RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

77 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Actively Changing the Lives of Veterans 2020 brought about many unforeseen circumstances and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of Australia’s first COVID-19 lockdown, we had to close the doors of our Family Recovery Centres across the country. A new strategy for delivering services online was quickly developed, and Mates4Mates re-launched services within 24 hours of the lockdown, all while keeping our members informed and engaged. When COVID-19 lockdowns were occurring in most states and territories, our people made over 1,100 welfare calls and delivered over 700 pieces of online content to keep the Defence community connected. The incredible response to online services meant that, even after the doors had reopened at our Family Recovery Centres, Mates4Mates retained and continued to grow our online service delivery presence. We also saw growth in the Northern Territory as we appointed a Regional Manager in October and officially launched our services in the Territory for the first time. RSL Queensland established Mates4Mates in 2013 to provides physical, psychological, and social connection support services for those experiencing service-related physical injuries, mental health issues and isolation. Throughout 2020, Mates4Mates continued to actively change the lives of current and ex-serving Defence Force members who have been impacted by service, and their families. To date, more than 6,000 people have directly benefited from our services and continue to access support regularly. With more than 23,000 connections provided by Mates4Mates staff and a 300% increase in the number of clients actively accessing our services compared to 2019, more than ever before, Mates4Mates supported veterans and their families to find a new way forward in 2020. Our impact in 2020 included: • 4,038 psychology appointments to improve the mental health of the Defence community • 2,269 exercise physiology sessions to improve injuries and help more people manage their pain • 7,500 social connections facilitated to bring people across Australia together to reduce isolation. To increase service delivery in the future, we ran several fundraising initiatives, including an April Appeal, Tax Appeal and a National Giving Day. Through each initiative, our community of supporters and the general public showed unwavering support for veterans. This fundraising helped ensure awareness of Mates4Mates continued and gave more people the opportunity to give back to veterans. As a result, more veterans and their families were able to find the support they needed. Mates4Mates has Family Recovery Centres in South East Queensland, North Queensland, Tasmania and Northern Territory, as well as online services and outreach areas across the country. TROY WATSON CEO, Mates4Mates Mates4Mates "I no longer feel as though I have to tough it out by myself. I am so very grateful to have found Mates4Mates." TIM* Veteran Troy Watson CEO, Mates4Mates w mates4mates.org p 1300 4 MATES / Delivering Impactful Veteran Outcomes *Name has been changed to protect identity.