At Roses in the Ocean, we believe that solutions for the people, by the people, can have immense impact. They provide a platform to generate innovative solutions, foster learning, build and expand community connections and encourage creativity to tackle tricky issues on small budgets.
People with a lived experience of suicide understand that sometimes the most effective solutions are custom built for their community by community, can be low cost and simply require collaboration and a small boost of funds. The Roses in the Ocean Grassroots Community Grant invites small groups of community members to come up with an idea that may work to reduce the impact of suicide in their community.
The Roses in the Ocean Grassroots Community Grants aim to achieve the following goals:
- Strengthen community relationships.
- Provide time and space for deep thinking and problem solving.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing.
- Empower those with a lived experience to create solutions.
- Amplify the voices of those with lived experience in communities to effectuate real change and meaningful initiatives at a grassroots level.
- Create a base of project ideas/solutions for local suicide prevention activity.
In 2022 we offered Community Grants of $5000 each to the top two video submissions that addressed suicide within their community with an innovative and supportive idea. This initiative is funded through our public gift fund, with our promise to dedicate 100% of donated funds back into community.
Sophie Hattch with the Angel’s Legacy
A grassroots community project to explore the viability of an in-person response for people in distress in Sydney’s Woollahra region. Sophie will seek to work closely with many others who have been working tirelessly in suicide prevention in the area.
We are unable to show the video submission itself as it mentions a specific location of suicide.
The Outcome of the Grassroots Community Grant
Thinking Outside the Box in Suicide Prevention with Sophie Hattch
“If you’re finding yourself with an idea and you’re wondering, will it work, will it be enough, is it worth it? Just remember that anything is worth it, and you can make a difference, even as a team of one.” – This video gives us a fabulous recount of how one wonderfully determined and passionate individual travelled down a unique path to make a difference in her community.
Ryan Abramowitz with An Elephant’s Elegy