Reviewing and Improving Community Group Support for the Wellbeing of Flood Affected Northern Rivers Communities
Tracks
Jacaranda
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| 2:25 PM - 2:45 PM |
Overview
Rebecca McNaught, University Centre for Rural Health
Three Key Learnings
1. Community Resilience Networks (CRNs) (mostly convened by Councils) were the governance arrangement that enabled cross-fertilisation between the health system and community groups post-disaster.
2. Grassroots groups offered culturally safe and unbureaucratic interactions with flood-affected communities, deep understanding of uber-local contexts and spaces for healing and social connection. These interactions enabled support for those who might not otherwise access it however groups faced challenges in receiving recognition and financial support.
3. We found that community led initiatives have an important role to play in post-disaster mental health and that creating opportunities for communities of practice to network and share approaches is highly beneficial.
Presenter
Dr. Rebecca McNaught
Research Fellow
University Centre for Rural Health
Reviewing and Improving Community Group Support for the Wellbeing of Flood Affected Northern Rivers Communities
Presentation Overview
The Northern Rivers region of NSW has experienced compounding climate disasters in recent years. Previous local research found that formal mental health services are not often accessed following a disaster and that grassroots, place-based community groups, mainly led by women, provide supplementary support to community wellbeing in disaster recovery.
A research collaboration between the University Centre for Rural Health, Northern NSW LHD, Plan C, The Peregrine Centre and Northern Rivers Community Foundation aimed to explore the contribution grassroots groups make to the wellbeing of communities as this has not been well recorded.
A heatmap showing the points of intersection between the health system and community groups post-disaster demonstrated that Community Resilience Networks (CRNs) (mostly convened by Councils) were the governance arrangement that attracted the largest diversity of groups and organisations, enabling cross-fertilisation. The health system was represented at CRNs, including government and non-government organisations.
Four case studies revealed that grassroots groups can offer:
Culturally safe and unbureaucratic interactions
Deep understanding of local context
Healing spaces and activities such as yarning and weaving circles
Social connection events like pizza nights and sewing groups
Trusted relationships and continuity in a less clinical environment
Outcomes of these approaches are social connection, support for those who might not otherwise access it, plus mental health benefits for the people running grassroots groups. Challenges for grassroots groups included recognition and financial support, spaces to operate, and burnout.
In March 2026 we ran a successful Learning Event attended by 50 people from community groups, LHD, NGOs, and disaster managers. We found that community led initiatives have an important role to play in post-disaster mental health. This presentation shares insights on approaches being used by community groups, and how we can better enable and support the further development and quality of this work.
A research collaboration between the University Centre for Rural Health, Northern NSW LHD, Plan C, The Peregrine Centre and Northern Rivers Community Foundation aimed to explore the contribution grassroots groups make to the wellbeing of communities as this has not been well recorded.
A heatmap showing the points of intersection between the health system and community groups post-disaster demonstrated that Community Resilience Networks (CRNs) (mostly convened by Councils) were the governance arrangement that attracted the largest diversity of groups and organisations, enabling cross-fertilisation. The health system was represented at CRNs, including government and non-government organisations.
Four case studies revealed that grassroots groups can offer:
Culturally safe and unbureaucratic interactions
Deep understanding of local context
Healing spaces and activities such as yarning and weaving circles
Social connection events like pizza nights and sewing groups
Trusted relationships and continuity in a less clinical environment
Outcomes of these approaches are social connection, support for those who might not otherwise access it, plus mental health benefits for the people running grassroots groups. Challenges for grassroots groups included recognition and financial support, spaces to operate, and burnout.
In March 2026 we ran a successful Learning Event attended by 50 people from community groups, LHD, NGOs, and disaster managers. We found that community led initiatives have an important role to play in post-disaster mental health. This presentation shares insights on approaches being used by community groups, and how we can better enable and support the further development and quality of this work.
Biography
Rebecca is a Research Fellow - Rural and Remote Health based at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore, NSW. Rebecca brings over 20 years of experience working on climate change adaptation and disaster risk management across the Asia/Pacific region. She was a contributing author to the IPCC 6th Assessment report and Co-Chairs the 'Sustainability, Climate Change and Health Collaboration' at The University of Sydney. Locally, she is a founding member of the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance, and President of the South Golden Beach New Brighton and Ocean Shores Community Resilience Team.
