Trauma Informed Community Building - Lunch Box Conversation Session

This will be a participatory 1 hour, bring your lunch and a cuppa  conversation session.

In this one our session we will start the conversation of “what it means to be trauma informed”. This participatory session we aim to discover and explore opportunities for our communities to create conditions of for being trauma informed and discover pathways to future learning.

ANYONE wanting to explore and understand trauma informed Community Building  

• Community members and not for profit leaders

• Community organisers and their teams

• Business leaders and social entrepreneurs

• Next generation leaders and other young activists

• Department leaders, policy officers and program managers

• NDIS directors, team leaders, planners

Your hosts for this session are:

Steph Bitter is a young and enthusiastic individual, passionate about supporting people to realise and express the most authentic version of themselves. With a background as a writer, performing musician and songwriter, they studied a Diploma of Community Services to align their passion for rights and social justice with a love of connecting with people. Steph blends Asset-Based Community Development, Participatory Community Development, and Person-Centred practices to support individuals and communities to find belonging and create authentic meaning in their lives.

Dee Brooks - Through her down-to-earth style, Dee Brooks brings people together in dynamic ways to realise and engage the full potential of their networks and communities. Dee is an Intentional Nomad who has traveled and worked in over 20 countries. Based on two decades of grassroots work, her work has inspired people at hundreds of events and workshops worldwide where she offers community engagement and development training and also provides professional co-design, facilitation and keynote addresses for conferences, forums and events.

Chontelle Jannese - Chontelle Jannese is an experienced and passionate facilitator with a diverse background spanning 20 years in disabilities, mental health, sexuality, and supporting remote communities. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to person-centred approaches that empower individuals and build stronger, more inclusive communities. As a Project Officer under the Partners in Recovery (PIR) initiative, Chontelle demonstrated exceptional skill in navigating complex service landscapes to connect people with the supports they need. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector has been further enriched by her leadership in the Together Home program, where she worked to provide stable housing and wraparound supports to those experiencing homelessness across Western and Hinter NSW.

Chontelle’s extensive experience also includes working within the NDIS, where she has focused on ensuring people with disabilities can exercise choice and control over their supports. Her commitment to social justice and advocacy shines through in her facilitation work. She creates safe, inclusive spaces for conversation and learning, helping participants explore new ideas and solutions that foster resilience and wellbeing.

Beyond her professional life, Chontelle is an adventurous spirit with a love of cameleering and swimming. She enjoys exploring the Australian bush, always ready for a new adventure or a quiet moment reading by a campfire. These hobbies keep her grounded and inspired, bringing a unique energy and perspective to her facilitation style.

Lee Griffiths - I have a passion for community and always have, this is why I do the work I do, facilitating ABDC training, workshops and strategic planning. I have spent the last 14 years working in local government and the not for profit sector creating the conditions for government and organisations to walk along side community to strengthen outcomes across Australia and the UK.

From my grassroots roots voluntary work to my previous leadership positions, the golden thread has always build on recognising the strengths, assets and opportunities communities already have to bring about the change they want.