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Welcome to Families 4 Families WA (F4FWA) – your family peer-led community offering a safe and supportive environment for families, friends and supporters. We define ‘families’ as ‘everyone who cares’. A F4FWA participant described the community as being a space where ‘authentic collective wisdom’ is safely shared. The mutual sharing of what we’ve learned from our experiences fosters understanding, empathy, resilience and expertise. F4FWA’s value has also been formally recognised: Finalist in the 2023 Support Groups Awards and Winner of the 2015 Alcohol and other Drug Excellence (Families) Award).
“We’re always dancing on the edge of the abyss and it doesn’t take much to fall off. F4FWA is a safe space to land.”
– Rod, parent and F4FWA member.
Individuals and families with these experiences are often coping with a range of emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, anxiety, hopelessness, and despair. F4FWA participants have told us that sharing what is happening even with other family members or close friends can result in well-intentioned but unhelpful advice. That’s where the value of peer relationships come in. At F4FWA the focus is on hearing from people, wherever they’re at, in a non-judgmental way. Knowing that others have gone through similar situations and what helped them through can ease isolation and help people feel connected.
Too often in the systems they navigate, family members are labelled as ‘difficult’ or ‘demanding’, ‘over-involved’ or ‘not supportive’. Families are labelled as ‘dysfunctional’ or ‘multi-problem’. They are often cast as part of ‘the problem’ or as having caused ‘the problem’. It is important to recognise that violence and abuse can and does happen within some families and that inter-generational trauma is real and disrupts healthy connections. However, research shows that supportive relationships with family and close friends is key to an individual’s recovery. Healing is important for all members of a family including children, so that the family unit and the people within it can recover and thrive.
Healing is important for all members of a family including children, so that the family unit and the people within it can recover and thrive. F4FWA counters the stigma and discrimination faced by families by shining a light on their strengths, skills and expertise. Our peer facilitators foster a space that encourages and supports self-advocacy and taking back power
Navigating one system, such as mental health services, can be challenging enough. When it comes to managing interactions with multiple systems – mental health, alcohol and drug services, and the criminal justice system – the task can feel overwhelming. F4FWA addresses this issue head-on. Our members bring a wealth of experience navigating a range of services and systems, and they’re eager to share their knowledge and insights. Their shared expertise paves the way for others to have better experiences.
Becoming part of our supportive community is simple. Just email us at [email protected] or text us at 0413 861 049.
Please note, participation is FREE and voluntary. Registration of a contact phone number is required for safeguarding purposes.
Register today by simply sending your email address and phone number to [email protected] and be part of our next gathering. We look forward to welcoming you to our F4FWA community.