by Lia Perre | Mar 20, 2025 | Uncategorised
At Aspire Recovery Connection, we know that healing happens in connection. Our peer skill-building groups provide a space where people can come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and explore new ways to grow and heal.
We offer a range of peer-led groups, each designed to meet people where they’re at, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and find support in a way that feels meaningful.
Our Groups: Find What Feels Right for You
Men’s Group – A space for men to connect, share experiences, and support each other in a safe, understanding environment.
Creative Expressive Art Group – Explore painting, writing, music, and other forms of creative expression as a way to process emotions and tell your story.
Games Group – Rediscover the joy of play! Board games, strategy games, and interactive activities help build social confidence and create a sense of fun and connection.
Each of our groups is facilitated by peer workers—people with their own lived experience—so you’re never alone in your journey.
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Why Join a Peer Skill-Building Group?
✔ Build Meaningful Connections – Meet others who understand your experiences, offer and receive support, and form genuine bonds.
✔ Develop Inner Strength – Tap into resilience, practice self-compassion, and discover new ways to navigate life’s challenges.
✔ Explore Creative Expression – Connect peer to peer engaging in art, music, writing, and storytelling to express yourself in new ways.
✔ Rediscover the Joy of Play – Laugh, have fun, and connect with your inner child through games and light-hearted activities.
The Importance of Play in Healing
Healing isn’t just about processing challenges—it’s also about rediscovering joy and fun. Our Games Group and other interactive activities help:
Strengthen Social Connections – Reduce anxiety, build rapport, and foster belonging.
Enhance Cognitive Skills – Improve memory, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Boost Mood & Reduce Stress – Laughter and play release endorphins, creating a sense of light-heartedness.
Finding Your Voice Through Creative Expression
Our Creative Expressive Art Group provides an opportunity to use creativity as a tool for healing. Whether it’s painting, writing, playing music, or sharing stories, creative expression can be a powerful way to:
- Release & Process Emotions – Express feelings that may be difficult to put into words.
- Discover Hidden Talents & Passions – Try new creative outlets and gain fresh perspectives.
- Build Confidence – Recognise your unique strengths and contributions.
- Connect in a Supportive Community – Share your creativity in a safe, understanding space.
In Episode 5 of our On the ARC podcast, we explored the role of music in recovery through Dan’s story. For him, heavy metal became an outlet for self-expression, a source of joy, and a reminder of his strength. Just like Dan found healing through music, our Creative Expressive Art Group offers a space to explore your own creative voice.
A Community of Shared Understanding
What makes our peer skill-building groups unique is that they are facilitated by experienced peer workers—people who bring their own lived experience to the table. This creates a space built on trust, empathy, and genuine understanding.
Our groups provide an opportunity to:
- Connect with People Who Truly Get It – Share your story without judgment and be heard.
- Develop Practical Coping Strategies – Learn from others and explore new ways to navigate challenges.
- Embrace Your Authentic Self – Celebrate your strengths, creativity, and personal growth.
If you’re interested in joining one of our peer skill-building groups, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch today:
At ARC, we believe in the power of community. You don’t have to walk this journey alone, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
by Lia Perre | Feb 21, 2025 | Uncategorised
At ARC, we believe that recovery is about so much more than just managing symptoms or fitting into a diagnostic box. It’s about rediscovering who you are, exploring your values, and creating a life that feels meaningful and authentic. In Episode 6 of our “On the ARC” podcast, we dove into the complexities of identity in recovery, and we heard powerful stories from people with lived experience about how they navigated the journey of redefining themselves. You can listen to the full episode here.
Beyond the Diagnosis
One of the key takeaways from Episode 6 was that labels can be both helpful and limiting. While a diagnosis can sometimes provide a sense of understanding or validation, it can also become a label that defines us and limits our potential. It’s important to remember that you are not your diagnosis. You are a unique person with your own strengths, values, and aspirations. Learn more about our philosophy and approach on our website.
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching: A Path to Self-Discovery
This is where psychosocial recovery coaching comes in. Our recovery coaches walk alongside you, helping you to explore your identity beyond any labels or diagnoses. They’ll support you to:
- Connect with your values: What truly matters to you? What kind of person do you want to be?
- Identify your strengths: What are you good at? What unique qualities do you bring to the world?
- Set meaningful goals: What do you want to achieve in your life? What kind of life do you want to create?
- Develop coping strategies: How can you navigate mental and emotional distress and find ways to move forward?
- Connect with your community: How can you find belonging and build meaningful relationships?
If you’re interested in exploring this further, we encourage you to read our page on [psychosocial recovery coaching](link to ARC’s psychosocial recovery coaching page).
Psychosocial recovery coaching is about empowering you to take control of your recovery journey and create a life that is aligned with your values and aspirations. It’s about recognising that recovery is not a destination but an ongoing process of growth and self-discovery.
Key Themes from Episode 6: Identity in Recovery
Here are some key themes from Episode 6 that highlight the importance of exploring identity in recovery:
- The power of self-acceptance: Accepting yourself, with all your strengths and experiences, is crucial for recovery. It’s about embracing your whole self, including your lived experience with mental and emotional distress.
- The importance of connection: Connecting with others who understand can be incredibly validating and empowering. It can help you to feel less alone and more supported on your journey. We offer various peer support programs that can help foster these connections.
- The freedom to redefine yourself: Recovery is an opportunity to redefine yourself and create a life that is true to who you are. It’s about letting go of old labels and embracing new possibilities.
Take the Next Step
If you’re interested in learning more about how psychosocial recovery coaching can support you on your journey of recovery and self-discovery, please reach out to us. We’re here to walk alongside you, every step of the way. You can contact us here.
Remember: You are not your diagnosis. You are a unique and valuable person with the potential to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
by Lia Perre | Dec 20, 2024 | Uncategorised
This Monday, ARC hosted our much-anticipated Christmas party, and what a celebration it turned out to be! With over fifty people in attendance, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy, joy, and connection. We were joined by our amazing community members, our devoted ARC staff, and, of course, our adorable pooches, who behaved impeccably and even joined in on the fun.
The day was filled with festive activities, including a gaming corner, arts and crafts, and, let’s not forget, a delicious spread of food that was expertly prepared by our very own Admin star, Jacqui. Seriously, Jacqui’s peppermint slice was a crowd favourite, it’s to die for! The feedback from everyone who attended was heart warming, with many expressing how wonderful it was to see familiar faces and catch up with the ARC family.
Some of the comments we received were so touching:
“For someone who struggles with socialising, I was a social butterfly today! I should come out of my bubble more often.”
“Really happy to see everyone, it’s been ages. Thanks for the feed and cool drink!”
“Loved the free food and art activities.”
“As always, happy to hang with the ARC family and play board games.”
“Thanks for everything, it’s nice to see everyone.”
But the magic of the day wasn’t just about the food and games; it was about connection and healing.
Community Member Reflection
Kate, one of our amazing counsellors, shared a beautiful moment from her session the day after the party. A community member told her how attending ARC’s Christmas party was a milestone for him. For the first time, he felt truly safe, safe enough to connect with others, join a group, and even allow someone new into his personal space to start a conversation.
He reflected with joy on the personal growth he’s experienced over the last two years with the support of his peer mentors and recovery coach. He said, “This counselling work and being in connection with my lovely peer mentors and recovery coach have helped me overcome my fear of the world around me and of people. I just feel free to move around outside the confines of my small unit. My heart is smiling. I need to set new goals for next year to work on!”
Hearing his gratitude for those who have supported him was heart warming. Kate shared how deeply this moment resonated with her, reminding her of the power of connection and the incredible transformations that happen within our community.
In addition to the festivities, ARC extended the holiday spirit by making and gifting Christmas hampers to those in our community who may spend Christmas alone. We hope these small tokens of care bring warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
Christmas Day Celebrations
For anyone who would like to celebrate with us, ARC is also hosting an open house for people we support on Christmas morning from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We want to acknowledge that Christmas means something different to everyone. For some, it’s a time of joy and celebration; for others, it may bring feelings of isolation, grief, or difficult memories. Whatever this day holds for you, we want you to know that you are seen, heard, and valued.
In the spirit of connection and community, we extend ARC’s warmth to you, no matter how you spend the day. Whether you celebrate or not, may you feel a sense of belonging and support. Together, we honour your unique experiences and hold space for whatever emotions this time of year may bring.
Wishing you peace, comfort, and connection, from our hearts to yours.
The ARC team
by Lia Perre | Dec 10, 2024 | Uncategorised
Today, on International Human Rights Day, Aspire Recovery Connection (ARC) stands in solidarity with those whose rights are too often overlooked or denied. We join the Rights Resource Network in advocating for a Human Rights Act for South Australia, an essential step toward ensuring dignity, equity, and justice for all.
Upholding Human Rights in Mental Health
Human rights abuses persist for many people in South Australia who experience significant mental and emotional distress. Our community members, and countless others, face discrimination, loss of freedom, exclusion, and isolation. They have less access to essential opportunities like employment, education, and housing. Worse, coercive practices in mental health care such as involuntary treatment, detention in locked wards, and forced medication strip people of their autonomy and perpetuate cycles of trauma and exclusion.
Australia ranks among the highest globally for the use of involuntary treatment. In South Australia alone, 12,174 treatment orders were issued to 5,851 individuals in 2021-22, marking a 20% rise in community treatment orders over five years. These figures reflect a concerning over-reliance on coercive and restrictive practices, practices that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations have long condemned.
A Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Care
The WHO has made clear that our reliance on the medical model in mental health care is a key driver of human rights violations. Social determinants such as housing, employment, and connection are critical to mental well-being, yet these are often overshadowed by a narrow focus on diagnosis and medication.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlights the reality:
“Even today, people are locked in institutions, where they are isolated from society and marginalised from communities. Many are subjected to abuse and neglect, deprived of their right to make decisions, and denied access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. As a result, people with mental health conditions die 10 to 20 years younger than the general population.”
This International Human Rights Day, ARC echoes the WHO’s call for a shift in how we understand and respond to mental health. We need approaches that honour lived experience, uphold human rights, and dismantle stigma and exclusion.
Our Vision for Change
At ARC, we envision a South Australia where coercive and restrictive practices are abolished, where people experiencing distress are met with compassion and respect, and where human rights are at the forefront of mental health care. We call for the establishment of a Human Rights Act to ensure these protections are enshrined in law.
Change begins with awareness and advocacy. Let’s use this Human Rights Day as an opportunity to commit to a future where every person’s rights, dignity, and humanity are honoured. Together, we can create a society that recognises the experience of distress in response to traumatic and unjust circumstances is a normal human reaction. We can uphold autonomy, choice and control in all situations. We can offer compassion and inclusion, for everyone, no matter what.
ARC’s Submission for a Human Rights Act
As a 100% Lived Experience organisation, Aspire Recovery Connection has long advocated for human rights protections for people living with mental and emotional distress. A little while ago, we made a formal submission supporting the establishment of a Human Rights Act for South Australia.
Our submission reflects the voices of our community, a diverse group of over 200 people accessing our services and 50 Lived Experience practitioners, guided by a Community Advisory Board. The submission was informed by extensive consultation, including a focus group that delved into the breaches of human rights experienced within the mental health system.
We highlighted the systemic challenges faced by people subjected to forceful interventions, as well as the need for legislative protections to ensure dignity, inclusion, and respect for human rights. This Human Rights Act would be a vital step toward ending coercive practices and promoting humane, rights-based mental health care in South Australia.
To learn more, you can read our full submission here.
Join Us in Advocacy
On this International Human Rights Day, let’s amplify the call for change. Together, we can build a future where everyone’s human rights are protected, and where mental health care is compassionate, inclusive, and free of coercion.
by Lia Perre | Nov 29, 2024 | Uncategorised
When someone shares their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours around suicide, it’s an act of immense courage, a deeply vulnerable moment that reflects their need for connection rather than solutions. From a lived experience perspective, we understand how vital it is to hold space in these moments, not to fix or change but simply to be present with compassion and respect for their autonomy.
At Aspire Recovery Connection, we believe that people experiencing suicidal distress are the experts in their own lives. They don’t need someone to take their pain away—because no one can. What they often need is to feel genuinely heard, to know that their emotions are valid, and to have the freedom to express their truth without fear of judgment or unsolicited advice.
The Healing Power of Connection
Connection is at the heart of responding to distress. It’s not about knowing the right thing to say or having all the answers—it’s about offering the kind of presence that says, “I’m here, I see you, and I care.” This type of connection doesn’t require us to understand every facet of their pain but to show a willingness to sit with them in their experience, even when it feels uncomfortable or overwhelming. For people in crisis, being met with genuine care and compassion can make a world of difference. It’s not about alleviating their pain but letting them know they’re not alone as they navigate it. Being present in this way allows them to process their emotions in their own time, on their own terms.
Honouring Autonomy and Human Rights
A human rights-based approach to holding space for someone in distress means respecting their autonomy and their right to make decisions about their own life. This can be challenging, particularly when their choices or feelings make us uncomfortable. Yet, imposing our own beliefs or trying to steer their path denies them the agency that is essential to their healing. We must resist the urge to “fix” or diminish their pain, no matter how well-meaning. Instead, we create a compassionate space where their experiences are honoured, and they feel safe to explore their feelings without fear of pressure or expectation.
Listening Without the Need to Fix
Listening is one of the most profound acts of care we can offer. It’s not about asking questions to fill the silence or searching for the perfect response—it’s about giving the person space to speak their truth, however it unfolds. This might look like sitting quietly together, letting their words flow without interruption, or simply being present in their silence. By stepping back from the need to provide solutions, we can truly hear what someone is expressing. We show them that their pain doesn’t scare us, that we can hold their story without trying to shape it into something more comfortable for ourselves.
Building a More Compassionate Society
When we create environments where people feel safe to share their feelings and experiences, we take a step toward radical social inclusion. We begin to dismantle the stigma that isolates people in distress and instead foster a culture of understanding and acceptance. Holding space is not just about individual moments—it’s about cultivating a community that values empathy over answers, presence over solutions, and connection over control. By committing to these principles, we can create a society where people experiencing emotional struggles feel truly seen and supported.
A Gentle Reminder
It’s important to acknowledge that holding space for someone in suicidal distress can also stir up feelings of discomfort or helplessness within us. This is a natural response, but it’s not a sign of inadequacy. The truth is, we don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is showing up with kindness and compassion, trusting in the strength and wisdom of the person in front of us.
If you’d like to learn more around how to compassionately understand and respond to suicidal distress, please book into our workshop – ‘Understanding and Responding to Suicidal Feelings, Thoughts & Behaviours‘ Together, we can build a world where no one has to face their darkest moments alone, where every individual is met with the respect and humanity they deserve. Let’s continue to listen, connect, and hold space for one another, one conversation at a time.
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