Testimonials

It seems that there are so many problems both economic and social. So often people feel they can do little more than shrug their shoulders and wonder what on earth to do. As a psychotherapist and expert in the neuroscience of human behaviour, as well as being a father of two, I would counsel that this is not a problem, this is a message. The message is that we are allowing ourselves to feel more disengaged and perhaps even unsafe in our communities.

The cure is simple - act, belong, commit. There is no better group of words to describe what is needed. Even more to the point is that we should not just think about these concepts, we must do them. Gill Hicks, who gave the plenary speech, spoke of this in her initiatives for peace. She wants people to do peace. We all want it, but as Ghandi said, "Be the change you want in the world."

We held a social golf day with a Perth based ladies golf club (which included golf, lunch, dinner, an overnight sleep over in the club house and breakfast!) Last year we had sponsored this day and promoted it as an Act Belong Commit event. One of the ladies from Perth remembered this and asked me if we were still doing Act Belong Commit, and I explained that we had sponsored another golf day recently and were just coming to the end of our 2 year program that has been run by the NEWROC shires, funded by Healthway. She informed me that she had actually got in contact with the group of ladies and the golf club via the Act Belong Commit website and that it was a great campaign and a good tool for connecting with activities. She now has a great social network through the club and really enjoys her golf. We also had another really successful and very social weekend at the Yelbeni Golf Club and we hope to do the return trip to Perth and play at their club next year. I found this a really inspiring story and message – and I consequently came back to work and put several more activities and events up on the website. Hopefully others can also take something from this message and know that we are making a difference!

I have some great feedback from an acquaintance. She told me that the Act-Belong-Commit ads inspired her to encourage her partner to join a mixed indoor netball team. Her partner does have some mental health issues and seeing the ads reminded her to encourage him to keep socially active and mentally healthy. The interesting thing for me is that she works in mental health as a councelor. but it was the Act-Belong-Commit message on TV that reminded her of the importance of preventative measures.

Proof Media Advertising Works

Following the October 2009 television advertising schedule, Lisa Sticklen of Rockingham visited the Act-Belong-Commit website, exploring the sorts of activities Act-Belong-Commit offered locally and around the state. After noticing a mothers’ walking group in Karratha, Lisa contacted local Act-belong-Commit project officer, Simone Comtesse to enquire about starting a similar group in Rockingham. Simone worked with Lisa to establish a Heart Foundation Walking group for local mothers and assisted with local promotions. The group, named PRAMS—Parents in Rockingham Area Meet and Stroll Group—started walking twice a week on the picturesque Waikiki Foreshore. Since then the group have gathered momentum with some mothers walking at 8.00am everyday Monday–Friday. There are eight regular walkers in the group. PRAMS has a great social atmosphere with friendships developing and parents staying after the walks for morning tea and a chat. One mother joined the same week she moved to Rockingham and has found it to be a great way of meeting other people in the area, as well as helping to get back into shape after having a baby.

Referring to the 2009 Act-Belong-Commit PhotoVoice Project:

In one case, a young adolescent was encouraged by his grandmother to enter the competition, even though he had never really used a camera before, because she noticed he had become withdrawn after his parents had recently divorced. His grandmother commented that since entering the competition, having his pictures exhibited and actually winning his age category, he has now taken up photography actively and has developed a portfolio of images. He is also very keen to enter the competition again next year. She said that he was so proud to have his work displayed publicly that it has given him a new interest to pursue.