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#CreativeConnections Edition #7
This month on the Verandah we take some time out to remember the importance of the language we choose to use in our everyday lives, and the call to action in the hashtags and catchphrases around the world at the moment. It’s no surprise to you that we encourage each person to try and focus on the good and positives all around us, that can so often go unnoticed.
We also invite you to do a short survey, share some awesome resources for young people to manage their wellbeing during these uncertain times, and of course, share a few more #Creative Connections tips.
This pandemic will not be a sprint, but a marathon. We need to hang in there, continue to be neighbourly (from a distance!) and do the best we can every day to safely care for each other and ourselves. #CreativeConnections.
So grab a cuppa and join us on your virtual Verandah!
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Every day is neighbour day!
You may notice that we've updated our website and social media banners to reflect the important shift of the campaign that we’ve been promoting all year.
Because as we keep reminding the world, every day is neighbour day!
If you have friends or family in Victoria, or on borders, or anywhere doing it tough, give them a call, an SMS, or video chat. Send a card, anything!
If in doubt what to do, be #kind!
That's it!
Throw it around like confetti.
#CreativeConnections
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Minding our language & Staying positive
How we speak about things makes a big difference.
Some in the media and others speak of ‘lockdowns’ and ‘self-isolation’ as a ‘prison sentence’. Yet, others (including us) see it as a great community service and an act of love to keep us all safe.
It is not about ‘them’ or ‘they’, or some specific state or territory or border, or a particular segment of society or cultural group. It’s about all of ‘us’, together as ‘we’.
In the news last week we saw queues of cars lined up at the ‘nine towers’ in isolation, filled to the brim with food, sanitary items and activities. When asked why they were there, one driver replied, “I don’t actually live here, but it’s important we support each other.”
Researchers tell us that when we focus on people behaving badly, we tend to see lower levels of compliance with the rules. Yet, when we focus on the good and encourage the good behaviours – that becomes normal.
So let’s go for the positives and see what we can achieve together!
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Speaking of language
Did you know that in Australia coronavirus information and resources have been translated into 63 different languages?
Australian Government Department of Health downloadable resources,
SBS radio Coronavirus information
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Some good news to get you started
Staying up to date on local and national news, especially as it relates to mandates and health updates, is critical during this time, however, experts say over-consumption of the news can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Media, and by default, many of us generally at this time, may tend to focus on bad news. There is a good reason behind it. The human brain is wired to tap into information that may be a threat, in order to protect ourselves.
That said, did you know that there is also a lot of good news out there? And that adding some good news to your day can make a huge difference to your general outlook of the world?
There’s good news available every single day.
You just have to seek it out!
Here are a few platforms that only share good news to get you started.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/good-news/
https://www.redcross.org.au/stories/feel-good-stories
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/good-news/
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/good-news
https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/news/good-news/
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/good-news
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
#CreativeConnections
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Hashtags & Taglines as Verbs
The great hashtags, taglines and catch phrases bouncing around the world are so much more than just words. They underpin important actions we can all take for the safety and care of ourselves, our families, our neighbours, our communities - and the future of the country.
We need to find creative ways of offering people hope and connection.
For everyone to pop out the other side of this pandemic in the best shape possible, we need to do this together, and from a place of care. Some of us may be able to do more, others less.
Through your daily actions do what you can to turn these words into a reality:
#inthistogether
#strongertogether
#nobodyleftbehind
#togetherapart
#stayconnected
#endlonelinesstogether
#socialconnection
#CreateConnections
#CreativeConnections
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay connected.
Good hygiene is in your hands.
Staying apart keeps us together.
Social distancing does not mean social disconnection.
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Online survey
Relationships Australia's latest online survey looks at the awareness of abuse of older people in our society, as well as attitudes towards older people. You can take the survey here.
Relationships Australia has also undertaken a number of surveys relating to ‘COVID-19 and its effects on Relationships’. You can read the media release outlining the results of the latest survey that focused on how people feel about easing COVID-19 restrictions, here.
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#Veryneighbourly wellbeing tools for young people
Our friends at Reachout.com have created some awesome free resources to help young people manage their wellbeing through these stressful and uncertain times. You can access them here.
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We recommend that people make themselves aware of the public health authorities’ advice and only do whatever neighbourly actions that are safe to do.
Visit https://www.health.gov.au/ to stay up to date and informed, so that you can keep your neighbourhood healthy.
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Relationships Australia is the home of Neighbour Day
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