CONNECTION, perspective, safety.
That’s how Melbourne AFLW players Eliza McNamara and Megan Fitzsimon described their weekend spent at the Reach Foundation’s Thousand Faces Camp.
The camp, which runs across three days at Kinglake Forest Adventure Camp, brings together 20 adults and 20 young people, with McNamara and Fitzsimon attending thanks to the support of Reach and Melbourne Football Club partner, the Jim Stynes Foundation.
The young people, aged between 10 and 18, were paired with an adult and each duo then experienced the weekend together.
The camp looks to continue Reach’s work of enhancing young people’s social and emotional wellbeing through workshops and activities. These, in turn, aim to reduce the development and severity of mental health problems in the future.
It wasn’t the first time McNamara and Fitzsimon had experienced the work of Reach, having previously participated in a short workshop at Melbourne Football Club.
However, this camp was unique to the duo, the weekend spent creating deep, meaningful connections with people they’d never, rather than teammates.
“We got put into pairs, then teams, and we did different activities together across the three days. They mixed the emotional activities and fun activities really well,” McNamara said.
“We were just so amazed by how the young participants were able to sit in these really intense conversations and actively engage in the conversation.”
Reach workshops and camps are youth-led experiences, with the facilitators, who are called ‘Crew’, involved in ongoing training and development.
Fitzsimon highlighted the powerful skill that the Crew have in creating a space that feels comfortable for people of all ages and backgrounds.
“You can’t really replicate the safety of the environment. The Crew did an incredible job of creating that type of environment,” Fitzsimon said.
“The Crew are the first ones to talk, telling their stories and journeys. That initial vulnerability from them allowed others to connect and be themselves.
“These conversations allow so many people to recognise something in someone else’s story, inspiring them to talk, knowing that they’re in a safe environment to do so.”
Reflecting on the experience, Fitzsimon was grateful for the opportunity to build connections.
“It’s such a unique experience that Reach creates and it’s something that I would recommend to everyone,” Fitzsimon said.
“We’re all humans, and we can all be connected with each other in some way. We could be strangers but it’s the power of sharing your story and opening up. That brings connection.”
McNamara said she left the weekend with a fresh perspective on the importance of being vulnerable with the people you love.
“The perspective that these young people have and their ability to articulate their experience, given their age and what they’ve been through, it was phenomenal, we were in awe of them,” McNamara said.
“Time just flew by when we were there because we were just so present and engaged in what the people around us were speaking about.
“To sit in that emotional state for two or three days. All these things come up and so when you leave, you know that if you’re feeling something, it’s better to just say it.
“That was the biggest thing for me, to wear your heart on your sleeve, be honest and vulnerable with the people you care about.”
