Yeah, I know, a little late, but that’s Christmas for you!
In between the seasonal activities Picking Up The Peaces has continued, much in the exciting vein of the pre-Christmas get-together, so here’s a heads-up on what to expect in the next month or so.
Tuesday February 16 at 7pm we will meet at the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation centre at 9 Burkitt St, Page. (there’s a map on their website http://www.vvfact.org.au if you’re not sure where that is) Everyone with an interest in helping reduce the problems caused by PTSD is most welcome!
If you want to be involved in the many and varied activities PUTP covers in a year, it’d be a good idea to be there. We will discuss plans for 2010 and try to fit everyone into the projects that are dearest to their hearts. There is also quite a bit of administrivia required to get the organisation on a more secure footing and get people into tasks that fulfil them.
One team, for instance, will be required to template the process for organising the National PTSD Awareness Day. We’ve had two very successful events, but our process has lacked, shall we say, a professional edge. We also had a number of inquiries from people interstate who want to organise their local awareness days, so it would be great to be able to give them a refined process. And of course, it will make our 2010 Awarenss Day that much easier to stage!
The other big project is one we’re currently seeking funds to develop. We have been working closely with Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) to develop a PTSD education pilot program. We have developed the curriculum and are seeking funding to recruit and train volunteer presenters to go into high-risk workplaces to raise awareness about PTSD, and where people can get help.
We will be using the highly-successful MIEACT model, which involves people with PTSD telling their personal stories of what it’s really like to live with PTSD. If the grant application is successful, we’ll be looking for volunteer presenters and organisers – so that’s a big one!
There will also be vacancies for people interested in using or developing skills with publishing and audio video. We have a range of material that needs to be put into a format that can be used online and in physical products to help raise awareness of the disorder.
And did I mention admin? PUTP could really use someone with admin skills to keep us in order. So if that’s you, we’d love to hear from you, either at the meeting, or by phone/email.
For those of you who missed the Christmas party – it was a blast. Representatives from emeergency services, ADF – even the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Alan Griffin – joined members for a slapup feed and a good yarn. Lots of fun.
Hope to see you on the 16th!
cheers
Laurie
