When it comes to improving young peoples wellbeing there's a lot to do. Our Healthy Living Program in Minjilang covered as many areas of this topic as they could within the timeframe they had. They created a program that included activities and conversations around emotional wellbeing, nutrition and the benefits of movement through physical activity.

Red Dust uses a colour based system to approach the topic of emotional regulation, using the colours to represent emotions. Its a safe way for the students to express where they're at within themselves, whether it be upset, angry, happy, indifferent and so on. Its a system that works because its delivered safely both in the morning and again in the afternoon. It opens up space for our program team to listen and then respond with actions and activities that can help either amplify or reduce the feeling they may be experiencing.

The nutritional aspect of this program was a hit. In remote communities having access to affordable fresh produce can be difficult which can lead only having access to food that is high in sugar, fat and salt. To approach the conversation we spoke about traditional and western diets and discussed healthy items we can get from the shop and the benefits of local nutritional bush tucker.

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Connection and Friendship

Students had a series of interactive games where they practiced kindness and lifting each other's spirits. The HLP team provided spaces for creativity which resulted in creating friendship bracelets to gift to someone who has been kind, who has helped, or who has listened to a friend. To go with the bracelets the team also made student awards and distributed them out which was a beautiful moment of recognition for all their work across the week.

This program saw one of the highest rates of school attendance across the entire year, with more and more students coming to school to be a part of the program. An incredible achievment of the program, the teachers and the community coming together to celebrate health and wellbeing in Minjilang.

“The kids engaged really well and more and more kids kept coming to school because Red Dust had people working that had family connections”

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- Emma, School Teacher

Together, we can strengthen the wellbeing of our communities. Your contribution helps Red Dust Role Models deliver life-changing health, wellbeing, and cultural programs. If you’re able, please consider making a donation today—every gift creates real impact. Click below to donate today!