Improving the wellbeing of communities

Inspired by ACU's vision which seeks to foster thriving communities and enable individuals to flourish and achieve a sense of wellbeing, projects within this theme focus on improving the access, opportunity and wellbeing of community members.

Consistent with the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST), there is a particular focus on groups who experience systemic barriers to full participation in society yet also bring with them many gifts and assets. Projects explore outcomes and impacts related to adults, young people and children, and take a strengths or assets-based approach to community development.

Our projects under this theme explore the issues of mental health and suicide prevention, support for young parents and parents of sick/premature babies, intergenerational trauma for Indigenous Australians, psychosocial disability, homelessness, stunting and poor nutrition, youth development, healthy ageing and care for the aged care workforce, and provision of allied health services for residents in social housing.

Completed projects

Living life to the full: An evaluation of the Ageing Well masterclass series


Healing in culture: Evaluation of Gunawirra's Young Aboriginal Mothers' Program


Settling Well: Evaluation of a schools-based support program for refugees and asylum seeker young people in Geelong


Optimising engagement in psychosocial care: A review of St Mary's House of Welcome's NDIS psychosocial program


Talk Suicide Support: Evaluating the outcomes of a community-based suicide prevention model


Evaluation of the HOPE Program: An initiative designed to support young families with complex needs

Current projects

Improving outcomes for families with a sick or premature baby


Addressing stunting and improving nutritional practices in West Papua, Indonesia


A strength and assets-based needs assessment for youth development in Baucau Diocese, Timor-Leste


Evaluating Heartprint: Engaging residents, families, and care workers in evaluating outcomes of an innovative person-centred care program.


Interprofessional student-led allied health service for residents in social housing: An evidence-based co-designed initiative

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