Newsletter
February FLASH: Pre-Albany Newsletter
9 mins
Reading Time
This will be a shorter version of our monthly newsletter, in the lead up to our SPECIAL ALBANY EDITION!!
Summary / Most Important Things
We are off to Albany!
Word Travels held its second workshop
Kieran and Rachael facilitated Create, Critique, Collaborate for the Drug Education Support Service (through the Mental Health Commission)
Plenty of blogs - The Dangers of Differently Abled and Integral Language
Rachael speaking at the Perspectives e-conference - Reimagining Community Through the Lens of Integrity
Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders presentation by Rachael: Western Australia and the (lack of) an Eating Disorder-specific Peer workforce.
Lots of upcoming speeches, workshops, markets and events.
Rachael and Maeson (and Josh) spoke on a Youth Forum at a meeting of all the Australian and New Zealand Children's Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates in Perth!
RECAP - Word Travels Fremantle
On Saturday the 14th February, 2026, Integrity Initiative held the first workshop in the series of five, comprising the ‘Trail of Integrity’ throughout Fremantle.
Word Travels is a creative, reflective and Peer-led workshop created by Integrity Initiative and Maeson’s Soapbox to help people explore what Lived Experience means to them, and how to take conscious care whilst sharing their stories, and the importance of storytelling as a form of advocacy.
Word Travels is designed to provide an entry-level exploration of Peer concepts that introduces advocacy as not just systemic, but also individual, personal and deeply human. The workshop provides an opportunity to practice stepping into discomfort with conscious care.
Participants will leave with:
The ability to translate Lived Experience into Expertise that can be used in future advocacy
A zine (or meaningful draft) that belongs to them, that can be shared publicly through Integrity Initiative and Maeson’s Soapbox.
This was a space to reflect on the importance of Lived Experience, how it differs from Lived Experience Expertise, and how to use it in a respectful and socially responsible way to advocate, educate, organise, learn, empower and connect.
Word Travels was facilitated by Rachael Burns (Integrity Initiative CEO and Founder) and Jasmin Gardner (lived experience research student and Integrity Initiative volunteer) and was attended by passionate community members in the City of Fremantle, made possible thanks to funding through the City’s Small Grants Program.
You can learn more about Word Travels here, more about Integrity Initiative here, and more about Trail of Integrity here.
RECAP - Two new blogs!
The Integrity Initiative team unpacks why the phrase “differently abled” can be more harmful than helpful. This piece explores how language shapes perceptions of disability. In this article, we embrace the term “disabled” and explore the role of language in personal empowerment.
Integral Language examines how everyday language, from “differently abled” to “crazy,” “gaslighting,” and even “attention-seeking” can subtly reinforce stigma, epistemic injustice, and biomedical dominance. Integral Language is calling for a shift toward more dignifying, Lived Experience-led conversations in mental health and disability.
RECAP - Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders x Integrity Initiative
This month, I spoke on behalf of Integrity Initiative for the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders. I called for an eating disorder-specific Peer landscape that recognises the distinction between lived experience and Lived Experience Expertise. I also shared a glimpse into what Peer support has looked like in my own life, even when it hasn’t been afforded to me. You can watch back the recording here:
RECAP - Maeson and Rachael at the Perth meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates
On Thursday the 19th of February, all of the Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates for children and young people across Australia and New Zealand convened at Albert Facey House in Boorloo, and Integrity Initiative was invited to speak alongside Youth Pride Network, Youth Homelessness Advisory Council, Youth Disability Advocacy Network and Empowering Young Leaders.
Maeson and I spoke about our collective advocacy priorities, the needs of young people, the gaps we see, and how the Commissioners can support this work (and Integrity Initiative… if any of you are reading this and have a spare few $ to donate, the link is here!)
RECAP - Kieran and Rachael at the DESS conference
On Tuesday the 3rd February, Kieran and I facilitated ‘Create, Critique, Collaborate’, a full-day intensive workshop consisting of ‘create’ (an opportunity to get creative and develop a persona to empathise with throughout the rest of the workshop), critique (a deep analysis of systems and services, their oppressive history and how to move away from unintentional discrimination), and collaborate (an exploration of Peer work and the difference between lived experience as an experience and as a professional expertise).
Despite the overwhelming heat that day, it was deeply enjoyable and a genuinely meaningful opportunity that also allowed me to prove to myself the potential scope, reach and impact of Integrity Initiative’s workshops!
Some highlights from our feedback:
“Great tool for spreading awareness and helping to break ‘stigma’ associated with “peer work”. Workshop that actually taught new concepts and questioned beliefs”
“This workshop is essential for us to embed lived experience in mental health care. Such important work and couldn’t recommend more.”
“Fantastic workshop! Very knowledgeable facilitators who were able to capture our attention to explore and discuss really important topics… even in the heat!”
“I learned new concepts and models - such as disability models and epistemic injustice. I would like to request a review of our intake forms to address hermeneutical injustices.”
Here are some of the creative reflections and outputs from the day:
…and now for the BIG announcement
Albany
Take a peek at our schedule:
Markets
One of the main goals of our adventure is to learn from and share with diverse and broad communities, not just those with a specific focus on mental health. As such, we will find ourselves branching out into communities totally removed from mental health. Alongside Maeson’s Soapbox and How To Be Well, we will be hosting stalls at the Boatshed Markets, South Regional TAFE, and at Albany Pride Fair Day.
Workshops
In line with Integrity Initiative’s focus for 2026 (development of workshops), Albany will be a fantastic opportunity to trial, deliver, and refine workshops for regional participants. We will be delivering several workshops throughout the week, including two NEW modules - Dignified Decision-Making and Community Creation.
Great Southern Grammar
We will be delivering a 40-minute snap workshop on mental health conversations and youth leadership in action. This will support students to have uncomfortable conversations in pursuit of good mental health.
South Regional TAFE
We will visit South Regional TAFE and host a popup stall by the library and cafe. This will be a chance to connect with students, share resources and help empower through grassroots advocacy in action!
Word Travels
Our regional pilot of Word Travels will take creative zine-making to Albany Business Centre. Whilst we have now delivered it twice in the Perth metro area, this will be a great opportunity to see how it lands in a regional space, and what ways we can adapt it as to better meet the needs of people outside Boorloo.
Stretch and Learn
Stretch and Learn is a 3-hour workshop cross-community space in which people with an interest in weight-neutral, size-inclusive health and wellbeing can learn, reflect and unpack stereotypes and prejudice. Through a brief presentation, some short film clips and a gentle movement session, we will unapologetically rebel against diet culture.
Crafternoon Tea
The most laid back of our trip, this will be a casual afternoon at Eyre Park to wind up our week. Craft, snacks and a final opportunity to get together with the team before we trek back up to Perth.
…and perhaps most excitingly, Care Packages (Caring With Integrity)
As the initial driver for our trip to Albany, we are thrilled to be all set to deliver a total of 165 care packages whilst in Albany across three different services.
This will truly establish and cement Caring with Integrity, giving us yet more evidence of viable, sustainable impact and spreading dignity much further that it’s already travelled.
The packs are shared amongst not one, not two, but THREE services, all with very different target audiences and individually curated contents. 100 are going to CAMHS, 50 to WACHS Acute Psychiatric Unit and 15 to Neami’s step-up step-down service!
The packs will be filled with material basics, gestures of kindness, personal touches (where possible), and information and guides to support understanding of healthcare rights, effective communication, coping strategies, and beyond.
Take a gander!
…but these care packs are not just being handed over, they are being paired with a suite of learning, workshops and opportunities to directly connect with the team.
WA Country Health Service - Albany Acute Psychiatric Unit
We will be delivering a NEW workshop, Dignified Decision-Making (supporting autonomy, choice and agency despite systemic constraints) and will be delivering 50 custom care packages to the Acute Psychiatric Unit.
WA Country Health Service - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and Community Mental Health
We will be delivering another NEW workshop, Community Creation (soon to be known as Bridging Barriers in Peer Work), which talks about the nuances of peer and community work in Lived Experience spaces, and how to move away from common traps that see unsuccessful Lived Experience efforts.
Neami SUSD Compassionate Creation
A short morning tea and creative space for people living in the Neami step up step down residence, also giving our team the opportunity to directly meet and talk to the people receiving the packages!
Upcoming Events (non-Albany)
Conferences and speeches
I can officially share that I am a speaker for Finding North’s Perspectives e-conference. I will be sharing “Reimagining Care Through the Lens of Integrity”, which explores the many meanings of community, how this has changed throughout life, and the ways mental health challenges, disability, Integrity Initiative, and advocacy have influenced this. You can register through the link here: https://findingnorthnetwork.com.au/page/perspectives2026
I am speaking at Child Adolescent Health Service’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week - something that has been in the works for quite some time now, following the Youth Innovation Think Tank I hosted in 2025. I will speak to the nuance that is communication in health care when working alongside neurodivergent young people, with the key message that all people - regardless of age, identity, diagnosis or any other factor - should be afforded the dignity to learn, to know and to be seen as capable, defined however that looks for them as an individual.
Majorly looking forward to all of these opportunities to share and advocate. Stay tuned to hear more!
Integrity Initiative at the Melville Youth Collective Markets
Immediately after Albany, we’re back at it in Perth! The weekend after, we are hosting a stall at the Melville Youth Collective markets at Goolugatup Heathcoate, stocked with plenty of merch and (I can imagine) plenty of excitement from our trip down to the Great Southern. You can also expect to find Maeson and their soapbox!
See more info here:
Trail of Integrity
The Trail has officially commenced, with ⅕ pilots down. We delivered Word Travels at the Walyalup Civic Centre last Saturday with great success and plenty of creativity.
Next up is Stretch and Learn on April 11th, a combination of weight neutrality, anti-diet rebellion and gentle movement, with a yoga session facilitated by Elaine Ashurst. You can register here and find out more about the trail on our website here.
Unfiltered in Scarborough
Unfiltered in Scarborough is being led by the marvellous Lily Gresele, and in true How To Be Well style will take the form of a cozy movie afternoon, friendship bracelet making and space of reflection. You can find out more through the Eventbrite here.
Unfiltered for Youth Week at AH Bracks
Still a while down the track, but we have now confirmed an event for Youth Week featuring a panel and screening of Unfiltered at the AH Bracks library. It is looking to be on the evening of Wednesday or Thursday the week of Youth Week 2026… but stay tuned for more!
Workshop updates
Our 2026 workshop handbook has been released, see the link here
We have a total of 10 workshop offerings, diverse in length, content, target audience, creative and interactive components and much more.
We now also have a form to help if you are interested in any kind of custom workshop, speaking opportunity, engagement or collective event which will help guide the process. If you are keen to partner to any degree, you can fill in this form here:
Website update
We’re rapidly outgrowing our current website and its (limited) functionality… but until we get an upgrade, it is going to have to do. That’s not to say that the current site can get a lil’ spruced up itself! You might notice a few changes here and there as we grow more into our style 😎
Resources
We have LOTS of brand new resources ready to make the trip to Albany with us, all of which is so very exciting!
…but all in good time, my dear friends, we will hopefully have a resource store up and running within the next year. For now, you can appreciate the new Integrity Initiative banner!
Team spotlight
The Integrity Initiative in Albany team have been meeting frequently ahead of our big trip - a special shout out to Kieran and Min for helping facilitate events ahead of Albany and bringing to life some pretty damn cool experiences!
An EXTRA special shout-out to Kieran’s EPIC page, Stage Dive, and the Silvie Stack which is my new favourite read.
Opportunities
We need a hand with the storage unit and resource prep for Albany. Please reach out directly and we can coordinate a way for you to help.
If you are keen to partner, you can fill in this form here (note, this form says ‘customise an event’ but can be useful for any form of engagement)
You are also more than welcome (i.e. PLEASE) to give any and all feedback/ ideas/ reflections though this open link - feedback is so helpful and important!!!!
Slay Takeaways
We may have some highly exciting strawberry kiwi frogs hopping down to Albany with us! Stay tuned!!!!!
Take care froglets,
Rachael and the Integrity Army
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