Essence Peer Mentoring

24/07/2025

All who know me know that I have 51 years of lived experience when it comes to disability. I have grown up around 2 different disabilities of my parents. I have seen first hand the lack of options, care, support, compassion and the big one stigma and i could go on. It breaks me a little to see this about Bedford. I hope with all of my heart that the state government can support the executive team to come up with a viable solution. To me and anyone who has any disability lived experience will feel that closure is not at all an option! Crossing everything!!!

BREAKING: South Australian disability support organisation Bedford Group has announced it is set to enter voluntary administration.

More than 1,400 people with disability across the state will be directly impacted.

Despite the organisation having an exhaustive negotiation process with the state and federal governments, a deadline has been set for Sunday.

Bedford CEO Myron Mann: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting each of our clients, residents and staff during this challenging time. It is a devastating situation with vast personal impact.

Bedford provides a haven for so many South Australians and has done so for the past 80 years.

It is an incredibly disappointing outcome not only for Bedford but for the national disability sector.

Bedford has demonstrated clear intent to drive change and innovation to remain financially sustainable however the magnitude of challenges faced, particularly in relation to the supported employment model, remain complex to navigate and unprofitable for organisations.”

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15/07/2025

Sometimes you only get a moment in time..... whether it be to enjoy something, to decide something, to say hello or your last goodbye. Whatever your moment make the most of it. This is me just taking a moment to soak in nature while we make some big decisions. Nature is always where i go to breathe. It's so pretty and makes me the most mindful i can be. Nature mindfulness is the best!! 🪴🌼🌿🌾🌺

14/07/2025

I feel this so much. I spent most of my life fighting myself to just get on with life and to push aside things that had hurt me. Until the day when everything changed and I had zero capacity left in me to push things away. I was raw. A walking open wound. Then I learnt I needed a new mask. But that failed me. Helped other people but not me. I have learnt the hard way that the only road to recovery and feeling less pain is to walk through it. Even if its muddy and messy. The only way through it is to feel it and honour yourself and your journey. We are all unique. What shaped you made you the amazing human you are today. The recovery road is windy and sometimes bumpy but its worth it 💙

For a long time, I thought I had to push my feelings down to survive, to be strong, to keep going, to not fall apart. But what I’ve come to understand is that true strength comes from allowing ourselves to feel. Feel it to heal it isn’t just a saying, it’s a quiet revolution inside us. When we give ourselves permission to feel the sadness, the anger, the fear, without judgment, we begin to release what’s been weighing us down. It’s not easy. It can be raw and uncomfortable. But every tear, every shaky breath, every moment we let ourselves be, that’s where healing begins. Not by pretending we’re fine, but by honouring what’s real.

09/07/2025

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07/07/2025

What is Peer Work?

I am a qualified Peer Worker / Mentor but I find I am often referred to as a Support Worker so I thought I would share some information on what Peer Work is. It is quite different.

Peer work is where a person has lived experience of mental or emotional distress and recovery. It is a very distinct discipline where a person has had their own life struggles, their own experiences of trauma, stigma, diagnosis and therapeutic connections. They also must have their own significant experiences in recovery and it’s often during their recovery journey they decide to follow their heart to help others with similar experiences. Peer Work is a stand-alone qualification that is very different from the more widely known clinical or therapeutic connections.

Peer workers work from professional principles and values like other disciplines. Peer workers value hope, mutuality, respect, integrity, empowerment, empathy, self-determination, choice and making a difference. It is a reciprocal relationship that is based on shared experiences and shared learning. We walk the recovery road together no matter what it looks like.

Peer work principles that underpin our work are person centred, recovery focussed, trauma informed, inclusivity, advocacy, community engagement and diversity. Peer workers are required to manage their own wellbeing, self-care and self-reflection to ensure their own wellness. Peer workers also participate in professional supervision on a regular basis. We work with people where they are today building connections to help people achieve their goals.

It is an amazing profession, and I am grateful every day to know the people I get to work with!

30/06/2025

Happy Monday 😊
The sun is shining like a smile on my face so I thought I'd share this from our recent trip to the South Australian Art Gallery. It's so cute 😍 I hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are too.
Art has certainly changed a bit 😊

27/06/2025

Sooooo happy to have set this up ready for those sessions where we need to read that report together, research for different things relating to your NDIS goals or to research the next activity someone wants to achieve.. Technology is not my strength so this has been a stretch goal for me and my first ever tablet. Shocking I know but I can't wait to share it with my community 😍

24/06/2025

There's no one like you. No matter the weight you are carrying today, know you are truly amazing! Sometimes we don't feel it so it's nice to hear it 💙

24/06/2025

Garden therapy experiences are the BEST!

We recently visited Jungle in Willunga Garden Centre and it was amazing!! They're always working on the jungle and it's just awesome finding all the new creatures in there while admiring and and soaking in the garden therapy spaces. Can't wait to get back there. If you haven't been and you, like me, medicate with nature then it's a must visit!

13/06/2025

Last week we visited one of the most amazing places in Adelaide to get your nature addiction met. The Adelaide Zoo! This is a big morning event for this person who absolutely loved the environment as much as the animals. This is the 2nd time we have visited the zoo in the 3 years we have been walking the Psychosocial recovery road together. It is incredible to see the difference a year makes since our last visit and the enthusiasm she has to go again. There are so many ticks toward her goals which I know brings a great deal of pride. Here's to connecting with nature for feeling great from the inside out! Enjoy some adorable photos of the residents of the zoo. 💙

26/05/2025

Happy Monday to all of us who are trying to get all of our ducks in a row 🤣🤔🤣