On 20 November, defence families gathered at the Randwick Family Centre for an art activity centered on gratitude and collaboration. This special activity aimed to address the unique challenges defence families face, including social isolation, the demands of caring roles, and the pressures of military life. 

The art activity invited attendees to paint flowers of gratitude onto a canvas, a creative practice designed to encourage self-care and social interaction, allowing the chance to connect over shared experiences. For a few hours, participants put aside the weight of their caring responsibilities and daily demands, embracing the opportunity to focus on their own wellbeing.

By the end of the session, the group had created not only a beautiful garden of gratitude through their artwork but also new friendships and a stronger sense of community. Activities like these remind us of the importance of connection and self-care in our lives. 

Impact of gratitude and collaboration 

Gratitude and collaboration was the thread that tied the event together, fostering mindfulness and encouraging everyone to pause and notice the glimmers of positivity in their lives. These moments, no matter how small, serve as powerful reminders of resilience and strength, helping defence families navigate life’s challenges. 

Defence families can sometimes experience overwhelm when balancing the demands of supporting family, the impact of ADF service, and/or in caring roles due to illness, injury, or transitions. Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing activities. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that defence families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of defence life. The purpose of this art activity was to encourage defence families to engage in a self-care practice and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers. 

“It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful” – Brene Brown 

The post A creative day of gratitude for defence families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

“Collaboration is a word we often use in the veteran community, but its meaning can be ambiguous. To collaborate we must be respectful of each other, recognise strengths, support weaknesses, and share lessons, knowledge and infrastructure,” said Renee Wilson, CEO AWWNSW.

Walking the walk in this sector

Soldier On Interim CEO, Prue Slaughter said, “It’s time we start taking constructive action by walking the walk in this sector. This agreement with AWWNSW does just that, by addressing practical issues of benefit to our veteran communities and their families.”

The MoU sets the conditions for collaboration between the organisations by formalising commitments to share office space, work together on projects, and co-deliver programs of benefit to veterans and their families.

“MoUs are an important instrument in our space. They make clear the responsibilities of each organisation, who will do what, and how the parties will collaborate. This takes away confusion and ambiguity, which undermines the good intentions of both parties,” said Renee.

“AWWNSW is grateful for the support offered through the MoU and looks forward to continuing to build strong and long-lasting relationships with Soldier On.”

Soldier On to open office space to AWWNSW

Through this MoU Soldier On is opening its office space to AWWNSW, enabling it to expand its good work in the ACT.

In March 2023 AWWNSW will expand its Social Connections program in ACT, with current and ex-serving ADF veterans and their families set to benefit from the partnership.

Soldier On has seen phenomenal growth in the last decade. From humble beginnings back in 2012, when a small team was able to support around 200 veterans in three states, Soldier On now supports more than 9,400 veterans and their families across all Australian states and territories.

About Soldier On

Soldier On is a not-for-profit veteran support organisation delivering a range of services to enable current and ex-serving veterans and their families to thrive. It is Australia\’s only

national fully integrated and wholistic support services provider for our national service personnel and their families. Soldier On currently reaches more than 9,400 Australian veterans and their families. Through its HELP model, Soldier On\’s services include a range of mental health and wellbeing services, employment support and education programs, as well as activities focused on connections with family, friends, and the broader community.

About AWWNSW

The Australian War Widows NSW (AWWNSW) is an inclusive non-for-profit organisation whose focus is to promote and protect the interests of women and families united by Defence Service. With a recently expanded constitution and remit, the AWW can now provide support to much larger segment of the veteran community, including spouses, partners, parents, grandparents, children, and siblings of veterans. AWW is currently developing a new service offer to support all of those who are now part of its community.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRES – INCLUDING INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT:

Bonny Gunn, National Marketing and Communications Director E: Bonny.Gunn@soldieron.org.au P: 0459 563 531 or 02 6188 6160

Interview Opportunities:

Renee Wilson, CEO, Australian War Widows NSW E: rwilson@warwidowsnsw.com.au P: 0421 161 334 or 02 9267 6577

Prue Slaughter, Interim CEO, Soldier On E: Prudence.Slaughter@soldieron.org.au P: 0421 161 334 or 02 9267 6577

The post Soldier On and AWWNSW sign MOU first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.