SPOTLIGHT ON NUTRITION PLUS
In 2020 the Equal Futures Project (EFP) is supporting two charity partners, Nutrition Plusand Got Your Back Sista. We spent some time chatting to Louise Glennie, the founder of Nutrition Plus, about its work, COVID-19 impacts and how the partnership with EFP is making a difference.
Nutrition Plus seeks to improve the health of indigenous children. It does this through a variety of programs across Australia including working in schools, working with partners to supply health products and through Cultural Training. The Equal Futures Project and its donation of $14,000 from the International Women’s Day breakfast, is specifically supporting the work Nutrition Plus does through its Cultural Training.
The training aims to increase understanding, knowledge and shared values with first peoples, increase awareness and respect for their ancient wisdom that is still relevant today. The work breaks down racial misconceptions with individuals, businesses and communities through the coordination and delivery of corporate cultural events.
So how has this work adapted following the impacts of COVID-19? Louise notes how lucky the team was with the timing of some of its events this year.
“Amazingly the two cultural education camps that we planned, and wanted to film and from this develop online resources, were held in early March,” Louise said.
“We have been able to use this footage and redevelop some web resources so that we can continue to share the work,” she said.
“Of course we had other camps and cultural training booked and we’ve had to postpone those but thankfully, much of our work has been able to continue.”
“We have just had to be creative and think about other ways of doing things. We haven’t run some of our events the same way. We have filmed some of the training that they would have attended and are delivering that footage to the attendees. There will be further opportunities for attendees to learn more when the situation settles.”
So many of our partners have had to do similar and adapt. Uncle Paul, one of the Elders we work with, is travelling NSW with a film crew and some young Aboriginal men to share their learnings with others. That’s an amazing cultural record and getting creative like this will go on to inspire others.”
The Cultural Training and the work the Equal Futures Project is supporting is a growing and important aspect of Nutrition Plus’ work.
Louise said, “We didn’t know what was to come at the start of 2020 but with COVID, Black Lives Matter and the more local Juvenile Justice matters and a growing awareness of how many of young indigenous people in jail, there is really a lot more interest in cultural education and understanding. We want to assist businesses and individuals with this and we are really looking forward to being able to offer more of this. So many of our projects have found ways to adapt, it’s been wonderful actually.”
Dr Kirsten Molloy, Chair of the Equal Futures Project said, “The committee is delighted to be supporting Nutrition Plus as one of two charity partners and to be able to financially support their cultural awareness workshops.”
“To see our partners adapt to continue to deliver their important work has been really quite inspiring. EFP’s values include leadership, collaboration and inclusiveness and these values are demonstrated not only through Nutrition Plus’ programs but also the way they have adapted and continued to deliver in challenging circumstances,” Dr Molloy said.
If you’d like to learn more about Cultural Training or support Nutrition Plus visit their website.
