Programs + Groups

Yoorana Gunya women’s group is every Thursday. YG provide women with a safe place to connect, share stories, create friendships and empower one another. YG support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women to improve their overall wellbeing, we are dedicated to helping raise and building strong women. The women’s group is an intimate group who participate in various activities such as morning tea’s, walks, painting and other cultural activities. Where: Binaal Billa 3 – 5 Spring Street Forbes When:  Thursdays 10.30am – 12.00pm Transport can be arranged, please call (02) 6850 1222.

Yoorana Gunya have a male family worker who provides a men’s group to the Forbes and Condobolin community. The purpose of the group is for the men to yarn, participate in cultural activities, share knowledge and build each other’s spirit. The men participate in cultural activities, going out in the bush, fishing, pigging, barbeques and more.

Walking Groups Yoorana Gunya holds the Walking Group down at Lions Park every Tuesday. The group is open to anyone who wishes to join and walk the beautiful Lake Forbes. The group begins at Binaal Billa and enjoys a walk around Lake Forbes. Morning tea is provide after the walk at Binaal Billa. Walk ‘N’ Talk For Life Walk ‘N’ Talk For Life was created by Shannon Nevin who cares about people and is hosted in many communities across Australia. Once you arrive to a Walk ‘n’ Talk For Life event you will be greeted by staff and welcomed with a free t-shirt. The purpose of the event is to provide a safe space for community to connection, make new friends and walk with a friendly group of people. We understand that individuals may be anxious participating so please call prior and speak to one of our staff.If you wish to find out more about Walk ‘n’ Talk For Life you can access their website here. walkntalkforlife.com.au You can also access the Walk ‘n’ Talk For Life page Forbes for more information https://www.facebook.com/login/

The purpose of our Walan Marra Ngayiny Healing Van van is to promote well being, reconnecting our Aboriginal people to culture and building on community strength and cohesion through supporting Aboriginal communities. Our healing van has a coffee machine available which we utilise for our programs, we provide clients with a coffee and healthy food whilst providing programs out on country. The Walan Marra Ngayiny van is utilised by our Yoorana Gunya SEWB and support workers.   We are happy to assist other not-for-profit organisations or community events that are targeting Aboriginal community members to attend by providing free coffee to help enhance social and emotional wellbeing and community connection. 

The purpose of the Yoorana Gunya Forbes Wiradjuri Empowerment Project is to provide services to the Aboriginal community of Forbes to promote wellbeing, reconnect people to culture and build on community strength and cohesion through support Aboriginal communities to lead culturally appropriate prevention activities that promote Aboriginal identity and culture. Our project is led by Aboriginal staff ensuring the project is culturally safe and responsive. As a part of our project we provide our women’s and men’s groups, school support, walking group, cultural activities, awareness days and health promotion and ensuring our clients are gaining the correct support. Our Wiradjuri Community Empowerment Project is co-designed with community and through a staged delivery, we aim to increase our workforce capacity by upskilling our staff participating in Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid training and offering AMHFA ‘gatekeeper’ training to our community members.

Yoorana Gunya has accredited Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid Facilitators and is able to provide the 14 hour training course to any community members or organisations who are interested. The course is generally delivered over 2 days. The training will provide individuals with the ability to be able to assist an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis is resolved. The course includes content surrounding social & emotional wellbeing and mental health problems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This course has been produced by the consensus of Aboriginal Mental Health Professionals. The specific content in the course includes: Depression and anxiety Psychosis Substance use problems Suicidal thoughts and behaviours Non-suicidal self-injury (deliberate self-harm) Panic Attacks Traumatic events Sever effects of drug and alcohol abuse Severe psychotic states Aggressive behaviours Please note this training is available to those 18 and over and does contain sensitive content. Once individuals have completed the training, they have the choice of completing an online quiz to become an accredited Mental Health First Aider and they will receive a certificate of completion. If you are interested in organising a group training session or participating in an existing training session as an individual please email taylor@yooranagunya.com.au.