2023 Refugee Ball & Fundraiser

2023 REFUGEE BALL & FUNDRAISER

NSW Fundraising Gala Dinner

Join Us to help raise vital funds for survivors of torture and refugee trauma. 

6.30pm, Friday 3rd November - Dockside,  Cockle Bay Wharf,  Sydney

The STARTTS Refugee Ball has established itself over the past thirteen years as one of the most culturally diverse gala events in the wonderful city of Sydney, and a key event in the social calendar of the community services sector.

The Ball is held every year to raise vital funds enabling STARTTS to continue its work facilitating the healing process of survivors of torture and refugee trauma, so they regain the ability to live connected and fulfilling lives.

Take a Look! Watch highlight videos below.

Refugee Ball Highlights 2022	Refugee Ball Highlights 2019

We invite you to join us in celebrating the 14th Refugee Ball and Fundraiser at the stunning waterfront venue, Dockside on Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney for a memorable evening of fine dining, fundraising and an energetic mix of world-class live music and cultural performance as we come together to help heal refugee trauma and promote respect for human rights. 

Sponsors, Corporate Tables and Gift Registry donors are welcome to register their interest in supporting the 2023 Refugee Ball. Click here to access tickets and Sponsorship options

~ Healing Refuge Trauma. Rebuilding Lives. ~

More information at: startts.org.au

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Where your money goes - Fundraising for 2023

This year, funds raised at the Refugee Ball will go towards supporting STARTTS body-focused program which includes a range of complimentary therapies to help people heal from experiences of torture and refugee trauma. 

STARTTS uses complementary therapies in conjunction with counselling talk therapies. Complementary therapies help people with experiences of torture and refugee trauma:

• Increase awareness of body sensations, behaviours, emotions and thoughts
• Relieve pain and discomfort
• Improve well being and fitness

Complementary therapies used at STARTTS include:

• Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
• Physiotherapy
• Orthobionomy
• Soft tissue massage
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Traditional Chinese medicine

Why does STARTTS use complementary therapies?

• Many people with torture and refugee trauma experiences suffer from pain, discomfort and physical injuries.
• Traumatic memories can be unconscious and more easily accessed via the body.
• A healthy living foundation, including diet, sleep and exercise, is crucial to developing a healthy brain, coping with the stessors of resettlement and dealing with trauma symptoms.
• It may be more culturally appropriate for some clients to focus on bodily sensations rather than pure ‘talk therapy’.

Funds will also go towards

Supporting priority areas of the Ukrainian NGO Barrier Free Ukraine which is a center for coordinating expertise and promoting barrier-freeness as a new social norm. The organization is an executive partner of First Lady Olena Zelenska's initiatives "Without Barriers" and the All-Ukrainian mental health program.

NGO "Barrier-free" promotes values ​​that allow residents of Ukraine to participate as fully as possible in social, economic, and political life, relying on their dignity.

Among the projects of the NGO "Barrier-free": "Handbook of barrier-free" - a guide on tolerant interaction, "Album of barrier-free solutions" - a guide to designing a barrier-free space, "Diia. Barrier-free" - a section on the Diia public services portal, etc.

The organization provided expert support during the development of the National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine for the period up to 2030.

After the full-scale invasion by Russia, one of the organization's activities became advocacy for changes in the field of mental health both at the level of the state and public consciousness.

refugeeball.org.au

The Refugee Ball is Proudly presented by Friends of STARTTS
Friends of STARTTS (FOS) is an Australian registered charity that supports the work of STARTTS (Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) and refugee transition programs.

Visit www.refugeeball.org.au for more information
Watch STARTTS client Stories video highlighting our important work!

Donations are welcome at the ticket link here