From the CEO
December 2022
Can you believe that another month has gone by already and that we are just under 5 weeks from 2023? November and December are typically very busy months for One Door Mental Health, as we host and attend several end-of-year events, meetings, and celebrations. My calendar has certainly been filling up fast!
This month I have been enjoying many collaborative discussions with my peers from other mental health organisations. I sincerely believe that we can provide the best support to our community by working together. I was also invited to speak on a panel on “Supporting Systemic Change in NSW” at the BEING 30th Anniversary Conference alongside Catherine Lourey (NSW Mental Health Commission), Carmel Tebbutt (Mental Health Coordinating Council), and Matthew Trindall (NSW Ministry of Health). I had the pleasure of attending the Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health Event at Parliament House in Canberra, alongside representatives from other member organisations of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia and other mental health partners.
Closer to home I enjoyed visiting Frangipani House, one of our centre-based services, located in Harris Park. After some unfortunate storm damage to the House earlier this year, we took the opportunity to undertake a complete site refresh, including a deep-clean and replacement of old furniture and equipment. The site re-opened at the end of August after a 3-week closure, but it was not until the weather dried up that the team were able to host a proper ‘Welcome Back’ BBQ. It was great to attend and meet many of our NDIS participants, as well as other local service providers who joined us for lunch. The site now features a well-equipped computer room and redesigned multi-use spaces for various group and individual activities. Well done team!
I’m also excited to share with you that the Central and Eastern Primary Health Network (CESPHN) has contracted One Door to establish the Head to Health Satellite service in Canterbury. Due to its large culturally and linguistically diverse population, this was deemed a fitting location for expanding the Head to Health network. Our Head to Health Lakemba Pop-Up Clinic, operating with great success since late last year, will close its doors when the new Satellite site at Roselands opens in early 2023. Our talented and multi-disciplinary workforce, many of whom are bilingual, look forward to continue working with the local community to co-design a service that best meets their needs. More information about Head to Health services can be found on the Head to Health website or by calling 1800 595 212.
This month we have also welcomed our first Lived Experience Lead, Heidi Keevers, to One Door. Heidi has an extensive background as a Lived Experience Lead and Consumer Partnership Coordinator. She has been a representative on state and national level advisory groups, projects, networks, and consultations. We know that Heidi's wealth of experience will cement One Door's commitment to the consumer movement in the years to come and I look forward to her guidance in supporting the Executive team on matters relating to lived experience, peer support, and advocacy. Heidi will join our new Clinical Lead, Craig Klement, and our Organisational Practice and Development Lead, Kinga Barron, as our new Clinical Governance team.
Stay safe everyone during this very busy time of year.
Kathi