Ocean Mind celebrates five years of life changing work

Award-winning surf therapy program Ocean Mind will celebrate five years of changing young lives when it hosts a major fundraiser at Geelong Library next month.

Ocean Mind founder and CEO Rachael Parker said the event on June 3 would be an evening of stories, celebration and connection.
Attendees on the night can hear from program participants, partners and guest speakers about the ongoing work of the Torquay-based charity.

Ocean Mind provides a therapeutic surf program for young people aged eight to 18 years who are experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation and disabilities.

During its five-year journey the program has conducted 187 therapeutic surfing sessions for 140 young people through an evidenced-based surf therapy approach.

“The mental health and wellbeing of our young people is one of the most significant challenges we are facing post-COVID,” Ms Parker said.

“Demand for support is higher than ever with more than 150 referrals to the program anticipated in 2022.”

Ms Parker, a youth worker with more than 10 years’ experience, is passionate about using outdoor environments to create positive experiences and opportunities for young people to thrive.

She first discovered surfing in 2015 as a way of managing her own mental health and has since combined her passion for the ocean and working with young people to create the hugely successful Ocean Mind program.

All funds raised from the Five Year Anniversary event will go toward supporting the continued growth of Ocean Mind
which plans to:

• Double its services; offering 100 six-week program places for young people over the coming five months
• Increase ongoing support by four times, creating 320 support places for Ocean Mind alumni participants
• Pay back to the community by upskilling 80 community members to provide mental health support and mentoring to young people experiencing challenges, and
• Support more communities; piloting the program model in different Australian communities, expanding reach and impact.

Ocean Mind’s Five Year Anniversary event will be held at Geelong Library on June 3 from 6pm to 8.30pm. Drinks and canapes, an auction and raffle and guest speaker will be included in the $100 ticket price.

For tickets go to https://events.humanitix.com/five-year-anniversary. For more information about Ocean Mind go to www.oceanmind.org.au