ELM PEER SUPPORT GROUP

ELM (Every Life Matters) meetings are relaxed and inclusive. There is an introduction topic to discuss, otherwise the conversation is focused on whatever participants want to share or would find helpful. The group is friendly and warm, and aims to provide a place for sharing, discussion, and hope, and to reduce social isolation and stigma around suicide.

 ELM is an open group, so anyone is free to attend any meeting.

The group is run by volunteers who have lost someone they love to suicide,

and have been trained to help support others.

 Please email or call if you would like more information or would like to chat

beforehand,

 Rachel and The ELM Peer Support Group 

Ph: 0404 468 534 or email: theelmpsg@gmail.com

Meetings take place on the last Monday of every month, 6pm

at the Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn ST


Big News…………!

We are now open Thursdays - 9.30am to 12pm.

With gratitude to all the those that made this happen and all our amazing volunteers.

Photos from the social night In April, at Campbells Creek Lawn Bowls with volunteers and working group members

Thank you to all our volunteers

for your empathy, commitment and enthusiasm.

We wouldn’t exist without you.

Castlemaine Safe Space were at the Castlemaine Artists market in April -

watch out for us as we get out and about in the local community.

New trial hours:

From 18/2 we are trialling new hours on Tuesdays - 4pm - 6.30pm.

Our Saturday hours will remain the same: 1.30-4pm

Congratulations to Working Group founder and member Rachel Stewart, on her Mount Alexander Shire Citizen of the Year 2025 award.

Listen to Rachel’s acceptance speech here: https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/video/local/x9d163o/rachel-stewart-accepts-the-award-for-the-2025-mt-alexander-shire-citizen-of-the-year/

Rachel pictured with the Mayor, Rosie Annear

Have a listen to CaSS Working Group Founder Rachel, on 3CR

Join founder Rachel Stewart and the host of BrainWaves, Ananya Sharma, as they discuss Rachel's personal story, what drove her to set up the space and the value CaSS has added to her life.

Listen here: https://www.3cr.org.au/brainwaves/episode/castlemaine-safe-space

Thank you to all who came to the launch of our new venue

It was a lovely afternoon at our new premises 74 Mostyn St.

The Peace Choir sang, Rosie Annear - a former member of Every Life Matters, shared a heartfelt speech and we all got to explore our wonderful new site, chat and enjoy a snack provided by Chewton Phoenix CWA.

With thanks to all our volunteers, and everyone who came and was part of this historic day.

Rosie Annear and Working Group member Rachel Stewart

Our screening and Q and A of Just A Farmer - Feature Film was such a moving and impactful night. Thank you so much to all that came, our fantastic volunteers, and panellists - Leila McDougall (Just A Farmer), Tony Martin (Roses in the Ocean) and Castlemaine Safe Space's Rachel Stewart (pictured).

Much gratitude to the event's funders: @Wesley Mission LifeForce grief and loss grant scheme, and Murray PHN through the Australian Government's PHN program, as well as Roses in the Ocean .

The Castlemaine 3 Chords Club presented us with a donation on the night too, - and we thank them.

Finally - cheers to our presentation partner Theatre Royal Castlemaine and Madderns IGA for the door prizes xx

We hope that we can keep these important conversations going!

CaSS AGM

Castlemaine Safe Space is pleased to announce that our 2023-24 Annual General Meeting will be happening at 4pm Thursday 7th November 2024.

All are welcome to join us for the meeting, hosted at our new space of 74 Mostyn Street Castlemaine.

If you would like to register to attend, please email our Co-Chair, Helen Dewhurst at secretary@castlemainesafespace.org

The opening of our new space will follow shortly after the AGM, at 5pm.


JUST A FARMER FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION

Join us this World Mental Health Day October the 10th for a special screening of the film Just A Farmer, followed by a panel discussion with Leila McDougall, the farmer turned film maker who stars in the movie.

Tickets are free, but pre-booking and a donation is suggested: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1288034

*The film explores generational trauma, love, loss, and the undeniable resilience of a farming community in the face of tragedy. Suicide and mental health issues are themes.

SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY 2024

This World Suicide Prevention Day, Roses in the Ocean are inviting you to complete the statement: What I wish people knew about suicide is...

If you'd like to share your thoughts, send it here: https://bit.ly/3TaQFa5

Let's #starttheconversation and change the narrative on suicide this #WSPD!

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2024 #changethenarrative International Association for Suicide Prevention

CASTLEMAINE SAFE SPACE TURNS 2!!

Castlemaine Safe Space celebrates their 2nd year of operation. In that time, the space has welcomed guests on 210 occasions (Tues evenings and Sat afternoons), and had a total of 53 Peer Volunteers welcome 531 total guests.

We’d like to thank all those who made this possible - including our Working Group and Peer Volunteers, and of course our funders which include:

https://rosesintheocean.com.au/

https://frrr.org.au/

https://mphn.org.au/

https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Home

as well as those who have sponsored or contributed to events and projects: https://www.castlemainesafespace.org/sponsors

Big Thanks…………!

To everyone who made our event "Breaking the Silence with Music" such a roaring success.

Thanks to the bands - Gherkinator, K5 and Spitting Chips, to all those who donated artworks and raffle prizes, to Jaxon for doing the sound, to the Red Hill Hotel, and to the wonderful audience and volunteers - who danced, chatted and generally had a blooming good time!

This event was supported by a Wesley LifeForce Small Grants Initiative: Grief and Loss.

Meet Castlemaine Safe Space!

This is Mark McDougall - the Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Castlemaine Safe Space.

Mark has done a lot of work in the counselling field and has also been involved with volunteer work in the community over many years. He cares greatly about suicide prevention and about helping people within the community find connections and meaning.