PANDA’s Community Champions program began in 2016 and brings people with lived experience together to help us advocate for perinatal mental health.
Community Champions have experienced mental health challenges in the perinatal period (and/or have cared for people at this time) and use this experience to raise awareness reduce stigma and share messages of hope.
Who can be a PANDA Community Champion?
If you have been through a personal experience of perinatal mental health challenges, or supported someone who has, you can apply to be a Community Champion.
PANDA Community Champions are passionate about raising awareness of perinatal mental health and the work of PANDA.
How does the program work?
Community Champions are a community who contribute to PANDAs work in perinatal mental health and work to advocate for greater awareness and change to the mental health system.
As a volunteer, your role as a Community Champion is flexible, so you can get involved whenever you have the time.
What kinds of things can I get involved in?
Share your story
Storytelling plays an important role in raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek support. By sharing your own personal story, you can help to break down barriers and share the importance of reaching out for help.
Raise awareness in the community
You could share your story or experience with media like TV, radio or in the newspaper (online or print). Or your story might be published on PANDA's website.
Awareness and fundraising events
Fundraising for PANDA helps us to reach out to expecting and new parents, health care professionals and the community. There are lots of different ways to host a fundraising event, from hosting get-together with friends/family/parent groups/work colleagues, organising a marathon, walkathon or pram walk, or even host a movie night at your local cinema.
Research and development
PANDA has relationships with many perinatal and other mental health services and researchers, and we are committed to sharing our knowledge about the lived experience and contributing to the evidence. By participating in research projects, you can add your voice to the growing data about the impact of perinatal mental health challenges.
How to apply
To apply to be a PANDA Community Champion, please read the position description and fill in the application form below.
After you apply, we review all applications and you may be invited for a phone or video interview to talk about the program.
We encourage applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, Dads, young parents, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people in rural and remote communities.
If you require specific support to apply for this position, please contact info@panda.org.au.
