RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

45 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Wellness Programs RSL Queensland offers a wide range of initiatives to improve the wellbeing of current and former Defence members and their families, with complementary wellness programs delivered through other service organisations. We've led the sector in making complementary initiatives accessible to the veteran community through partnerships with vetted organisations since 2015. These initiatives span respite programs for veterans and families through to research- based wellbeing initiatives aimed at assisting veterans to overcome personal challenges. Under the banner of our Wellness Programs, we support Diggers Rest, Trojan’s Trek, PTSD Resurrected, Veterans Care Association, 4 Aussie Heroes, RSL RAEMUS Rover Off-Road Racing, Legacy Brisbane Family Weekends, Operation PTSD Support and Human Performance initiatives through Department of Defence. "I find that helping veterans on the trek also helps me in my recovery. I've got sort of a pretty long way to go in my own recovery. But Trojan's Trek has given me that boost that I needed to be able to get my life back on the track that I wanted it to go." BRETT VAN DER HEIDE Army veteran and Trojan’s Trek participant and mentor RSL Queensland offered nine wellness programs to veterans in 2020. We are also working with GMRF to evaluate these initiatives, determine program and client outcomes, and understand if a therapeutic benefit can be clinically evidenced. In 2020, Trojan’s Trek was one of the first programs to undergo this process. Brett’s testimonial Building Brighter Futures Annual Highlights I find that helping veterans on the trek also helps me in my recovery. / Accommodation RSL Queensland responds to the need for short- term accommodation and affordable long-term housing for veterans and their partners. Angus House provides short-term accommodation in a home away from home in Brisbane for veterans or their partners who need to travel to South East Queensland for medical appointments, treatment or convalescence before returning home. In 2020, veterans and their partners spent 879 nights in RSL Queensland’s short-term accommodation. To support veterans and their families secure affordable long-term housing, RSL Queensland operates more than 80 self-contained housing units throughout Queensland. We currently have independent living units in Ayr, Cairns, Emu Park, Gayndah, Mareeba, Mt Perry, Proserpine and Yeppoon.