ACD has been developing a grass roots Community Leaders program with Tasmanian parent and carer leaders and Peer Support Networks.
This training program will support the individual growth and leadership skills of Tasmanian parents, carers and family members of people living with disability. The ultimate aim of the program, based on a leadership for social change model, is to prepare and support current and emerging leaders to harness their skill, knowledge and networks, realise their position of strength and effect invaluable community change.
The programs major concept is that leadership is ultimately about change, particularly change that benefits others in the local and global communities and that so much more can be achieved together rather than individually.
Parent and carer community leaders were invited to be the first to take part in a series of workshops that will become the foundation for ACD’s grass roots Leadership for Social Change training package. ACD knows that the parent and carer leaders in its community are highly skilled, have a wealth of information and unwavering commitment. This was the perfect target group to trial the workshops and gave ACD the opportunity to acknowledge the participants as leaders and pay tribute to their skills and contributions.
The workshops were organised for two days and a night each time. Lots of workshopping took place: looking deep into the model; working through shared aims and values; talking about Tasmania’s service history, and how to build and maintain a community recognizing that individuals and organizations are part of an interconnected system.
Everyone takes away something different from an experience such as this but there were common threads about the connections made and the value of them.
“As important as any of the training, are the conversations being had. These are invaluable.”
“A great venue! Maybe a solid 3 days, 2 nights session here would give us a solid committed length of uninterrupted time”
“I loved the feeling of ‘getting away’ – and being away! I did think on reflection that it was a unique group of people to be with “
“Those that become ‘leaders in the community’, often (I’m guessing – certainly true for my circumstance) have many people ‘leaning’ on them. Leaders give support and often pave the way. I think the value in getting leaders together so that they can mutually support one another is powerful – and most appreciated. I came away feeling very supported, and that in turn empowers me to keep going. I feel privileged to be part of this group – looking forward to the next instalment!!”
“Just a quick email to say thank you for the time and effort in preparation, and for the opportunity we were given to take part in the time at Tarraleah. Janet – you obviously have an incredible wealth of experience and gift with your teaching and communicating, thank you for adding to and strengthening what we have for the journeys we are on.”
The creative ideas will assist to embed energy and rhythm into the group and organization (ACD). There is a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skills within the group that ensures they will be the catalyst from which the work of the ACD Leadership program launches.
ACD and the first community leaders group have already started to implement some of the ideas and others are a work in progress. Plans are in motion for the next series of workshops and we are excited to take all we have learned from the pilot and put it into action later in 2017 (thanks to one off funds received from DHHS).
Successful communities offer the familiar comforts of a hometown, but they also have enough interesting and varied events to keep new ideas and new people cycling into the community. Stay tuned!