Only when compassion is present, will people allow themselves to see the truth

I started Holistic Culture Hub so I could practice what I preach....

a good work life balance and working outside of the norms to help people reach their highest potential, both directly with individuals, and through supporting organisations to enhance their knowledge and practices in working with people. 

For over 15 years I have been supporting people to optimise their life, initially alongside young people in special educational needs settings, and later moving to work with young people and adults experiencing enduring mind health challenges. I have worked for a national social purpose organisation, leading the mental health programs in their WA portfolio, which included WA’s only licensed psychiatric hostel that provides community-based recovery services to young people, while homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The people I have worked alongside and my own experience of trauma and grief, have taught me that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to returning to wholeness, it requires personal exploration, patience and compassionate enquiry.

I’m ever intrigued by practices that foster embodied living and that support people to live their best life. This encourages me to expand my skills and knowledge to better support individuals, systems and services, with a keen eye on complementary approaches within ethical and professional boundaries.

I have been involved in a monthly Systemic Mentorship Circle facilitated by Aubri Hathaway, with other practitioners in the field. Out of this I have grown new interests, exploring constellation practices, the significance of somatic healing and radical self-acceptance of even the most polarising parts of ourselves. I have cultivated a belief that the essence of healing is a remembering and bringing the disconnected and fragmented parts of ourselves back together.  

Last year I attended The Out Audit in Brisbane which brought together multi-disciplinary professionals from across the community sector to consider new approaches to reduce in-hospital stays that are, at times, defined by the lack of connection and cohesiveness in the in the wider eco-system. 

I attended the International Big Trauma / Big Change Forum in March 2024 at UNSW, which brought together inspiring leaders and collaborators who are reimagining approaches to mental health and social support, creating radical change from the ground-up, in ways that genuinely, deeply and effectively address trauma and everyday suffering.

The Forum brought together a diverse group of people with lived experience, creative thinkers, artists, mental health workers, academics and change makers. 

Some of the most inspiring creators I heard from were:

⌆ Girramay midwife and artist Marianne Wobcke 

⌆ Traditional Healers of the NPY Women's Council; Uti Kulintjaku from the APY Lands 

⌆ Felt Experience & Empathy Lab

⌆ Poet Anne-Marie Te Whiu

Below are some links to books, experiences and community organisations that came into my awareness thanks to the Forum, check them out!

⌔ https://feel-lab.org 

⌔ https://www.makeshift.org.au 

⌔ https://www.npywc.org.au

⌔ https://redroompoetry.org/projects/fair-trade/woven/

I am a member of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health and find this useful in staying up to date with changes in the sector, especially the ever-changing world of the NDIS. 

I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions!