Resilient Lismore, in collaboration with Red Cross, Social Futures, Uniting and Lismore City Council, will conduct Winter Wellbeing Outreach in late May.

Teams from the organisations will door knock around Lismore, conducting a wellbeing check-in, providing wellbeing resources, key recovery and mental health contacts, and a blanket in acknowledgement of the coming winter.

With the cold months upon us and many people still living in precarious situations which expose them to the elements, the objective of the ‘check in’ with flood-impacted households across Lismore is to acknowledge they are going into a second winter, ensure they aware of services available and remind them they are not alone.

Elly Bird, executive director of Resilient Lismore said,

“This is our second time heading out into the flood zone to connect with our community. We are doing this for a couple of reasons – firstly to let people know there is still help available and how to access it; and secondly, we want to see how many people are back home or who may have moved into new housing and to make sure that everyone who is back in those homes, knows what help is available for them.”

“Our last round of community check-ins was last year in August, and just like then we are focused on making sure people are safe, secure and warm.”

“We are really pleased to be working with Red Cross, Social Futures, Uniting, Lismore City Council, and Headspace. We all have different things we can offer people as they navigate their recovery, and this is an opportunity to make sure as many people as possible know about us.”

“If our community check-in team miss you and you would like to let us know how you are going you can drop in and see us at the Resilient Lismore Hub at 215 Keen St to work through our survey form with our team.”

Recovery and wellbeing

We hear the word ‘recovery’ used a lot and how as individuals and a community we are recovering from the 2022 floods.

Recovery isn’t about returning to the way things were or ‘bouncing back’. The impacts of the 2022 floods have fundamentally changed us individuals, households, and communities.

Recovery is about ‘creating a new normal’, coming to terms with the impacts of the flood and managing the disruptions and changes it has caused.

Recovery isn’t a linear process, it’s complex and is influenced by many different factors. And recovery takes a long time, it’s more like a marathon than a sprint! It can be tempting to think once material items are replaced or infrastructure repaired, life will go back to normal.

However, recovery also involves individuals, families and community rebuilding relationships, routines and ways of living in a new environment.

Not only was the flood traumatic but recovery can also be stressful. It can be difficult to look after yourself and feel well when you’re under pressure, especially over a long period of

time. Stress is normal and our body’s way of creating extra energy to help deal with challenges. However, when stress goes on for a long time you may have a range of feelings such as worry and/or anxiety, fear, anger or irritability, helplessness or feeling overwhelmed.

These feelings are normal. It’s important to give yourself space and time to acknowledge these emotions so that you can manage them in a healthy way.

Stress does not resolve without direct action. Connecting with family, friends and community is a great way to combat stress. Make time for wellbeing, pleasure and leisure and is an important antidote to stress. Doing things that you enjoy in times of stress is not a luxury, its essential to manage your wellbeing! And if your stress is not improving or you are having trouble coping with work or relationships or your recovery, seek additional help. Your GP can assist and refer you to services and professionals that can help. There are also a range of organisations that provide online and telephone support for people who are in crisis or struggling to cope.

These include: Lifeline 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au to chat online OR Beyond

Blue 1300 0224 636 or visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au to chat online.