Wellness & Welfare Support

Support for all ….. Members and Families

With the ongoing development of our Association, your Committee has approved the groundwork for a more formalised structure of a Welfare Program.

The basic idea is: The District Co-ordinator in conjunction with a dedicated Welfare Liaison Officer for each District will take the lead in assessing the needs for welfare of our Members within the District and with the assistance of one or more Members ensure that the Welfare of Sick, Injured or Bereaved Members and/or families are cared for.

There are many and varied ways to address these issues, be it through the Association directly, Local Council, The Members Doctor, (if known) or other support services. Ie: Red Cross, Salvation Army, Lifeline, Chaplaincy via AV just to name a few.

It is anticipated that the Welfare Liaison Officer  will be able to gain the assistance from within the District to liaise with the Member and/or family for any necessary assistance. All Co-ordinators and Welfare Liaison Officers will be supported by our Association Welfare Co-ordinator, Steve Mulligan in all areas of involvement. Steve will send out Get Well and Sympathy Cards as required but will need to be contacted with relevant details to ensure the correct details are transmitted to our Members and their families.

The Welfare Liaison Officer will need to ensure there is an ongoing communication with any Member or family member to establish an effective and supportive role in the areas of need, assistance and support as required.

This Wellness & Welfare Program is, and will remain, totally separate from the Peer Support Program and focus mainly on the needs of members who, as stated, are unwell, injured or bereaved. We anticipate that with this program there will be the need for “follow up” action over a period of time to ensure that the Member and/or family is able to re-establish their life style and feel an interracial part of our Association.

Should any Co-ordinator, Welfare Liaison Officer or Member require any assistance at any time please contact Steve Mulligan on Mobile: 0418 331 984 or Secretary, Jim Ballard on Mobile:0419 384 716.

In association with the Welfare Program we have now introduced a policy to guide and assist Members, whether they be Full Members, Associate, Honorary or Life Members, in any areas of Discrimination or Harassment. Should any Member feel they have been defamed contact our Welfare Officer, Steve Mulligan or Georgie Hall who will assist in any request or complaint.

The Full Policy appears with the Constitution and other necessary documents

Funeral Benefits Offer

The Funeral benefits Offer document is for all members to complete and return to the Membership Officer.

Minds Together paramedic research study

I’d like to introduce Lyndon and Philippa from Everymind, a NSW based Institute that works towards the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide.  This team are conducting a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) called Minds Together, a new research project designed to help support paramedics displaying any symptoms of mental ill-health or suicidal distress.  It is aimed at family and friends who may be supporting current or former paramedics and there does not need to be a formal diagnosis of a mental health condition. They are hopeful of spreading the word and getting strong participation, hence I wanted to connect them with our wonderful Retired and Former Employee (RAFE) peer team (Janelle and Phil) and the Retired Ambulance Association of Victoria (RAAV).

More information can be found here.

The team also shared a video with tips:

  • a sample video from our program (2mins) –  Top tips from paramedics and family 

This type of research is critical to increase our knowledge of how best to support our loved ones and friends, or even ourselves.  You may want to consider sharing it amongst your circles and I thought it may be appropriate for the RAAV community.