Al's Walk for Life | Community organisation

Al's Walk for Life

Phone: +61 1300 024 357

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25.01.2022 WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT Registration is now open for our series of monthly webinars, Building Hope Together, running from December 2020 - September 2021. The to...pic of the first webinar is the impact of COVID-19 on suicide bereavement, recognising the increased isolation and negative impact on mental health that the bereaved already experience. Check out our event website for registration and more information on the line up of esteemed speakers and topics that we are proud to bring to you for our very first online event - https://bit.ly/378FMN1 This program has been funded by the NSW Ministry of Health as part of the Towards Zero Suicides Initiatives to better support those impacted by suicide. #suicidesurvivors #survivorsofsuicide #suicidesurvivor #suicidebereavement #postvention #suicideloss

22.01.2022 What an amazing Homecoming Welcome for Alan complete with a 50 member Concert Band and flowers from the NSW Premier, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP, and the NSW Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Tanya Davies MP. A real team effort... the end the the Walk, but now the real beginning of Postvention awareness in Australia.

18.01.2022 G'day Campbelltown! 261 km down, only 59 km to go - Alan is an unstoppable force! Thank you for those who attended the Camden and Campbelltown Forums yesterday and today. A special thanks to Lifeline Macarthur for their support throughout the region! It was so kind of Salvation Army Narellan Corps to have us over for a refreshing cuppa. Thank you for your friendliness and encouragement.... Upcoming Community Forums: Liverpool Community Forum When: 12:30pm-1:30pm, Sunday 11th November Where: Silver Room, Liverpool City Library, 170 George St, Liverpool (Reading room access via lifts or 1st floor) Bankstown Community Forum When: 12:30pm-1:30pm, Monday 12th November Where: Salvation Army Bankstown Corps, 42 Raymond St, Bankstown

17.01.2022 With a lot of fuel left in the tank, Alan has now reached Bankstown in high spirits! He will be hosting the Bankstown Community Forum today, 12:30-1:30pm at the Salvation Army Bankstown Corps (42 Raymond St, Bankstown). Please support Alan by sharing this page and donating through the website https://postventionaustralia.org/walkforlifedonation/ Community Forums:... Auburn Community Forum When: 3:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesday, 13th November Where: Auburn Central Forecourt, corner of Queen St and Harrow Road (in front of stairs) Parramatta Community Forum When: 12:00pm-2:00pm, Wednesday, 14th November Where: Centenary Square, Church St, Parramatta (tentative)

17.01.2022 Alan has reached Picton with a whopping 205km completed! Alan's had a fairly bad nick, but with a plucky smile and a bandaid, he's soldiered on! Come and join Alan for the Picton Community Forum tomorrow at 12:30pm at the Picton RSL Park (also known as Picton Memorial Park) on Argyle St. Thank you to those who attended the really powerful Community Forum at Bargo yesterday. A special shout out to Craig Curtis, President of Lions Club of Tahmoor for the use of their hall for ...the Forum. Camden Community Forum will be at 1pm on Thursday 8th November at the Camden RSL, 23 Cawdor Rd, Camden. Campbelltown Community Forum will be at 12:30pm on Friday 9th November at Western Suburbs Leagues Club, 10 Old Leumeah Rd, Leumeah (venue to be confirmed).

16.01.2022 We want to express our deepest gratitude to Sydney RV Group for very kindly supplying Alan with a motor home for the duration of Al's Walk for Life. It has sheltered Alan during torrential rain, the relentless Aussie sun, and given Alan a place to rest his weary legs. Thank you, particularly Norman and Bronwyn, for your big-hearted gesture in supporting those impacted by suicide. Al's Walk for Life would not have been possible without Sydney RV Group's generosity.

15.01.2022 May you all find peace, love and happiness this Holiday Season and all the best for 2019! Alan's still working hard this Christmas Eve in preparation for meeting with Federal Ministers early next year to bring about better outcomes for those impacted by suicide! For the Postvention Australia Newsletter, which includes some tips for grief and the holidays and an overview of the Walk for Life, please check out: https://mailchi.mp//conference-registration-and-abstract-s

15.01.2022 A very successful meeting in Bowral! A big thank you to Oxley College for their generosity in taking us in for morning tea and letting us share our message of postvention. It was so lovely to meet Emma, the Community Relations Officer, all the students and staff members at Oxley College to start the conversation about mental health and suicide prevention and pass along a few resources. It was great to have the Oxley College Deputy Principal Mark Case join us for the Communit...y Forum. Alan also met with Ken from the Bowral Lions Club and Trevor from Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong. Thanks to them for raising awareness in their clubs and community about suicide bereavement. Please join us at the next few Community Forums are: Bargo Community Forum When: 12:30-1:30pm, Sunday 4th November Where: The Bargo CWA Hall, 1 Noongah Street, Bargo PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE Picton Community Forum When: 12:30-1:30pm, Tuesday 6th November Where: Picton RSL Park (also known as Picton Memorial Park), Argyle St, Picton Camden Community Forum When: 1:00pm-2:00pm, Thursday 8th November Where: Camden RSL, 23 Cawdor Road, Camden

14.01.2022 Picton was very welcoming - thank you for those who showed up to the Forum on Tuesday! Come give Alan a pat on the back, and learn more about what you can do for the bereaved by suicide at the next few Community Forums, including Camden's Forum today! Camden Community Forum... When: 1pm-2pm, today Where: Camden RSL, 23 Cawdor Rd, Camden Campelltown Community Forum: When: 12:30pm-1:30pm, Friday 9th November Where: Wests Leagues Club (Campbelltown), 10 Old Leumeah Rd, Leumeah Liverpool Community Forum When: 12:30pm-1:30pm, Sunday 11th November Where: Silver room, Liverpool City Library, 170 George St, Liverpool (Reading room access via lift or 1st floor) We would also like to especially thank Brian and Flora Vidal at the Bargo Motor Inn for their generosity in housing us while we were in Wollondilly.

14.01.2022 The Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP, is formally welcoming Alan home at 10:15am tomorrow at the rear of the Parliament House, Macquarie St. The Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Tanya Davies MP, will also be joining the Premier to show the support of the NSW Parliament for Alan's undying determination to help those bereaved by suicide often falling between the cracks. Alan would really love to meet you all at this reception. Please come and join us cheer Alan on as he crosses over the finish line!

12.01.2022 18 October - 16 November | Canberra to Sydney My name is Alan Staines. I am 86 years young. I am the National Secretary for Postvention Australia, the National Association for the Bereaved by Suicide. I am committed to walk from Canberra to Sydney to raise community awareness and education to support Australians affected by suicide. The 330km walk will commence from Canberra on 18th October and conclude in Sydney on 16th November 2018. I will be visiting 14 towns/cities on m...y Walk, where I will be providing information on suicide bereavement and the appropriate way to support your bereaved friends. I will be speaking with local schools, clubs, Local Government, suicide bereavement services, people bereaved by suicide and the general community to raise awareness about the impact of suicide. I will also be promoting the support services available in the local area. A bereaved representative, where possible, will speak with me at each town visited. Over 8 Australians suicide each day. Research shows that every suicide directly impacts 135 people. That’s over 1000 people a day - too many are falling between the cracks and getting no help whatsoever. The social, emotional and economic consequences of suicide are immense. To lose someone to suicide commonly results in intense emotional trauma, shock, grief, guilt, physical and psychological ill health and adverse social circumstances. I must, we all must, be there for them, with empathy and compassion. By providing much-needed support to people bereaved by suicide (postvention), evidence shows that this prevents suicide. Effective postvention is prevention. Suicide prevention is everybody’s business. We want to encourage everyone to support those people who are affected by suicide.

12.01.2022 You've followed Alan on his incredible journey all for Australians impacted by suicide over the last month. He's put postvention into the national conversation, connected with numerous members of the community along the way, and put in a huge amount of hours into talking to media to spread awareness across the country. He has tirelessly walked a colossal 312km, with only 13km to the finish line! Please join us to welcome this champion home to Sydney at his reception on Thursday 15th November at 10am, Parliament House, Macquarie St. The Premier has been invited to welcome Alan's return. Come and show your support for a man who has dedicated his life to supporting others.

11.01.2022 A productive meeting took place between Postvention Australia and the Mental Health Branch at the NSW Ministry for Health. Many ideas were shared to discuss postvention strategies for NSW. Visit Postvention Australia's post below for more details.

10.01.2022 On Wednesday 3 Februray, 10AM - 12PM (AEDT) we start the "Modality Month Post-Suicide Support two part series with "Types of Post-Suicide Support". The webin...ar session will include talks from our esteemed speakers and a live Q&A. Check out our event website for registration and more information on each of the esteemed speakers and topics they will cover. http://bit.ly/39LXMhM Session recordings will also be available to watch on demand after the session so we recommend registering even if you cannot join us at the scheduled time. This program has been funded by the NSW Ministry of Health as part of the Towards Zero Suicides Initiatives to better support those impacted by suicide.

09.01.2022 Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day and while ‘prevention’ is vital, postvention, or post-suicide support, is no less significant to ensure the mental well...being of friends and family trying to cope with loss. Postvention in effect is prevention in that the bereaved are not only themselves at a higher risk of suicide after the loss, but require greater support during their grieving, which in some cases, can last from a few months to a lifetime. The National Association for the Bereaved by Suicide today said it welcomed the increasing focus within governments and stakeholder groups of the critical need to elevate support and resources toward those left behind after losing a loved one to the tragedy of suicide. Read our Media Release here: http://bit.ly/pvawspd20 #WSPD2020

09.01.2022 Alan and the team would like to thank various media all around Australia for shedding light on the often-neglected issue of suicide bereavement through covering Al's Walk for Life. Special thanks to Laura Jayes at Sky News - we couldn't have done it without you. Check out the coverage by Sky News: https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5967310573001. The vision has been used in the Australian (https://www.2gb.com/alan-staines-crosses-the-finish-line-a/) and the Advertiser (ht...tps://www.2gb.com/alan-staines-crosses-the-finish-line-a/). Many thanks to Ben Fordham and 2GB for their support to us during the entire Walk with daily updates and live crosses, spreading the message to so many and letting them know they are not alone. More here: https://www.2gb.com/alan-staines-crosses-the-finish-line-a/ The extensive article in The Senior by Geraldine Cardozo: https://www.thesenior.com.au//octogenarian-completes-epic/

08.01.2022 Saturday 23rd of November marks the International Survivors of Suicide Loss day, a designated day where friends and family of those bereaved by suicide, can join together for healing and support. To commemorate this important day, Wings of Hope is holding a public event, bringing together the bereaved by suicide within the community, reminding them that they are not alone. This special ceremony will be held on Saturday 23rd of November from 11am - 12:30pm at Rocky Point Isl...and in Mosman. There will be guest speakers in attendance including Lived Experience speakers, Genievieve and Justin, President Wendy McWilliam, Sue Johansson and Dr Diana Sands. For more information on the Wings of Hope Gathering, please visit their page below. We encourage all to attend this event in order to support those who have been bereaved by suicide.

07.01.2022 Postvention Australia is working collaboratively with the NSW Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders to map out the future of postvention in NSW. Check out their page through the post below for more details. Keep on keeping on!... Alan, See more

06.01.2022 An incredibly successful welcome for Al's Walk for Life by the Premier of NSW, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP, supported by the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Tanya Davies MP. Thank you to all those who came and showed support for Alan! Stay tuned for more photos from the event.

05.01.2022 Alan discusses postvention and mental health issues, especially within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with Professor Tom Calma AO recently at Parliament House. In Auburn today, Alan has been engaging with members of the community. Thanks to those for stopping by and listening to Alan's message! Alan is now progressing through the Parramatta region. If you're nearby, please swing by for a quick chat at our Walk for Life stall in Centenary Square, Church St, Parramatta tomorrow anytime between 12:00pm-2:00pm. You can pick up a few resources and information about services, how to support your bereaved friend and tips for those impacted by suicide.

02.01.2022 Registration and call for abstracts for Building Hope Together, the 6th Australian Postvention Conference, are now open! Join us for special keynote presentations, workshops, discussion sessions and more. More information can be found on the conference website: www.buildinghopetogether.com.au. The call for abstracts closes 22nd February. The 2019 Conference focuses on building hope together through the three main conference themes encouraging resilience, incorporating li...ved experience and facilitating collaboration between stakeholders. The conference encourages the sharing and discussion of ideas, stories and research to bring positive outcomes for the postvention sector. Plenary speakers include: - Dr Julie Cerel (President, American Association for Suicidology) - Sharon McDonnell (Director, Suicide Bereavement UK) - Ken Norton (Executive Director, NAMI NH, Connect Program) - Prof. Pat Dudgeon (Deputy Chair, Australian Indigenous Psychologist’s Association, Chair, National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Leaders Mental Health) - Prof. Myfanwy Maple (Professor of Social Work, University of New England) - Adele Cox (Chief Executive, Thirrili Ltd, Project Director of National Indigenous Critical Response Project) - Nikki Jamieson (Principal Project Officer, Suicide Prevention in Health Services, Queensland Health) - Assoc. Prof. Judith Murray (Associate Professor in Counselling and Counselling Psychology, University of Queensland) - Dr Diana Sands (Director, Bereaved by Suicide Centre for Intense Grief Therapy) - Guest Conference Dinner Speaker: Anna Wardley (Endurance swimmer and charity fundraiser for suicide prevention organisations)

01.01.2022 A special shoutout to Blake at Headspace Parramatta for helping out at today's Community Forum! It was great to develop these connections in the community and we look forward to further engagement in the future. Please join us in welcoming Alan back to Sydney with a guard of honour, the Chatswood High School Concert Band, and his family and supporters. The reception will be held at the back of Parliament House tomorrow at 10:00am.