2010 ConnectGroups piloted the inaugural National Self Help & Support Groups Awareness Day at the Perth Cultural Centre to increase the awareness of the role that self-help and support groups play in the community, particularly in regard to health and mental health service provision. It was the first event to focus on Self Help and Support Groups at a national level. On the 8th September 2011, we hosted our second annual National Awareness Day for Support and Self Help Groups. For the first time a symposium was held as a significant part of the proceedings to explore the issues and opportunities currently impacting on support and self-help groups in Western Australia.
Feedback from the Symposium has been used to develop a Blueprint for Strategic Change that will inform our new 2012 – 2015 Strategic Plan and ensure that the needs of our member groups are genuinely reflected in the work we do on their behalf.
At the national level, ConnectGroups has formed a strategic partnership with its three sister peak bodies, i.e. Self Help Queensland, SHOUT South Australia and COSH Victoria. Through this partnership the Inaugural Awareness Day for Support and Self-Help Groups was launched across Australia in 2010. This partnership has built networks between support and self-help groups Australia wide.
ConnectGroups also attend many cross-sectorial events at both a Government and not Government level (such as events held by Mental Health Commission’s Partnership in Recovery Workshops – Health Symposium, Health Department workshops, Partnership Forum; ICCWA; Volunteering WA - Homeless Connect; Sorry Day; the Bringing Them Home Committee meetings) These experiences give us the opportunity to explain what we do to the wider community, to strengthen networks for our consumers and top be the voice for self help and support groups.
