Meet SHELLEY FEILDING - Live4Life Project Officer, Central Goldfields Shire Council

Image Description: Image of Shelley Feilding smiling

Welcome, SHELLEY!

We'd love to introduce you to the inspiring people who support Live4Life and young people in our communities. Shelley Feilding is the Live4Life Project Officer at Central Goldfields Shire Council.

Shelley became involved in Live4Life because she has always had a passion for helping others, particularly young people. "I’m very invested in my community and have always gravitated towards roles where I can work towards creating positive change, either in an individual’s life or more broadly."

When did you first hear about Live4Life?

I first heard about Live4Life when I saw Council’s advertisement seeking expressions of interest from community members to become trained Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructors — I was keen! I’m now a trained Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor and I’m still interested in becoming a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor in the future.

Why did you decide to become involved with Live4Life in your local community?

It was an easy decision to apply for the role of Live4Life Coordinator in Central Goldfields. It was like the position was written for me. I love working in community development and feel energised working in positions that involve strategic planning — because I love to be a part of the magic that happens when you bring passionate, like-minded people together to work on common goals. I am an avid life-long learner of all things health related — both physical and mental health. In my spare time I’m either consuming content about physical and mental health or engaging in activities that support my own physical and mental wellbeing. I see my career forever being in the health and wellbeing space.

How does being part of the Live4Life Crew help young people's mental health and wellbeing?

Peer education is such a powerful model for young people. Evidence shows that young people are more likely to seek support from their peers when experiencing a mental health problem. Given the profound influence that young people have in each other’s lives, and that young people are our future, it just makes sense for them to be driving the work within community and within their school. It’s really uplifting to see them thinking in the space of how we can improve mental health in Central Goldfields and spread positive mental health messaging, and I’m excited to see all they achieve with their energy and enthusiasm.

Name the 2 things you love most about your job.

*I love working with the people involved in Live4Life Central Goldfields. We are all enthused by what we do, we support each other as well as supporting our young people. It makes you feel proud to be a part of the team and a part of something bigger in Live4Life.

* It’s really heartening to see how the Live4Life model can make a difference in young people’s lives. If we can even save just one person’s life by implementing this model in our community then it’s worth it. I believe and can see evidence that the Live4Life model is already having an impact and it’s been uplifting to hear the comments from young people recognising how important mental health awareness is.

Your favourite band/musician. My taste in music is very eclectic: pop, rock and country are probably my 3 favourite genres but I just love music in general — so good for the soul! My favourite band or musician seems to change weekly!