From the 58 expressions of interest and four Spark partner submissions, 14 full applications were shortlisted for consideration by the Foundation team, board and a strategic partner. In the end it was agreed that four of the shortlisted applications centred on ideas that demonstrated a deep alignment with the intention and opportunity of Discovery.

We feel lucky and privileged to have been able to extend an invitation to support all four of these ideas, instead of the original intention to fund three. We are so looking forward to building new partnerships over the next two years, but most importantly we are excited about the impact of these ideas in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the South Australian community.

Meet our Discovery partners and learn a little more about the incredible work they'll be bringing to life with their communities over the next two years (and beyond!)

Multicultural Men’s Group - Multicultural Men’s Mental Health Community Connectors Program

MCCSA, through the Multicultural Men’s Group, will partner with four Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community groups to explore what mental health and wellbeing means for their communities. The men’s community groups will be supported to explore their own priorities, challenges, opportunities, and strengths that can be built on or leveraged to create opportunities for connection and support. Through this journey MCCSA will engage stakeholders and an advisory to support the development of identified resources and opportunities to improve cultural awareness and training of mental health providers more broadly.

The Equality Project - Rainbow Connection

To create a Rainbow Connection, The Equality Project will look to leverage existing networks and create new points of connection for LGBTQIA+ people in both metropolitan and regional, rural, and remote South Australia. They will explore and test ways to increase connection, resourcing, and support networks, building on local peer leader networks & systems as well as connecting up networks for broader learning and influence. The purpose and perspective of the work will be from the viewpoint of understanding what is needed to reduce isolation and improve mental and physical health outcomes for the queer community.

The Village Foundation - The Village Community

Promoting community perinatal mental wellbeing through technology, education, and mentorship.

The Village Foundation will continue their journey of addressing isolation and improving the wellbeing of parents through preventative supports that centre around connection. Co-developed with a network of parents, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience, the Village Community, in partnership with UniSA, will bring together three avenues for support: Village Life - access to relevant support and information via online and facilitated learning, Village Connect - connection through an App for parents and a self-monitoring mood tool, and Village Mentoring - the opportunity to engage in providing and receiving face to face mentoring support from experienced peers.

University of South Australia & Seeds of Affinity - Pathways for Women

Co-designing a technology-based-solution to improve the health and mental wellbeing of formerly incarcerated women.

This partnership will develop and bring to life a Messenger chatbot to support women with lived-prison-experience navigate release from prison in compassionate and supportive ways. ‘Lindabot’ will be workshopped and prototyped in collaboration with women who have been or are currently experiencing incarceration and will be supported by Seeds of Affinity. It is envisioned that through the co-development process understanding will emerge of how new avenues could be developed for formerly incarcerated women to determine their own support needs for the critical transition post release.

Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media for updates on these projects in the future!