Richmond Connections Newsletter – September 2024

Welcome to Richmond Connections

Welcome to this milestone edition of Richmond Connections. This is our first edition since formally amalgamating our three organisations, Richmond Fellowship Tasmania (RFT), Richmond Futures and Richmond Investments, which we collectively referred to as Richmond Group. RFT was established in 1984 and in 2018 it established Richmond Futures Ltd and Richmond Investments Ltd in response to entering the NDIS services market.

Over the past year, our Board and Executive identified the need to consolidate the three organisations into one to ensure the sustainability of our core purpose. It was determined that moving forward we needed to change the organisation’s name from Richmond Fellowship Tasmania to one that resonates with the community, program participants and their families and carers.

From 1 July 2024, Richmond Futures commenced as a single organisation. The restructure has not changed our charity status or our focus on providing community-based mental health services in line with the vision of our founder, Elly Jansen. The restructure will create operational efficiencies that deliver a stronger organisation and a single brand in the community. “Richmond” acknowledges our heritage and “Futures” provides a relevant focus that resonates with our community.

Continuing to listen

This new chapter means we can engage the community with a clearer brand and message. We will continue to listen and seek feedback from participants, families, friends and carers. From here we will renew our efforts to listen to other cohorts in our community that also inform how we design and deliver our services.

Glenson Place

Construction has finished and we now have access to the new independent living site, Glenson Place in Claremont. This is an exciting addition to the supported independent living accommodation we provide in the community.

The team remain very committed to delivering a quality service to participants, we also look forward to strengthening our relationships with key stakeholders across the state. This includes the work with Mental Health Services and Homes Tasmania on the second new site, Bellete Place in Chigwell.

Patrick Lilwall – CEO

New brand, new website

The restructure provided an opportunity to refresh our visual identity to better represent our organisation, the participants in our programs, the services we provide and to support our new name, Richmond Futures.

Our brand symbol is designed to communicate a sense of momentum – moving forward, stepping out into positive possibilities, stepping up into a different space or place. A symbol that communicates joyfulness, inspiration, inclusion and reflects a multi-faceted individual taking control of their life.

Brand symbol

Brand logo

June was a very busy month as we prepared for the launch of our new website. Our new site is designed for participants, their family or carer and the professionals we work with and represents us as a single brand in the community.

Glenson Place update

We are very excited to be in the process of assisting participants settle into their new home at Glenson Place in Claremont. As you can see, participants and staff have made the site a combination of personalised private spaces and welcoming communal areas to help create a beautiful community.

What participants think…

Tim has been busy in the communal kitchen baking Anzac biscuits for everyone at Glenson Place.

“It’s like a hotel! Things are going really well at Glenson Place. The staff are brilliant and all residents are respectful. I think it’s wonderful. It’s great to have communal space and also privacy as well. I have settled into my new routine well and am looking forward to continue moving forward” – Tim

“It’s lovely and beautiful. I am very lucky and blessed.” – Jessie

“I have found my happy place again. It’s great here.” – Cheyne

**Celebrating mental health week – The Art of Wellbeing exhibitions**

As part of Mental Health Week 2024, Richmond Futures is excited to announce The Art of Wellbeing art exhibitions happening in Launceston and Hobart. This is an opportunity for current Richmond Futures program participants to exhibit their work.

The Art of Wellbeing exhibitions aim to connect participants with their community, celebrate their talent, highlight the mental health benefits of creating art and promote awareness around mental health and wellbeing in general.

The Art of Wellbeing – creating, ways to better mental health

Hobart exhibition: 5 – 13 October 2024, Mawson Place, Waterside Pavilion, Argyle Street, Hobart
Launceston exhibition: 8 Oct – 6 November 2024, Launceston Library, Level 2, 71 Civic Square, Launceston

News from the north west TasRec program

Over the winter months program participants have been exploring their cooking and crafting skills. In July our weekly class took a flavourful turn with the spotlight on a classic Indian dish, Butter Chicken. Our Friday class is not just about cooking, it is a blend of culinary skills, games and activities designed to make the experience enjoyable and enriching.

The first hour was devoted to crafts and activities. One participant volunteered to bring all the craft materials and took the initiative to teach card-making to the group. With their guidance, other participants unleashed their creativity, crafting beautiful cards and painting wooden boxes. This lively and interactive session set an upbeat tone for the rest of the day.

With a small group of four participants, we divided the tasks for cooking the Butter Chicken. Two participants started prepping, cutting garlic and chicken breast, while the other two readied the utensils. As we cooked, we learned, turning the kitchen into a classroom.

Once the Butter Chicken was ready, one participant volunteered to serve the already cooked rice, and another served the Butter Chicken. After tasting the dish, everyone pitched in to clean the area and do the dishes, turning the cleanup into a fun activity.

Post-meal, participants discussed the dish, pointing out what was good and what could be improved. The day ended with a brainstorming session for the next week’s class. With a little help from the TasRec support worker, everyone agreed on baking scones for the next session. All participants agreed that the blend of activities and cooking made the class fun and relaxing. We look forward to more delightful culinary adventures in our upcoming classes.