About Us

ROAM Communities is one of Australia’s newest mental health services. Founded in 2005 it is making a real difference in the lives of people with mental disorders. In recognition of it’s quality, innovative work, during Mental Health week on October 10th 2006, ROAM received the “Mental Health Matters Award” from the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir.

ROAM Communities is a registered health promotion charity funded by NSW Health and the donations of private individuals. It is dedicated to working with local communities in building better support services for people with mental disorders. We believe that people with mental disorders, as with all other members of the community should have equitable opportunity to partake in the social, cultural and political life of the nation. Therefore we seek to promote people with mental disorders as citizens or residents of Australia. Our mission is to provide high quality mental health promotion and assistance that enhances personal rights, freedom, and independence, and which empower people with mental disorders. Finally, we support people's right to self-determination in a manner which ensures they have control over the policies that influence their lives, and the services that have been established to meet their needs.

Values

Recovery – assisting people to build the skills they need in order to lead satisfying and productive lives; through
Ownership – empowering clients to acknowledge and accept responsibility for their condition;
Action – linking clients to educational and vocational services within the community, including health and welfare agencies, treatment management, social support, transport, advocacy household management, budgeting, assistance with daily living; and
Management – specifically tailoring programs to address clients’ individual needs, within a supportive therapeutic community.

Operational Principles

ROAM Communities operational principles include:

Principle 1: Client Autonomy

• ROAM believes that people with mental disorders have the right to autonomy, and to express their personal identity.
• ROAM is committed to enabling people with mental disorders to live as close as possible to their chosen lifestyle.

Principle 2: Self-determination

• ROAM respects each client's right to self-determination, and is committed to providing individuals with the opportunity to develop their skills in goal decision making and life direction.
• ROAM affirms the principal of informed risk-taking, and ensures that its practice enables people with mental disorders to take risks in a supportive environment.

Principle 3: Client-centered practices

• ROAM is committed to delivering support to individuals with mental disorders in a manner in which they are central to all planning processes. Where intervention is provided it should be done in ways that enable clients to retain control over their supports.

Principle 4: Community inclusion

• ROAM believes that people with mental illness have the right to live full lives in the community and to participate in activities that are satisfying to them. ROAM believes that people with mental disorders are active participants in and make meaningful contributions to the community. We work to achieve greater community awareness and promote opportunities to include people with mental disorders in everyday activities.

Governance

The governing committee of ROAM Communities is the ROAM Board. The ROAM Board includes:

• President
  Toby Raeburn is the President and founder of ROAM Communities. Toby is a recipient of a special commendation from the Australian Humanitarian Foundation. Toby is a cojoint lecturer at the University of NSW and visiting lecturer at the University of Sydney. A passionate mental health advocate, over the past few years Toby has been a keynote speaker at forums such as the Democrats Forum on Mental Health, The NSW Nurses Association Mental Health Symposium, and Arafmi Newcastle’s Annual Rally.
  

  Chairman
  The Chairman and co founder of ROAM Communities, James Southan is the homelessness health nurse at Foster House, one of Sydney’s largest crisis accommodation centres for homeless men. James has particular interest in therapeutic recovery and the professional development of nursing students in Mental Health.

• Secretary
  Simon Barry is a senior caseworker in early intervention services for the NSW Department of Community Services. In this role he specialises in mental health casework of young people, Simon brings a diverse range of insights into the mental health of young people to his role on the ROAM Board.
  
  
• Treasurer
  A manager in personal superannuation at ING Mr Chris Yates brings considerable financial acumen and a personal interest in mental health to his role as Treasurer of ROAM Communities.
  
  
• Other Board Members
  • Angela Garvey, Manager; Professiona Issues, NSW Nurses Association.
  • Liz Giles; Homelessness Projects Coordinator, Sydney City Council.
  • Mark Goodsell; NSW CEO, Australian Industry Group.
  • Joseph Hallit B.Pharm MPS, Pharmacist, Woolloomooloo Pharmacy.
  • Brett Marsh; CEO, Strategic Advantage.
  • Frank Riley: Maintenance Manager Matthew Talbot Hostel
  • Board Member at Large, Rev. John Smulo, Senior Pastor, LifeSong Church California