More than 15,000 Moreton Bay Veterans and their families will soon gain easier access to health and wellbeing support, to be delivered through a new dedicated hub in Caboolture.
Lives Lived Well, a not-for-profit organization with over 40 years of experience in delivering mental health, alcohol, and other drugs and gambling services to individuals and families, has been appointed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a new Veterans and Families Hub in Caboolture.
“The civilian community cannot be expected to ever fully understand what vets and their families go through in their adjustment to civilian life, but the amount of goodwill on show these days is encouraging and a welcome improvement on years past.”
Partnering with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Queensland Branch), The Veterans and Families Hub will be designed as a safe space for veterans and their families to access help with the transition from the defence force into civilian life.
Darryl Shipp, State Secretary and Liaison Officer for VVAA Queensland, acknowledged that there can be significant challenges for veterans as they adapt to life outside of the services.
“The civilian community cannot be expected to ever fully understand what vets and their families go through in their adjustment to civilian life, but the amount of goodwill on show these days is encouraging and a welcome improvement on years past," said Mr Shipp.
Australian veterans are renowned for their stoicism and resilience and are unlikely to seek praise for the service they have rendered.
"Vets don’t go looking for appreciation. Some respect is enough," said Mr Shipp.
Services provided will be flexible and tailored, offering possibilities for social connection and engagement. Key supports may include employment, housing, transition support, advocacy, mental health support and other counselling.
Lives Lived Well is at the cutting edge of the support they offer to the community including veterans, with an evidence-based approach designed in collaboration with our research partner, the University of Queensland.
The federal government has made the project possible through a $5m commitment announced recently, and the new hub will join other similar hubs already established in Townsville, Darwin, Adelaide, Perth, Nowra, and Wodonga.
The Veterans and Families Hub will service South East Queensland which is home to one of the largest defense and ex-defense populations in the country, with 11% of the Australian veteran population.
The Veterans and Families Hub is expected to open later this year ensuring that the needs of the veteran community are met with the utmost care and sensitivity.
Veterans and families who need support can call Lives Lived Well on 1300 727 957 or connect via liveslivedwell.org.au.