By Dr Bibiana Chan
This year has been one of resilience and growth, despite some challenges. Our pop-up stalls, a cornerstone of our community engagement, were frequently impacted by unfavourable weather. Unfortunately, both the Lunar New Year and Mother’s Day stalls, as well as three scheduled bushwalks, had to be cancelled. However, we successfully held many other themed pop-up events, promoting connection and mental well-being: Live in Harmony, Easter, PTSD Awareness, NAIDOC Week – Keep the Fire Burning, Daffodil Week, Ask RUOK? Every day, Mental Health Week, and Beat the Christmas Blues. Our ‘Petal-it-Forward’ campaign continued, with themed floral bunches spreading joy throughout the community.
Harmony Week was a standout, with inclusive activities such as Laughter Yoga in both English and Cantonese, which welcomed new participants from Eastwood. Practicing alongside Dr. Kataria’s International Laughter Yoga Club on YouTube, we promoted inclusivity and well-being. The FAME (Floral Arrangements Made Easy) workshops for seniors and the Spot a Fern Competition bushwalk fostered intergenerational connection and participation.
Workshops and Mental Health
Our workshops continued to thrive, offering meaningful intergenerational exchange. The Resin Art Workshops encouraged family bonding, while the Mental Health Month Flower Crown Workshop focused on young men’s mental health. This aligned with the Mental Health Month theme, “Let’s Talk About It!” We provided multilingual resources to participants, and the trust built in these sessions, especially with our Asian community members, allowed for deep and confidential conversations.
Youth Mentoring Program
We were proud to be one of three finalists for the Mental Health Matters Community Initiative Award. Our program’s success was due to our co-design and co-production model and integrated leadership training. Six of our members attended SECNA’s Quarterly Meetup in May, where a new global agreement on social enterprise was launched. Creative workshops, such as Colour-Sand Picture Painting and the Flower Crown Workshop, sparked conversations about youth mental health.
Fundraising
Our fundraising efforts, including a Bunnings BBQ and donations, were instrumental in supporting our activities. We also received several community grants:
- Federal Government’s Volunteer Grant: $2K
- Help St Foundation: $4.6K for general expenses
- WayAhead Mental Health Association: $500 for Mental Health Month Petal-it-Forward Campaign
- Multicultural NSW: $5K for the Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair in February 2025
Collaborations
During the 2024 Social Enterprise Festival, we hosted four Mindfulness Botanical Painting/Drawing Workshops for participants aged 5 to 70, many of whom came with family members. This confirmed that expanding our creative workshops to families provides a meaningful alternative to screen time for both youth and adults.
A highlight this year was being invited to present our story to 150 students at the Centre for Social Impact (UNSW). Working with Jaydon and Thea to prepare a project brief, we valued the students’ input for CFS’s future marketing strategy.
Additionally, I spoke at a Raising Resilience Forum hosted by Burwood Council, alongside partners such as Headspace Ashfield and Together for Humanity. This was a key opportunity to foster new collaborations.
New Initiatives
Following suggestions from last year’s AGM, we launched a series of Career Development Workshops. Although participation was low, the content, including Resume Writing and Interview Preparation, is now available on our website. We are also preparing for the Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair in February 2025, which will showcase CFS’s activities and traditional Lunar New Year customs, with a focus on local families. In July, we contacted 30 local high schools about volunteer opportunities and leadership programs. While inquiries were limited, we plan to start this process earlier next year for better engagement.
Social Media Presence
Amid growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people, particularly under 16, CFS remains committed to fostering positive influences online. Over the past 12 months, our Instagram followers doubled to 333, while Facebook followers are steadily nearing 500. We will continue to adapt our online presence on line with evolving regulations.
Final Remarks
A heartfelt thank you to our committee members, consultants, and all the members who have played important roles in various working groups. Your unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in advancing CFS’s mental health advocacy. Every effort, large or small, contributes to our shared mission of fostering community well-being. Together, we continue to make a difference.