“You see such a difference in people’s whole outlook on life when they’re engaging in community supports”
“You see such a difference in people’s whole outlook on life when they’re engaging in community supports”
Hear from Melany Webber, Team Coordinator – Peer Specialist, on the world of possibilities that community-based care can open up.
For some people living with mental health challenges, travelling alone can feel out of reach. When one man supported by a Peer Specialist team at Flourish Australia was ready to take an Uber for the first time, a peer worker went with him.
“He shook the entire time,” says Melany Webber, the team’s coordinator. “But he did it.”
He kept practising, building his confidence with each trip. Eventually, he could travel on his own without needing his mother to take him or being limited to where he could get on foot.
“Now he can go places,” Melany says. “And it’s not something he could have done without our peer workers or mental health workers in the Uber with him.”
This significantly opened up his world: he could travel to appointments, see people, look for work, and live his life beyond walking distance.
Support where life happens
Community-based care happens in homes, shops, public transport and other places where people live and work. Melany and her team help people break difficult tasks into manageable steps and practise them alongside someone they trust.
“It just breaks down some of those barriers, especially when things are quite fresh and scary,” she says. “That’s not something that’s available in an office for one hour a month.”
Through ongoing relationships, community workers can notice changes early, recognising when someone is withdrawing, becoming distressed or finding everyday tasks more difficult. Relationships with peer workers can make it easier to talk about what’s happening.
“Just knowing that there’s people around who get it, who have been there, who have done that and then have continued living life, thriving, and all of that. It’s just so special,” explains Melany.
Community-based workers: the bridge beyond crisis
Unfortunately, Melany sees more people seeking support than there are workers available to provide it. The gap is especially visible when people leave hospital or correctional settings without safe housing, a reliable support network or help adjusting to daily life.
“People get left behind, and it’s really frustrating to see people not be able to access services,” she says.
“You see such a difference in people’s whole outlook on life when they’re engaging in community supports, versus just being in and out of hospital.”
As Melany puts it, community support can “open up a whole other avenue of life.” She would like to see greater collaboration between community and clinical workers.
For the people she works alongside, that can mean the difference between staying isolated and participating in their community on their own terms.
Melany’s story is one of the voices behind our call to put community-based mental health care first. Read more about our Care Beyond Crisis 2027 NSW State Election campaign.
