Beaudesert gains greater access to free alcohol and drug support

Beaudesert gains greater access to free alcohol and drug support

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 [email protected]

New in Queensland – Drug and Alcohol First Aid Training

New in Queensland – Drug and Alcohol First Aid Training

Mar 5, 2018

We know that many people struggling with an alcohol or drug problem also experience issues related to employment, housing and relationships. We’re helping to boost the AOD knowledge of people working in the community services sector, so they can better support clients presenting with these complex issues, by offering Drug and Alcohol First Aid training.

People working in the community services sector in Brisbane can build their knowledge of AOD issues and in turn, better support their clients, through our Drug and Alcohol First Aid workshop.

The workshop is suited to people working in the community services sector who support clients experiencing AOD issues.  It’s also ideal for people who are new to the AOD sector.

LLW’s National Research Manager, Dr Julaine Allan, will deliver the one-day workshop in Beenleigh on 22 March. Julaine is a substance use researcher and practitioner with more than 30 years’ experience in social work, family therapy, child protection and drug and alcohol services. She is also a Research Associate with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of NSW, and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University.

The workshop will be held at the Beenleigh Events Centre from 8:45am to 4pm. The cost is $155 which includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and all training materials. Places are limited so register now!

Expanded services in Darling Downs

Expanded services in Darling Downs

Aug 1, 2017

Expanded alcohol and drug counselling services are now available for people in the Darling Downs affected by the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, including methamphetamine (ice).

Simone Finch, CEO for Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, said the new services would enhance local support for people who needed help. “These services will provide support to people and families who are affected by the harmful use of substances such as methamphetamine,” she said.

“Through our community engagement and health planning, we have identified a demand for improved access to the services our community needs at a local level.

“We are thrilled to announce the commissioning of Lives Lived Well to deliver counselling, case management, group programs and outreach services to people and families across our region.

“The work of this service provider will greatly enhance the capacity of existing services in the local area and work with individuals and their families to get things back on track.”

Lives Lived Well CEO, Mitchell Giles, said the funding was welcome, as it would expand the service and extend its reach, providing more drug and alcohol support to communities across the Darling Downs.

“As well as expanding the range of services offered at our Toowoomba office, we will now also be delivering outreach services to communities including Tara, Warwick, Pittsworth, Dalby, Oakey and Gatton,” he said.

“Historically, residents in these areas have had limited access to alcohol and drug support, so our expansion to include these towns fills a significant gap in the services for rural communities.

“Many of the people who seek our support in the region are experiencing problems with methamphetamine (ice). By expanding our team, we will be able to help even more people and families being impacted by ice.

“While ice is a focus, our counsellors are trained to work with people who have problems with any kind of drug, including alcohol, and can offer care and support for a range of needs, from mild to complex.

“Our flexible services allow for counselling to be delivered over the phone, face-to-face and in group sessions.

“The funding from the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN will enable us to deliver a group day program, Life Back, for people who want to learn how to reduce their dependence on drugs or alcohol.

“We recognised that alternatives to residential rehabilitation programs were needed, and so we developed Life Back to provide a more flexible style of support.

“People who are thinking of addressing their use of alcohol or other drugs, can contact Lives Lived Well on1300 727 957.”

For all media enquiries contact:

Michelle Saftich – Marketing & Media Officer
e [email protected]

Rising need for ICE help in Charters Towers

Rising need for ICE help in Charters Towers

May 25, 2017

Growing need for support service in Charters Towers region

Lives Lived Well has been featured in an article written by The Northern Miner, the local newspaper of Charters Towers – see the article below. Lives Lived Well’s Far North Queensland manager Rachael Ham commented in the article, saying that there is a rising number of young people with issues around early psychosis resulting from the use of methamphetamines.

Concerns about this rising methamphetamine, particularly ice, use in the region are growing.

Currently Lives Lived Well provides face-to-face counselling in Charters Towers every Tuesday at Prospect Community Services, Powell Lane and offers phone support for the wider region during business hours on 0448 609 559 or 1300 727 957.