National award for Resilient Kids

CAPPING off an exceptional year for the Northern Rivers Resilient Kids program, the flood recovery initiative has won the Resilient Australia Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

The national recognition follows the program receiving the NSW Resilient Australia Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Wayahead Mental Health Matters Youth Award in September.

Funded by Healthy North Coast via the Australian Government’s $10 million grant through the National Emergency Management Agency to address the unique needs of young people aged 8-18, lead agency Social Futures and consortium partners, including The Family Centre and Human Nature Adventure Therapy, bring the Resilient Kids vision to life.

Since launching in 2023, the program has engaged 5,924 young people from across the region, tailoring services to each young person’s unique needs with a diverse range of support formats.

These include up to nine months of one-on-one counselling, art therapy, adventure therapy, group work, family supports, community connection activities, sports and games.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler said the award was a testament to the honesty, strength and vision of the children and young people of the Northern Rivers after the 2022 floods.

“It’s inspiring to see how their voices have shaped how our region prepares for and recovers from disasters,” Wheeler said.

“We’re delighted that Resilient Kids has been acknowledged as a leading model and that one of our service delivery partners, Social Futures, has been recognised for their exemplary leadership in delivering this innovative program.”

For information on Social Futures’ range of support services, call 1800 719 625 or visit socialfutures.org.au/disaster-recovery