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Mindful Hearts
Consultation | Culture | Collaboration
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Indigenous children, youth and school staff reached
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Months of Consultation, Connection and Collaboration
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Community consultations held
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Language translations supported
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hours of Mindful Movement Education in classrooms and on Country
Building resilience and reducing vulnerability for remote regional areas in the Kimberley
Project Mindful Hearts, part of Yogazeit’s Aboriginal Outreach Programming, is a Mindful Movement Education pilot project which aims to support resilience and reduce vulnerability in remote communities across the Kimberley region.
This 14 month Pilot Project (April 2022 – June 2023) was proudly supported by The Heart Foundation, Healthway and Lotterywest and Act Belong Commit.
Mindful Hearts educates and empowers some of Western Australia’s most remote and underserved communities with strategies to build social emotional awareness, social-emotional regulation and growth-mindset.
A big thank you to Wangkatjungka Remote Community School, Purnululu Aboriginal School, Fitzroy Crossing District High School and Bidyadanga La Grange Community School for participating in this program.
With gratitude to:
Customised Programs to Empower with Mindful Education
Developed with a capacity building and ‘train-the-trainer’ approach to support sustainability in remote regions, the 14-month program consulted and worked collaboratively with remote school staff, community organisations, local language groups and Traditional Owners to customise, create and deliver Mindful Movement activities and resources. Following best practise co-design principles for rural and remote communities, Mindful Hearts embeds a collaborative approach valuing local language group cultural structure and systems, building strong and mutual relationships with community members and authentically partnering with community for resource creation
A variety of culturally relevant, trauma-informed and unique-to-community developed breathing exercises, movement activities (yoga) and relaxation techniques support quick five-minute brain breaks or larger wellbeing sessions. All activities are designed to be used within the classroom, the community or on Country and continue to be delivered by school staff and Aboriginal Indigenous Education Officers (AIEO) independently following program completion.
Research to Measure Wellbeing
Our Yoga and Mindfulness programs address stress and self-regulation, aiming to improve suicide prevention in vulnerable remote Kimberley communities. With university-trained psychologists, we are involved in groundbreaking academic research that measures the impact of our programs. Our research team gathers qualitative and quantitative data to examine changes in both student and teacher wellbeing – centred around each of our unique programs.
We see the impact of Mindfulness and Movement on children’s engagement, holistic wellbeing and physical health in these remote schools. Plus, school staff learn the skills to help regulate themselves in their professional and personal lives, as we recognise the impact of teacher burnout and overload.
** Impact Report **
Please click the link below to download the 60page Impact report of Mindful Hearts. This report has been prepared for our funding partners Healthway and Lotterywest and includes a full overview of the programming, impact and research milestones.
If you have any questions or wish to get involved in our programming, please contact Regina at admin@yogazeit.com.au
If you have any questions or wish to get involved in our programming, please contact Regina at admin@yogazeit.com.au
FUNDRAISING APPEAL 2024 - 2027: We need your help!
This Pilot Project shows immense potential to further Social Emotional Wellbeing Initiatives for Indigenous peoples in remote communities. Out of four communities – 100% reflected desire to further the program in their school and community, fostering increased capacity building and longevity.
Local service providers, community organisations and local governments and shires supported the program implementation and word of mouth advanced awareness of Mindful Hearts beyond communities we engaged with.
In light of the success of Mindful Hearts, our goal moving forward is to secure further funding for a 2–3 year period. This will have the potential to further maximise impact for Western Australia’s most under-served communities through community participation, an evidence-based approach, the development of further resources and capacity building.
Please help us raise awareness and funds to continue the momentum and maximise SEWB for remote Indigenous School communities in the Kimberley. Yogazeit relies on our own fundraising efforts and partnership opportunities to continue the work we do.
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