New parents, migrants to benefit from wellbeing grant

Peer-to-peer support for mental health has been given a $50,000 boost, thanks to a Central Lakes Trust grant.

The funding has been given to the Southern Wellbeing Trust, to help it continue its GoodYarn workshops.

Piloted in the last year, the workshops target three at-need community groups – new parents, migrants and those working with vulnerable people – and are aimed at helping participants better understand their mental health and increase knowledge and confidence in talking to people around them who are struggling.

Southern Wellbeing Trust general manager Anna Dorsey says the funding from the Central Lakes Trust will mean more migrants, new parents, and community partners will be able to participate in the subsidised workshops and continue to support their mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them.

“We know from early reports that these workshops are really reaching into those parts of the community who do need more support right now and who may not be accessing traditional avenues of care, so they are really helping us to better protect the wellbeing and resilience of our people during this challenging time.

“This latest grant will mean we can continue to keep delivering targeted support for those communities and help us all to help each other.”

The Southern Wellbeing Trust plans to continue to deliver GoodYarn Community workshops after the pilot officially ends in April, with small business workshops hoping to be added to the portfolio of workshops being delivered, subject to funding, she says.

Central Lakes Trust grants manager Mat Begg says mental health support in the community is vital and it’s a priority for the trust.

“Approximately a third of our annual grants budget goes towards supporting these core services for the benefit of our community.

“We understand the need in the community for mental health support, and the GoodYarn programme is helping to meet that need.”

Click here for more information about upcoming GoodYarn workshops.

Main image: (Left to right) Southern Wellbeing Trust director Dr Tim Rigg, Central Lakes Trust chief executive Susan Finlay, and Southern Wellbeing Trust general manager Anna Dorsey.