This Easter, Status Clarkson hosted a "Create Your Own Garden" event that brought together our Inclusive Employment Australia Participants.

Participants explored a range of creative activities including diamond art, where they placed sparkling rhinestones onto bookmarks and key rings, as well as potting plants using cuttings generously brought in from a Participant’s own garden. Others chose to paint and assemble puzzles, with all activities inspired by the theme of 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴.

As they worked on their art projects, many Participants shared how engaging in art has supported their wellbeing and provided a calming, focused activity. They expressed that focusing on creating something beautiful provided a calming effect, helping them feel more relaxed and centered.

The event was about more than art. It provided space for connection, relaxation, and self-expression. By the end of the day, Participants left with a sense of achievement, a piece of their own garden to take home, and a renewed appreciation for the therapeutic power of creativity.

March celebrates International Women’s Day, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a paint and sip!

Participants took part in a relaxed paint-by-numbers session accompanied by non-alcoholic beverages, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees.

Participating in creative activities like painting has numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing stress, enhancing mood, and promoting mindfulness. It offers a wonderful opportunity for self-expression and social connection, which are essential for overall well-being, helping Participants build confidence and skills that can support their employment goals.

This month some of our Status offices held Time to Talk day events to encourage conversations about mental health, especially around topics that can sometimes feel difficult to talk about.

Participants from our Workforce Australia – Transition to Work program and our Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program, came together for the events, which provided a safe and supportive space to talk openly about mental health.

Status Clarkson hosted an interactive quiz event that encouraged conversations while building awareness and knowledge.

By hosting a quiz, our Participants were able to:
• Learn about mental health facts and issues
• Reduce stigma in a supportive environment
• Share experiences with their peers
• Discover helpful resources available to them
• Challenge common myths and misconceptions
• Understand the importance of early intervention and seeking help

After the quiz, everyone enjoyed lunch together and continued informal discussions about what they had learned.

At Status Joondalup, Participants enjoyed a relaxed wellbeing session where they could unwind and get creative by creating collages of items that support their wellbeing, while connecting and sharing food with each another. The activities helped highlight how taking time for mindful moments can support wellbeing and make it easier to start conversations about mental health in an informal, low-pressure way.

Participants left each event with greater awareness about mental health and the resources available to them.

Simon first connected with Status in December 2024 while navigating challenging personal circumstances, including caring for his ageing parents. Although he was often unable to attend appointments due to responsibilities at home, Simon was highly motivated to find work.

Our team worked alongside Simon to help facilitate care for his parents, while also exploring job opportunities aligned with his interests and strengths. To begin, his Employment Consultants supported him to obtain photo ID and update his resume and cover letter to reflect his skills and previous experience. With a focus on sales roles, the team then assisted Simon with job searching and applications.

During this time, Simon experienced additional responsibilities and a personal tragedy. The team accommodated this through flexible servicing, including phone appointments, allowing Simon the space and time he needed before returning to face-to-face support. They also helped him put personal care arrangements in place for his loved ones, giving Simon the confidence and capacity to focus on his employment goals.

Simon’s Employment Consultant supported him to apply for a Casual Sales Assistant role at a soon to be opened Barbeques Galore store. From here the team worked with Simon on his interview skills and also referred him to Geared for Success for an interview styling session. From all his hard work, Simon nailed the interview and got the role!

The position aligned perfectly with Simon’s sales experience and his passion for BBQing and smoking meat. He quickly became the lead for in-store cooking demonstrations and was promoted to Duty Manager, followed by Store Manager in under six months.

Simon describes himself as the happiest he has ever been and says he is living his dream job. He credits his success to the support he received from Status throughout his journey.

Congratulations on your incredible achievements, Simon. We wish you all the best for what’s ahead!

During the holiday period, Workforce Australia – Transition to Work Participants came together with Inclusive Employment Australia Participants at Status Clarkson for a relaxed Christmas Eve morning focused on mindfulness and creativity.

The morning began with a presentation on the Compassion Method, a simple yet powerful technique celebrated for its numerous mental health benefits, including increased empathy, reduced stress, and enhanced emotional resilience. Participants also had the opportunity to try their hand at diamond art, a popular craft that combines patience with artistic expression, adding a festive sparkle to the event.

In the spirit of giving, attendees were also invited to select items from the December Tinned Food Drive, helping support Participants in need during the holiday season.

Our Participants had a blast at the event, leaving relaxed and inspired after a morning of mindfulness!