2024 in Review - Our Volunteer Stories

Like previous years, 2024 featured fantastic stories from those who interacted with our cause this year.

As an organisation, we are starting to see the power of storytelling, especially given that everyone comes to Activate Mental Health with a story.

To wrap up the year, we asked our volunteers to share their stories about their interactions with this group. This article features our volunteer stories in their own words.

Please take a look at what Activate Mental Health got up to in 2024.

Bouldering fun (as told by Doyle and Mary)

This year, our weekly Saturday morning bouldering sessions have grown into a popular fixture, welcoming climbers of all levels to join a friendly, relaxed environment. These sessions have drawn in many new faces in 2024, with some participants becoming regulars, building skills, and making great progress, while others join when they can to experience something new. Each week, we focus on creating a supportive atmosphere, providing tips and encouragement, and making sure everyone enjoys the challenge of climbing together.

Our group has become known for its welcoming and inclusive approach. It’s a space for anyone—whether they’re looking to challenge themselves or simply want a casual, social climb. For many regulars, these sessions have become a highlight, providing a low-key, easy-going environment where they can either push their limits or simply enjoy the camaraderie. New participants are greeted with warmth and support, empowering them to do their best and have fun.

Through programs like these, Activate Mental Health has made it possible for community members to engage in new sports and hobbies, offering a safe, pressure-free space for social connection and trying new activities. We’re proud to continue fostering these experiences and look forward to what 2025 will bring.

Connection, personal growth and positive energy at the TED Talk Discussion Group (as told by Ash)

I have been associated with AMH as a participant and a volunteer for four years; in what has been an immensely satisfying journey.

My co-host (Sofia) and I have been facilitating the TED Talk Discussion groups once a month, over the last 32 months. At some of the sessions, we ask the participants what brings them to the discussion groups; and the consistently recurring themes are “connection”, “personal growth”; and “positive energy”.

At every event, there are some newbies, and the existing set of TEDDies are always warm and welcoming to make the newbies feel at ease; and contribute in their own way. It is a very positive environment.

Personally, I have benefitted a lot from the content in the TED talks and what the groups take away month after month. Also new friends, and a great environment to socialise. Thank you Rahul and Sofia. AMH is an amazing platform.

Inclusive running and walking (as told by Brian)

About 5 months ago I became an Activate Mental Health volunteer and started weekly walking and running groups held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. It has been a really enjoyable and relaxing way to make friends and meet new people and holding them routinely has allowed me to get to know the regular attendees quite well.

With our group there is no set distance to cover or pace to keep up with. The idea is just toget out and do something regularly no matter what that looks like. We only go as far, and asfast as people are comfortable with but generally, we cover about 6 kms.

It has been great getting to know Lukas, one of the regular attendees, and he has now also come on board as an Activate Mental Health volunteer. Lukas has been making a huge commitment to his walking and fitness and leads the walking group on Thursdays while I take the runners for a run.

A few years ago, I started running with a supportive, relaxed and encouraging group of people and was very aware of how much the social side of it helped me to persist and stick with it. That's the aim with this group as well, there is no pressure, you can attend as frequently or as infrequently as you like, and we just hang out and have a chat and you barley notice that you're exercising.

Talking About Silent Book Clubs (as told by Eva)

We’re actually quite a chatty bunch for a Silent Book Club. We have regulars and those just passing through. Knots of people chatting around the meeting table in Vic Park Community Space about their current books mostly. I enjoy that nobody usually arrives with a friend but makes their way through the swirls of conversation, tea and the odd Tim Tam to be with others in this little community. There is no pressure to have read anything but find that we are reading nearly everything and beyond, as well as being updated on my year-long journey through Grapes of Wrath.

This book club is now the only way I spend my last Sunday afternoon of the month. I have been hosting this group since early 2023 with Danielle, then by myself for a while and now with Mel. These women have been the best people to lead the club with, helping me find my voice in facilitating discussions and giving me confidence to try new forms such as picnics and online. I have found a community which slowly reignited my love of reading again and gave me the space to meet others but silently read together for a while like school kids after lunch in primary school.

It is wonderful.

Bringing Volunteer Recruitment and Training to life (as told by Justin)

I joined Activate as part of their leadership circle in September 2023. My key focus was to create a Recruitment and Onboarding process that would attract and induct new volunteers in a structured and engaging way.

On a personal level though, I was looking for an opportunity to give my time to a cause that was supporting the community’s well-being through a variety of events and activities. A chance meeting with Rahul set this in motion. Drawing on my professional career, it was a concept that organically evolved which resulted in the design of a 2 hour in-person Placement Workshop and 90-minute zoom Induction.

We have delivered 2 intakes throughout 2024 (March and October) where around 30 new volunteers have joined as an “Activator” who are now responsible for coordinating and leading AMH events. Being part of bringing this to life has been incredibly rewarding and has ensured that volunteers are hosting events in a prepared and supported way.

The implementation of the Recruitment and Onboarding process is enabling even more Activators to positively impact social connection and support overall well-being within the community. Activators are the lifeblood of AMH and their contribution enables Activate to bring their desire to life of having a more connected community.

From Jackbox Games to a New Career (as told by Mike)

I joined Activate Mental Health (AMH) in about June 2023 after searching the Meetup App for groups in Perth that I could join to socialise and make new friends.

The first event I attended was Jackbox Games night hosted by Rahul Seth (AMH founder). It was great fun and we all had a good laugh. I found the event really uplifting. So it became a regular event for me and an important part of maintaining my mental health.

I’m no ‘Gamer’ by any measure but you don’t need to be to enjoy Jackbox Games. In fact, Jackbox Party Games, played on a big screen TV using your mobile phone as your controller (no App required), are the only computer games I play.

As the months passed, I got to know Rahul and the other participants. Talking to Rahul after one session I mentioned that I was thinking of working in the mental health or disability sector. He said there was a Scholarship for the TAFE Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work course that was taking applications and recommended that I apply for it.

Well, I got the scholarship and dedicated 2024 to full time study. The course was really good for me and I grew a passion for Peer Support Work. I even got some of my new friends (TAFE classmates) to participate in Jackbox Games. They really enjoyed it. As I write this I’m a week away from graduation.

While studying, I wanted to volunteer with Activate Mental Health to build up some experience in the mental health peer support sector. So I applied and was brought onboard as an AMH Activator in the April 2024 intake. I now host Jackbox Games events for AMH approximately monthly.

Whilst taking a bit of extra effort to organise the events I find that I still get as much enjoyment out of the sessions plus the satisfaction of knowing that I’m helping others maintain good mental health.

I’ve also attended other AMH events and enjoyed them, particularly the walking events. I’ve found that AMH events always attract good people. I’ve found Community with AMH members and also with the Activators (Volunteers).

I’m grateful to AMH and Rahul Seth for a year and a half of good memories and contributing to my new career path as a Mental Health Peer Support Worker.

I’m a fan of Activate Mental Health and the work it does using peer support to foster connection and counter loneliness. Both are keys to maintaining good mental health.

I’m sure that my life would look a lot different now had I not stumbled upon Activate Mental Health.

A Spooktacular Success: Activate Mental Health's Halloween Board Game Night (As told by Karis)

I have volunteered for the Activate Mental Health support group as a marketing manager for less than a few months now. What has most taken me by surprise is AMH’s impact on Perth’s local scene, and how warm, friendly and positive its community is. For those who don’t know, AMH is the culmination of members and volunteers whose aim is to combat social isolation by participating in fun, in-person events. Having attended a few events now, I can think of no better community representation than AMH’s regular monthly board game nights.

Recently, AMH hosted a special edition Halloween-themed board game night held on the 26 October 2024. Located at the Victoria Park Community Centre, the event was a big hit, with volunteers and members getting together to put on a fun-filled evening. The Halloween theme was led by Laura, a valued member of Activate Mental Health, who went above and beyond to make the evening special. She organised Halloween bingo with themed prizes and provided delicious Halloween cupcakes for attendees to enjoy throughout the night.

Needless to say the night was well-attended and enjoyed by all. Volunteers including myself Rahul, Casey, Mel, Mary, Doyle, and Charlotte, all contributed to the positive atmosphere and sported a fantastic range of Halloween costumes. AMH’s monthly boardgame nights, including this one, boast a vast range of crowd-funded boardgames to play, and snacks for its members to enjoy at the cost of a small entry fee. As AMH is a not-for-profit organisation, all contributions are re-invested back into the next event.

The Halloween Board Game Night was a testament to the power of AMH’s community, creativity, and shared enjoyment in supporting mental well-being. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated members like Laura and the welcoming atmosphere fostered by Activate Mental Health, the event was a resounding success and as I see it, its likely to become an annual tradition.

And a final word from our founder Rahul.

Reflecting at the end of each calendar year, I am always blown away by what Activate Mental Health achieves! It’s a true privilege to lead this cause!

Having Activate Mental Health registered as an official charity by the ACNC & being appointed to the Volunteer Community Reference Group by Don Punch MLA, Minister for volunteering, were my two most significant professional achievements with the group this year.

Other professional achievements with the cause this year include:

1. Having Consumers of Mental Health WA, the peak body representing people with living experiences of mental health issues, come on board as our major sponsor.

2. Working with Justin Lewis and the leadership circle to develop and implement a volunteer recruitment program that doubled our registered volunteer base.

3. Helping Michelle, a Sydney-based volunteer, develop a self-paced course to onboard our future volunteers.

In terms of events I hosted, I co-hosted two hikes at Jorgensen Park in Kalamunda with Doyle, Mary, and Brian, which brought immense joy. These hikes were the starting point for me to take the hobby of hiking up outside of Activate Mental Health as another way to manage my own mental well-being.

The overarching achievement, though, was to understand the importance of the stories behind the people interacting with Activate, such as the stories shared above.

Thank you to everyone who took part or supported us in 2024!

We look forward to learning more about your stories in 2025 and beyond!

Volunteer for Activate Mental Health 🙋‍♀️: Click here to find out more about volunteering for Activate Mental Health.

Donate to Activate Mental Health🎗️: If you'd like to support Activate Mental Health in its mission to "Improve well-being through fun and human connection", you can donate to us here.