18 December 2014 | General Interest
The last few months have been flat out with development and delivery of training all over the country, with a number of new programs being piloted in different regions. We look forward to putting them on the agenda next year and will be seeking expressions of interest for hosting workshops in different regions.
Recognising and Responding to Trauma Pilot Workshops, supported by the Healing Foundation – Lismore
The first Pilot workshop in partnership with VACCA, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, was held in Lismore on the 13-14 November and was a great success with 25 regional Aboriginal registrants and 20 more on the waiting list. Nick, David and Sue Anne found the participants were highly engaged throughout the two days, which in turn created a sense of unity amongst the group. It was clear from the beginning that the workers attending the workshop were bringing many personal strengths and qualities to the children and families they are working with, while acknowledging there is always more work that needs to be done when responding to trauma. The feedback received was very positive, with many participants wanting the workshop to be delivered in the community again, including at a management level.
Recognising and Responding to Trauma Workshop – Ballarat
Our second Pilot workshop with Nick and Sue Anne from VACCA was held in Ballarat on the 24-25 November. The 20 participants came from a variety of professional backgrounds, with many people having to travel some distance to attend the workshop. The participants were very warm, thoughtful and respectful of each other, which created a safe place for all involved. Some participants spoke about gaining a greater awareness of the effects trauma can have on the brain during early childhood development, which they recognised as being a significant aspect in beginning the healing process. There was a sense that people were going to initiate these new learning’s and strategies as soon as possible. Again, the feedback obtained was the need for the workshop to be delivered to more people in the community.
SNAICC has thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Sue Anne Hunter, Adela Holmes and VACCA throughout the planning and delivery of the Recognising and Responding to Trauma Workshops. The sharing of VACCA’s trauma expertise and knowledge surrounding these complex issues was really appreciated by all the SNAICC training team. Thanks VACCA and Sue Anne.
Through Young Black Eyes – Darwin
A TYBE workshop was held at CAAPS in Darwin on the 27-28 Darwin with Nat Loadsman and Nick Joseph, our new trainer who has just joined us after working most recently with the Tiwi Islander community. And it was very hot! Many of the participants had travelled from remote communities around the NT, so it was interesting and informative to hear of the many successes, but also the challenges, that people are encountering in overcoming family violence.
The participants engaged and communicated well when it was time to plan and deliver their groups within the workshop, with all people taking their acting roles very seriously! It definitely meant that everyone had to stay thoroughly focussed on the tasks at hand. It was pleasing to see contacts exchanged at the end of the workshop to ensure that ideas, support and experience will be shared amongst the group in the near future.
Through Young Black Eyes – Melbourne
Another TYBE workshop was held in Melbourne on 26-27 November with Kate, David and Ralph with a range of workers from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal services throughout Melbourne. The workshop provided opportunities for planning several new programs for young women and for early years services in several regions. Some strong partnerships were formed.
Creating change through Partnerships – Darwin
The first Pilot workshop was held in on Darwin on 8 December and was based on the SNAICC Partnerships Training Manual and Audit tool. CREATE NT and Danila Dilba worked with John and David from SNAICC to develop their first draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and plan three youth program activities for a joint approach to working with Aboriginal young people. These included a program for Closing the Gap day and planning for a Cultural Camp at Kakadu. The two organisations achieved a great deal of progress in the workshop and have strengthened up the basis for working together in future. And it was still hot!
Tracks to Healing workshop for Kinship Carers – Shepparton
The final Pilot for 2014 of Tracks to Healing training for Kinship Carers with Kate, Ralph and ACT Group was held with our partners the Australian Childhood Trauma Group in Shepparton on 10-11 November. This successful regional workshop will be followed up in February with another session in Swan Hill. After very positive responses to this Pilot program of six sessions, we will be evaluating the program in January and looking at the potential for future work in this area.
Transition training with Ngroo Education – Mt Druitt
Kate and David from SNAICC have been working with Ngroo, our partners in NSW, on the next trials for Journey to Big School during the week of 3-6 November. This was a very successful program delivered at Mt Druitt in Sydney, with a range of early years programs and schools, and was supported by Deb Mann and three Aboriginal mentors from Ngroo.
The second workshop program was overflowing with every spare chair in the primary school being collected to seat our 30 participants from throughout the Port Macquarie and Taree regional areas. Two new networks were established at the workshop along with intensive work on making transitions work more effectively for Aboriginal children and their families.
Again we were supported strongly by Deb and three other local mentors from Ngroo who once again demonstrated the effectiveness of local partnerships and input from Aboriginal workers based in the regional networks. Thanks to Ngroo and the local networks who supported this great training.
Safe For Our Kids family violence Workshop – Croydon
SNAICC has delivered the second workshop as part of our family violence research and best practice package Safe for our Kids: A guide to family violence response and prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The aim of Safe for Our Kids is to support best practice across the nation to reduce the incidence and impacts of family violence.
Hannah and David led the workshop in Melbourne at Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place in November. SNAICC spent some time filming discussions and interviews on best practice principles, and would like to thank a number of services that gave us valuable insights into how the principles can be put into practice in services. The services were Boorndawan Willam, Wesley Mission, Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, and members of the Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group, Eastern Metro.
SNAICC training based on the research, consultation and filming of this workshop will be developed next year to help address this important issue for our community.
