Mates4Mates supports current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, who are wounded, injured or ill as a result of their service.

Mates4Mates is a national organisation with Family Recovery Centres in Brisbane, Townsville and Hobart, and outreach services in regional areas across Australia.

Mates4Mates provides support to our Mates and their immediate family members through five core service streams.

The five core service streams are:

• Physical Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Services
• Psychological Services
• Employment and Education Support Services
• Rehabilitation Adventure Challenges
• Social Connection Activities

Mates4Mates is one of Australia’s most respected charities and is recognised nationally for providing the most progressive, integrated support programs in the country, which help rebuild and save lives.

Mates4Mates is a support service for our wounded, injured or ill ADF members and their families, and aims to raise public awareness around the challenges many returned ADF members face after transitioning back into civilian life.

 

Service Streams:

 

Physical Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Services:

Mates4Mates offers a range of physical rehabilitation and wellbeing services in both individual and group settings, delivered by qualified professionals.

Equine Therapy:

The Equine Therapy program provides Mates with an opportunity to experience an emotional and sensory connection with horses.

For Mates with psychological or physical trauma, Equine Therapy promotes the development of self-awareness and trust.

The Mates4Mates Equine Therapy program is always attended by a qualified psychologist.

The Equine Therapy Program is currently being evaluated by the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

Psychological Services:

Mates4Mates provides evidence-based individual and group therapy services to our Mates and their immediate family members, delivered by qualified professionals.

Employment and Education Support Services:

Together with our partners, Mates4Mates offers career coaching and mentoring, employment support, and the chance at further education and training for our Mates and their families.

Rehabilitation Adventure Challenges:

Mates4Mates offers our Mates and their families the opportunity to participate in a range of rehabilitation adventure challenges, including trekking, cycling, sailing and kayaking programs.

Social Connection Activities:

Mates4Mates provides opportunities for peer support through regular social, recreational and family activities.

Mates4Mates encourages the importance of ongoing mateship within our team, Mates and community stakeholders.

 

General Information:

Mates4Mates is a charity initiative of RSL (Queensland Branch).

Mates4Mates receives no government funding and is reliant on donations to continue to provide its valuable services.

Mates4Mates is an independent, apolitical and non-religious organisation.

As at March 2017, Mates4Mates has approximately 1700 Mates and 1700 Family members