An initiative led by Tasmanian not-for-profit St Lukes is demonstrating how the path to better health and wellbeing can begin with something as simple as a conversation – or an act of kindness.
As part of Seniors Week, St Lukes' Health Navigation service partnered with Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House to deliver Bouquets of Kindness – a free workshop designed to highlight the wellbeing benefits of kinder, more connected communities.
Participants gathered foliage and blooms from their own gardens – or those of friends and neighbours – and came together in a group setting to learn how to create beautiful bouquets, with support from local florist Robyn Matthews.
These floral creations were then donated to the Beaconsfield District Health Service, in an act of kindness for residents and patients.
Hosted at St Lukes’ Launceston wellness hub, Health Navigation Outreach Coordinator Nicole Grose said the project was inspired by a growing number of people seeking to improve their wellbeing through stronger community connections.
“As Health Navigators, we help people find their way through the health system to available services, as part of our vision to make Tasmania the healthiest island on the planet,” Ms Grose said.
“But what we’re seeing is that people benefit not just from this advice, but from the human interaction – chatting to someone, feeling seen and heard, and connecting with a broader support network that they never knew was available.
“Bouquets of Kindness builds on this. Receiving a beautiful, unexpected bunch of flowers will brighten recipients’ days. More importantly, everyone involved will experience the physical and mental wellbeing boost that comes from random acts of kindness and enhanced social connection.”
The Beaconsfield Neighbourhood House brought a bus of 20 people from the West Tamar Community to attend the event.
Access to Health Project Officer Mandy Cooper said building strong community ties was especially important in regional areas, which typically experience higher rates of isolation and loneliness.
“We see firsthand how initiatives like Bouquets of Kindness benefit our community, connecting people who’d never otherwise meet, helping them learn new skills, and encouraging them to engage in more events and activities,” she said.
“It breaks down barriers, reduces loneliness, and helps participants build meaningful relationships that extend into supporting others in our local community and aged care service.”
St Lukes Health Navigation service is free and has been designed to support community members as they navigate the healthcare system – and their own health journeys.
Health Navigators are available to all members of the community – member or not – out of St Lukes wellness hubs in Launceston and Hobart or over the phone, via an appointment.
More information can be found here.