Journey of Change – Our Way

RAATSIC is a place where the team and the organisation’s strength are built on relationships. One of our team members who has been with the organisation for many years is Aunty June. More recently, Aunty June has worked with the RAATSIC Counselling and Support Service to assist individuals to submit their stories to the Disability Royal Commission for the past two years. The program consists of both counselling and support and is made up of two team members, counsellor Aunty June and Support Worker Constance Sailor. When talking about counselling, Aunty June explains how the approach differs from mainstream services. “I have been a counsellor for over 35 years with people of different ages. What I like is the yarning. You have got to yarn with people wherever they feel comfortable. So we work amongst our people, and I love that.” As a member of staff who has been with RAATSIC over a long period across different programs, Aunty June describes the importance of building rapport with the community members as essential to providing services at a community level. “The majority of our team identifies as Indigenous. It is a very healthy and supportive environment. We feel like a family rather than just staff in an office. It is healthy for us as workers. Those relationships and vibes go out to the communities we help. To maintain our own well-being, we need to keep that for the families we are helping. We have to build rapport, earn that respect and also give that back.” Counselling community members is also about empowerment. Aunty June explains creating safe spaces for people to feel supported to make decisions that benefit them and their families is also integral to how people feel. “Counselling is not about what you should do. We build trust so they can share their concerns, and we can support them in how they want to work through those issues. Counselling is not about saying what you should do. This is handing back to them, this is your story, what do you want?” While the RAATSIC Counselling and Support Service program will conclude at the end of December 2023, RAATSIC’s counselling programs will continue to centre around the values of culture and empathy.