Support 4 Support Groups!
Self Help Queensland supports people to find their own solutions to improve wellbeing. We connect people to support groups across a broad range of health issues, assist people to start new groups and work with support groups to build their capacity. SHQ promotes community awareness of the benefits of self help groups for the wellbeing of individuals coping with adverse life circumstances.
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A special Christmas issue...
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Farewell 2018 from Self Help Queensland
The end of 2018 is approaching. Don't forget to celebrate your year, both the challenges and success stories. It is an opportunity for self-reflection, to consider what happened, how it affected us and what we learned from it. Some of our reflections are:
We need to communicate in so many different ways: face to face, by telephone, email, newsletter, website, facebook, texts and probably more! Having some great volunteers has made it much easier to manage the on-line world. It is a juggling act that we hope to balance as best we can in 2019.
We had a big clean out of old papers, and now try not to print so much.
We find the work of all of the self-help groups inspirational and amazing. We want to know more, and share more of your great stories with each other in the year ahead.
Best wishes from the Self Help team,
Selina, Melody, Joe, Kathy, Chris, Lil and Justin.
PS. Self Help Queensland will be closed between 24 December and 2 January.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
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Great gift ideas - everyone's a Santa!
Give or receive a gift through GIVIT
givit.org.au is great service that connects donors with people who need things. In 2018 they have distributed over 300 000 items. Organisations can register and request items for both your clients and your service. We recently obtained 2 computers for a refugee family from generous Brisbane donors.
You can also donate stuff as an individual or group. Think about whether your group could work on a donation as a project, for example if you sew together maybe you could search the database for people needing curtains and cushions. If you read together, maybe you could help with books and bookshelves.
Are you present?
Alecia Hancock at Change the World gave us all a tip. Use a picture like this in your slideshow or greeting, to remind people to be "present" in a gathering. In this world of electronic interruptions, it's great to give and receive presence.
Charities have great gift goodies!
Many charities and organisations have wonderful shops with potential gift opportunities, from the wonderful recycling of op shops, to a Lions' Christmas cake, to the specialist items of Lighthouse Resources.
And the gift of laughter...
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Music, music, music
The taped Christmas music at the shops can feel headache making, but music is a great way to relax over the season, or to set the mood of your gathering. Your playlist can have no carols at all or every old favourite. The ABC's documentary "Don't Stop the Music" featured the power of music to help humans to concentrate, work as a team and have fun. The school donation program for second hand instruments is still open across Australia.
Music therapy is now acknowledged as effective for many health conditions, including autism, dementia and anxiety.
“Music therapy is recognised by the NDIS as a reasonable and necessary therapeutic service. As the scheme unfolds, there have been cases where families, clients and the NDIA staff have not clearly or consistently understood what it is or how it could be funded under the scheme. Similarly, other allied health and creative arts therapies, have anecdotally reported similar experiences of misunderstanding.” Australian Music Therapy Association
What's the song that you remember from 2018?
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Beat the heat
Yes, it's summer! Heat stroke can become a medical emergency, please take care of yourself, family, friends, neighbours and pets. Here are just a few of our favourites to chill, please send us yours on our Facebook page.
Hot Tips
- Drink lots and lots of water! Staying hydrated is critical. Drink water before you feel thirsty. Remember that alcohol, caffeine and many medications are de-hydrating, so avoid them or drink even more water! Carry water with you if you are travelling or exercising.
- Rest in the hottest part of the day- a siesta or S.C.A.N. (Senior Citizen's Afternoon Nap) is good for everyone.
- Turn hot water bottles and wheat bags into cold packs, they work in reverse!
- Eat cold food and avoid the oven, think watermelon and salad.
- Seek the shade - hats, umbrellas, trees and shelter, avoid that sun.
We wish you a safe and festive season.
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