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30 minutes for 30 days September 1–30

REGISTER NOW as an individual or team and start fundraising to win 1 of 5 Fitbit trackers!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST By participating in the Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus, you are embarking on a rewarding challenge that will help to make a real difference in the lives of thousands of young Western Australians and families battling with issues associated with suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm. Demand for our services continues to grow – over the next 12 months our highly qualified, professional counsellors will provide therapeutic counselling services to an estimated 3,500 young people at one of the eight Youth Focus or headspace centres managed by Youth Focus between Geraldton and Albany. In addition, more than 15,000 people will take part in one of our educational programs to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental illness, and to equip them with the tools needed to save lives. Your support of the Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus will help us to continue to provide these vital services in the year ahead. Though you may already have some great ideas on how to approach your fundraising, we have assembled this kit to guide you, help you prepare for the month, and make your fundraising fun and easy. There will be some great incentives on offer for highest fundraisers. Inside, you’ll find information on how to use everydayhero to create your own fundraising page, example letters and emails that you can use, along with handy hints on how to attract donations - like using your social media platforms to ask your friends, family and colleagues to support you in your fundraising efforts. Thank you for your support of Youth Focus. Together, let’s improve our own physical health whilst making a real and lasting difference to youth mental health. Sincerely,

Fiona Kalaf Chief Executive Officer Youth Focus

Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference! Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus 2

contents ABOUT YOUTH FOCUS

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Lavan Legal fit30 for Youth Focus

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Using Everyday Hero

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Sample Fundraising Email

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Sample Thank You Email

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FUNDRAISING TIPS

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Stretching Exercises

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about youth focus Youth Focus is a unique organisation that supports vulnerable young people in Western Australia by offering a range of mental health services. Its professional team provides early intervention and prevention services aimed at supporting young people and their families to overcome the issues associated with suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm. Core services include: • Youth counselling • Family counselling • Peer support • Mentoring • Education programs This year, Youth Focus will provide its one-on-one therapeutic counselling services to an estimated 3,500 young people, with the average length of a counselling relationship being about 22 weeks. It is anticipated that a further 15,000 people will take part in preventative and educational programs offered by Youth Focus over the same period. Youth Focus face-to-face counselling services are unique for three key reasons: • Delivered by highly qualified and experienced mental health practitioners • No time or session limit – support is provided on an as-needs basis • Referral pathway is simple and direct; no formal diagnosis or GP referralis required Youth Focus education programs aim to: • Help people identify and deal with potential mental health issues they may be experiencing • Help people to identify and assist with mental health issues experienced by those around them Youth Focus services are provided in a youth friendly manner and are flexible, needs driven and personalised. Youth Focus aim to understand young people and their difficulties within the broader context of their lives which includes family, friends, school and their local community. This understanding acknowledges the effect of past experiences, the significance of current issues and circumstances, and the nature of adolescence as a life stage.Youth Focus offers its mental health services from offices located in Burswood, Joondalup, Rockingham, Bunbury and Albany, headspace centres located in Geraldton, Midland and Albany, and from 12 outreach locations and onsite at almost 50 high schools in the Perth metropolitan and regional areas. Youth Focus educational programs are also delivered in workplaces and local community groups.

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2016 lavan legal fit 30 for youth focus 30 minutes for 30 days We’re encouraging everyone to get motivated and exercise for 30 minutes over 30 days during the month of September. That could be a gentle walk, hot yoga, strenuous sprint or bike ride - it’s your choice. At the same time, we’re asking you to seek support from friends, family and work colleagues to fundraise for Youth Focus using an everydayhero fundraising page. Register as an individual or as at team for your school or workplace and fundraise to support the vital, life-saving work of Youth Focus. At Youth Focus, we believe that there is a strong connection between mental and physical health. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact on physical health, leading to an increased risk of some conditions. Physical activity in any form is a great way to remain physically healthy as well as improving your mental wellbeing. Exercise influences the release and uptake of feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain, and even a short burst of exercise increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood.

Go for a gentle walk, do hot yoga, or ride your bike. So long as it’s for 30 minutes - the choice is yours!

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using everyday hero Fundraising is easy with everydayhero. If you haven’t already, head to www.everydayhero.com.au/event/2016lavanlegalFit30foryouthfocus and create your own fundraising page. Simply click the ‘Start Fundraising’ button on the top right of the page. On this page you can also see some other fun things.

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1 Total funds raised for the event

so far, so you can see how your contribution and others are making a real difference.

2 The number of people taking

part in the event through Everyday Hero - you’re part of a real community of passionate fundraisers!

3 A leaderboard showing the top

fundraisers - you could visit their pages and see what they are posting to get ideas.

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using everyday hero Once you have your Supporter Page you can do a whole number of things to make it exciting and attract people to follow your efforts and donate on your behalf.

1 See your total raised and how far until your target.

2 Share your page on Facebook or Twitter – you can share on your Twitter, on your own Facebook timeline, on a friend’s timeline or in a group you’re a member of.

3 Post a profile pic. 4 Add photos, videos or blog

about your ride so far – you can share these to Facebook or Twitter too!

5 This is where your supporters’ messages will appear if they choose to leave a message when they donate.

6 Manually track offline

donations so that your real total is displayed, not just donations given through Everyday Hero.

7 Create a team or join an existing one Create your own team to participate in the event or request to join an existing one. Once you’re logged into your fundraising page, just click the relevant button. For more please see here for help on how to: Click here to create a team Click here to join an existing team

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TEMPLATES TO HELP YOU FUNDRAISE You can use the following examples as a template for approaching family, friends or colleagues for support. Feel free to add your own story or reasons why you support Youth Focus. This will make the letter more personal and catch the attention of your potential supporter.

Example email or letter requesting support

Dear [First Name] Support me as I step up for youth mental health! I’ve signed up for the Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus. Please support me as I exercise for 30 minutes for 30 days in September, raising funds for Youth Focus, a for-purpose organisation that works with young people, 12-25 years of age, and their families, to overcome issues associated with suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm. Youth Focus offers youth counselling, family therapy and peer support services, as well as community education around mental health. During the current year, Youth Focus will provide its one-on-one therapeutic counselling services to an estimated 3,500 young people, and a further 15,000 people will take part in their preventative and educational programs over the same period. Youth Focus relies heavily on the generosity of people like you and I in order to be able to deliver their life-saving services, so your support and donation is much appreciated. DID YOU KNOW? • More people die as a result of suicide each year in Australia than there are fatalities on our roads • Suicide is the leading cause of death for young Australians • 1 in 4 young Australians experience a mental health issue in any year but less than a third seek any help Today, you can make a difference by supporting me and making a donation to Youth Focus. Simply [visit/click here] [insert the URL for your Everyday Hero fundraising page so people can click right through to make donations to you]. With grateful appreciation, [Your Name]

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TEMPLATES TO HELP YOU FUNDRAISE Example thank you letter

Dear [First Name] THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I would like to say a big thank you [add “to you and the team at company name” if applicable] for supporting me in the 2016 Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus. I have been touched by the generosity received and want to thank you for donating. The funds raised will enable Youth Focus to deliver its services to young Western Australians at risk of suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm. Thanks to your support, Youth Focus will be able to reach more youth and families through innovative, evidencebased programs, including: • Youth counselling • Family counselling • Peer support • Mentoring • Programs and education For more information please visit www.youthfocus.com.au Together, we are helping to make a difference and reduce youth suicide.

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FUNDRAISING TIPS Register as a team or individual Fundraise alone or as a team of up to four and challenge your peers or colleagues in keeping fit and fundraising.

Set a fundraising target People will enjoy ping you to reach your goal and you’ll get a real kick out of making it there.

Tell your story Let people know why you’ve chosen to take part and fundraise for Youth Focus – it will help them to understand why you think they should donate.

Use social media Share your everydayhero page on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn account. Send a personal message to your Facebook friends or LinkedIn connections asking them to support your fundraising efforts.

Update everyone on your progress Did you know you can add posts and photos to your everydayhero page? Why not post about the ways you’re clocking up your hours and then share those posts from everydayhero on your social media feeds.

Make an event of it About to complete the challange? Why not have a bbq or a morning tea to celebrate. You could ask people for a donation to attend.

The funds raised will enable Youth Focus to deliver its services to young Western Australians at risk of suicide, depression and self- harm. Lavan Legal Fit30 for Youth Focus 10

STRETCHING EXERCISES for physical activity 1

QUADRICEPS STRETCH

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• Grasp your right foot behind your back with your right hand

• From your calf stretch, straighten your front leg and lean forward until you can feel a stretch down the back of that leg

• Gently pull your foot up and away without bending at the waist

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PULLDOWNS: LATS, TRAPEZIUS & TRICEPS STRETCH

• You can bend your back knee slightly to help you balance

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SQUATS: LOWER BACK STRETCH • Lean against a wall and squat down keeping your heels on the wall • Try to lower your backside as close to your heels as possible to maximise the stretch

• Lean forward with your weight resting on the arms • Let your head drop deeply between your shoulder blades to create a powerful stretch in your lats and triceps • Pulling down with your arms increases the stretch further

HAMSTRING STRETCH

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CALF STRETCH • Lean against a wall and place the leg to be stretched backwards with the other in front taking most of the weight • Keep the heel of your back foot firmly on the floor with the toe pointing towards the front • Push your hips forward as far as is comfortable to stretch the calf of your back leg

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Step up for youth mental health this spring For further information or assistance contact the Youth Focus events team. P (08) 6266 4333 E [email protected]