Australia Post Project achievements

We have had Workshops around mental health and other topics which were delivered by service providers (QPASTT: Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma). Information and strategies learnt has reinforced by discussions and practice while gathered for textile arts sessions. Participants have improved their mental health and gain strategies to support their wellbeing, increased their sense of belonging and achievement, and learn skills for life and work.

This project was inspired by the lived experience of African refugee women, as they resiliently manage the struggles of life in Australia, while carrying the traumas of experiences of war, and the fears for family still in danger overseas.

This project was best placed to improve mental health outcomes for our community:

• Safe, relaxed, and comfortable social environment
• Run by women with shared lived experience.
• Work with textile arts is recognised as therapeutic, supporting wellbeing.
• Project was linking with professional mental health services for workshops to build
• Understanding and identify additional strategies to support mental health
• Referrals were made to professional support with consent.
• These elements combine have supported women to talk about their feelings, boost their social
• Ties and connected to locals, build trust and confidence, and healed
• Some girls go in work industry: sewing and hospitality
• Certificates of recognition obtained