The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has announced the recipients of its Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence (DFSV) Healing and Recovery Grants, with ten innovative projects selected across the region. Among them, two programs based in Glen Innes and Tenterfield will provide critical support for victim-survivors on their path to healing.
HNECC PHN is investing over $1 million in grassroots initiatives that address the mental health impacts of DFSV. These projects build upon the Supporting Recovery pilot program and aim to enhance therapeutic services, foster innovation, and promote holistic recovery through community-driven approaches.
Catherine Turner, Executive Officer of Commissioning at HNECC PHN, emphasised the importance of healing-focused care.
“The Supporting Recovery Pilot has underscored that healing and recovery are essential components of primary healthcare for victim-survivors,” Turner said.
“These new grants will improve system integration, foster partnerships, and support collaboration to deliver better outcomes for individuals on their healing journeys.”
The initiative focuses on trauma-informed mental health and recovery services, with programs spanning across the HNECC PHN region, including one in Manning, two in New England, two on the Central Coast, and five in the greater Newcastle area.
HealthWISE New England North West will deliver intensive Healing and Recovery Retreats in Glen Innes, tailored to victim-survivors in the healing phase of their recovery from DFSV. These retreats will integrate both mental and physical healing pathways, incorporating psychoeducation, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, trauma-informed yoga and somatic therapy, cultural experiences such as bush therapy, and mindfulness practices.
Where possible, retreats will be conducted On Country to enhance cultural relevance, or in natural bushland settings to maintain a strong connection to nature, which is a key aspect of the program’s holistic approach.
Meanwhile the Healthy Communities Foundation Australia will deliver the ART program in Tenterfield, providing Art Therapy group sessions combined with one-on-one psychosocial counselling. These sessions will be led by a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and an Aboriginal Wellness Worker, ensuring both clinical expertise and cultural sensitivity in addressing the psychological impacts of DFSV.
The ART program is designed to help women affected by domestic violence process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Its objectives include:
- Creating a safe space for participants to build connections with others who share similar experiences.
- Supporting individuals in recognising and understanding their emotions.
- Assisting in setting and achieving personal goals to improve mental wellbeing and resilience.
The grant round, which was open from October to December 2024, attracted 50 applications across two streams: First Nations and Community. The ten successful programs were chosen based on their innovative and trauma-informed approaches to healing and recovery.
These projects will strengthen referral pathways developed during the Supporting Recovery pilot and ensure that victim-survivors across the region have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
For more information on the grant recipients and their programs, visit the HNECC PHN website.
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