Ways to Wellness

A huge thank you to everyone to the community who took the time to complete a postcard survey supporting the continuation of our Link Worker and Ways to Wellness programs here at the Mt Gravatt Community Centre.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response, with more than 200 postcards signed and submitted. Your voices have helped demonstrate just how important social connection, community support, and early intervention services are to the people of Brisbane's southside.

Since 2019, Ways to Wellness has supported over 1,000 community members to connect with local groups, activities, wellbeing supports, and community services. The program has helped reduce social isolation and loneliness, improve wellbeing, and connect people with ongoing supports before challenges reach crisis point.

The postcards have now been forwarded to the Queensland Government as part of our advocacy for ongoing funding of these valuable community programs.

Thank you for standing with us and sharing your stories, experiences, and support. Together, we are showing that community connection matters and that everyone deserves the opportunity to belong, participate, and thrive.

Join us for Community Open Day at Mt Gravatt Community Centre on Thursday, 18 June from 2pm–6:30pm.
Come along for a free BBQ, kids’ activities, coffee, mini market stalls, information sessions, Q&A opportunities, and great community connection. There’ll also be door prizes throughout the day.
If you've been wondering what we do at MGCCI and what services we offer, this is your opportunity to meet our team and ask us any questions you might have! This includes information about our services such as our Neighbourhood Centre, SQW (Certs/Quals program), QAADS (aged care), and our Ways to Wellness program.
Complete our survey on the day to go in the draw to win one of 10 x $100 vouchers or 2 x $250 vouchers.
Everyone is welcome to come along. We’d love to see you there!

Join us for Community Open Day at Mt Gravatt Community Centre on Thursday, 18 June from 2pm–6:30pm.

Come along for a free BBQ, kids’ activities, coffee, mini market stalls, information sessions, Q&A opportunities, and great community connection. There’ll also be door prizes throughout the day.

If you've been wondering what we do at MGCCI and what services we offer, this is your opportunity to meet our team and ask us any questions you might have! This includes information about our services such as our Neighbourhood Centre, SQW (Certs/Quals program), QAADS (aged care), and our Ways to Wellness program.

Complete our survey on the day to go in the draw to win one of 10 x $100 vouchers or 2 x $250 vouchers.

Everyone is welcome to come along. We’d love to see you there!

✨We love celebrating the incredible journeys of people in our community. ✨

Today, we’re proud to share Janet’s story from our Ways to Wellness program (pictured right as a member of our NEST cooking classes). She is a reflection of how connection, support, and meaningful activities can help open doors to improved wellbeing, confidence, and community participation.

"My experience with the Ways to Wellness program has been absolutely wonderful. It has been incredibly helpful in supporting me to get back out into the community, connect with others, and manage my anxiety and depression. Overall, it has made a significant difference to my wellbeing.

One of the most valuable parts of the program is the wide variety of activities and supports available. I’ve been able to engage in Afternoon Friends, volunteering pathways, cooking classes, computer lessons, counselling through Change Futures, and supports like Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) and the Community Transport Scheme. The diversity of options means everything feels personalised to my needs, and there is always something meaningful to be involved in.

Since starting the program, the change in my day-to-day life has been incredible. I’ve gone from having very little motivation to feeling excited about attending groups and volunteering. I now have things to look forward to, which has made a big difference to my mood and outlook. The program has also helped me build confidence especially in leaving the house and even learning new skills like using a computer.

A key part of my positive experience has been working with my Link Worker. They have been amazing, consistent, patient, and incredibly supportive. Because I struggle with anxiety, having the same Link Worker has been so important. Consistency builds trust, and changing workers can be very challenging and disruptive. The continuation of the program funding is essential and without a Link Worker, many people would be at risk of falling through the cracks. Their regular follow-ups and encouragement helped me stay engaged, even when things felt difficult. They truly are the “link” that connects everything together.

All of the supports I’ve been connected to have made a positive difference, and I’ve been able to try things I wouldn’t have otherwise, including advocacy opportunities and community activities. If I were speaking to someone thinking about joining Ways to Wellness, I would say: just do it. Even if it feels hard at first, keep going. It’s absolutely worth it. "

We’re building a Queensland where no one falls through the cracks, where wellbeing is a community responsibility, and where health care includes human connection.

This is not a new bureaucracy.

This is not more paperwork.

This is Queenslanders helping Queenslanders, with the right support around them.

It’s common-sense, cost-effective and community-powered.

📍What is The Queensland Way?📍
The Queensland Way is a community-led social prescribing model that connects people with local support: community groups, sport clubs, mentoring, arts, volunteering, cultural groups, men’s sheds and more. It is a practical, common-sense way to improve wellbeing before people fall into crisis.

In Queensland, we’ve always known that health is more than hospitals and wellbeing is more than waiting rooms. It is more than just the absence of disease – it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

It’s about connection. It’s about purpose. It’s about community.

When Queenslanders are doing it tough, we don’t wait for governments to solve it, we lean in, we show up, and we look out for each other.

That’s the Queensland Way.

🌿 Neighbourhood community centres such as the Mt Gravatt Community Centre are the backbone of doing community The Queensland Way. 🌿

We are calling on the Queensland Government to support this by:

🔹 Maintaining funding for social prescribing Link Workers in all 13 Centres currently delivering social prescribing such as Ways to Wellness
🔹 Providing a Community Connect Worker in every neighbourhood centre across Queensland.

Read more or take action at: https://www.qldcommunityalliance.org/the_qld_way

The Queensland Way – Healthy. Connected. Thriving. Together.

🌟You’re invited to our Community Centre BBQ & Open Day! 🌟
Come along to Mount Gravatt Community Centre during Neighbourhood Centre Week and spend some time connecting with your local community 💬
📅 Wednesday, May 13th
⏰ 12pm - 3pm
📍 1693 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt
This day is all about you! Your voice, your needs, and your ideas for our community ❤️
🔥 FREE BBQ all day from 12pm
👋 Meet our friendly team
🤝 Connect with others in your community
💡 Share your thoughts and help shape our services
We’ll also be running short presentations and sharing information about:
• Emergency Relief (food parcels & financial support)
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work courses
• Ageing & Disability Support Services
• CHSP services
• Groups & Activities
• Ways to Wellness & social prescribing
We want to know- what does our community need most right now?
This is your chance to have your say, give feedback, and help us better support you and your neighbours.
Whether you stay for a quick chat or the whole afternoon, we’d love to see you there 😊

🌟 You’re invited to our Community Centre BBQ & Open Day! 🌟

Come along to Mount Gravatt Community Centre during Neighbourhood Centre Week and spend some time connecting with your local community 💬

📅 Wednesday, May 13th
⏰ 12pm - 3pm
📍 1693 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt

This day is all about you! Your voice, your needs, and your ideas for our community ❤️

🔥 FREE BBQ all day from 12pm
👋 Meet our friendly team
🤝 Connect with others in your community
💡 Share your thoughts and help shape our services

We’ll also be running short presentations and sharing information about:
• Emergency Relief (food parcels & financial support)
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work courses
• Ageing & Disability Support Services
• CHSP services
• Groups & Activities
• Ways to Wellness & social prescribing

We want to know- what does our community need most right now?
This is your chance to have your say, give feedback, and help us better support you and your neighbours.

Whether you stay for a quick chat or the whole afternoon, we’d love to see you there 😊

Neighbourhood community centres are the backbone of doing community The Queensland Way.
We are calling on the State Government to prioritise our communities in the 2026 budget by:
🔹Maintaining funding for social prescribing Link Workers at all 13 centres currently delivering social prescribing.
🔹Providing a Community Connect Worker in every neighbourhood centre.
Let’s keep Queensland connected — in the good times, not just the bad.
Read more or take action at: https://www.qldcommunityalliance.org/the_qld_way

David Crisafulli MP Amanda Camm MP

Ways to Wellness FAQs

Who can refer?
Anyone can refer, including self-referrals, family members, friends, organisations, or medical professionals.

What suburbs do we cover?
Mount Gravatt, Mt Gravatt East, Upper Mount Gravatt, Buranda, Carina, Mackenzie, Mansfield, Wishart, Macgregor, Holland Park, Holland Park West, Greenslopes, Cooparoo or able to travel to the Mount Gravatt Community Centre.

What does a Community Link Worker do?
Groups across Mt Gravatt and surrounding suburbs have committed to welcoming new people as part of our network. We do this through our Community Link Worker who can help you idenifty actvities you might be interested in and connect you with local classess, social groups and clubs within the community to help you reach your wellbeing goals.

Join us to learn how the program connects people with local groups, social activities, and wellbeing supports.

Ways to Wellness is a social prescribing program designed to connect people aged 16+ with local groups, activities, and community supports. The program is ideal for anyone who may be feeling socially isolated, new to the area, unsure where to start with community activities, or nervous about meeting new people.

During this session, you’ll meet the friendly Community Link Worker, who helps participants explore their interests, identify meaningful activities, and connect with local clubs, classes, and social groups that support better mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Come along to discover how Ways to Wellness can support you or someone you care about to feel more connected and empowered within the community.

Reserve a spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/what-is-the-ways-to-wellness-program-tickets-1984939779313?aff=oddtdtcreator

🎉 Neighbour Day & World Social Prescribing Day Celebration 🎉

Last Thursday, 26th March, we had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful celebration for Neighbour Day alongside World Social Prescribing Day 💛

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Neighbour Centre Coordinator for bringing this event together, our incredible volunteers for their time and energy, and everyone who joined us on the day. It was fantastic to see so many people come along to learn more about social prescribing, enjoy a friendly game of bingo, and share a delicious BBQ together.

Events like this remind us of the power of connection, community, and looking out for one another. We’re so grateful to everyone who made the day so special!

🌟 Belonging on a Budget 🌟
Life is costly, particularly around the holiday period. This can impact opportunities to build or nurture meaningful and healthy social connections.
From the people we surveyed*:
- Almost 3 in 4said money has been a barrier to forming connections
- Almost 3 in 4 people said free or low-cost opportunities for connection would help reduce their loneliness

We asked our community to share low or no-cost ideas that have helped them
connect with others. In some cases, they’ve even led to lifelong friendships!