This gift card will help create a wellness circle for women and children suffering trauma and loss in Indigenous communities. Based on a preventative model of healing, wellness circles and support groups provide informal counselling and a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people can come together to discuss sensitive issues and support each other. Participants feel stronger when they realise their problems can be shared and tackled together. These circles have proven to be a very effective form of healing for Indigenous people.

“Healing to me is trying to fix what is broken in our life. For Aboriginal people this is mainly about loss, grief and trauma. Having an organisation like the South West Aboriginal Medical Service is important because our staff know about the issues that impact on our lives and can help us to achieve a balance that enables us to see a future for ourselves and our families. This allows us to maintain our cultural values as Aboriginal people.” Glenda Humes, CEO of South West Aboriginal Medical Service, Western Australia.