Supporting Recovery Program Provides Wrap-Around Support for the Community
 

For Donna Boughton, working as a Case Manager in the Supporting Recovery pilot program in Moree is "the role she has waited a lifetime for".

The Supporting Recovery program is a vital initiative that provides free care coordination, peer support, and trauma-informed mental health services to people who have experienced family, domestic, and sexual violence. Through this program, Anglicare partners with a diverse range of therapeutic services to offer comprehensive care. Recently launched in Moree as part of a pilot program, the initiative collaborates with local agencies to ensure a holistic approach to supporting those in need.

When Donna first sought help for her own struggles with depression in her early 30s, she turned to the Anglican Counselling Service (now Anglicare's Relationships and Wellbeing team) in Moree. Inspired by the support she received, she decided to pursue a career in counselling, eventually obtaining her Counselling degree. Donna's early career in the sector involved working with various NGOs, gaining experience in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and suicide prevention.

Donna decided she would like to work with Anglicare in Moree. The first job Donna saw advertised was for an administration position. When this had been filled, she was offered a psychosocial position in Inverell.

When the Case Manager role for Supporting Recovery at Moree became available, Claire Dunlop, Head of Region, New England North West at Anglicare (and friend of Donna's from church) spoke to Donna and suggested the job would be a good fit with Donna's skills and her local knowledge.

Now, after eight months as a Case Manager with Supporting Recovery, Donna plays an integral role in a Local Care Team, helping clients access counselling, legal, financial, and housing supports. Donna's work primarily focuses on First Nations clients, and she is proud of how the program provides a wrap-around service for entire families, catering to all ages.

What makes Donna's role particularly meaningful is her deep connection to the Moree community, especially to the farming families in the area. Having lived the challenges of rural life herself, Donna understands the unique pressures faced by local farmers, from the constant threat of droughts and fires to the financial and emotional toll these challenges take.

"Life as a farmer includes things like droughts, fires, and other catastrophic events. There are many pressures particular to this livelihood," Donna says.

Donna and her husband are regenerative farmers who have spent decades working to preserve the health of the land. They prioritise practices that enhance the soil's long-term viability, such as rotating crops, reducing chemical use, and using chickpeas as a natural nitrogen fixer to complement the use of synthetic fertilisers.

"It's amazing how technology has improved farming practices. Things like self-steering machinery controlled by computers mean greater accuracy and savings," Donna explains.

Above: Sorghum crop that Donna and her husband are close to finishing harvesting.

Donna's connection to other farmers, such as her friend Ran Mitchell from Goondiwindi is another cornerstone of her support network. Ran, a former Anglican Counselling Service counsellor and fellow regenerative farmer, has been a friend and mentor throughout her journey.

Central to Donna's resilience in this challenging role is her Christian faith. She acknowledges that witnessing the pain and suffering of others can be emotionally overwhelming, but her faith helps her stay grounded.

"My faith helps me maintain a sense of hope and purpose," Donna says. "It enables me to find meaning in my work and share that with others, whether they're fellow staff or clients who may not know Jesus.”

"I feel that God has equipped me, in His perfect timing, with the right set of skills and experience to navigate the often-challenging environment I face in my role," Donna reflects.

For Donna, working with Supporting Recovery is more than just a job; it's the culmination of a calling that blends her passion for helping others with her love for her home community and the land she's deeply connected to. Through her role, Donna hopes to create lasting change, helping individuals and families transition from simply surviving to thriving.

The Supporting Recovery pilot program in New England North West is being delivered by Anglicare who are providing case management, and Healthwise, who provide Mental Health services. The Supporting Recovery Pilot Program is supported by funding from the Australian Government through Hunter New England Central Coast PHN.

To find out more about Supporting Recovery:
Phone: 6701 8200
Email: tamworth@anglicare.org.au