The creativity to reconnect veterans to their communities

Sam Kavanagh founded Bootstraps in 2017 after realising how the creative process of leatherwork could help veterans relax and reconnect.

“We’ve had people make everything from belts to keyrings, backpacks and handbags,” Sam says.

“We prefer to concentrate on the travel, not the destination of making something. The destination is walking away with a tangible object. It's the time spent in that creative mindset that we’re trying to focus on.” 

Sam served in both regular and reserve forces after enlisting in the Royal Australian Army in 1994. He still serves in the Australian Army Reserve.

“I started doing leatherwork when I was 13 and, after leaving the Army the first time, on a particularly low day, I found myself in my leather workshop, struggling to deal with things. There weren’t many places to seek support for veterans where I lived.

“My Dad, who served almost 40 years in the RAAF and was a Vietnam veteran, taught me the art of leatherwork and I used it as a way to de-stress and ‘be’ in the creative mindset rather than some of the dark places I found my mind going.”

Taking the skills passed down from father to son, Sam is now sharing his creative coping strategy with others.

“I realised I could teach others a practical coping strategy and offer them connection to their community – who might be facing similar issues,” he says.

CREATING A NEW WAY TO PROCESS IT ALL

Art or creative therapies are anecdotally considered beneficial to veterans, with one study from the University of South Australia focusing on their positive effect on veteran wellbeing.

Located in Gatton, Sam says he is seeing people come from the Darling Downs, Ipswich, Brisbane and even as far as Maleny on the Sunshine Coast to take part in the workshops.

“Primarily we are a leather workshop, but Bootstraps is just as much about getting people out of the house and somewhere to enjoy themselves, create something and be in that creative mindset,” Sam explains.

“It’s also where they can connect with other military people or civilians, have a coffee and just relax. It’s somewhere they enjoy coming.”

Sam says it’s reaffirming to hear roars of laughter across the workshop floor.

“We see regulars coming back with big smiles on their faces when they create something and they’re making friends here,” Sam says. “I go into the workshop and look at these burly buggers and you can see how much fun they’re having. They’re like little kids.”

STITCHING NEW CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY

Bootstraps Secretary Paul Kaye thinks it’s the fostering of a community that’s most beneficial.

“It’s a place you can drop into anytime you like,” he says.

“You can meet like-minded people – men and women – and chat about things that meant a lot to us while we were in the military.

“Everyone’s journey is different, but we’ve all ended up in the same place, and it offers an opportunity to speak to others, not be judged and use the language and terminology familiar to you.”

Sam agrees. “One minute you’re in an organisation and then all of a sudden you’re no longer in uniform and you’ve spent the majority of your formative adulthood in an organisation that speaks a certain language and acts a certain way.

“It’s quite a monumental life change. For some people, to have that happen so suddenly, it is very difficult. I know, because the first time I got out (and then got back in) I was bloody lost.”

A PLACE FOR SUPPORT AND RESTORATION

It’s a sentiment ‘bootstrapper’ Dr Sharith Sippel echoes.

“I served five years full time in the Navy as an Electronic Warfare Linguist and for the past 17 years I’ve been a chiropractor, running my own business with my husband,” she says.

“I’ve taken a break over the past eight months due to severe burnout and it has been a steep learning curve about mental health.

“Bootstraps provided me with a non-judgmental place for support.”

Hearing of the program from other local veterans, Dr Sippel jumped at the chance to try something outside her comfort zone.

“I’ve loved stepping back into the zone of assumed camaraderie and connecting with new friends,” she says.

“The staff and volunteers have provided endless amounts of patience and support, as well as passion for their trade. It is a truly safe and supportive environment and there’s plenty of opportunity to connect with amazing people who understand the journey you’ve been on.”

PILOT SUPPORT

Bootstraps has recently been a part of an RSL Queensland pilot program that supported 10 people through an eight-week intensive program.

“We started them off with the basics and have been working up to more difficult projects,” Sam says.

“Being here for one day in isolation doesn’t have the same impact as being here one day a week for eight or 12 weeks. It’s fantastic because it gives them something to look forward to.

“We have young, old, male, female – everyone and anyone.”

While both Sam and Paul would like to see greater advocacy for veterans, they believe services like Bootstraps are a 'safety shoot'.

“We’re the ones that slow them before they hit the ground,” Paul explains. “Hopefully if we can slow them down enough, they don’t hit the ground as hard.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Bootstraps’ immediate goal is to finalise its accreditations to deliver nationally recognised classes and courses.

“We’re about to get certifications that will mean we can deliver several courses and school-based and adult apprenticeships,” Sam says.

“And after that we need to seriously consider a new HQ for Bootstraps. In 18 months, we’ve put over 320 people through our classes.

“We need more space to be able to offer our services to more people. Which, of course, means we need the finances to be able to set up a larger venue.

“Our goal this year is to expand and take Bootstraps to the next level. We’ve been asked if we would replicate what we’ve created in other locations, but first we need to ensure our Gatton centre is running well before we roll the blueprint out elsewhere.”

Bootstraps relies heavily on community fundraising and corporate donations in order to offer its programs at little or no cost to participants.

“We are a level one charity so if anyone donates to us it’s a tax deduction. But more than that, you are helping a charity that truly makes a difference in the lives of veterans and their local community.”

To find out more about Bootstraps, visit bootstraps.org.au.