South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation

COMMUNITY SAFETY
& WELLBEING

Aboriginal Child Mentoring Program

School based mentoring and support

The primary purpose of this collaborative in-school program is to provide a place for creative expression, to support Aboriginal children in their emotional day-to-day well-being and to assist in building cultural identity, positive self-esteem, resilience and personal empowerment. We also aim to increase engagement in school participation and attendance. The program utilises Mentoring and Art/Play-based Therapies, with children working alongside their Aboriginal Mentor and Child Therapist in a range of activities. The benefits of this Therapeutic interaction, advocacy and mediation support also extends to the families, carers and wider community.

Mentoring

• Mentor Aboriginal children
• Increase & support cultural identity and pride
• Develop self-awareness for positive life choices
• Increase safety and resilience
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships
• Support and guidance for challenging behaviours

Education

• Remain engaged with education
• Provide cultural art and craft activities
• Cultural and community protocols
• Provide cultural workshops and events
• Increase school attendance and engagement

Advocacy

• Advocacy for students & parents
• Advocacy for children & families
• Referral to service providers
• Building relationships
• Consultation with community elders
• Crisis intervention

Individualised Therapeutic sessions

• Appropriately trained staff
• Art, Clay & Child Play Therapy
• Culture-based nature craft
• Interactive activities to express feelings and support

Strong Foundations
Koori Kids Safety & Wellbeing Program

“Keep The Family Spirit Strong, Yarn About Your Wellbeing”

Strong Foundations is a school-based program designed to support the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students aged 8 – 13 within the Shoalhaven region of NSW. We provide group sessions, individual counselling, and community education. Our aim is to raise awareness of mental health wellbeing, encourage help seeking behaviours, increase resilience and build stronger communities.

Strong Foundations uses a tailored approach for each group session, incorporating outdoor group activities as well as cultural themed art & craft, drawing on key principals of the “Be You” framework. * Individual counselling is based on referral.

The program covers topics including:

• Positive Thinking
• Physical Wellbeing
• Building Support Pathways
• Understanding Self, Others and Culture
• Cultural Identity & Help Seeking
• Positive Self Esteem
• Communicating With Others

Koori Youth Group

The Koori Youth Group provides a safe place for young people ages 12-24yrs to access support and mentoring through a structured program that provides opportunities to participate in a group mentoring program and fitness activities. The program is designed to assist young people to set goals, improve behaviour, health and wellbeing. The program also offers a diversion to the negative social impacts that young Aboriginal people may face in their community and assist those to reintegrate into community and establish positive relationships with peers and mentors. Appropriately qualified staff facilitate each session and are able to provide individualised support and assist young people to access appropriate local health, welfare and legal services to improve their current situations.

For more information contact our Wellbeing team: email: intake@southcoastams.org.au or call: 4448 0200.

*Please note: there are limited spots available and priority is given to clients already engaged in our Child & Family services and Wellbeing programs.
Please contact our team as soon as possible if you are interested in securing a spot.

Women’s Group

The Shoalhaven Women’s Group supports local women around substance use, confidence, self-esteem, and health and wellbeing. The program is held weekly and provides a safe place for women to heal with other likeminded Aboriginal women. The program is held weekly every Tuesday from 1030 am 14:30 pm at the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation’s, Falls Creek site. As part of the program the women participate in:

• Arts and crafts
• Cultural yarning
• Seasons for Healing
• Smoking cessation
• Substance use education and
• Health cooking programs

Men’s Group

The Shoalhaven Men’s Group provides structured support to local Aboriginal men to improve community safety and wellbeing. The program supports men with substance use and wellbeing issues, loneliness and those who have experienced family and domestic violence. The program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal men and build healthier family and community relationships through supporting men to become better role models in the community.

The program provides a safe and culturally sensitive space through the facilitation of a support group. In this program support is also provided to Aboriginal men through referral service, where men can access a range of services including primary health, case management and counselling services.

SMART Recovery

The South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation has delivered Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) to our community over this past year. SMART Recovery is a free group program assisting people with any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, Internet and others. Guided by trained peers and professionals, participants come to help themselves and each other using a variety of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and motivational tools and techniques.

Seasons for Healing

The ‘Seasons for Healing’ Program supports those who have recently experienced a death of a loved one, relationship breakdown, loss of country, culture, identity and/or dignity or any other major losses. It is delivered to promote social and emotional wellbeing. The program helps participants develop the necessary skills to deal with and accept loss, grief, trauma and change.