Life in rural and remote areas can be amazing – and challenging.
A free one-day workshop will be held in Tenterfield later this month to help local people who may be facing difficulties living in ‘the bush.’
The workshop, hosted by The Quest for Life Foundation, aims to support emotional wellbeing and recovery for people in rural and regional areas and includes morning tea and lunch.
The Your Life Matters session will be hosted by experienced facilitator Kate Szymanski on how to build resilience, the importance of self-care, how to incorporate relaxation into everyday life and managing emotions.
Foundation Founder Petrea King established the organisation after a series of personal traumas.
“The Foundation provides educational programs and community-based outreach workshops that encourage, educate and empower people to improve their resilience and peace of mind during times of illness, depression, grief and trauma,” Ms King said.
“We take an holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, almost 30 per cent of the population, or around seven million people, live in rural and remote areas, which encompasses many diverse locations and communities.
The Institute says these Australians face unique challenges due to their geographic location and often have poorer health outcomes than people living in metropolitan areas – including higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths and injury and poorer access to primary health care services, than people living in major cities.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics also revealed that many in rural areas face social problems that can impact daily life and long-term growth. Education systems in small communities are often weak, compared to what is available in major cities and there is usually a shortage of job opportunities.
The Quest for Life Foundation programs aim to focus on helping people in rural areas to improve their wellbeing.
“Our programs recognise that unexpected and unthinkable things can happen to any of us,” Ms King said.
“Quest takes a whole-person and recovery-oriented approach to wellbeing, using the latest scientific research into neuroscience and evidence-based health and healing modalities.
“Our highly trained health professionals and facilitators offer training in resilience and healing principles in rural, regional, and metropolitan areas throughout Australia.
“We are passionately committed to assisting people living with challenging life circumstances – including carers, veterans, emergency workers, survivors of childhood physical, emotional or sexual abuse, vehicle, sporting and other accidents, those with cancer or life-threatening and chronic illness, refugees, victims or witnesses of crime or domestic violence, people with work related injuries and any individual, organisation or community in grief or crisis.”
Quest’s professional teams are highly trained and qualified health professionals and include psychologists, counsellors, mental health social workers, psychotherapists as well as naturopaths, massage therapists, yoga, and meditation teachers.
Many of the team’s professional staff have also experienced and recovered from traumatic experiences.
Ms King said this ‘lived experience’ adds an invaluable dimension to their programs.
The free community workshop is to be held from 9.30am until 3pm on Wednesday August 27 at The Henry Parkes Motel in Tenterfield. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Women’s Resilience Centre pop-up to browse pre-loved clothing and learn about their support services for women.
Those interested should call 1300 941 488 for more information or to register. Or go online here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-your-life-matters-rural-regional-workshops-tenterfield-tickets-1462462898899?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Other community workshops will also be held during the week of August 25 in the Inverell and Armidale areas. For more information check the website
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