Artists, creatives and arts workers gathered at Bellingen Memorial Hall on Saturday 18 April for a Creative Resilience Wellbeing Workshop led by Aimee Davies, founder of Hey Mate.
The half-day session brought together members of the region’s creative community to explore practical ways of managing stress, preventing burnout and sustaining their creative practices. Drawing on evidence-based mental health strategies and peer learning, the workshop offered a supportive environment where participants reflected on their own wellbeing while building connections with others navigating similar challenges.
“In times of uncertainty and recovery, creativity and connection can be powerful tools for wellbeing,” Davies shared during the session, highlighting the importance of community in strengthening resilience.
Through guided discussions and reflective activities, attendees engaged with topics including mental health and resilience, financial recovery, and the role of community connection in creative careers. The workshop also provided a take-home toolkit of wellbeing resources and introduced participants to ongoing peer support opportunities through Hey Mate.
Participants were encouraged to use the space not only to learn practical strategies but also to pause, reflect and form new connections within the local arts community. The event concluded with informal conversations over morning tea, reinforcing a sense of shared experience and mutual support.
The workshop was made possible through support from a NAB Foundation Community Grant, helping bring accessible and inclusive wellbeing initiatives to the region.
