Community of Practice a brilliant day of connection and sharing

Community Coordinators, Crew Support Workers and Live4Life staff in Daylesford in September

Community of Practice is one of our favourite times of the year.

Over two days in September visiting the beautiful central Victorian town of Daylesford, our annual Community of Practice in-person event again offered Live4Life staff, local Coordinators and Crew Support Workers the opportunity to connect, share experiences, address challenges and participate in some fun and engaging professional development.

Live4Life Youth and Community Engagement Adviser Bridie Johnstone interviews Crew Champions Talon and Mina

With attendees coming from far and wide — Ballarat, Benalla, Break O'Day, Glenelg, Hepburn, Latrobe Valley, Macedon Ranges, South Gippsland, Southern Grampians and Wellington — many were meeting for the first time. While technology forms a valued and necessary tool for communication across rural and regional communities, the chance to come together in person was particularly special.

Comments shared included an appreciation for "the overwhelming supportive nature everyone brings to the space", "ample time to...get a sense of what works in different communities", "practical initiatives to implement, grounded in shared insights", as well as a degree of reassurance "hearing other communities' struggles and strategies".

A packed program across the two days saw a variety of practical and informative sessions, including:

- Guest Presenter Kate Wilde from The Human Development Workshop filling our buckets with tons of insights and tools to support our work with Crew...If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong!

- A sneak peek of Live4Life's soon-to-be-launched LOOP! resource

- An important discussion on community postvention response protocols

- Sarah from Shanti Studio Woodend emphasising how important self-care is with an amazing chair yoga session!

- Crew Champions Talon and Mina sharing their experience of the journey from from Crew to Champions — reminding everyone how critically important youth participation and amplifying young people's voices is in every Live4Life community

Live4Life covers a LOT of geographical territory! Having this chance to come together is so motivating and a chance to grow our sense of "team" which is so special. Thanks to everyone who travelled substantial distances to join us!