Tribe launches van fundraiser

A Redcliffe social enterprise which aims to help people make social connections to boost their wellbeing and sense of self-worth has launched a fundraiser for a van.

Tribe Social Belonging founder Ryan Elson says the van would allow the charity to bring people without transport to its Redcliffe clubhouse so they could connect with others.

Tribe works with 5000 people each year to change their lives for the better, with a core purpose of creating opportunity through connection.

“To help combat the loneliness in our community, Tribe creates opportunity through regular, safe and welcoming events and opportunities, and being decent human beings to one another,” Ryan says.

Founded in early 2018, Tribe initially met at other local venues, but growing numbers led to it opening its own premises in August last year.

With a motto that “life is who you know”, Ryan says that unfortunately many people lack the opportunity or skills to engage with their community, which leads to loneliness, isolation and often mental health issues.

“Life is who you know and if you’re on your own, it’s pretty hard,” he says.

Tribe Month launch

In keeping with Tribe’s theme of connection, Ryan is launching the inaugural Tribe Month in March, encouraging the community to make a conscious effort to “be nice and stop sweating the small stuff” and be kind to each other.

“I think we’re all a little guilty of sometimes being a bit intolerant, short-tempered or just not being very nice some days, and usually it’s over the most silly and trivial things that seem to annoy us,” Ryan says.

“After having some pretty dark moments in my life, which I know a lot of people can relate to, I started to realise that there’s no point crying over spilt milk or getting upset over the silly things.

“For the entire month of March, I want people to think about what it is that really ticks them off, it can be something really silly or small, like the way their partner talks during their favourite show, and pledge for 31 days to not let it bother them.”

Charity event

Although the key goal of Tribe Month is to raise awareness of the charity, as well as encouraging everyone to be nicer to each other, the community can also show their support by helping raise much-needed funds for Tribe.

“Tribe recently launched our first big fundraiser which we’ve called Give ’em a Lift, and our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a van or bus to help transport the community to and from our events, or other appointments as necessary,” Ryan explains.

To help make the dream a reality, Tribe is hosting a Tribe Gala Annual Charity Event on Saturday, March 25 at The Komo, with a two-course meal and three-hour drinks package, as well as live entertainment, raffles, and a live auction.

Businesses can help make the event a success by donating a raffle prize or auction item.

During the month, Tribe will also host several events at their Tribe Clubhouse at 4/457 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe, as well selling tickets to a major raffle.

For more information about the Tribe Gala Annual Event and to book tickets, click here or email Ryan at [email protected].