Update on Skills for the Bush bushfire relief work
Hi
In what feels like an eternity ago, I started a project to get freelancers to support bushfire ravaged parts of Australia called “Skills for the Bush.”
You raised your hand and offered your assistance. Since then, the world has been hit with calamity with coronavirus and the associated economic upheaval. My focus personally got directed to advocacy related to getting freelancers support, helping people make sense of the situation- and yes, saving my own business.
I have felt a sense of guilt and shame about the list of people that have raised their hands to help. I know places like Mallacoota, Cobargo and the Adelaide Hills are still attempting to put their lives back in order. So many regions, too many to name, have really copped it.
And I know we’ve all been through so much pain with bushfires, coronavirus, work loss, job loss, and more. All while still needing to deal with day-to-day life.
I’m sorry I haven’t contacted you before now. But I am making moves to see what we can do.
‘Get your Gong on’ In the Illawarra
Through funding from council, I have launched a project called ‘Get your Gong On’. The idea is to get businesses that need help in light of coronavirus to network virtually with freelancers in the local area. It’s like speed dating for freelancers and business. People get the opportunity to present their business (freelancer) or business problem (biz owner in need) and we match who can help. From that introduction comes some boots on the ground support.
THIS IS ONLY FOR ILLAWARRA FREELANCERS AND BUSINESSES AT THIS STAGE (BUT KEEP READING)
If you want to participate as an Illawarra freelancer, register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GongOnFC
If you or your clients are in need and are in the Illawarra, please register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GongOnBiz
Anyone can watch it unfold here via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearethegong/
This is made possible in part of a Creative Wollongong Quick Response Grant from Wollongong City Council. It also means I am accountable to a 6-week timeline, so you’ll see quick results.
Skills for the Bush
If it sounds sort of like Skills for the Bush with networking added in, it’s because I see it as test a model we can apply for Skills for the Bush. It’s about virtually connecting people and knowing who is there in your local area- as well as supporting the people and places we have seen go through so very much.
I figure if I test something with local council approval and we show it works, we can apply it elsewhere. Plus, this gives me the opportunity to work out the bugs before we go further.
It might need to be done in chapters (e.g. location or skillset) to manage it. But for now, I am testing with my hometown of Wollongong to see what does and doesn’t work.
I will let you know how this goes.
If your circumstances have changed
No one could have predicted all the issues COVID-19 would bring. If you signed up in good conscience and now are unable to help due to a change in your circumstances, there is no shame or judgement from me. Honestly, I know the mad scramble, the tears, and the worries. My work disappeared. My partner’s job is still under threat. And I’d still be hiding away from sending this email if it weren’t for encouragement from friends and advice from Martina on grant writing.
If you can no longer offer help, that’s OK. Simply let me know by responding to this email OR using the unsubscribe feature below (so you won't be hearing any updates).
AND if you need help, please contact me. I don’t want you feeling alone.
If you’re mad as hell at me too, I get it. Maybe you signed up to help here and said no to other things because you didn’t want to overstretch. I offer my sincerest apologies. I don’t know what else I can say except to say my gut has twisted for months as I saw time ebb away. But I am committed to trying it in the Illawarra so we can hopefully expand it out to other places.
We’re in this together
The bushfires and COVID have really hurt a lot of us. But I think in a lot of ways, it’s brought us closer together, too. I see more co-operation, fast pivots, all sorts of stories of people finding their creativity under pressure.
I hope we can continue to help each other to get where we need to.
Part of that is working together. Part of it is also yelling for what we need from the rooftops.
Next week, I am the MC for this event- it might interest you.
You can't eat air- Challenging chronic low and late payment in Australian freelancing
Tackling the chronic problems of low and late payments in Australian freelancing.
Presenters include:
Rounded founder - Grant McCall
Freelance Jungle - Nicole Leedham
Creative Plus Business - Monica Davidson
Oceans Accounting & Advisory - Holly Shoebridge
We're looking to help you with practical advice and strategies as well as hear the challenges you are facing so we can move forward!
Reserve your spot via the link below. It's FREE but we request registration to manage numbers.
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/we-cant-eat-air/register
Thanks for reading this email. If you don’t wish to receive further emails and update, simply unsubscribe below. Otherwise, expect to hear from me shortly after July 23rd or tune in to track the Get your Gong on project as it unfolds via Facebook.
Rebekah Lambert
Freelance Jungle, founder
https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelancejungle/
https://freelancejungle.com.au/