Staff find their Tribe and purpose

ADVERTORIAL

Tribe Social Belonging’s focus on helping people feel connected and valued has also helped three key staff members develop new skills and grow in confidence.

Chris Hollis, Elly Smetherst and Christopher Neville say the opportunities they’ve been given have helped them turn their lives around.

Chris Hollis, 35, says he became involved with the organisation in 2022 after working in a trade and retail.

“I decided I wanted to do something a little bit more, give something back and be part of something,” he explains.

Chris is a now full-time support worker and mentor for young clients, and is also the Tribe team leader.

“It’s definitely taught me a lot about gratitude and a lot about appreciating what you have, when you have it,” he explains.

“I’m helping create something that’s given so much for so many people and creates a sense of belonging. It makes a big difference.”

Tribe Social Belonging Founder Ryan Elson says being able to give Chris the opportunity to develop his skills, above his perceived level, has been rewarding.

“He came in very unsure of himself and where his future was. He has shown himself to be a real leader with people,” Ryan says.

Elly, 27, has been part of the Tribe team for more than two years.

She started as a sound technician at the Tribe Clubhouse after a friend alerted her to job, which had been posted on Facebook.

Since then, she has been trained to work in the café/bar and is taking on more responsibility as needed.

“I had no confidence but now I do,” Elly says.

“I’ve had a lot of encouragement … people not giving up on me. I’ve got more opportunities to do things that I’ve wanted to do.”

Ryan has enjoyed seeing Elly flourish.

“Elly came to me as the most timid little mouse. She lacked confidence, she had some bad experiences in the past. You (can) hang onto those bad experiences and make them your personality if things go that way,” he explains.

“That (growing) confidence and the ability to take on the unknown … I’m loving that with Elly.”

The team at Tribe is helping her attain her driver’s licence – providing support, supervision and expertise through Tribe Drive.

Christopher, 36, started as a volunteer last March, looking for purpose and connection.

“I just started showing up first thing in the morning. Eventually, they put me to work. At first, I was just hanging out with clients, playing games and stuff, and then they started training me,” he says.

He has since worked in a number of aspects of the organisation including the café/bar and is now also a Tribe Drive supervisor.

Christopher says being involved with Tribe has brought “life itself” to his life. He has not only found purpose with his work but now has a happy home life as well.

Ryan says Christopher now feels like he has future.

“One of the things I love about all three of them is the build. It’s so good to be able to get someone and take them from where they think they’re going to be forever and show them they’re capable (of more),” he says.

“It’s such a joy.”

WHERE WE BELONG FESTIVAL

Tickets are on sale for the Where We Belong Festival, with music lovers of all ages and abilities urged to come together to hear a big line-up of bands including Frenzal Rhomb.

The event is being created by Tribe Social Belonging and Redcliffe Area Youth Space to support the local music community and raise money for both organisations.

It will be held at Redcliffe Area Youth Space on June 28 from 10am-10pm, showcasing 14 bands and offering festivalgoers the chance to enjoy live music, a beer garden, food trucks, market stalls and merchandise stands.

Visit humantix.com to buy tickets.