Jun 10, 2019
(Pictured the Lives Lived Well South West Queensland team, including Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles)
Lives Lived Well has expanded its free Non-Residential Rehabilitation Day Program to three more locations: Toowoomba, Mackay and Woolloongabba, providing these communities with more options in alcohol and drug treatment.
The Day Program allows people to participate in a more in-depth “treatment” while remaining at home, which differs from a residential service where there would be a need to “live-in” and stay overnights, making it an accessible option for more people.
The program’s expansion is thanks to additional funding from the Queensland Government.
On Monday 10 June, 2019, Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles launched the Day Program in Toowoomba at an official event, which also marked the expansion of Lives Lived Well’s Neil Street service space.
Launching the program and opening the expanded space, Mr Giles thanked the State Government for its ongoing support and for making it possible to offer the group-based Day Program in more communities.
“Lives Lived Well’s Day Program offers comparable educational and therapeutic treatment provided at our long-standing residential programs, which means people can now access more comprehensive support but without the need to live-in,” Mr Giles said.
“Participants attend weekdays and return home at the end of each day. This gives people, who are unable to access residential care for whatever reason, a good alternate option.”
Program inquiries can be made by calling Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.
The program will be officially launched in Mackay on June 18 and in Woolloongabba on June 21.
For all media enquiries contact:
Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au or marketing@liveslivedwell.org.au
May 27, 2019
Artist drawing of Lives Lived Well’s planned residential recovery service – “Wunya”
Progress has been made on developing a 20-bed alcohol and drug residential service in Caboolture, scheduled to open in December 2019.
This project has come about after the Commonwealth Government announced in June 2018 that Lives Lived Well would receive $11 million in funding for increased support services in the region.
We had seen this need for support firsthand with our other Caboolture services (withdrawal, case management and counselling) receiving referrals four times higher than expected in their first year of delivery.
The residential service, to be named “Wunya” which means “welcome” in the language of the traditional custodians of the area, will be a place of support where people can come and undertake a six-week structured, research-informed program to be free from the harms of drugs and alcohol.
The program will be based on the same clinical treatment that we deliver at our long-standing Mirikai (Gold Coast) and Logan House services. People participating in the program will be engaged in educational group sessions and therapies, be able to learn life and wellbeing skills and will be able to set their own treatment goals.
Lives Lived Well has a strict policy around no drug or alcohol use while participants are in our program. It includes a supported no-smoking policy. The centre will be staffed 24 hours/seven days a week.
The new residential recovery centre will be located at 55-57 Lower King St, Caboolture.
From June to November, 2019, there will be construction activities on these sites, involving alterations and additions to one of the buildings (which was previously used as a backpackers) and demolition of the other, making way for the building of a carpark.
Our builders will do their best to minimise noise and disruption during this time.
Once operational, we expect that impact on the area’s amenity in terms of noise, traffic or car parking should be less than what was experienced during the building’s previous use as a backpackers.
If you are a nearby resident and have issues with construction noise or have questions about this new service, please email info@liveslivedwell.org.au
For all media enquiries contact:
Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au or marketing@liveslivedwell.org.au
Feb 28, 2019
Promising things happening in western NSW…
A partnership between two not-for-profit health organisations will go along way towards forging better health and well-being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities in West and Far West NSW.
In cementing the partnership at a celebratory event today, Thursday 28 February 2019, Lives Lived Well and the Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation Health Service asserted their joint commitment to work together to address health inequality in local communities.
Bila Muuji works with its members, including a large number of medical services across the region, to support the provision of improved services, addressing not just physical needs, but social, emotional and cultural well-being as well, for individuals and communities.
Lives Lived Well as a specialist alcohol and drug support organisation, brings its expertise to western NSW, by working to build capacity and professional development among regional health service providers through its Lives Lived Well Drug and Alcohol Network.
Together, they will be stronger in their shared commitments, and with the valued, ongoing support of governments, local PHNs and other community organisations, are looking forward to realising genuine improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Bila Muuji’s CEO Phil Naden said that he was very excited about partnering with such a great organisation as Lives Lived Well. “Our partnership agreement means that both our organisations are committed to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples within our regional footprint,” he said.
“This partnership with Lives Live Well is the start of a new beginning for Bila Muuji and with the collective impact framework that Bila Muuji work under with multi organisations and universities, we are embracing this partnership with anticipation that both our organisations are working in the best interest of our communities in the West and Far West Regions of NSW.”
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles also enthusiastically welcomed the partnership with such an inspiring organisation as Bila Muuji. “We are committed to working alongside Bila Muuji towards building workforce skills and development in the region to ensure people experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol can get the support they need within their community,” Mr Giles said.
“We couldn’t be happier with our relocation to Dubbo, sharing a premises with Bila Muuji in support of our new partnership and positioning ourselves closer to our networks and the communities we work to support.”
For all media enquiries contact:
Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au or marketing@liveslivedwell.org.au
Jan 31, 2019
LLW CEO Mitchell Giles, Team Leader Ronelle Waring, Scott Buchholz MP and Jon Krause MP
Lives Lived Well’s official opening of a new space in Beaudesert will allow for an increase in drug and alcohol support to the community, including the running of group programs.
Moving into a new and larger space, the Lives Lived Well team will be able to increase their counselling support in the area and be able to offer group work through the Smart Recovery program as well as family information sessions through the Breakthrough for Family program.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the new space would allow for more support for both individuals and families in the Beaudesert community. “In 2018, we supported about 80 people, with our team operating out of Illoura Carinity Care,” he said. “Opening our own space means we can be available more often and, with more space, can run groups and information sessions, increasing the number of people we can support.”
Mr Giles said: “Lives Lived Well is able to offer these free supports in Beaudesert thanks to the support of the Brisbane South PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN program and the Queensland Government, for which we are very grateful.”
Speaking at the opening, Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz MP said Lives Lived Well provided essential community support for those impacted by drugs, alcohol and mental health issues. “Lives Lived Well provides a respected and essential service for our community here in Beaudesert and across the Scenic Rim,” Mr Buchholz said.
“The opening of their new office today shows their value to our local community and the importance of work they do in getting lives back on track following the impact of drugs, alcohol and mental health.”
Also welcoming the launch, Jon Krause, State Member for Scenic Rim, said that the Lives Lived Well team would help cover a missing link in social services for the Beaudesert district by providing much needed support for the wellbeing of those whose lives have been affected by substance use.
“The Scenic Rim Electorate needs its fair share of services and the opening of a new, larger space for Lives Lived Well shows the need and support that networks like this have in our community,” Mr Krause said.
Lucille Chalmers, Brisbane South PHN’s General Manager of Commissioned Programs, said evidence shows access to specialist alcohol and drug (AOD) treatment plus improved coordination of care and increased early intervention delivers positive impacts not only for the individual, but for the community and the broader health system.
“Brisbane South PHN recognises the challenges faced by individuals experiencing harm from problematic substance use, and the people who support them. Beaudesert is one of our priority locations, as identified in our 2018 Needs Assessment, so we are very pleased to be able to support extending services in the region,” she said.
For media inquiries, email Lives Lived Well Marketing and Communications Team Leader, Michelle Saftich on michelle.saftich@llw.org.au
Dec 12, 2018
Lives Lived Well’s Logan House Family Recovery Units officially opened today, marking the end of the project’s construction and the launch of a first-of-its-kind drug and alcohol treatment option for families in Queensland.
The unique residential rehabilitation program makes it possible for parents to receive support while their young children stay with them. The units, which are located on the site of Logan House, south of Brisbane, will open to families in early 2019.
Conducting the official opening today were The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; The Hon Di Farmer, State Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; and Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright.
The Australian Government invested $986,000 in the over $2 million construction of the units, jointly funding it with not-for-profit organisation, Lives Lived Well.
The Queensland Government has committed to providing $1.7 million in funding over three years to support the operation of the family alcohol and drug recovery program at the units.
Speaking at the launch, Mr McCormack said: “Addiction affects everyone in the community and especially children who have parents that are suffering. Untreated problems are often passed on to younger generations and this is a cycle we’re keen to disrupt through vital investment such as this.
“Giving parents with young children appropriate accommodation for their families will make it much easier for them to get the help they need, benefiting the entire family and broader community.”
Queensland Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer said annual funding of the Family Recovery Units of close to $600,000 was part of the Queensland Government’s $100 million Action on Ice plan.
“Almost one in three children coming into the care of Child Safety in Queensland have a parent with a current or previous methamphetamine problem, usually ice,” she said. “The road to recovery is not an easy one, and it’s a road travelled by entire families, not just the parent who is recovering.
“That is why this investment in the treatment of families who are struggling with substance use is so important – this is a life-changing program for Queensland families.”
Lives Lived Well Chair Damian Wright said from early next year, parents would be able to come and stay at the units with their young children to receive wrap-around support including specialist alcohol and drug counselling and information, group sessions and parenting, life and health support, whilst having appropriate care arrangements set in place for their children.
“We are grateful for the funding support of both state and federal governments, which allows us to work closely with families to turn their lives around after the harms and disruption of alcohol and drugs,” Mr Wright said.
For media inquiries, email Lives Lived Well’s Michelle Saftich on michelle.saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au
Nov 9, 2018
The services come as a result of funding announced by the Federal Government in June, which dedicated $11 million dollars towards improved Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) support services in the region.
They will provide a significant boost to the level of support provided by Lives Lived Well for people affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine (ice).
As a part of this funding Lives Lived Well will also be constructing a 20-bed live-in recovery residence, due for completion in 2019.
Senator James McGrath said the announcement would go a long way in dealing with drugs and alcohol across the Caboolture and Bribie Island region.
“The local community has been calling for additional support services and I’m delighted that the Liberal National Coalition Government has been able to deliver $11 million dollars in funding.
“This funding will help save lives and stop people slipping through the cracks from drugs or alcohol.
“Lives Lived Well is a brilliant not-for-profit organisation and this funding will enable them to continue their work in helping victims and families impacted by drugs or alcohol.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles emphasised the importance of these new programs saying the addition of withdrawal and rehabilitation day supports puts extra counsellors in the field and means more support for more people at different stages of their recovery over a longer period.
“Since opening in late 2016, our Brisbane North services have seen 1813 people, including 570 from the Caboolture area. Most named methamphetamines (ice) as their primary drug of concern, with alcohol and cannabis also presenting strongly,” Mr Giles said.
“In some ways this is a positive sign. It means people are recognising that they have a problem and are comfortable in coming forward for support. That step alone takes courage.Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit support organisation for people impacted by drugs, alcohol or mental health concerns. People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs can contact Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957.
ENDS
For media inquiries, contact Michelle Saftich at Lives Lived Well Marketing by emailing Michelle.Saftich@liveslivedwell.org.au
1300 727 957
