July2015_Dayboro Supporting Family’s Wellness

It is often said that it takes a whole community to create change and that is exactly what Dayboro has been doing for a special wellness project. 

 

Awakenings Retreats is a voluntarily run project created by Esther Elliott a Professional Gold Coast Counsellor and Kim Bell a qualified Administration officer.  

Together these friends saw a need for affordable therapeutic retreats for Queensland families and from there the cost-price Awakenings Retreat and Wellness project was born.  “Many average families cannot access these types of retreats that offer both space for growth and therapeutic learning” explains Esther.  “Our aim is to create a nurturing space for those who are doing a little tough in life.  Many of our participants are bereaved parents, depression sufferers and those who experienced relationship difficulties.  By the use of therapeutic activities, expert facilitators, yoga, massage and Dayboro’s beautiful location, we believe we have succeeded”, says Esther. 

The team use facilitators from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and even as far as Victoria, all volunteering their time to support the project.  With the first retreat having been held in December 2014, the Awakenings team have been overwhelmed by the support of local Dayboro businesses. Kim explains, “We couldn’t possibly offer this level of quality at such a low price without the support of local businesses, especially Cabins at the View.  We look forward to bringing more retreats to Dayboro in June, October and beyond” says Kim.  The pair explains that the Dayboro community have been one of the most supportive they have encountered.  “It is heart warming to know that this project is not only important to us and the families we support, but it is also important to Dayboro”.  “Our participants always comment on how surprised they are about this hidden gem so close to Brisbane”, says Esther.  The Awakenings team already have families eager to return for another retreat which affirms how needed and valued this project is.  “We would like to say a huge thank you to Cabins at the View, Ocean View Winery, Johhny’s Pizza and Dayboro Bakery for making our retreats a nurturing experience”, says Kim and Esther.

For more information on Awakenings Retreats and Wellness, visit www.momentsawakening.com