A bit about the founders.

We are Kirstie Ferguson and Marie Murray, the proud founders of The Wellness Initiative. Passion motivates us, and we are driven to empower the community and share our knowledge and experience to improve the lives of others.

We have both completed tertiary education in psychology and hold a combined nineteen years experience working in mental health in the community. Our shared excitement for mental health and wellness has led us to developing The Wellness Initiative. We are the only accredited Advanced Level WRAP Facilitators in Australia, and running workshops has been a particularly rewarding experience for us in our journeys.
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Our goal is to expand and share the knowledge that we have acquired through our own personal journeys with mental health, and through our experiences working with people searching for wellness.

We are excited to introduce you to our wonderful Team! 

Kirstie Ferguson

She/Her

Founder & Director
Accred. Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator

Hi, I'm Kirstie and was born in Perth, Australia but have parents originating from Scotland.  Growing up, I learned the importance of ensuring that I created a strong support network around me and putting different wellness tools into my routine. A great life to me is having the motivation to achieve but also a sense of contentment in day-to-day tasks - it's important to not forget to value the little moments in life! My experiences with wellness have been strengthened by learning about goal setting, changing habits and participating in WRAP.
Developing The Wellness Initiative was important to me as I feel we do not usually give ourselves the time to learn these valuable wellness tools and skills, which for me has created such a positive life-change.  
There are just so many things that we should stop and allow ourselves time to think about - and at The Wellness Initiative I now wish to share that with you all. ​Looking forward to meeting you at one of our workshops, trainings or courses!

Marie Murray

 Founder & Director
Accred. Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator

Hi, I'm Marie - originally from Denmark. I found love 11 years ago and moved to Australia; best and bravest decision I ever made. Creating a whole new life, especially a new support network, has been an interesting and challenging journey of self-discovery, and the WRAP Course was a huge part of that; and I feel proud of where I am today. Wellness doesn't come easy to me, and I have had to get to know myself a lot better to make a difference. Today I make myself a priority and put in the work to create joy and meaning. A great life to me is quality time with my kids and husband, authentic conversations with friends, gardening, learning from others and exchanging ideas! I was motivated to found The Wellness Initiative to give others a space and time to get to know themselves better, learn from others and explore what really matters to them. The Wellness Initiative provides the service  and experience I wish I had when I really needed it.
I am grateful everyday to have this opportunity, and I look forward to meeting you all.

Milly

She/Her

Engagement Coordinator, Peer Mentor & 'Trauma Aware Care' Trainer (Accredited in WRAP Facilitation)

My name is Milly, I am Engagement Coordinator at The Wellness Initiative; I will help you engage with our service and link you in with our staff. I have a lived experience with trauma recovery and post traumatic growth. The things I am most passionate about are the wellness tools that I have used to manage my mental health for many years. I am deeply connected to creative expressions such as poetry, art, music and creative writing. I am also a lover of all things nature and spend most of my free time barefoot in the wilderness outdoors. I have worked in the Community Services industry for 12 years, engaged in services providing support for Mental Health, Disability Services, Housing and Homelessness, Safety and Assessment, Family Services, Peer Support and Recreation for Wellness. I specialise in Post Traumatic Growth and Trauma recovery, using WRAP as a tool to work with this journey is a brilliant foundation to build your healing space upon. I hope that your experience with me is one of empowerment and freedom and I look forward to meeting you.

Recovery Coaches

Kim

 Recovery Coach & Group Facilitator
​Accredited in WRAP

At Capacity.

Hi, my name is Kim, and I cannot believe how blessed I am to have found myself in a position to be helping others. For you, as someone seeking help, I hope you can take comfort in knowing you are not alone, I have been there, and I recognize help seeking and recovery planning as one of the most courageous and underrated acts of bravery a person can make. Although, there was a time when I would never have dared asked anyone for help with my mental well-being. 10 years ago, I lost all hope and went into crisis. I lost everything I thought was important to me. Going out into the world after I finished my Uni-degree, I was armed with little more than some cheesy Disney quotes and a sense of humour to fight my emotional battles. Turns out, living with undiagnosed mental illness for ten years demands more than ‘a spoonful of sugar’ or a ‘wish upon a star’. Whilst the journey out of crisis was at times undignified and painful, I have a truer sense now of my self-worth and strength.  I love having larger than life chats with people. I am especially excited to talk with you about anything that gets you closer to understanding yourself; to feeling liberated, empowered and mobilised in the direction of your happiness! I am so looking forward to supporting your journey in the next chapter of your life. ‘Better together’ is my motto for going through life, and together, I hope we can create a safe and joyful experience full of joy, laughs and successes.

Robyn

Senior Recovery Coach &
​One-to-One WRAP Facilitator

At Capacity.

Hi, I’m Robyn and I am a Recovery Coach, WRAP Facilitator and Peer Support Worker with The Wellness Initiative.  My journey to wellness has been full of experiences, some incredibly difficult and some wonderful.  I have learned that I would not be the person I am today if it weren’t for that journey. I started my career working in an office, completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resource Management (thinking I would be working with people which was not the case) and spent my days hiring people to do a job that I longed to do myself.  I bit the bullet and had a career change where I completed a Double Diploma in Community Services and Counselling and commenced a Master of Social Work.  It was when I was sitting in a Mental Health Recovery lecture listening to a lived experience speaker that I realised that is where I belonged.  For a long time, I was searching for a place where I felt accepted, and eventually realised I needed to accept and believe in myself to be truly happy.  I’m at that place now and I like it here, and I know from the relationships I have built that I am able to help people find their own place too.  So here I am, someone who has worked across the industry, from the corporate office to one on one with people, and I have found a way to use all of my skills at the same time in the role of Recovery Coach.  I’m really looking forward to working alongside our participants at The Wellness Initiative and sharing my knowledge to help you achieve your recovery goals.

Soraya

 Recovery Coach &
One-to-One WRAP Facilitator

​At capacity.

 Hi, my name is Soraya! After 4 years working as an accountant it became clear I was in the wrong industry.  Given my own mental health challenges I enrolled in and completed my Honours degree in Psychology. Whilst studying part-time I became involved with an organisation who provided activity, information and support groups who later asked if I would volunteer as a group facilitator, which I did for 4 years.  This led to 3 years working as a Peer Support Worker for an NGO facilitating Hearing Voices support groups in hospital and in the community.  I have spent my last year with The Wellness Initiative learning to use and adapt my skills to support individuals as a Peer Support Worker.  I have completed Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training which I can explore with you on a one-to-one basis if desired. Peer Support Workers were integral in my personal recovery journey and I would love to support you in yours.  If you have a desire to study and / or work, I can support you with this too.  I am a family and animal oriented person who loves the challenges of study and research is a passion of mine especially mental health-related topics.
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Melissa

 Recovery Coach & WRAP Facilitator 
​(Group & One-to-One)

Availability South of the River.

Hi, my name is Melissa, and I am a Recovery Coach and WRAP Facilitator for The Wellness Initiative. I have been facilitating WRAP since 2016, a program that has been integral to my own recovery success. I hold diplomas in community services and counselling and I am in the process of completing a bachelor’s in counselling with a minor in coaching that is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I have lived experience not only with mental health issues but also chronic physical health issues. Because of this I have first-hand understanding of how both can significantly impact the quality of one’s life. For many years I was in survival mode with my mental health and A.D.D creating cycles of feeling stuck treading water. It was not until my physical health took a significant hit leaving me bedridden for 10 months that I had to make a lot of challenging decisions to act so that instead of sinking, I could swim. I am passionate about helping give people hope and belief that they have the ability to empower themselves. I have coached others through the life-long journey of recovery with empathy and compassion so that they can live more fulfilling lives. With you in the driver’s seat, you are in control of the direction of your choices. My role is to work alongside you to help you to gain confidence in yourself and your abilities again. I look forward to us connecting and working together to enable you to awaken the resilience you have within yourself.  

Carissa

Recovery Coach / Peer Support Worker

She/They

Available now for Peer Support Work.

My name is Carissa and I have been a peer worker for four years now. Peer work helped me navigate my own journey, so to be able to work in this space is an honour. I enjoy walking alongside people, learning off peers around me and holding space to watch others become their own unique, authentic selves. My journey has been full of learnings and challenges, and I am proud to have overcome some of the hardest points of my life. I like to help people work towards self acceptance and to help people build on their strengths. I run my own peer support group as well where we model self acceptance and steer away from labels defying us. I am willing to work with anyone as I like meeting new people and continually upskilling as a human being. 
 Outside of the peer world I enjoy film photography, sport, camping and reading. I am intuitive, kind, compassionate and open minded. I hope I can help you along your journey as I know how important having someone walking with you on your journey is. I know from my experience having peers around me completely changed my life for the better. 

Peer Support Workers

Elsa

Peer Support Worker

At Capacity. ​

My name is Elsa, and I am originally from South Africa. I have worked in Community Services for over ten years. I know what it feels like to be stuck, assuming everyone else has got it all together. My wellness journey excelled with peer support and 'trying softer' instead of harder. I discovered what was most important to me and then started setting goals which I achieved over time. Daily writing is my go-to wellness tool to process experiences, track progress, practice gratitude and celebrate joyful moments in life. I enjoy walking barefoot on the beach and grass, decluttering and decorating my home and finding interesting treasures at the op shop, mainly from the 1970s. I believe that your strengths, together with support from the Wellness Initiative, will get you on the way to living your best life, as determined by you. 

Jason

He/Him

 Peer Support Worker &
​One-to-One WRAP Facilitator

At Capacity. 

Hi, I’m Jason, and I proudly provide Peer Support Work at The Wellness Initiative. I have been a peer support worker for several years, in London and now back in Australia. I have had my own lived experience with mental health and addiction issues and am a strong advocate of peer support recovery, applying it to my own recovery journey. I’m very passionate about helping people achieve their goals and assist them in finding overall wellness and happiness in their lives. I’m a sincere and open-minded person who holds honesty and trust in high regard. I believe in the motto ‘Nobody wins unless everybody wins.’ I enjoy music, movies, reading and writing, and, although I’m not a fanatic about it, I’m a qualified personal trainer and like to keep myself healthy; with some chocolate on the side. And I love animals of all kinds. I’m really looking forward to meeting you and being a part of your recovery journey.

Ella

Peer Support Worker

At Capacity.

I am 29 and have been working as a Peer Support Worker in the mental health space for five years. Last year I also started working as a peer and mentor for individuals with autism as I was diagnosed with ASD in 2018. I have designed and now run an Autism Awareness and Education Group for adults. Working in peer roles has been truly life changing and I wouldn't change it for anything. I have a cat and I adore him, he is very funny! I like swimming, reading, art and craft activities, and comedy podcasts. For my own wellbeing I try to focus on self-compassion, keeping routines and going for walks. I believe I can offer empathic and open minded support and the right attitude to walk alongside you on your recovery journey.  I am trained in supported decision making and strengths based practices, and I am sensitive to issues for Aboriginal People, Multicultural People and LGBTQI people is also really important to me, as is social justice. 

Sean

​Peer Support Worker

At Capacity. 

Hi, I am Sean and I have been working as a Peer Worker for ten years. I love the job. My own journey to reclaim health after being extremely unwell has been a long and most challenging undertaking. In facing my predicament I have discovered that recovery is best orchestrated by taking the ‘middle path’ of holistic health in nurturing the growth and blossoming of body, mind and spirit. I believe that despite the challenges we face, a fabulous life, full of meaning and purpose can be achieved. We have the opportunity to create the life of our dreams. This is what I attempt to bring to Peer Work. Outside of work I love playing a game of golf with friends. Nothing really beats sinking a six metre putt on a pristine spring morning. I also work out at the gym regularly and I am discovering that the fitter my body becomes the greater my mental health. I have travelled extensively in India and have a passion for Indian food. I love dining with friends with my favourite cuisine being delicious and healthy Indian vegetarian dishes.
Moreover in my recovery journey my foremost interest has been the pursuit of the spiritual life. This entails daily spiritual readings and an ever increasing prayer. This has sustained me like nothing else in my life journey. I believe that with effort and determination we can reach great heights.

Caryn 

Peer Support Worker ​

At Capacity.

Hey, I'm Caryn. I'm from Scotland and emigrated to Perth 12 yrs ago. I grew up in a family with many mental health challenges and went on to have my own. It's been a long road to being in recovery from addiction, trauma and the challenges that have come with that; but with support and guidance from other services and peers I finally started on my path to being well AND happy 6 years ago. For me recovery is life, it's how I live each day; some days are better than others but self- care, staying connected to people, having a routine and exercise all really help me. I love people! I love meeting people from all walks of life. I'm a positive person with a good dose of humour and a big heart who loves to support others to find their own happiness and true potential.

Chantelle

She/Her

Peer Support Worker

At Capacity. 

Hi, I’m Chantelle and I’m excited to get to know you and share in your journey. The idea of working towards mental wellness, as opposed to ‘fixing’ mental illness, was a huge turning point in my recovery. Reframing this allowed me to stop focusing on all the things ‘wrong with me’ and instead start to see opportunities for good in my life, creating wellness one small step at a time. I believe that everyone struggling with their mental health, low self-esteem or life in general deserves someone who believes in them, an opportunity to feel good about themselves and to feel hopeful about living their best lives. I am grateful to have had this in my own recovery journey and am passionate about helping others to experience this also. 
Things that I enjoy in life include spending time outdoors, going for walks amongst the trees, camping trips, gardening, spending time with my family of pets (my cat, 2 pythons, 2 ducks and many fish) and cooking. I also love learning, trying new things and taking on challenges, all of which help me to help others in their journey to finding what's important to them, what they enjoy and overcome challenges. 

Gavin

Peer Support Worker

Limited availability.

Hi, my name is Gavin. Like so many people I meet, I have been going through my own recovery journey for many years. In 2016 I thought it was time for me to contribute my lived experience and ongoing journey with others by working in the field of mental well-being. I began working as a Recovery Partner with people exiting from hospital and other facilities to move into shared accommodation. I would assist and advocate with them, not only in regards to their short and long term goals, but also on what kind of life quality they wanted and how they wished to live their day to day lives. I am now excited to start my journey with The Wellness Initiative and too meet new people to walk alongside in their journeys. Once upon a time used to be a filmmaker and photographer, and before that I considered myself somewhat of a musician back in the early noughties. I continue to be passionate about these art forms, but strictly as a hobby these days. Looking forward to meeting you!

Drew

​​Peer Support Worker

At capacity.

G’day, I’m Drew and I have a passion for recovery and discovery.
I started working in peer support 8 years ago and realised straight away the power of having someone who has a lived experience of recovery walking along side you.
Through my own experience of living with mental health challenges as well as past struggles with addiction, I’ve learned first hand the importance of developing strategies and learning techniques to support and maintain mental health wellness, and whilst I see this as an ongoing and essential part of personal development, I also believe it’s important to foster a lust for life and for discovery.
In my spare time I’m an avid foodie, coffee snob and a lover of nature, I enjoy going places I’ve never been and trying things I’ve never tried. I love music of all sorts from hip-hop to bluegrass and I’m often heard by my neighbours belting out a tune on my banjo-ukulele. I’m quite serious about dedicating time to researching and practicing various wellness techniques but I also believe in the power of just having a good laugh.
Through my journey as a peer worker, I have supported many people to discover and grow their own personal strengths and I’m really excited to be able to now offer my experience and support through The Wellness Initiative. I look forward to meeting you all.

Nartasha

​​Peer Support Worker

​Limited availability.

My name is Nartasha, I have been a Peer Worker for 2 years and have been in recovery for 6 years. I am passionate about Mental Health Recovery and being Trauma Informed. I have a lot of life experiences that provide me with the skills to be non judgemental, open minded and meet you where you are at. Nothing shocks me... My family is really important to me and I am a mother that adores music and exploring my spirituality. I have experience in navigating the Mental Health, DCP, Justice and AOD spaces and am happy to walk along side participants as they learn to navigate these spaces too.

​Pat

​Peer Mentor / Supervisor

​Please enquire about availability.

I’m Pat, and I’m a Mental Health Lived Experience Peer Practitioner. I have eleven years of experience as a Peer Support Worker and Peer Worker Mentor specialising in mental wellness, providing individual support as well as facilitating and coordinating groups. I am an advocate for recovery based support and have had my own lengthy lived experience of mental health discomfort. I have learned many (non-clinical) strategies including having an active WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) that I employ on a daily basis to maintain good mental health, all of which have enabled me to consistently function well. I am passionate about helping people to realise their full potential and find fulfilment in everyday life and believe that we all have the innate ability to accomplish wellness and self sufficiency. This passion has progressed to providing mentoring and supervision for Peer workers to support and enable them to continue the growth of this vitally important specialist profession. I see my role as walking alongside Peer workers and Peers to help enable others to achieve recovery as a part of their personal wellness journey. My interests include Writing, audio editing, desk top publishing, multimedia and cartooning. I also enjoy cycling, Frisbee and roller skating. I am an ardent music fan and an animal lover.

Carol

One-to-One WRAP Facilitator
& Admin Extraordinaire

Available for WRAP.

Hello, my name is Carol  and being a Peer Worker at The Wellness Initiative is one of the roles I enjoy here. I help with admin and run meditation classes also. When not working for TWI, I enjoy being a mum to my two beautiful grown up daughters. My hobbies are walking, cooking, reading and meditating. I have been facilitating meditation and self help workshops for around 20 years . This work brings me so much joy as I love to help people in any way I can. I found many years ago that learning to breathe and meditate helped me to balance my mental health and wellbeing. These tools have become a very big part of who I am and are part of my every day wellbeing plan. Being introduced to WRAP at TWI, has made a significant difference in my life, and I now realise what triggers me to recluse into myself. For the past two years I feel more calm and relaxed and I am enjoying every aspect of my life. I love being a student at the school of life. The journey has led to me being much wiser and so grateful to learn more each day.

Holly

Peer Support Worker

Available now.

Hi, I'm Holly! I have worked in the music industry for much of my career, and have always had a huge enthusiasm for wellbeing. This has manifested itself in my love of being outdoors, cooking and eating nourishing food, listening to and performing music, and teaching and practicing yoga. I believe that our vulnerabilities are in fact our strengths, and that our ability to be well and happy is enhanced by our relationships within our communities. I have experienced mental health challenges for most of my adult life, and my journey has brought me to a place of understanding and accepting myself. I'm passionate about helping others to understand themselves better, and to move through life in a way that's both compassionate and connected. I am currently completing my Masters in Counselling and am very excited to be working with The Wellness Initiative. I look forward to meeting you all soon! 

Scott

Peer Support Worker

Available now.

Hi, my name is Scott. 
The journey that led me towards working in the mental health industry began after having my own struggles seeking the help I needed as a young adult. I found it tough knowing where to look for support, let alone engaging with services. 
While a formal role in peer support is a new step for me, I have many years of lived experience building the skills I need for this field. I have been immersed within an extensive support network for the last 8 years, and in that time I have supported many members of my community through their own mental health journeys. 
Over the years I have engaged in a variety of services myself, and while many have been beneficial, it was surrounding myself with community support that really helped me to develop more effective ongoing coping and management skills. I now find myself utilising these skills on a daily basis to offer the same support to others in my networks. 
I have a great deal of experience with Autism, and more specifically Autism in combination with physical disability. For several years, I have been the primary support for my partner who is Autistic and lives with Fibromyalgia and many other related health issues. I identify as neuro-divergent, as do most of my closest friends. 
I am very close to completing my psychology degree, with honours. This has been a proud achievement while balancing my own mental health, and has given me a great understanding of the non-linear nature of recovery. There are detours in life that we cannot have control over, and it is in these times that the support of our peers is most important. 
I believe that my formal education will be a benefit to my work as a peer, as it has led to me understanding what clinicians and other medical professionals focus on. It will allow me to bridge the gap between clinical therapy and peer support in a way that provides a more well-rounded support structure for my clients. 
I hope that in my role, I am able to assist individuals in reaching their personal goals, while making mental well-being more achievable and accessible.

Jayde

Bookkeeper & Cover Peer Support

Cover supports only.

​I've been working at The Wellness Initiative since December last year. TWI is unlike anywhere I've worked before and I'm so excited to be working with an organisation who is so passionate about wellness and recovery. 
​Through my own wellness journey, I understand that everyone's path is unique and I'm naturally interested and empathetic to others and listen with open mind and heart. 
Work aside, I really enjoy trying new things and exploring new places to visit. I'm trying to up my fitness recently and enjoy all outdoor activities, especially anything to do with the water. I'm naturally a social person and I'm my happiest when feeling connected to others.

The best thing you will ever do is
​believe in yourself.

Community.   Growth.   Heart.   Kindness.   Personal Choice.   Sincerity.   The Lived Experience.

Join our community and explore your wellness today.

Email
​info@wellnessinitiative.com.au
​Phone
​0478 511 825
thewellnessinitiativeAU