Year: 2018

Program: Waves of Wellness

Anglicare have partnered with Waves of Wellness creating a program designed to support individuals experiencing complex mental health challenges through innovative, recovery-focused projects.

The program entitled Waves of Wellness is aimed at youth between the ages of 13 and 25 who struggle with their mental health through surf therapy. The grant will cover the full running of the program, providing three blocks of 8 week cognitive behavioural therapy alongside surf lessons to facilitate positive therapy outcomes.

The program aims to reach out to 30 young adults across three different areas within Sydney. Providing a safe space where they can bond over their common mental health struggles in an inclusive environment, alongside learning about surf safety and survival skills.

Narelle Hand, Regional Manager Community Services states:“With your donation we have been able to run 3 additional programs which will provide support for up to 30 young people. We wouldn’t have been able to reach that many people without you. We are blessed to have the support of Ansvar Insurance”.

Key Objectives:

-Waves of Wellness will service individuals who are facing complex mental health challenges
-Combine aspects of physical and mental health into recovery
-Strengthen social skills, de-stigmatising mental health struggles
-Touch on a variety of recovery tools which includes spirituality
-Improved self-confidence

Expected outcomes from the program

Anglicare aim to strengthen the connection of people who are isolated and lonely in the community. They plan to bring mental health discussion to the forefront of mainstream community interactions, to facilitate a shift in the way people view and treat mental health.

Their goal is to provide each participant with the skills and tools to not only maintain their own health and wellbeing, but to also positively influence their relationships with friends and family.

Anglicare expect to significantly reduce loneliness and isolation for participants of this program, fostering new and existing relationships. This will in turn connect participants with an established community at the culmination of the program through local churches.

Participants are expected to gain skills to develop and maintain better quality relationships in their lives, as well as solidify connections within the program group that will translate into friendships outside the program.

$250,000 awarded to seven worthy Australian non-profit organisations.

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith and Heritage sectors has announced the 2017/ 2018 recipients of its annual Community Education Program (CEP) grants. The grants are provided to support sustainable programs for Australians under the age of 25, promoting ongoing education, skill training and programs making a significant difference to the lives of the participants.

The Ansvar CEP Grant program was launched in 1994 and to date has donated over $10 million dollars to programs that fall into two categories – Empowerment and Education & Outreach and Support.

“We are very proud of our CEP Grant Program and inspired by the phenomenal work that this year’s seven recipients do to better the lives of Australia’s young people. Funding for non-profit organisations becomes more and more of a challenge every year, and Ansvar looks forward to watching these amazing organisations make a positive impact in so many people’s lives”, said Warren Hutcheon CEO Ansvar.

The seven 2017/ 2018 Ansvar CEP Grant recipients and their programs:

1. Anglicare – Waves of Wellness
2. Hunter Life Education – Adopt a School
3. Ocean Heroes – Ocean Heroes
4. One Voice for Aussie Youth Ltd – Elevate
5. Schools Ministry Group – Life Matters “The Blueprint to Becoming a Man” Workshop
6. Skilling Australia Foundation – Career Edge Brisbane
7. Zoe Support Australia – Breaking the Cycle and Building Bridges

Josh Wilkins, One Voice for Aussie Youth Ltd CEO was thrilled to receive the grant from Ansvar. The CEP grant will cover the full costs of providing the first accommodation unit of a housing community. The housing community will be available to young people aged 18-25 years, who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, or those who have taken a wrong turn in life and need help to restore it. “The hairs are standing up on the back of my neck, this funding means so much” said Wilkins.

Skilling Australia’s Amy-Lou Cowdroy-Ling in Brisbane said “We are ecstatic to receive this news and look forward to working with you”. Their Career Edge Brisbane program will provide training to enable disadvantaged unemployed young people to complete an apprenticeship with a host employer.

“Schools have been crying out for a program aimed towards this subject matter and we are excited to be able to offer this new program” said Cathy Moore, another grant recipient. Cathy is the Fundraising Manager of Schools Ministry Group and their program is Life Matters, “The Blueprint to Becoming a Man” Workshop. Suicide is the number one cause of death for Australian men aged 15-44. This program will aim to educate male students aged 12-17 years and bring awareness, along with practical methods on how to overcome battles they may face as they enter adulthood.

“Ansvar has a strong community focus and we are thrilled to be able to support these organisations. We believe all of Australia’s youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and through the programs and services offered as a result of the grants we are helping these organisations to make a difference,” says Hutcheon.

Details on each of the programs can be viewed here