Welcome to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Dedicated Line: part of your EAP, provided by your employer and delivered by Newport & Wildman.

Working With You:

Our Customer Services Team participate in mandatory ongoing cultural competency training and are available to speak with you to facilitate the referral process to one of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Counsellors, Coaches or Mentors. Please call to make an appointment between EST 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday or outside these hours to make a booking.

At Newport & Wildman our Cultural Wellbeing Team includesboth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Counsellors and Culturally Sensitive Counsellors. If appropriate our Cultural Inclusion Co-Ordinator is able to assist any individual circumstances and will work with you to identify the most culturally safe options to support you or your organisation.

Together we find the right way to provide culturally appropriate support that works for you, sharing and caring in a respectful, confidential and safe space. Having a yarn can help with the day to day challenges at home or in the workplace such as;

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Intergenerational
• Trauma
• Sadness
• Loss
• Depression
• Burnout
• Alcohol & Drug
• Financial
• Nutrition
• Family/relationships

"keeping the spirit strong through strengthening social and emotional wellbeing"

This Dedicated Support Line provides a culturally sensitive way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to access social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing support.

How to contact Newport & Wildman
Whatever the nature of your concern please feel free to call the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Dedicated Line on: 1800 861 085

Newport & Wildman employees begin their ongoing journey with cultural capability by completing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Training with Reconciliation NSW/Centre for Cultural Competence Australia. We are committed to ensuring the best experience for all our clients.

Newport & Wildman acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of the lands we live and work on throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, culture, spirituality and community as we pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who connect with this website.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have since passed away.

Presented by: Heaven Campbell & Anthony Bui
Duration: 4 minutes 40 seconds

Embedding Link: https://vimeo.com/686533938

Embedding link: https://vimeo.com/690370409

Embedding link: https://vimeo.com/690370536

AccessEAP Video Series: Manager & Leader Hotline

Presented by: James Austen
Duration: 3 mins 11 secs

Embedding Link: https://vimeo.com/685331252

Learn how a conversation can change a life

Thursday, 10^th September is R U OK? Day and Newport & Wildman would like to support you and your people to feel confident asking “R U OK?”. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, and this year we are focusing on helping people have conversations and then knowing what to say if someone says they are not OK.

A common theme for many people this year has been isolation. It’s unfortunate that one of our best weapons against COVID-19 is something that can negatively impact on mental health and wellbeing. This year we would encourage you to consider the benefits of bringing people together for R U OK? Day. Examples could include our virtual group training session, a virtual morning tea or a lunch and learn session using our Webinar.

R U OK? Day is often the busiest day of the year for us here at Newport & Wildman! Given the challenges we are facing, we expect this year to be the same. Training sessions sell out quickly. 

 To book in any of these options or if you have any questions contact Newport & Wildman today.

Arrange a Live R U OK? Zoom Training Session

We are excited to offer a 1 hour training session that brings together the 4 steps of an R U OK? conversation, how to approach someone if they say they are not OK, with the unique challenges of the last few months. There is no better time for us to reach out to those around us, to keep connected, strengthen community and show that we care.

Details:

• Ask for a quote.
• Due to high demand, make sure you book in to secure your spot.
• Signed quotes must be received by the 24th of August, so we can coordinate resources, and allow you time to communicate and promote the training.

DOWNLOAD TRAINING OUTLINE HERE

Why Wait? Our R U OK? Day Recorded Webinar is Available September 1st!

Asking R U OK? is important every day. With this recorded Webinar, you can share this important message throughout September and beyond. This Webinar focusing on the important steps in having the R U OK? conversation and how to approach someone if they say they are not OK. This Webinar is aimed at both employees and leaders.

Details:

• 30 Minutes. Available from the 1st of September. Unlimited views.
• This can be purchased for only $300 + GST or 2 hours from your pre-purchased allotment.

DOWNLOAD WEBINAR OUTLINE HERE

To book in any of these options contact Newport & Wildman today. 

For more information on R U OK? Day, see the R U OK? Day Website.

 At AccessEAP we love curiosity, being curious is one of our values and can really help to create a thriving workplace. This morning I received a card (like the one below) with an anonymous, personal message from one of my colleagues. Themed GLAD it highlighted four positive things about me. I must admit it not only made me feel good - it made me feel happy, proud, humble and overwhelmed – it brought a tear to my eye. It was a deeply emotional experience. Around our state offices these cards were being opened and experienced by all our people. I have included some of the reactions below and pictured are some smiling members of our Client Services Team!

This Feel Good February initiative was the work of our Wellbeing Champions. Informed by feedback from our Employee Engagement Surveys and as part of our internal wellbeing strategy we have recruited a team of Wellbeing Champions. These champions represent each of our divisions so bring a wealth of clinical, marketing, service, financial and management experience to the table. There brief is to implement initiatives which are valued and enhance the wellbeing of our people.

Each month the Wellbeing Champions work with their teams, creating initiatives to remind us to focus on our own mental health and wellbeing. Not every initiative will hit the mark and that’s OK but when they do they have a powerful, positive impact on mental health and workplace wellbeing. We will share these gems with our customers via our Wellbeing In Focus Calendar.

Initiatives such as these increase engagement and satisfaction related to recognition for work accomplishments; relationships with coworkers and supervisors. Organisations that are the best in engaging their employees achieve earnings-per-share growth that is more than four times that of their competitors. Compared with business units in the bottom quartile, those in the top quartile of engagement realise substantially better customer engagement, higher productivity, better retention, fewer accidents, and 21% higher profitability. Engaged workers also report better health outcomes.^1.

^1.Gallup Employee Engagement Poll. These findings are based on a random sample of 30,628 full- and part-time U.S. employees working for an employer from January to June 2018.

Talk to your Relationship Manager today and find out how to get thriving!

 “I came in this morning to be greeted with a lovely surprise! Thank you to the person who wrote the message to me. It was so thoughtful and kind. I feel very humbled. You’ve made my day! What a wonderful initiative.”

 “To our wonderful Wellbeing Team Champions, Thank you so much for organising such a heart warming initiative today.”

 “A very big thank you to my Wellbeing fairy for your kind and heartfelt words.”

“We are a very amazing, unique and very special team and one that I am so proud to be part of I wanted to thank you for the amazing initiative from the Wellbeing champions with GLAD. Thank you. “

 “Gorgeous initiative and beautifully presented! Thanks Champs and wonderful colleagues :)”

“This was a great touch, and a fantastic way to start the day. It’s great to have joined a team who value each other the way we do here – I’ve noticed lots of smiles this morning. To the Champions – yes you are! :)“

Traumatic events such as the mass shootings in Christchurch disrupt lives physically and psychologically, creating intense emotional distress for individuals, families and whole communities. Organisations play a vital and valuable role in assisting and supporting their employees and their families in the immediate aftermath and in the days, weeks and months following this tragic event.

The immediate focus is to ensure that your employees and their loved ones are safe. At this present time, particularly with intense media coverage and access to information on the internet, it’s important to acknowledge that this is a heightened state of emotion for everyone involved. It’s important to be aware that everyone will respond differently and everyone’s needs will be different, initially and over time.  Being prepared to provide initial and long term support for people will enhance and promote their own personal coping strategies and resilience.

What your people will need right now is (download pdf version here):

• If needed, allow additional time at home to spend time with family and friends - this helps them to feel safe and connected, and reassure others of their safety
• Make sure your employees or students have access to support information and numbers - specifically the EAP and any other services you may have in place.
• Give people assurance that affected families will be supported in some form or another.

The people of Christchurch have recently experienced and lived through the trauma of the earthquake. Many people are still dealing with the aftermath. This tragedy will have the potential to re-trigger feelings of trauma and loss and memories will surface. Over the coming weeks, it is important to reassure, support and connect with each other. Patience is required as everyone will feel and respond differently. People will need time, to acknowledge their responses and to process.

Over the coming days, and in time, what your people will need is for you to provide simple and accurate information on how to access services, specifically encourage, and make it easy for, employees/students to speak with a professional counsellor. Most people will not want to speak to a counsellor in the initial days or weeks as they support each other. It is in the longer term when people need support from a counsellor or their Employee Assistance Program.

• Create an environment that allows people to talk amongst themselves about fears and hopes related to the tragic events. Openly sharing with others has been known to promote personal recovery. There is also comfort in a shared community supporting one another.
• Be mindful and respectful of individual needs. Some people may feel uncomfortable or scared of sharing their feelings. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.
• There may be feelings of anger and hopelessness; there will intense feelings of anxiety and fear.
• Establish an open door policy that allows people to seek the appropriate care when needed.
• If possible and when appropriate try to establish normal routines as soon as possible.
• Encourage people to communicate their needs, rather than assume you know what their needs may be.
• Maintain communication if an employee or student is away for any length of time.

An incident of this nature has the power to entirely consume those involved, especially when it has an impact on one’s feeling of safety and one’s family. As leaders and managers it is within our control to provide support, reassurance and caring.

For New Zealand - please call 08 0032 7669

For Australia – please call our 24-hour line 1800 818 728

Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

Here are five ways to help you give and receive meaningful compliments that will lift the person you are complimenting as well as putting you in a positive mood.

1. Be Specific

Detail is the heart of a great compliment. The fact that you have noticed something specific shows that you are attentive and engaged, you might even say mindful. Compliments that indicate you have paid attention or that the recipient has done something that has really made a difference will be much more valued.

2. Be Genuine

If you are specific with your compliment then you are well on the way to being genuine also. Forcing a compliment because you feel its expected will appear insincere. Meaning what you say and feeling compelled to give praise when it is due is exactly what drives a genuine and meaningful compliment.

3. Be Timely but don’t take too much time

Choosing to compliment a colleague about their appearance before they give a presentation may be out of context and could actually unsettle them rather than have a positive impact. Waiting too long to give praise can also diminish its effect.

4. Don’t expect anything in return

Say what you intend to, face-to-face is the best way to make sure it is heard, let it sink in and then move on. The recipient may say “thank you” but don’t wait around or repeat the compliment forcing a response.

5. Be Gracious

When you are on the receiving end of a compliment, the only way to accept it is graciously. Self deprecation can make the giver feel silly or that they lack judgment in noticing something unworthy of praise. A meaningful compliment is to be enjoyed, take it in and experience the lift it can give. You are now in an even better position to give compliments yourself.