How an Australia Post Community Grant can be used to encourage people to seek mental health support

Strong, thriving communities are connected communities. That’s the premise behind the North Midlands Project, a community strengthening organisation that aims to get people chatting and catching up regularly in order to boost their mental health and wellbeing.

The North Midlands Project is a not-for-profit arts, culture, history and heritage organisation. Their mission is for regional Western Australia to be known for its happy, healthy communities and vibrant, connected towns – and they’re doing this through active social connection and the smashing of mental health stigma.

Connection is vital for wellbeing in every community. It can be particularly challenging for those in rural and regional areas, and this is something that the North Midlands Project faces.

“We're in small, regional, geographically dispersed communities, so it's really important to bring people together and create social opportunities,” says Andrew Bowman-Bright, Community Program Manager at the North Midlands Project. Despite the tests that comes with getting people together, the outcomes are worth the effort. “Community connectedness is really important for the general health and wellbeing of the people in our community.”

Connecting people for positive mental health outcomes

In these regional towns, the isolation that stems from living a large distance from neighbours and friends can be harmful for mental health. But these communities are determined to thrive on a sense of belonging and purpose.

The team of more than 40 people at the North Midlands Project, most of whom are volunteers, have big goals that they reach through their events and support programs. The organisation’s programs include art exhibitions, creative support groups, and a capacity building framework. These programs are co-designed with local health, justice and education departments, and local government, to ensure they meet the needs of local people and improve the community’s quality of life.

Andrew explains, “we've found that people have really appreciated being part of the broader community, knowing that people aren't alone, and that's something that these events have really helped foster.”

Using a regional Community Grant to prove that communities are Stronger Together

With support from an Australia Post Community Grant Australia Post’s Community Grants Program, the North Midlands Project is running a targeted community connection initiative. The project engages over 6,000 community members across the towns of the North Midlands area.

Stronger Together Community Days is a series of community events designed to connect the North Midlands community. The events connect people and encourage them to maintain connections with their neighbours and community.

“We normally have a broad range of activities taking place, so there's hopefully something that interests everyone,” Andrew says. “We do a lot of art workshops. We do a lot of creative activities and at the same time, be social, have a chat to people.”

There’s also the opportunity for people to access mental health support in an informal way, in order to reduce stigma, increase accessibility to support services, and raise the numbers of people who feel comfortable enough to seek help.

“It provides a great informal opportunity for them to interact with a cross-section of the community. We've found it provided a lot of referral opportunities to mental health support services” says Andrew.

“It's been really good to actually hear people as they leave sometimes say what a good time they've had, to have a chat, to try new things, and connecting with those around them”.