EPIC Past Community Events

Sunday 7 December, 2024 Proveda Spin-A-Thon Thank you EPIC Spinners!! Thank you Proveda Foundation Australia, ANTHEMCYCLE and the Manly Chamber of Commerce for making such an amazing event possible and thank you to our fellow youth support organisations Harrison Riedel Foundation, KYDS Youth Counselling and Waves of Wellness Foundation. Saturday was a day of crazy cycling energy, connection and friendship.

THANK YOU for your support of EPIC Together we raised $1954!!!

Sunday 1 December, 2024 Waverton Walk Thanks again to the awesome EPIC community. Another Sunday morning well spent in great company with ongoing connections. Walking around the Coal Loader has spectacular views and a shout out to Sylvia’s Coal Loader Cafe for the welcome and excellent service.

Sunday 17 November, 2024 Freshwater 3rd Birthday Walk Thank you EPIC community!! Whether you made it to the EPIC 3rd Birthday celebration at Freshwater today or not. Every one of you are the reason the EPIC community is thriving today. Thank you for your empathy and willingness to share and listen. Here’s to many more years of EPIC connections and friendship.

Sunday 10 November, 2024 Youth Mental Health First Aid, West Ryde
Sharing the EPIC joy we felt on Sunday delivering Youth Mental Health First Aid to an incredible group of parents!! EPIC provided a safe, non-judgmental space to learn, share, and connect – where everyone came together with open hearts and a shared purpose.

Thank you to the City of Ryde Council, The Northern Centre, and Bianca Bennet for supporting the training. Above all, thank you to the amazing parents who created a powerful platform for connection and growth.

Sunday 3 November, 2024 Macquarie Park Walk Another wonderful and EPIC start to the week! Connecting with others on a similar path helps with perspective, problem solving and self regulation. Thanks every one for your awesome company

Sunday 20 October, 2024 Narrabeen Lagoon Walk What a lovely Sunday morning! Challenges shared, empathy shared, coffee and the best chocolate biscuits ever shared. Thank you. Days like today are a testament to peer parent support and friendships made. The trust you give allows connection, vulnerability and sharing on a level that provides real insight, emotional regulation and practical strategies.

Sunday 6 October, 2024 Cremorne Point Walk Today’s walk was a cup filler! The Cremorne Point Lighthouse serves as a perfect analogy for how parents guide their families. Just like lighthouses help us navigate life’s challenges, they also need a little maintenance to shine bright. Our walk today was perfect lighthouse maintenance!

Sunday 15 September, 2024 Mona Vale Walk EPIC photos of an EPIC morning!! Wild and windy and very rejuvenating! Thanks for your company everyone.

Embrace Kids EPIC Screening with Panel Discussion, Tuesday 3 September, Roseville Cinema. What an incredible night!! A community connecting, body positive, informative celebration for families and those who work with young people. The Embrace Kids documentary challenged us to consider new ways to engage on social media, recognise harmful narratives and embrace our bodies!

The panel discussion, facilitated by EPIC’s Siba, highlighted the important messages from the documentary. We heard from psychologist Bianca Bennett, nutritionist Kira Sutherland, Batyr story teller Mel and Matt Clarke from Raise Foundation.

We thank Roseville Cinema for providing the perfect location and their ongoing support of EPIC. Thank you to Ku-Ring-Gai Council Youth Service for collaborating on joint body image awareness events. Gratitude to Batyr, Raise Foundation, Bianc Bennett and Kira Sutherland for their valuable input and support.

Sunday 1 September, 24 Lane Cove National Park EPIC friendship 🫶 Thanks everyone for your company and energy (a bit more pace than usual)! It was a spectacular morning at Lane Cove NP for a walk and catch up. A Father’s Day walk that worked for some and not for others.

Sunday 18 August, 24 Sunshine and rain!! Reflective of life!! Reflective of our conversations. Today's walk was a powerful reminder of how much we gain when we listen and share openly, building deeper connections through our experiences. Together, we not only support each other but also grow in empathy, understanding the journeys we each walk every day.

West Pymble Walk, Sunday 4 August, 24 EPIC thanks! I love our walks! Thank you those who could make it. It was a lovely morning/early afternoon of some walking, a lot of chatting, great coffee and snacks and AWESOME company. Big thanks, Mad :)

Freshwater Walk, Sunday 21 July, 24 Spectacular!! Sunshine, fresh air and great company. Today's EPIC walk at Freshwater was perfect. Thank you everyone. An extra photo here to capture the absolutely stunning scenery.

Westleigh Walk, Sunday 7 July, 24 Thanks Westleigh and thanks EPIC friends for your company at the Westleigh walk. A first time Westleigh was on the agenda and it will stay!  It was a lovely walk and such a good time sitting and chatting.  Our cups are full for the week ahead :)

Communication With Care workshop, Sunday 23 June, 24. Great workshop! Fabulous company! Thank you Steven Gamble from Man Anchor for facilitating the brilliant Communication With Care workshop today to EPIC members and friends.

De-stigmatising mental health and learning skills to listen and support those we care about are tools we all need in our lives.

EPIC acknowledges the support of the Commonwealth and the office of Paul Fletcher for making this event possible. Thank you Ku-ring-gai Council for your ongoing support and the use of the fabulous StIves Youth Hub.

Manly to Shelly Beach Walk, Sunday 16 June, 24. Thank you EPIC Walkers for another wonderful Sunday morning get together. It was a perfect morning of sea, sun and wonderful people. Thank you for the connections, trust and friendship 🙌

Mosman Walk, Sunday 2 June, 24. Blue skies and sunglasses!! Who’d have thought after a night of torrential rain!! Thanks for your company everyone who could make it to todays EPIC walk. It was a great way to start the week.

Youth Mental Health First Aid training, Sunday 26 May for parents of young people in the St Ives Youth Hub. It was a huge success. The day was educational, supportive and connecting. The course filled to capacity within a week which highlights the need parents are feeling to equip themselves with information and strategies so support their young people.

Thank you Ku-Ring-Gai for partnering with EPIC to support parents in our community and providing the perfect location to learn about supporting youth mental health, the St Ives Youth Hub.

St Ives Showground Walk, Sunday 5 May, 24. Wow!! Fancy one of the largest walking groups we've had being on such a damp day!  So many of us braving the rain and cold.  I loved it, I hope you did too.  Today was the first time to walk at St Ives Showground and can't be the last because I think a number of us pledged to go down the big slippery dip!

North Narrabeen Walk, Sunday 19 May, 24. Today’s EPIC walk at North Narrabeen was the perfect way to start the week. A window of conversation, sunshine and coffee and great brownies thanks to the Nourished Cafe.

Mona Vale Walk, Sunday 21 April, 24. That was fun!! Thanks EPIC walkers so much for your company, for the great conversations, and for the trust and friendship (and a lot of therapeutic laughter too). What a lovely way to start the week with such a great bunch of humans. A shout out to The Bright Side Cafe for the exceptional service and great coffee.

Coal Loader Walk, Sunday 7 April, 24. What an EPIC day in Waverton!! Thanks EPIC walkers. Sunshine, laughter, great company!

2RRR Talks with EPIC!

Natalie de Silver of 2RRR Talks with Empowering Parents in Crisis, aka EPIC. Siba and Madeleine from EPIC (Empowering Parents in Crisis) popped into the 2RRR studios this week to discuss their peer support initiatives, which are explicitly targeted at parents and carers of young people. EPIC is made up of parents who have lived experience caring for young people in crisis and wish to impart their knowledge and empathy to other parents who may be feeling the pressures of parenting.

Narrabeen Lagoon Walk, Sunday 17 Mar, 24. Coffee and snacks at the happy and friendly H2O Cafe, followed by a stunning walk after the rain subsided. Thanks for your company EPIC walkers. EPIC walks have been made possible by support from Sydney North Health Network.

Balmoral Walk, Sunday 3 Mar ‘24. Thank you Balmoral!! A perfect day, movie star location and carafe size smoothies Best of all great company. Thank you EPIC walkers 🙌 EPIC walks have been made possible by support from Sydney North Health Network.

Breathwork with Nicky, Saturday 24 Feb 24. Deepest gratitude to Nicky Hammond, The Coach’s Coach for an incredible breathwork session on Saturday.  Nicky is a beautiful person who shared her time and talent with us.  She provided a room full of love, peace and restoration.  Thank you so much Nicky for your kindness and wisdom, the EPIC community is incredibly grateful, and in awe of your thoughtfulness :)

Freshwater Walk, Sunday 18 Feb 24. Perfect! Fresh air, beautiful scenery and connections. Thank you everyone who joined the EPIC walk today. It was so worth braving the heat. Thank you. EPIC walks have been made possible by support from Sydney North Health Network.

West Pymble Walk, Sunday 4 Feb 24. Thanks EPIC Walkers!! There was so much gold in this morning's get together at West Pymble. Situations can be emotional, stressful, expensive! Today was testament to how together we can lighten the load and gain perspective of the 'big picture'. Thank you EPIC walks have been made possible by support from Sydney North Health Network. Great big thanks to Brick Lane Espresso for accommodating us at a table in the shade so far away.

EPIC Birthday Walk, North Narrabeen, 19 Nov 23. Thank you EPIC members, thank you Northern Beaches, thank you Nourished Cafe!! What a glorious and celebration.

EPIC Support Online Expo, 13 Nov 23. The online Expo introduced 10 local youth and family support organisations and provided 3 panel discussions on depression and anxiety; risk taking, alcohol, drugs and law breaking, and school disengagement. The webinar was supported by The City of Ryde Council and can be viewed via this YouTube link https://youtu.be/UlxXvAZWvQw

Dee Why Beach, 15 Oct 23. Thanks Dee Why!! Thanks EPIC walkers Sun, sand and great company. A wonderful way to start the week.

Ku-ring-gai Sculpture Trail Walk, 1 Oct 23. Crazy hot today! Bless very cold water melon! It was a lovely get together regardless of the extreme heat. The walk was short, shady and relaxing with a fun hour of chatting in the picnic area with plenty of water, bikkies and fruit :)

Manly to Shelly Beach, 18 Sep 23. Hot and happy! Thanks EPIC walkers for great afternoon at Manly. Parking was challenging but worth it for the company and great refreshments at Boat House Cafe at Shelly beach. EPIC walks have been made possible by support from Sydney North Health Network, through the NSW Ministry of Health.’