headspace Rockingham are currently seeking Friends and Family Reference Group volunteers. Just as our Youth Reference Group lets us know about the current issues that young people are facing and the best ways that headspace Fremantle can support them, the Friends and Family Reference Group helps us understand what it is like for loved ones to be supporting young people on their mental health journey & recovery. Our Family and Friends Reference Group can include parents, siblings, foster-parents, partners, grandparents, stepparents, partners, roommates and anyone else that makes up a young person’s support system. Here at headspace Rockingham, we understand that family and friends are often the first to notice a change in a young person’s emotions or behaviour that may signal the onset of a mental health or substance use problem. They also frequently encourage the young person to seek help or attempt to access help on their behalf.

Family and Friends Reference Group Members are involved in:

• Attending Bi-Monthly meetings (once every 8 weeks) at headspace Rockingham offices. The meeting date/time can be set as per the group’s best availability (ie: during school hours or after work) please note that may extend beyond standard business hours (for example until 6 or 7pm). You can join meetings in person at our centre (preferable) or online via Teams.

• Advising on various issues and topics relating to youth Mental Health and the headspace Rockingham centre.

• Providing feedback on and attending relevant community activities and events.

• Providing feedback on resources target towards families and carers.

• Participating in target group decisions.

• Be active in email and group chat discussions between in-person meetings and events in order to progress certain projects or provide feedback.

• Opportunities to attend community events (some may fall during the week or on weekends) and chat to parents, carers and grandparents about headspace services.

• Attending parent & carer information nights at high schools or sporting groups.

• Be invited to relevant headspace Rockingham training and professional developments opportunities.

Who can join the Family & Friends Reference Group?

• This group is open to people aged 26 and over.

• Anyone with lived experience in supporting a young person with their mental health. Please note your young person does not need to be accessing or previously accessed headspace Rockingham services specifically for you to be eligible to join.

• Passionate about youth mental health.

*Please note if you would like to attend community and school events, you will need to hold a valid working with children check (this is not essential to joining the group) and we can assist you with the paperwork. If this volunteer role sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love to have a chat. We look forward to hearing from you.