Flourish is a celebration of P&N’s community partners, their volunteers and the unique impacts they are all having in WA communities.
Being held for the first time since 2019 due to a COVID-19 hiatus, the 180 strong crowd was full of volunteers, board members and staff from each of the partners as well as a number of P&N staff and stakeholders.
The evening began with a chance for partners to network with one another, before the event was officially opened with a Welcome to Country from local Noongar man and accomplished performing artist Phil Walley-Stack.
P&N has recently committed to extend its support of Lifeline WA, Variety WA, The Fathering Project and will continue partnering with Manna in their mission to feed hungry West Australians.
The real impact our partners are having in WA
Each community partner shared real-life examples of how they are helping West Australians to flourish.
Variety WA
The Watson family shared the impact Variety WA’s support has had for their daughter Marlee who has Rett syndrome - a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder. Variety WA has assisted the Watsons with a vehicle modification to make transporting Marlee easier, and she has also attended the Variety WA Motor Mouth Camp to learn how to communicate using an augmentative communication aid.
The Fathering Project
David from The Fathering Project discussed his desire to help the dads of Armadale, with many of the fathers he works with facing a unique set of challenges. John is one of those fathers and he spoke of the struggles of being a single parent to two young boys and shared how David’s assistance has been crucial in him feeling like he was on the right track as a dad.
Lifeline WA
Lifeline WA telephone crisis support volunteer, Merran, shared that by volunteering she has the ability to assist with the difficulties and issues going on in our society, but she also noticed she has more meaning, fun and friends in her life as a result. Merran commented that she was surprised at the positivity felt at Lifeline despite the at times serious nature of their work.
Manna
Manna Board Chair, Damian Burton, spoke of the increasing and complex issue of poverty and food scarcity in Perth which Manna is assisting with via the provision of vital meals. While Angus, Bentley Primary School’s Chaplain, shared the story of a family who has positively benefited from Manna’s School Breakfast Program.