and contribution and provides collaborative group support in the Resource and Recovery Centre. Here, members engage in common interests and activities, while working toward their goals. To compliment this, one-to-one peer support affords consumers opportunities for personal interchange, problem solving and self-reflection.

The program has been providing local consumers with real opportunities for recovery. At its core, the COS operates with a genuine peer ethos, embracing the philosophies of peer work and recovery in a practical and purposeful manner. All staff operating at the service identify with the peer tenet of having a lived experience of mental health issues and personal progression in recovery.

RichmondPRA’s commitment to employing people with a lived experience of mental health issues was acknowledged in 2010 when it was awarded the prestigious Diversity of Work award for achieving a key employment goal of having over 30% of its workforce consisting of people who identify with a “lived experience”. In 2013, RichmondPRA revised its goal towards employing a workforce who identify with a lived experience to 50% and are well underway to achieving this benchmark.

In upholding the integrity in the peer-consumer relationship, peer workers can create mutually beneficial relationships with consumers, which engage each in a reciprocal support, enabling them to evolve in their recovery.

Throughout its development, the RichmondPRA Hervey Bay COS has evolved to maximise its operations and benefits to the community. The Warmline (1800 WE LISTEN) is a unique aspect of the service, available to the people from the Wide Bay Health Service Area. Uniquely different to a hotline, 1800 WE LISTEN is a phone support service specialising in talking through issues, before they elevate to a crisis level. Trained peer workers operate the line, with the intention of providing personal support.

Building on plans to strengthen and diversify the COS program, Spinnaker on Spinnaker is RichmondPRA’s respite house in Hervey Bay, which is due to open in late 2013. This retreat will be available for short-term stays for consumers who access the COS. The philosophy of the retreat is to provide an additional accommodation-based respite support, positioned between independent living and hospital admittance.

Developing a consumer operated, recovery-focussed mental health service in Queensland has certainly been a highlight for RichmondPRA, and staff and supporters have cemented its position in the local community as a service leader.

Embracing New Recovery Thinking in Queensland

CONSUMER OPERATED SERVICE


RichmondPRA coverage in the media continues to gain momentum with new stories in local and major metropolitan media.

In September, RichmondPRA in the Riverina launched an ‘Original Bands Only’ concert which was headlined by Wagga band Utopia Broke. Guests were asked to give a gold coin donation to support mental health in the community.

In Taree, an art exhibition ‘Brushes with Life’ showcased the works of people with lived experience of mental illness and their families, carers and mental health professionals. The exhibition also spearheaded the local celebrations for National Mental Health Awareness Month in October.

As mentioned on page 4, Renewable Recylers was honoured with a top environmental award at the Green Globe Award ceremony. Great media coverage ensued with a story on WIN news TV and ABC news.

In October, Tamworth hosted the Partners in Recovery Conference. Extensive local and regional interest was generated in print and broadcast media.

Further to our story about small community grants on page 11, in December, a community tennis day was held in Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills. Hosted in partnership with Jensen’s Tennis this is a part of the ‘Peer Tennis Project’ which grew out of a vision to improve the mental wellbeing of people living with mental illness through tennis.

Building partnerships for the health of all

By Rebecca Belt

THE New England Partners in

Recovery forum in Tamworth is

aiming to put patients and carers

at the centre of services and

support.

The two-day conference start-

ed yesterday at the Tamworth

Jockey Club and its goal is to get

mental health services to part-

ner with each other to offer cus-

tomised care to those in need.

“It’s all about working together

for the good of the person,”

National Mental Health Com-

missioner Janet Meagher said.

Ms Meagher was part of the

working group that designed the

Partners in Recovery initiative

and said it was a new way of

doing what they’d always done.

“It’s about realigning our part-


nerships with other providers,”

she said.

“We will focus on the needy

person and together try to meet

whatever needs they have. It is

those people in the community

that people cross the street to

avoid, with their mental illness

making them less socially

acceptable. We will look at that

and do whatever it takes to

engage that person and have

them feel a genuine part of the

community in their recovery.”

Ms Meagher said they would

do whatever it took to achieve

those aims.

Richmond PRA chief execu-

tive officer Pam Rutledge said

networking between services

was being encouraged at the


forum because they found,

despite a lot of effort, many peo-

ple with mental illness fell

“through the cracks”.

Ms Rutledge said there were

hundreds of people living with

mental illness and not con-

tributing to the community in

the way they wanted to.

“The consumer is at the heart

of it and over the two days, we’ll

really work through how we can

do things better and differently,”

she said. “It’s about new ideas

and new partnerships. We want a

much clearer insight and how

to engage with carers and

consumers.”

BETTER CARE: Richmond PRA’s Pamela Rutledge with National

Mental Health Commissioner Janet Meagher. 231013GOA02

Building partnerships for the health of all

By Rebecca Belt

THE New England Partners in

Recovery forum in Tamworth is

aiming to put patients and carers

at the centre of services and

support.

The two-day conference start-

ed yesterday at the Tamworth

Jockey Club and its goal is to get

mental health services to part-

ner with each other to offer cus-

tomised care to those in need.

“It’s all about working together

for the good of the person,”

National Mental Health Com-

missioner Janet Meagher said.

Ms Meagher was part of the

working group that designed the

Partners in Recovery initiative

and said it was a new way of

doing what they’d always done.


nerships with other providers,”

she said.

“We will focus on the needy

person and together try to meet

whatever needs they have. It is

those people in the community

that people cross the street to

avoid, with their mental illness

making them less socially

acceptable. We will look at that

and do whatever it takes to

engage that person and have

them feel a genuine part of the

community in their recovery.”

Ms Meagher said they would

do whatever it took to achieve

those aims.

Richmond PRA chief execu-

tive officer Pam Rutledge said

networking between services


forum because they found,

despite a lot of effort, many peo-

ple with mental illness fell

“through the cracks”.

Ms Rutledge said there were

hundreds of people living with

mental illness and not con-

tributing to the community in

the way they wanted to.

“The consumer is at the heart

of it and over the two days, we’ll

really work through how we can

do things better and differently,”

she said. “It’s about new ideas

and new partnerships. We want a

much clearer insight and how

to engage with carers and

consumers.”

BETTER CARE: Richmond PRA’s Pamela Rutledge with National

Mental Health Commissioner Janet Meagher. 231013GOA02

Ref: 219693927

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy

Northern Daily Leader

Thursday 24/10/2013

Page: 4

Section: General News

Region: Tamworth NSW, AU

Circulation: 5677

Type: Regional

Size: 171.17 sq.cms.

AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]

press clip

Creating art brings a sense of communityA SERIES of art making work-shops have been proudly spon-sored by the local branch ofRichmondPRA, which is a mentalhealth recovery support service.These workshops provide theopportunity for people with men-tal health issues and their carersto come together in a relaxed so-cial atmosphere to try somethingnew, whether it’s playing withpaint, drawing, collage, paintingpet rocks or just having a chat.

Materials and lunch are sup-plied free to participants and noart experience is necessary. There is one more workshoptaking place tomorrow between10am and 2pm at the UnitingChurch Hall in Cundletown.

“Creating art gives me a lot ofsatisfaction and helps to clarifyand release confusion,” one of theworkshop participants CraigElkington said.“Getting out of the house, so-cialising and getting involved inthe community is one of the ben-efits of attending the workshopand this helps to lift my self-es-teem.

“Joining others in making arthelps you to realise that you arenot alone; other people are goingthrough similar situations. Theseworkshops are a good way to getsupport without the pressure ofcompeting or needing to work to atimeline.”The workshops will culminate

in an exhibition planned for thelong weekend in October titledBrushes with Life, which will helpto celebrate National MentalHealth Awareness Month. If you would like to come alongto the workshop or have artworkthat you would like to submit forthe exhibition, please phoneKirsten on 1300 779 270.

Brushes with Life will be open-ing at Shop 1 Pulteney Arcade (onPulteney Street) on Thursday,October 3 at 5.30pm, and will beopen to the public every day fromthen until Monday, October 7.Right: Craig Elkington with his workfor the Brushes with Life exhibition.

Creating art brings a sense of communityA SERIES of art making work-shops have been proudly spon-sored by the local branch ofRichmondPRA, which is a mentalhealth recovery support service.

These workshops provide theopportunity for people with men-tal health issues and their carersto come together in a relaxed so-cial atmosphere to try somethingnew, whether it’s playing withpaint, drawing, collage, paintingpet rocks or just having a chat. Materials and lunch are sup-plied free to participants and noart experience is necessary. There is one more workshoptaking place tomorrow between10am and 2pm at the UnitingChurch Hall in Cundletown.

“Creating art gives me a lot ofsatisfaction and helps to clarifyand release confusion,” one of theworkshop participants CraigElkington said.“Getting out of the house, so-cialising and getting involved inthe community is one of the ben-efits of attending the workshopand this helps to lift my self-es-teem.

“Joining others in making arthelps you to realise that you arenot alone; other people are goingthrough similar situations. Theseworkshops are a good way to getsupport without the pressure ofcompeting or needing to work to atimeline.”The workshops will culminate

in an exhibition planned for thelong weekend in October titledBrushes with Life, which will helpto celebrate National MentalHealth Awareness Month. If you would like to come alongto the workshop or have artworkthat you would like to submit forthe exhibition, please phoneKirsten on 1300 779 270.

Brushes with Life will be open-ing at Shop 1 Pulteney Arcade (onPulteney Street) on Thursday,October 3 at 5.30pm, and will beopen to the public every day fromthen until Monday, October 7.Right: Craig Elkington with his workfor the Brushes with Life exhibition.

Ref: 212677900


Manning River Times(Taree)Wednesday 11/09/2013Page: 4Section: General NewsRegion: Taree NSW, AUCirculation: 3442Type: RegionalSize: 203.53 sq.cms.


press clip

Mental Health conference

underway in Tamworth

PEOPLE with experi-

ence of mental illness

and some of the country’s

foremost mental health

experts have arrived in

Tamworth to participate

in a significant mental

health planning confer-

ence.

The New England Partners

in Recovery (PIR) two-day

conference began yesterday

at Tamworth Jockey Club and

will conclude this afternoon.

It will also encompass the

Tamworth Business Chamber

monthly breakfast for October,

which is Mental Health Month.

The conference is a

key plank of the recently

announced New England PIR

program, a new approach to

mental health support co-

ordinated by RichmondPRA in

partnership with seven other

local mental health and com-

munity service providers and

public and private support

services.

The conference will ena-

ble mental health stakehold-

ers to map out how the local

PIR program can work most

effectively, with an empha-

sis on support providers and

recipients and the community

interacting more cohesively to

ensure better mental health

outcomes.

Keynote speakers and par-

ticipants include National

Mental Health Commissioner

Janet Meagher AM, NSW Men-

tal Health Commissioner John

Feneley and RichmondPRA

CEO Pamela Rutledge.

A series of breakout sessions

will enable feedback and input

to be collected and included

in the broader PIR objective.

These will be facilitated by

well-known Queensland based

mental educator and trainer,

Helen Glover.

RichmondPRA CEO Pam

Rutledge said the conference

was unprecedented in New

England and most other parts

of regional Australia.

“We are giving locals who

live with, work with or who

are in some way affected by

mental illness a chance to

have a say on how recovery

journeys can be improved,”

Ms Rutledge said.

“With such information we

can move towards ensuring

that people with a lived expe-

rience of mental illness and

complex needs get the right

intervention and help at the

right time.

“We need to minimise peo-

ple becoming lost in a maze

of care and support offerings

and maximise opportunities

for people to be taken by the

hand and guided to the help

they need.

“Such tailor-made support

is vital for anyone with a lived

experience of mental illness.”

National Mental Health

Commissioner Janet Meagher

AM said the conference would

reinforce that many people in

the community live with men-

tal illness, and that the com-

munity as a whole can play a

recovery journey role.

“Many people who live with

mental illness are isolated

and socially alienated,” Ms

Meagher said.

“It’s important to under-

stand that everyone in the

community can play a role

ensuring that people with lived

experience of mental illness

are included.

“We can all take some

responsibility for ensuring a

place for such people.

“Through this conference,

the community will see that

the local PIR program can pro-

vide a better mechanism for

improved social inclusion and

personal recovery outcomes.

“Raising the bar of aware-

ness and prompting the com-

munity to help people living

with mental illness towards a

meaningful and contributing

life is all important.”

NSW Mental Health Com-

missioner John Feneley said

“When implemented properly

the PIR program can support

people to live, work and thrive

in the community”.

“Even a simple thing such

as recounting of personal cir-

cumstances can be extremely

frustrating.

“By having service providers

work together better we will be

able to deliver a cohesive sup-

port network for people living

with mental illness and their

families.”

Mental Health conference

underway in TamworthPEOPLE with experi-

ence of mental illness

and some of the country’s

foremost mental health

experts have arrived in

Tamworth to participate

in a significant mental

health planning confer-

ence.

The New England Partners

in Recovery (PIR) two-day

conference began yesterday

at Tamworth Jockey Club and

will conclude this afternoon.

It will also encompass the

Tamworth Business Chamber

monthly breakfast for October,

which is Mental Health Month.

The conference is a

key plank of the recently

announced New England PIR

program, a new approach to

mental health support co-

ordinated by RichmondPRA in

partnership with seven other

local mental health and com-

munity service providers and

public and private support

services.

The conference will ena-

ble mental health stakehold-

ers to map out how the local

PIR program can work most

effectively, with an empha-

sis on support providers and

recipients and the community

interacting more cohesively to

ensure better mental health

outcomes.

Keynote speakers and par-

ticipants include National

Mental Health Commissioner

Janet Meagher AM, NSW Men-

tal Health Commissioner John

Feneley and RichmondPRA

CEO Pamela Rutledge.

A series of breakout sessions

will enable feedback and input

to be collected and included

in the broader PIR objective.

These will be facilitated by

well-known Queensland based

mental educator and trainer,

Helen Glover.

RichmondPRA CEO Pam

Rutledge said the conference

was unprecedented in New

England and most other parts

of regional Australia.

“We are giving locals who

live with, work with or who

are in some way affected by

mental illness a chance to

have a say on how recovery

journeys can be improved,”

Ms Rutledge said.

“With such information we

can move towards ensuring

that people with a lived expe-

rience of mental illness and

complex needs get the right

intervention and help at the

right time.

“We need to minimise peo-

ple becoming lost in a maze

of care and support offerings

and maximise opportunities

for people to be taken by the

hand and guided to the help

they need.

“Such tailor-made support

is vital for anyone with a lived

experience of mental illness.”

National Mental Health

Commissioner Janet Meagher

AM said the conference would

reinforce that many people in

the community live with men-

tal illness, and that the com-

munity as a whole can play a

recovery journey role.

“Many people who live with

mental illness are isolated

and socially alienated,” Ms

Meagher said.

“It’s important to under-

stand that everyone in the

community can play a role

ensuring that people with lived

experience of mental illness

are included.

“We can all take some

responsibility for ensuring a

place for such people.

“Through this conference,

the community will see that

the local PIR program can pro-

vide a better mechanism for

improved social inclusion and

personal recovery outcomes.

“Raising the bar of aware-

ness and prompting the com-

munity to help people living

with mental illness towards a

meaningful and contributing

life is all important.”

NSW Mental Health Com-

missioner John Feneley said

“When implemented properly

the PIR program can support

people to live, work and thrive

in the community”.

“Even a simple thing such

as recounting of personal cir-

cumstances can be extremely

frustrating.

“By having service providers

work together better we will be

able to deliver a cohesive sup-

port network for people living

with mental illness and their

families.”

Ref: 219999664


Namoi Valley Independent

(Gunnedah)Thursday 24/10/2013Page: 13


Region: Gunnedah NSW, AU

Circulation: 2792

Type: Regional



press clip

Businesses told to employpeople with mental illnessA CHALLENGE has been issued tolocal businesses to consider employ-ing more people living with a mentalillness.

A Tamworth Business Chamber(TBC) meeting yesterday heard peopleliving with a mental illness were oftenmore loyal and had less sick days thanother employees.

Mental illness support organisationRichmond PRA was invited to themeeting to discuss mental health inthe workplace to more than 100 localbusiness people.

Service manager for Richmond PRA-Tamworth Jim Booth said the address,conducted by Richmond PRA chiefexecutive officer Pam Rutledge can-vassed a wide range of topics aroundmental illness in the workplace.

“We spoke about knowing whatmental health signs to look out for inyour colleagues,” Mr Booth said.

“We also threw down a challenge tobusiness owners to consider employ-ing a person with a lived experience ofmental illness.

“It’s about destigmatising mental ill-ness and we want them to look atincluding people who may have beenexcluded before and allow them tocontribute in life.

“They can be very loyal employeesand they tend to have less sick daysbecause they know their limitations –they understand their mental illness.”

TBC president Tim Coates said busi-nesses responded positively tothemessage.

“Mental health in the workplace is acritical issue and it means manythings,” Mr Coates said.

“It’s the ability to communicate withone another, to be tolerant and tounderstand when somebody is havinga bad day.

“Finding that work-life balance alsoplays an important part.”

MIND MATTERS: Richmond PRA CEO Pam Rutledge implored local businesses to consider employingmore people living with a mental illness.

Businesses told to employpeople with mental illnessA CHALLENGE has been issued tolocal businesses to consider employ-ing more people living with a mentalillness.

A Tamworth Business Chamber(TBC) meeting yesterday heard peopleliving with a mental illness were oftenmore loyal and had less sick days thanother employees.

Mental illness support organisationRichmond PRA was invited to themeeting to discuss mental health inthe workplace to more than 100 localbusiness people.

Service manager for Richmond PRA-Tamworth Jim Booth said the address,conducted by Richmond PRA chiefexecutive officer Pam Rutledge can-vassed a wide range of topics aroundmental illness in the workplace.

“We spoke about knowing whatmental health signs to look out for inyour colleagues,” Mr Booth said.

“We also threw down a challenge tobusiness owners to consider employ-ing a person with a lived experience ofmental illness.

“It’s about destigmatising mental ill-ness and we want them to look atincluding people who may have beenexcluded before and allow them tocontribute in life.

“They can be very loyal employeesand they tend to have less sick daysbecause they know their limitations –they understand their mental illness.”

TBC president Tim Coates said busi-nesses responded positively tothemessage.

“Mental health in the workplace is acritical issue and it means manythings,” Mr Coates said.

“It’s the ability to communicate withone another, to be tolerant and tounderstand when somebody is havinga bad day.

“Finding that work-life balance alsoplays an important part.”

MIND MATTERS: Richmond PRA CEO Pam Rutledge implored local businesses to consider employingmore people living with a mental illness.

Ref: 219899870


Northern Daily LeaderFriday 25/10/2013Page: 10Section: General NewsRegion: Tamworth NSW, AUCirculation: 5677Type: RegionalSize: 161.91 sq.cms.


press clip

Rock out

at mental

health gigLOCAL bands are tuning up for an

afternoon of entertainment in Wagga

to raise awareness of mental health.

“Original Bands Only”, will see a

number of local bands perform at a

concert at the Home Tavern on

Sunday September 15 from 2pm to

6pm.

The event will be headlined by

Wagga band Utopia Broke.

Supporting bands include 13 Wins,

Keeping Autumn and Dave Biggin.

Guests are asked to make a gold

coin donation upon entry, with all

proceeds set to go to leading not-for-

profit community-based mental

health support provider

RichmondPRA.

Utopia Broke songwriter and front-

man Sean Reardon said there was a

strong consensus among the bands

that a concert to raise funds for men-

tal health awareness was worth-

while.

“Just about everyone knows some-

one whose been directly or indirectly

affected by mental illness,” Sean

said.

“Mental health is an issue that’s

particularly relevant in the Riverina.

Even some of the band members

know what it’s like to see loved ones

suffer, which spurred us to put this

gig on.

“We’re dealing with personal expe-

riences that can be too painful to talk

about, but we’re more than happy to

step up and let our music do the talk-

ing.“We’re asking people to come along

and enjoy some great locally-grown

original music while contributing to

a good social cause.”

RichmondPRA Riverina Service

Manager Lex Burgess said the local

bands needed to be commended.

“We can’t thank the bands enough

for what they’re doing,” Lex said.

“This isn’t just about raising

money for a good cause – it’s about

getting word out that lives can be

turned around if people with signs

and symptoms of mental illness

reach out for help.

“One in five people will have a lived

experience of mental illness at some

stage in their lives, such as depres-

sion of bi-polar disorder.”

RichmondPRA is a not-for-profit

organisation providing recovery

focussed support programs, accom-

modation and hope.

Rock out

at mental

health gig

LOCAL bands are tuning up for an

afternoon of entertainment in Wagga

to raise awareness of mental health.

“Original Bands Only”, will see a

number of local bands perform at a

concert at the Home Tavern on

Sunday September 15 from 2pm to

6pm.

The event will be headlined by

Wagga band Utopia Broke.

Supporting bands include 13 Wins,

Keeping Autumn and Dave Biggin.

Guests are asked to make a gold

coin donation upon entry, with all

proceeds set to go to leading not-for-

profit community-based mental

health support provider

RichmondPRA.

Utopia Broke songwriter and front-

man Sean Reardon said there was a

strong consensus among the bands

that a concert to raise funds for men-

tal health awareness was worth-

while.

“Just about everyone knows some-

one whose been directly or indirectly

affected by mental illness,” Sean

said.

“Mental health is an issue that’s

particularly relevant in the Riverina.

Even some of the band members

know what it’s like to see loved ones

suffer, which spurred us to put this

gig on.

“We’re dealing with personal expe-

riences that can be too painful to talk

about, but we’re more than happy to

step up and let our music do the talk-

ing.“We’re asking people to come along

and enjoy some great locally-grown

original music while contributing to

a good social cause.”

RichmondPRA Riverina Service

Manager Lex Burgess said the local

bands needed to be commended.

“We can’t thank the bands enough

for what they’re doing,” Lex said.

“This isn’t just about raising

money for a good cause – it’s about

getting word out that lives can be

turned around if people with signs

and symptoms of mental illness

reach out for help.

“One in five people will have a lived

experience of mental illness at some

stage in their lives, such as depres-

sion of bi-polar disorder.”

RichmondPRA is a not-for-profit

organisation providing recovery

focussed support programs, accom-

modation and hope.

Ref: 211535283


Leader Wagga Wagga

Wednesday 4/09/2013

Page: 48


Region: Wagga Wagga, AU

Circulation: 22264

Type: Regional



press clip

In the Media


The RichmondPRA team recently sponsored a grant application on behalf of the local Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN), which is a community based network of local agency representatives and community members including David Jones from RichmondPRA in Bega.

The Club Grants scheme is a state-wide initiative that recognises clubs’ significant financial support for projects and services that contribute to the wellbeing of their communities

The successful grant application was used to publish a poster, cards and a calendar of events to promote activities for good mental health and well-being during Mental Health Month in October. Features were placed in Bega, Eden and Merimbula local papers to raise awareness of mental health and to educate people about what services are available to support people.

Project leader, David Jones said, “The Community Information Cards were brought about by people not knowing where to go to for help. Important information has been printed onto a brochure which folds into a credit card size and fits nicely in a wallet. We are really pleased to contribute to a community program which raises the profile of Mental Health in and around Bega.”

A local community grant from the City of Sydney Council provided valuable funding for the Buckhouse Bouncers Mental Health Peer Tennis Project. The grant will provide for more social tennis days and more opportunities to increase the Peer Coach Project.

RichmondPRA’s Buckingham House members have attended weekly tennis coaching and match sessions at the Jensen’s Tennis Centre twice a week for a couple of years. Participants of the tennis program established a Buckingham House Tennis Club called ‘The Buckhouse Bouncers’. The goals of the social tennis days are to increase networks, to promote sport and recreation as a form of stress reduction and to improve the physical and mental health of participants.

RichmondPRA services Connecting with the community

My name is Anthony English and I am currently a Tennis Coach for mental health consumers as well as for primary school aged children enrolled in a junior coaching program. My story begins 12 years ago when I was an ordinary citizen going to work paying my taxes when one day I suffered a significant head injury where I stopped breathing. I was revived but my prognosis was not good, I was told I would never work again and that my mental illness could not be treated. I entered into the mental health system and for the next nine to 10 years on and off I had multiple hospitalisations. I began to believe my diagnosis and prognosis. What a terrible thought!!!

Then about three years ago I entered into a tennis competition at a social tennis day during mental

health week and was asked to follow up as a potential tennis coach. I played tennis as a kid, and to become a tennis coach was a wonderful connection. I felt confident in my ability as a tennis player! Coaching for me was the next best step it seemed.

I still have good and bad days but I am working permanent part-time and I also have a small business that keeps me busy. My advice to anyone is to a find a craft; study, poetry, pottery, etc. and never give up on it. I can never know all there is to know about tennis but there’s never a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new! So find a passion and never stop perfecting it. Good luck and fight the good fight.

Meet Anthony

www.RichmondPRA.org.au Phone 1300 779 270Fax 02 9699 5188Email [email protected]

Connections is the quarterly newsletter of RichmondPRA. RichmondPRA is Australia's newest not-for-profit mental health organisation. We work in local communities to help people on their mental health recovery journey.

Disclaimer: the views expressed here are not necessarily those of RichmondPRA, its management, staff or service users. The information is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.

All contributions to this magazine are welcome.

It was under this model that RichmondPRA’s first social enterprise was established in 2010. The Commonwealth provided a grant to establish the Renewable Recyclers business in the Wollongong area to create employment for people who would be adversely affected by the downturn in the area’s manufacturing sector as a result of the Global Financial Crisis. Once established, there was no ongoing support Government financial support for the business, which is working towards sustainability in a difficult environment.

Since then, RichmondPRA has already invested in two more social enterprises – Figtree Conference Centre and now Kwik Kopy. The early results of these ventures are encouraging, and we will be looking at other opportunities into the future.

After running a successful promotional stand during August at the Australian Business Events Expo at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, the secret is getting out about Figtree Conference Centre.

Over the two days, the Figtree Conference Centre booth generated a lot of interest and also provided the opportunity for Julie Fraser, Alison Perezi, Marina Talevska and Keith Christenson to talk to people directly about the unique conference space available in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

People were particularly keen to learn more about the social aspect of how the centre is run, and there was real enthusiasm about how businesses could support positive social outcomes by holding an event at Figtree Conference Centre.

Many high quality leads and event enquiries have already started filtering through due to our presence at the Expo, and the team is busy looking to convert those leads into new customers.

We would also like to welcome Leon Adler, our new Venue and Sales Manager who started at Figtree in late September. Leon brings a raft of fine skills and experience to help position and grow the business at Figtree Conference Centre.

You can contact Leon to discuss your meeting or

event needs on 9393 9051.

From Page 8

Figree Conference Centre proves to be a hit

Connections #2 Summer 2013

Documents

Transcript of Connections #2 Summer 2013