Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.
“FRRR has been more than just a funder – it has been a true partner in supporting rural and regional communities. The organisation’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by communities like ours has been invaluable. From offering flexibility when we needed to adapt programs to providing ongoing funding for impactful projects, FRRR has made an extraordinary difference. We are proud to have been part of FRRR’s journey and look forward to seeing its continued impact for years to come.”
Joy Barber Hua, Head of Marketing and Engagement
“Human Nature has been fortunate to receive multiple grants from FRRR over the years, each playing a crucial role in strengthening our ability to support young people facing complex trauma and mental health challenges in Northern NSW.
“Our first FRRR grant, awarded in 2019 through the ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant program, funded our ‘Walk & Talk’ program. This initiative provided 24 young people with ongoing therapeutic support after completing our Recre8 program, allowing them to stay connected with their mentor in a non-clinical, nature-based setting. The program fostered resilience, self-confidence and community engagement, helping young people navigate their transition back into daily life. This funding allowed us to pilot what has become our highly successful key program offering – Activ8- in which all participants commence their Human Nature journey.
“In 2021, FRRR again supported us through another ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant. This funding enabled us to deliver the ‘Support Squad’ project – an initiative designed to equip young people with the skills to safely and confidently share their lived experiences with peers, helping to break down stigma around mental health and encourage help-seeking behaviours. In addition, we received a Strengthening Rural Communities Grant, which funded 65 therapeutic mentoring sessions, ensuring young people received vital one-on-one support in the aftermath of COVID-19. These sessions included transport, referral liaison, case management, and activity costs, helping young people rebuild their confidence and re-engage with their communities. Most recently, FRRR’s support enabled us to deliver the Connected Communities project, which helped young people from flood-affected areas develop disaster preparedness skills and process their experiences through trauma-informed mentoring. This project had a profound impact, with participants creating Basic Emergency Kits, engaging in resilience-building activities and self-reporting a greater ability to manage future disasters.
“Without FRRR’s support, many young people in our region would have missed out on life-changing opportunities to heal, grow, and reconnect with their communities. From our Walk & Talk program to our recent Connected Communities initiative, FRRR’s funding has allowed us to meet young people where they are – whether in a post-flood recovery context, emerging from COVID-19 disruptions, or navigating mental health challenges. FRRR’s flexibility, including extending grant acquittal deadlines after the floods, has been instrumental in ensuring we can deliver the right support at the right time.”
Human Nature’s vision for the future
“Our vision for 2050 is a community where every young person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the mental health support they need to thrive. We hope to see a future where trauma-informed, nature-based care is embedded in disaster recovery efforts, and where young people play an active role in strengthening their communities. With continued support from organisations like FRRR, we envision a region where no young person falls through the cracks.”
