Growing the Good Life for Families in Derby
The Derby Good Life Project was inspired by The Sunshine Project’s relational approach to growing the 'good life' for families.
The Derby Good Life Project has grown out of a partnership between Anglicare WA, Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation and Nunga Group Women’s Aboriginal Corporation building on strengths and connection in the local community.
The Approach
What is a good life? The ‘good life’ is central to the Sunshine Model and refers to growing a life where there is purpose, connection to community, good relationship and we can meet our basic needs.
For the Derby Good Life Project, this means creating the right conditions so families and community members can meet their basic needs, connect with a sense of purpose, contribution, healing, and connection.
Key elements so far have included:
- Providing recognition and respite for community members working hardest behind the scenes to keep families and the community strong.
- Design and construction of a comfortable, landscaped outdoor space for traditional healers to deliver healing practices and train young healers.
- Investigating short to medium food security solutions with scope for longer-term solutions.
- Advocate for shifts in policyand commissioning which can create more enabling conditions for Aboriginal families and children to thrive in Derby.
Key Impact and Outcomes So Far
Healing Circle: A private space designed for traditional healing practices, providing comfort and wellbeing for healers and training opportunities for young healers. This space supports cultural continuity and offers healing for those who have experienced child sexual abuse.
Community Heroes: Recognising local leaders who have dedicated long-term efforts to supporting the community. This initiative provides respite and acknowledges grassroots contributors, strengthening relationships and community bonds.
Food Security: Distribution of food vouchers through Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) as a short-term measure, while exploring medium to long-term solutions for food security, such as community gardening projects.
Deep Listening: Strengthening trust and relationships with Aboriginal organisations and leaders by listening to community voices first, leading to meaningful conversations and collaborations.
View the Derby Good Life Project Summary (PDF)
