Newsroom

How Act-Belong-Commit Partners are keeping us connected

Posted 17 Apr 2020

From online exercise classes to virtual tours of public attractions, the world has been rapidly evolving in the past few months to accommodate physical distancing requirements for the activities that keep us active and connected.

With so many options available out there at the moment, we thought we’d reflect a little closer to home and ask some of our Act-Belong-Commit partners how they’re making a move to the online world, and how you can get involved.

If you want to get social.

Activate Mental Health is running an array of free online meetups to help people connect and stay social. Meetups include online games, quiz nights, TED Circles, recommend a book club discussions, show and tell travel memories, app and social media tutorials, chats with local takeaway food and more. Anyone over the age of 18 can participate from Perth or worldwide. All activities are advertised through the Activate Mental Health meetup page.

If you want to get active.

Free fitness videos and apps have been emerging left, right and centre, and are a great way to keep active. For those who are seeking a more personal connection or that little bit of extra motivation, Act-Belong-Commit partner FremantleMind have a range of options for you to try, including online Gift of Yoga and group fitness classes. You can see all upcoming events and register to be involved here.

For mindfulness and meditation.

In addition to yoga and group fitness classes, FremantleMind are also running free one hour online FreoMindfulness sessions. If you’re after something a bit shorter in length, try Yogazeit’s Mindful Monday Moments in April. These short 5-10 minute mindfulness and breathing activities are suitable for all ages and abilities. Welcoming Women is also running free mini-sessions called Mindful Moments on Wednesdays which include a guided relaxation, short presentation and some affirmations for the virtual circle of women.

To fuel your creative side.

The North Midlands Project has launched a Creative @ Home program for people to Act-Belong-Commit while they’re in home isolation. The resources encourage people to stay mentally active and connected with others while having fun, getting creative and learning new things through a range of home-based creative activities, workshops, community projects and other helpful resources.

Space to Sing is running a free virtual choir, open to anyone and everyone who loves to sing. To register your interest email space2sing@gmail.com.

If you’re ready to take your performing to the next level, Fremantle Fairground Association Inc. is taking expressions of interest from communities for an inclusive community Street Fest in your town later this year. For more information on how to get involved, visit the Street Arts On Tour Facebook Page.

If you want to learn new skills.

Helping Minds is offering a wide range of free mental health webinars online, with topics including Mental Health Basics, Mindfulness, Journaling and Coping Strategies to name a few. Head to the Helping Minds website for a full list of upcoming webinars.

If you’re looking for a way to give back.

It’s hard not to smile when you think of the range of community initiatives and random acts of kindness that have been on display in the last few months. If you want to help but don’t know how, or want to be able to do more, Volunteering WA Is recruiting emergency volunteers to assist community organisations and Local Government Authorities in helping vulnerable people most at risk. Assistance is needed with a variety of tasks from telephone welfare checks, urgent household maintenance, delivering supplies, grocery and medication deliveries and essential transport. If you’re willing and able to volunteer, you can register your interest here.

If you need extra support.

To support people across Australia during the pandemic, Act-Belong-Commit partner Grow is offering free of charge online mental health peer support, called eGrow sessions. The Grow Program is a 12-step program that provides adult members with a structure and opportunity to share their stories and talk with Grow peers about challenges and solutions to life’s problems. eGrow is being offered as a free-of-charge community based initiative that adults can attend online. You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to join – you can just log-in by clicking on a link that is emailed to you after you have registered your interest here.

A range of other mental health support services and resources are also available at the Think Mental Health website.

For other tips and ideas on how to stay mentally healthy while isolated or spending a lot of time at home, check out our last blog post here.