Lydia | RFQ Crew

At just 23 years of age, Lydia has achieved more than most do in a lifetime but has also experienced great hardship, which has led her down the path of mental health and created a fierce dedication for helping people in her community.

 
An image of Rachel sits infront of a colourful background of purple, pink, yellow and blue stripes with the RFQ logo on top left.

Rachel | Recovered Futures

As part of our 50-year celebrations, we spoke with Rachel Smith, one of RFQ’s long-standing clients who was moved out of institutionalised care in the late 1990’s to supported independent living in the Darling Downs region. Rachel loves the freedom independent living affords her.

Seamus

With a construction trade under his belt and six years’ experience on the slopes of Canada, Seamus‘ path to the mental health sector was far from conventional. Yet a formative conversation with a mate five years ago started the wheels turning on what would become a fulfilling and natural career for Seamus. 

Jules

“By working at RFQ, I do feel that I’ve grown as a person in my understanding that life is complex; it has shades of grey. I don’t believe someone is a bad person because they’ve made a particular choice. There are things in your life that might lead you down a certain path. Everyone deserves support and respect.” 

Ai

Having worked in mental health for nearly a decade, Ai has become highly adept in supporting others through their struggles. Compassion and empathy come naturally to her, yet being kind to herself has proved more of a challenge.  

Tegan

“You don’t need to have a comprehensive understanding of mental health; you don’t need to be an expert in the field – you just need to have empathy for what others are going through and care enough to find out more. That’s how we normalise this topic and avoid feelings of isolation and shame that can accompany mental illness.”
Yellow graphic with black and white image of woman and the words, 'Recovery Within Anna' pictured

Anna

You’d be hard-pressed to find a warmer, kinder person than Anna. Affectionately known as the ‘birthday girl’ around RFQ for her determination to celebrate her birthday in outrageous style every year at the End of Year party, Anna has been a fixture on the RFQ scene for almost 20 years.
This is Sam

Sam

After a lifetime spent in the shadows surviving her painful past, Sam has courageously forged a new path forward. Coming to terms with complex childhood trauma has been far from easy for Sam, but she’s put in the hard work to unearth a strong, resilient woman who’s now living fully.
This is Mark

Mark

Mark knows first-hand what it’s like to reach rock bottom and begin the enormous task of rebuilding your life – one step at a time. His mental health journey has been nothing short of a roller coaster, as he experienced the false highs and earth-shattering lows of psychosis.
This is Fatih

Fatih

Fatih had just moved to Australia from Turkey for a fresh start when his mental health took a downward turn and he found himself in hospital. Exhausted and struggling with inertia, Fatih battled to find the momentum to move forward in his recovery journey.  
This is Vincent

Vincent

Against enormous odds, Vincent is getting his life back on track following 20+ years of alcohol and drug dependency. Three debilitating strokes in 2019 were the catalyst Vincent needed to change his life and adopt healthy coping mechanisms. 
This is Joni

Joni

To say Joni is passionate about her work is an understatement. One of our incredible Recovery Mentors, Joni tears up while reflecting on her lived experience and how it has led her to a job that she loves – walking alongside and supporting Peers through their mental health challenges. 
This is Neil

Neil

Neil is exactly who you’d want in your corner during a mental health crisis. He’s kind, compassionate and most importantly, he gets it – having experienced the extreme highs and lows of his own mental health journey. 

Rachel

Rachel is one of RFQ’s longest supported clients, and was moved from long-stay, institutionalised care to a supported, independent living model in the late 1990’s. She loves the freedom supported living affords her.

Seamus

With a construction trade under his belt and six years’ experience on the slopes of Canada, Seamus‘ path to the mental health sector was far from conventional. Yet a formative conversation with a mate five years ago started the wheels turning on what would become a fulfilling and natural career for Seamus. 

Jules

“By working at RFQ, I do feel that I’ve grown as a person in my understanding that life is complex; it has shades of grey. I don’t believe someone is a bad person because they’ve made a particular choice. There are things in your life that might lead you down a certain path. Everyone deserves support and respect.” 

Ai

Having worked in mental health for nearly a decade, Ai has become highly adept in supporting others through their struggles. Compassion and empathy come naturally to her, yet being kind to herself has proved more of a challenge.  

Tegan

“You don’t need to have a comprehensive understanding of mental health; you don’t need to be an expert in the field – you just need to have empathy for what others are going through and care enough to find out more. That’s how we normalise this topic and avoid feelings of isolation and shame that can accompany mental illness.”
Yellow graphic with black and white image of woman and the words, 'Recovery Within Anna' pictured

Anna

You’d be hard-pressed to find a warmer, kinder person than Anna. Affectionately known as the ‘birthday girl’ around RFQ for her determination to celebrate her birthday in outrageous style every year at the End of Year party, Anna has been a fixture on the RFQ scene for almost 20 years.
This is Sam

Sam

After a lifetime spent in the shadows surviving her painful past, Sam has courageously forged a new path forward. Coming to terms with complex childhood trauma has been far from easy for Sam, but she’s put in the hard work to unearth a strong, resilient woman who’s now living fully.
This is Mark

Mark

Mark knows first-hand what it’s like to reach rock bottom and begin the enormous task of rebuilding your life – one step at a time. His mental health journey has been nothing short of a roller coaster, as he experienced the false highs and earth-shattering lows of psychosis.
This is Fatih

Fatih

Fatih had just moved to Australia from Turkey for a fresh start when his mental health took a downward turn and he found himself in hospital. Exhausted and struggling with inertia, Fatih battled to find the momentum to move forward in his recovery journey.  
This is Vincent

Vincent

Against enormous odds, Vincent is getting his life back on track following 20+ years of alcohol and drug dependency. Three debilitating strokes in 2019 were the catalyst Vincent needed to change his life and adopt healthy coping mechanisms. 
This is Joni

Joni

To say Joni is passionate about her work is an understatement. One of our incredible Recovery Mentors, Joni tears up while reflecting on her lived experience and how it has led her to a job that she loves – walking alongside and supporting Peers through their mental health challenges. 
This is Neil

Neil

Neil is exactly who you’d want in your corner during a mental health crisis. He’s kind, compassionate and most importantly, he gets it – having experienced the extreme highs and lows of his own mental health journey. 

Together we can recover futures. Donate today and support people in recovery.

While RFQ receives funding from government to deliver an agreed range of services, it is the support and donations from the community, business partners and philanthropists that enable us to deliver innovative services and programs and respond to the mental health needs of people and their families. Your donation or bequest will help support people’s recovery needs, service innovation and mental health research.

Call

On 07 3363 2555

Post

Payable to: Richmond Fellowship Queensland PO BOX 655 Annerley QLD 4103

Email

info@rfq.com.au to enquire about EFT payments and bequests.