Gunnedah Family Support will use a $15,000 funding donation to extend delivery of its healthy relationship education to young people.
Funds were raised by Gunnedah Health and Fitness Co’s ‘Keep-It Commando’ event which featured more than 100 people participating in a fun mud run and obstacle course.
“This is the second time we have run this event and it is our way of giving back to the community,” Gunnedah Health and Fitness Co owner and Keep-It Commadno event organiser Maryanne Perkins said.
Gunnedah Family Support said the funding will provide invaluable assistance for delivery of its program.
“We are thrilled to be able to fund the training of additional staff to deliver Love Bites and Shark Cage programs to young people,” Gunnedah Family Support manager Vanessa Hodges Schembri said.
“The signs of unhealthy relationship patterns are being noticed earlier and earlier in our young people and they have a considerable impact on wellbeing and mental health.”
Since Love Bites was implemented in 2003, community feedback from across Australia has consistently included the need for respectful relationship education programs for younger Australians.
The program covers themes such as communicating mindfully, warning signs of abusive behaviour, power in relationships, responding to concerns as bystanders, seeking help and rights and responsibilities in relation to sharing sexualised images.
“These are proven programs that have considerable evidence that they help young people build foundations for healthy and safe relationships,” Vanessa said.
“Over half of our staff will be trained to deliver these programs which ensures our ability to deliver it widely across the community.
“This would not have been possible, without this donation.”
Gunnedah Family Support is a locally-based, non-government, not-for-profit organisation which assists all members of the community including women, men, children, teenagers, couples and families.
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