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January Highlights: Darwin's Wildlife, Origami, and Good Times at MiPlace Hub

January 2025 kicked off with some amazing experiences across MIFANT programs in Darwin. From getting up close with crocs to folding colorful paper creations, our community made memories, shared laughs, and tried new things together.


Cool Program Takes on Crocodylus Park

What a day! The Cool Program crew headed to Crocodylus Park for an adventure none of us will forget!


Up Close with Darwin's Wildlife

The excitement was real. Participants got to hold blue-tongue lizards, learn about native wildlife, and took a boat cruise through the park. The photos say it all - big smiles, genuine wonder, and participants fully present in the moment.


One of the best parts? Watching our participants who might not usually get out for these kinds of adventures experiencing something completely new. The Cool Program is all about making these moments accessible for everyone in our community, and days like this remind us why it matters.




More Than Just an Outing

Sure, it was fun (really fun), but it was also so much more. Shared experiences like this help break down the isolation that often comes with mental health challenges. When you're laughing together about holding a lizard or comparing photos from the day, you're building real connections with people who get it.


For NDIS participants looking for mental health support Darwin, the Cool Program offers regular community outings that feel less like "services" and more like hanging out with mates, because that's exactly what they are.


Origami Workshop Brings Calm to MiPlace Hub

While the Cool Program was out adventuring, MiPlace Hub hosted something completely different, an origami workshop with local instructor Sachi Hirayama.


The Magic of Paper Folding

There's something wonderfully meditative about origami. Following the folds, watching a flat piece of paper transform into something beautiful, sitting around a table with others doing the same thing. It's creativity without pressure.


Sachi guided the group through different designs, and the concentration on everyone's faces was beautiful to see. Some people were naturals, others needed a few extra tries (and a few laughs at their wonky creations), but everyone left with something they made themselves.



Why Creative Spaces Matter

MiPlace Hub in Coconut Grove has become more than just a venue, it's genuinely become a hub. A place where people can drop in, try something new, connect with others, or just be in a space that feels safe and welcoming.


The origami workshop is part of our regular programming that includes art, crafts, social activities, and our Monthly Speaker Series. It's all designed around one simple idea: recovery happens through connection and doing things that bring meaning and joy.


What Makes MIFANT Programs Different

We like to think our approach to mental health support Darwin feels different because it is. Instead of overly structured, our programs are built around real community connection:

  • MiPlace Program offers workshops, creative activities, and a welcoming space to connect and just hang out

  • The Cool Program gets people out exploring Darwin, whether that's wildlife parks, markets, beaches, or cultural events

  • Monthly Speaker Series brings in experts on health topics that matter to our community

  • Peer support happens naturally when people connect over shared experiences



Real Connection, Real Recovery

Both January's wildlife adventure and origami afternoon show what we believe most: that mental health recovery isn't just about managing symptoms. It's about living a full life, trying new things, building friendships, and being part of a community.


Whether you're holding a lizard for the first time or carefully folding your tenth origami crane, these moments of engagement, achievement, and connection add up. They remind us that we're capable, that we belong, and that life can be both challenging and wonderful.


Drop In, Join In, Connect

MIFANT's Darwin programs are open and welcoming. If you're looking for mental health support Darwin that doesn't feel like traditional services, we'd love to meet you:

  • MiPlace Hub at 2/273 Bagot Road, Coconut Grove - drop in during open hours (Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 1:00pm)

  • Cool Program - ask about upcoming outings and how to join

  • Monthly workshops and events - check our website or socials for what's coming up

  • NDIS service - chat with our team about your plan and goals


You don't need a formal referral to visit MiPlace Hub. Just show up. There's always a coffee and a friendly face waiting.


What's Next?

We've got heaps planned for the coming months - more Cool Program adventures, creative workshops at MiPlace Hub, our Monthly Speaker Series continuing with health and wellness topics, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others in the Darwin community who understand the mental health journey.


Follow us on social media or drop by MiPlace Hub to stay in the loop. Better yet, come along to something and see what we're about for yourself.


Want to know more? Drop by MiPlace Hub at 2/273 Bagot Road, Coconut Grove, or get in touch with MIFANT. We'd love to see you at our next event.



MIFANT - Supporting Mental Wellness & Recovery, one connection at a time

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