When our team members take care of their own wellbeing, they are better placed to support our clients to live their lives well. Lives Lived Well’s sixth annual Wellness Week, held from 9-13 October and coinciding with World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Month, served as a powerful reminder of the importance of engaging in self-care.

Under the theme ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’, our teams organised a diverse range of activities tailored to their unique needs and locations. The core idea about choosing this theme, which is associated with Mental Health Month/Week initiatives across the country, was to raise awareness of what activities boost wellbeing and strengthen connections among colleagues.

During Wellness Week, our teams actively engaging in a wide array of activities to support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. So, we are grateful to our team members who embraced the initiative and organised activities.

Some teams explored their artistic sides, creating paint-by-number pieces, engaging in freestyle drawing while enjoying nature, as well as basket weaving. For those wanting to get active, dragon boating, tennis picnics, mini-putt-putt, lawn bowls, and even glow-in-the-dark golf tournaments were on the agenda. Whereas tranquillity was the priority for other teams, with staff participating in relaxing picnics, Tai Chi Shibashi sessions, yoga, meditation, and peaceful beach walks. Wellness Week also saw teams participate in random acts of kindness, a thrilling table tennis tournament, and visit the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition.

Wellness Week has come to a close, the importance of self-care and wellbeing remains at the forefront. At Lives Lived Well, we offer a range of wellness activities among the many benefits we provide. If you’d like to learn more about our organisation and working with us, we invite you to explore the details on Our Benefits page available on our website.

The veteran community in Brisbane’s northern suburbs will now have access to co-ordinated services and supports, following the opening of the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub in Caboolture.

The Honourable Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel officially opened the Hub today (11 October), which is operated by Lives Lived Well and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch).

“I am really pleased to see the partnership between Lives Lived Well and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch) in establishing this Hub,” Minister Keogh said.

“Between Lives Lived Well’s decades of experience in providing health and wellbeing support, and the Vietnam Veterans Association’s experience at the coal face, I look forward to seeing how your organisations, both leaders in your respective fields, work together to connect with, and support veterans here in Caboolture.

“In Caboolture alone we know for every 25 residents, one is either a current or former serving member of Australia’s Defence Force. Add in family members and you can appreciate how significant the veteran community in Caboolture is and the importance of this Hub.”

Damian Wright, Lives Lived Well Board Chair, shared the organisation’s excitement regarding the official opening of the Hub, located at 12 King Street.

“Veterans and their families in the region will now be able to access integrated and flexible support in a friendly, welcoming environment where their unique experiences are understood and supported, and their military service is respected,” Mr. Wright said.

“The Hub is staffed by a team with either lived or learned veteran experience, extensively trained in wellbeing case management, who have begun fostering strong connections with ex-service organisations across northern Brisbane.

“Whether you need a coffee and a chat, access to wellbeing support, or you want to meet like-minded friends, you’re welcome at the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub.”

Darryl Shipp, State Secretary of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch), said this eagerly anticipated Hub would be welcomed by the veteran community.

“It is so important that our Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans and their families have a dedicated place where they can go to connect with one another and to also access the assistance they need,” Mr Shipp said.

“We know having access to the right supports when you need them can make a real difference to health and wellbeing.”

Recognising the significance of social connection in supporting veterans, the Hub offers a dedicated social connections space where veterans can reconnect with friends, old and new. A fully equipped commercial kitchen further enhances the community experience.

The Hub is open to all current and former serving Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and their families.

For more information about the Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub in Caboolture, visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au/veterans-and-families-hub.

The Caboolture Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub is part of the Government’s $46.7 million commitment to deliver ten Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across the country. For more information about these Hubs, visit www.dva.gov.au/vfhubs