A few weeks ago, Glenn and Laura from Family Drug and Gambling Help (FDGH) at SHARC had the privilege of attending two community events in Hamilton and Heywood, hosted by Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation.
Winda-Mara is an Aboriginal community organisation based in South-West Victoria. They work to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families to access culturally safe services, participate in community activities and strengthen wellbeing within their communities.
We heard about some of the challenges families in these communities’ face including stigma and shame, limited access to support services and barriers such as access to technology. We spoke about some of the services we offer such as the Family Drug and Gambling Helpline and some of our programs, such as Breakthrough – a free 6-week educational program for families, carers and supporters of people experiencing addiction.
We were warmly welcomed by community members of all ages, had the opportunity to connect with Elders, and participated in smoking ceremonies at each event – welcomes we were honoured to be part of.
These meet ups were a meaningful step towards developing stronger relationships in these areas and understanding how SHARC can continue to work alongside First Nations communities in a respectful, culturally responsive and trusting way.
A huge thank you to Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation for inviting us, sharing their knowledge and experiences, creating space for these conversations.
Want to learn more about FDGH and the supports available?
Visit our Family Drug and Gambling Help page to find information about our services, support groups and resources available for families, carer and supporters of people affected by drugs, alcohol or gambling.