Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Australian defence personnel and frontline workers by extending its partnership with Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA).
Babcock will support two new initiatives as part of the amplified partnership, that will use art as a tool to improve the mental health and wellbeing of these selfless cohorts of Australians, and their families.
Defence Kids Art Workshops
The first is a series art workshops for children of servicemen and women, led by art psychotherapist Karin Foxwell, which aims to provide them with an outlet to express their emotions and feelings through creative practice in a fun, supportive and safe group environment.
Defence children often encounter unique challenges and circumstances as a result of their parent’s service to the nation, including long periods of separation due to deployment and knowledge of the high-risk nature of the work their parents do. This can cause associated feelings of anxiety or isolation.
Engaging in artistic activities is a way to help process complex feelings, build resilience, and enhance self-esteem, whilst also developing a sense of community and understanding with peers facing similar circumstances.
The defence kids art workshops will be held at a local Adelaide school, which has a high number of military families enrolled.
Emergency Services Art Group Pilot Program
The second program is specifically designed for current and retired emergency services workers who operate or have operated in high-stress environments. Run by The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group – Creative Health and MESHA, the sessions – which run across two four-week blocks – have a focus on relaxation and mindfulness.
The pilot program builds on the success of MESHA’s Veteran’s Art Program and was developed after a gap was identified in art-based support for frontline emergency service workers. It seeks to fill this void by offering a space for participants to disconnect from work pressures, engage in creative expression, and connect with others in a similar situation.
Babcock has proudly supported MESHA for close to a decade, including as a long term sponsor of its annual Remembrance Day Breakfast.
“Defence personnel play an integral role in keeping our country safe. With that service often comes sacrifice, and it’s not just individual servicemen and women who are impacted, it is their families too,” Babcock Australasia, Executive Director, People & Safety Sue Whitford said.
“Babcock is immensely proud to be supporting MESHA’s kids art program, which gives defence children an opportunity to express thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.
“‘Babcock’s purpose is to create a safe and secure world together and a big part of that is investing in the communities in which we work and serve, so we are equally pleased to support the nation’s frontline workers to decompress through the use of art from the heavy load they often carry.”
MESHA’s Program Director Dr Karen May said the art has the profound ability to heal without using words.
“For service children and emergency service personnel, creative expression can provide a vital outlet for processing trauma, building resilience and fostering a sense of self awareness and connection,” Dr May said.
“By offering a safe space for self-expression, our two art programs, generously supported by Babcock, will empower service men, women and their children to explore their emotions, find healing and improve their wellbeing.
“The Defence Kids Art Workshops have the potential to be rolled out nationally and will act as a prelude to a broader wellbeing program for defence children next year.”
Babcock’s social investment initiatives extend right across Australia and New Zealand. Its current partners include Yalari Foundation, University of Adelaide Women in Stem Careers Program, Australian Defence Force AFL Wheelchair Team, Engineering Aid Australia, Auckland University of Technology and Lifeblood.
A subsidiary of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, MESHA is a not-for-profit collaborative research and programs centre dedicated to delivering high quality research and programs to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of current and former military and emergency service personnel and their families.
For more information on these programs visit mesha.org.au
