The Creative Recovery Network has offered to facilitate Creative Recovery Training for up to 20 participants across the Northern Rivers Region.

This training aims to support the identification, development, and networking of creative leaders to work within the disaster management context within Australia. The training is an introduction-level engagement to establish an understanding of the disaster context and trauma-informed best practices in working with communities impacted by disaster.

The program consists of resources, conversations, reflections, and learning about the development of creative recovery strategies – unpacking knowledge content, provocative scenario application, and reflective tasks to assimilate and apply knowledge. Together we will build a tool kit of relevant resources, collegial connections, and plans for ongoing peer support – the establishment of a community of practice.

When: 4 pm Friday 21st April - 5 pm Sunday 23rd April 2023

Location: Private venue in the Tallebudgera Valley, just over the QLD border

Accommodation: Camping option available across the road at www.jandarra.com.au

Cost: Training and catering at no cost to participants. Accommodation/Travel costs are the responsibility of the participant but please email katie@creativefirstaid.com.au if this is a barrier to your participation.

To Apply: Please fill out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MVJ7RBV

What is Creative Recovery?

Creative community projects following disasters can be a powerful platform for people to express their grief, frustration, and loss, as well as their compassion and connection. Creative Recovery is a particular approach to supporting individuals and communities after a disaster. It involves introducing art, creativity, and play as tools to work through feelings of grief, acknowledge the pain, foster connection, and ultimately, build stronger communities and richer and more meaningful lives.

It is an approach that creates physical, mental, and spiritual spaces, where people feel safe and connected to one another. Spaces where stories are told, decisions can be examined and worked out, and dreams and plans come into being. At its finest, creative recovery projects express community dreams and hope for the future, becoming a steadying and guiding light through the rocky mess of getting emotions and life in some semblance of order after the chaos of a disaster.

The post-disaster environment is a difficult space to work in and creative recovery projects are not easy to run. The very best Creative Recovery Facilitators have a particular mental strength coupled with gentleness. They know when to pull away from a project to make room for others to contribute, explore and flourish, and when to lend support and guidance.

Expectations – this is an immersive, participatory program. It is expected that participants will be present for the whole of the program. Each section/day builds on the next and all work to ensure the depth and investment of the whole.

Applications are also accepted in other forms as needed (written document, video etc…) via email: katie@creativefirstaid.com.au or call/text 0478 152 881 for assistance.