What a night! ✨

On Saturday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the @varietysa Golden Gala, celebrating an incredible 50 years of supporting children and families across the country.

If you haven’t heard of Variety - the Children`s Charity, they do amazing work helping children who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability. They make sure kids who might otherwise miss out, don’t 💛

This wasn’t just any event—I was there for a reason. A friend and I brought together a group of 30 amazing people across three tables to show our support. Why? Because I’ve recently had the chance to work directly with Variety SA… and honestly, they were incredible.

I’ve seen firsthand how their support changes lives.
🌟 Their process is straightforward, respectful, and accessible
🌟 The help they offer is real, immediate, and impactful
🌟 The difference they make for kids and their families is something special.

So, this night was about more than dressing up and hitting the dance floor (though we did a bit of that too! 🕺💃). It was about supporting those who support, being part of something meaningful, and celebrating the good that happens when kind hearts come together.

So grateful to have been part of it 💛

#project18port #BoostinOz #VarietySA #GoldenGala #GivingBack #SupportKids #adelaideconventioncentre

Happy International Day of Play!

Now in its second year, today is a worldwide celebration of the power of play. It’s a day to recognise that play is central to every child’s development and well-being – and promote a collective responsibility to ensure every child can realise their “right” to play.

This year’s theme, “Choose Play – Every Day,” is a powerful reminder for everyone – from governments and businesses to schools and families – to prioritise play in our daily decisions. Because play isn’t just fun - it’s essential.

We know that through play, children learn to build connections with others and develop social skills. Play provides opportunities to be brave, take risks and overcome fears. We also know that play helps children develop problem solving skills, adaptability and resilience. Play is also how children explore their creativity and self-expression. In a world that’s constantly changing these skills are essential.

Play is just as important for adults too though. While it may look a little different, the core elements of play – voluntary, creative, and joyful engagement – remains crucial. Research shows that play contributes to cognitive flexibility, neuroplasticity, stress reduction, and emotional wellbeing. Play, in short, helps us thrive.

There is increasing recognition of the mental health benefits too. More and more, therapists are embracing play as a powerful tool for exploration, expression, and healing — not just for children, but for people of all ages. This shift is reflected in the growing use of creative, play-based modalities, which are proving to be both effective and inclusive across diverse needs and backgrounds.

As a counsellor, I regularly incorporate playful activities, interactive elements and games in my sessions with children and young people. While I’m not a play or art therapist, I deeply value the role of play in:
• Building rapport
• Encouraging expression
• Supporting emotional exploration
• Promoting release and regulation

Play opens up new pathways – not just for engagement, but for transformation!

📷 Shared with permission.

Welcome to National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025!

This week is all about sharing and learning. It’s a time for reflecting and acknowledging, a time for growth and healing. It’s a time to remember that together we are stronger.

This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’ “it reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future”. It is a call to “all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us”.

There are some great ways to participate in NRW, you can find an events calendar at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

Or you could join the walk for https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/walk-for-reconciliation

Or you could check out your local council to see what they have going on https://www.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/

For more information and resources, visit Reconciliation South Australia.

#project18port #wellbeingnook #NRW2025 #BridgingNowToNext #ReconciliationWeek #MoreThanAWord #StrongerTogether

Just showing off my new signature block!!

Have finally added the `certified social enterprise` badge!!

Still feel so chuffed that Project 18 has been recognised in this way.

If you havent already checked out our certification story head to https://project18.com.au/social-enterprise/ and read all about it.

#project18port#wellbeingnook#portadelaide#socialenterprise

May is History Month here in SA!

We are already halfway through – where does time go?!

But we couldn’t let it pass entirely without celebrating just a little…

This year’s theme is ‘Decisions’ and I love how this is introduced by @festival.history
“Like life, history is full of decisions. Some lead to greatness – others to disaster. History is shaped by people who have been compelled to make difficult decisions – oftentimes while wedged between a rock and a hard place or fleeing the frying pan for the fire”.

How very true. We literally make decisions every single day, some are small, some are big, some may be inconsequential whilst others we know are important in some way. Not all decisions have big outcomes, and certainly not everything leads to ‘greatness or disaster’.

But our decisions do help ‘define our lives and make us who we are’ – and history is full of brave, interesting, radical, random and sometimes completely flawed decisions that have shaped the state we live in today!

So, if you’re interested in checking out some of this year’s History Festival events head to https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/events/

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #historyfestival #historymonth

“Holding Space”
It is something that is referred to in many different contexts.
It is a concept that has been around for years.
It originated in therapeutic settings but is now more widely used and understood.

So, what does “holding space” actually mean. Like any broad term that can describe a concept, action or approach there are different definitions and explanations. It’s often described as ‘showing up’, ‘listening without judgement’ or ‘just being there’ for someone.

When I think about what holding space means to me as a counsellor, I think about being completely present - without distractions, genuinely hearing what someone is sharing – more than just listening and taking notice of what perhaps isn’t being said.

I also think about holding space as being an action without judgement and free of criticism. It’s about being curious and compassionate, supportive and empathetic with the intention of creating opportunities for processing and healing.

Deep listening, making room for emotion and trying not to ‘fix’ things are all important elements of holding space – and can sometimes be difficult to do, especially when our natural tendency may include a want to ‘help’ by offering solutions.

When working with young people, in particular, getting the balance right between listening and considering, validating and inquiring, reflecting and proposing, can be tricky. But it is important and, in my experience, so are being responsive and real, open and interested, thoughtful and insightful (and if it fits with your style) dynamic and energetic. I believe these are the essence to not just ‘holding’ space but to ‘creating’ space where young people feel safe, heard, understood, accepted and valued.

What does holding space mean to you?

Some further reading if you are interested:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/between-the-generations/202305/what-does-it-mean-to-hold-space
https://psychhub.com/resources/articles/holding-space

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #therapy #psychotherapy #children #youngpeople #mentalhealthmatters #holdingspace

📷 Taken during Illuminate Adelaide 2023

I always encourage others to share and celebrate their achievements so it`s only right that I sometimes do too - it`s a little belated I know, but in February this happened!

This was such a fun training, I mean it`s lego based so how could it not be.. and I still need to do some consolidating of my learning before I start implementing it in practice but I am really looking forward to it when I do!

Ongoing professional development is an important part of my counselling registration with the ACA (Australian Counselling Association) requiring annual accrual of a minimum number of hours of training and development.

It`s also important to me, to keep learning, building my skill set and adding more tools to my counselling toolbox!!

If you are interested in learning more about Lego Based Therapy head to the Progressive Play website: https://progressiveplay.com.au/

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #childrenandyoungpeople #therapy #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsocialwork #mentalhealthmatters

Sometimes a counselling session might look like this ⭐

Interactive & Inquisitive ⭐

The client as the teacher and the counsellor as the student can be an opportunity to share knowledge, build confidence and practice patience ⭐

Sometimes the children I work with get immense joy from sharing something with me that they are good at and I am not..

… it can provide a chance for them to lead a learning experience - practicing leadership skills. They get to teach me something new - practicing communication skills. They get to `win` in a supportive and encouraging way - practicing kindness and compassion..

… there are also many opportunities for positive role modelling and chess, as an example, can provide some great metaphors for life. So the conversations flow and the connections to the day to day are made naturally and effortlessly..

…. just another example of how counselling can be so much more than ‘just’ talking - although we do love that too. Just sharing, Jodie ⭐

📷 shared with permission.

#project18port #wellbeingnook #counselling #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsocialwork #portadelaide