Community Action Plans (Tasmania)

Community Action Plans (Tasmania) is sponsored by Tasmanian Government (administered by Relationships Australia Tasmania). Community Action Plans (Tasmania) is a grant from the Tasmanian Government (administered by Relationships Australia Tasmania) that funds community-led mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.

Community Action Plans - Relationships Australia Tasmania A Community Action Plan (CAP) is a practical strategy co-designed with a community (workplace, school, club, organisation) to support positive wellbeing, good mental health, and to prevent and reduce suicide.

Our team of project officers support the development of the CAP by holding meetings, assisting with community consultations, developing actions based on identified needs, and writing the plan. Communities then lead and implement the actions. Small grants of $1500 are available to CAP endorsed communities to assist.

Over the past financial year, seven CAPs were endorsed, with ongoing consultations taking place in twenty community groups across the state. Care Forward and the Retired Police Association were some of the groups that we worked with to create a tailored CAP.

Our team of project officers support the development of the CAP by holding meetings, assisting with community consultations, developing actions based on identified needs, and writing the plan. A CAP was created with the Retired Police Association of Tasmania (RPAT), in consultation with its 151 members. The RPAT offers members a space for camaraderie, peer support, and mutual benefit.

They host various social events, provide access to training, maintain regular email contact, and support struggling members through outreach and a dedicated hotline. The RPAT consultation highlighted three main actions for them over the next 12 months: Training additional peer support members for the hotline and outreach. Increasing member engagement to build their sense of belonging.

Promoting self-care strategies. These actions not only help members feel connected and supported but also enhance overall well-being, strengthen community bonds, and ensure members have access to necessary resources and support systems when they need them.

Care Forward based in Launceston is a locally owned and operated enterprise, focusing on delivering health and homecare solutions tailored to enhance the autonomy of elderly Tasmanians and individuals managing chronic conditions or disabilities.

To support their staff with handling client’s mental health concerns, challenging conversations with client’s family members and to ensure the mental well-being of their staff, Care Forward Launceston decided to work with RA to put some achievable actions in place. A CAP was developed in consultation with 12 staff members to assist Care Forward Launceston’s goals of increasing staff training, awareness and mental wellbeing.

The consultation highlighted three main actions for the next 12 months: Mental health first aid training for key staff. A mindfulness room where staff can practice mindfulness techniques or debrief in private. Team activities such as scheduled morning and afternoon teas, guest speakers and staff activities to foster community connectedness.

“This process has been a great team building exercise and through discussions, we have come up with other ideas to implement down the track. So far, we have enrolled 4 team members into Mental health first aid training, and we are in the process of setting up a safe space room. ” Care Forward, Staff Member A dedicated mindfulness room ensures staff can take time out to reflect