Alike WA is pleased to share the latest peer support groups and organisations receiving funding through our Pay it Forward grants program.
With the support of the Mental Health Commission, Pay it Forward provides funding for projects that strengthen peer support and contribute to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing across Western Australia.
Meet the funded projects
Delivery of free, culturally safe peer support circles featuring guided conversations, creative activities, storytelling and wellbeing sessions for people with disability, carers and CALD communities. Strengthening relationships, confidence, service connections, mental wellbeing and the ongoing capacity of the support network.
Items Awarded: Facilitation Fees, Creative Materials, Software Subscription, Venue Hire
Lunch and learn sessions on wholefood living and kitchen gardening, providing practical nutrition, meal planning, food preparation and waste reduction education. The program aims to enhance emotional resilience, support positive mental health, encourage peer connection and build ongoing community wellbeing.
Items Awarded: Workshop Facilitation, Program Materials
Cockburn Community Men’s Shed | Perth Metro
Purchase of an interactive smart board to support inductions, training, planning, toolbox talks, and project development, strengthening member engagement, mental health literacy, supportive relationships, and the long-term sustainability of the group.
Items Awarded: Smart Board
Minnawarra House | Perth Metro
Mental health and first aid training for teen leaders of a youth peer support group, strengthening mental health literacy, early help-seeking, peer connections, and leadership skills in a supportive community environment.
Items Awarded: Mental Health Training, First Aid Training
Mount Barker Aboriginal Progress Association | Great Southern
Craft workshops for families with young children and a yarning group for older Aboriginal women, incorporating shared meals, creative activities, and guest speakers to strengthen mental health literacy, peer connection, self-care, and community capacity in a culturally safe setting.
Items Awarded: Catering, Creative Activity Materials
Ngulla Koort Indigenous Corporation | Perth Metro
Facilitator fees for a girls cultural dance group and a boys cultural yarning and didgeridoo group, providing regular activities that strengthen cultural identity, confidence, family connections, social support networks and long-term sustainability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Items Awarded: Facilitator Fees
Purchase of portable exercise equipment, volunteer Mental Health First Aid training, and branded promotional materials to support weekly outdoor strength-training and peer connection sessions for people experiencing homelessness. Strengthening mental health, social connection, group capacity, and long-term sustainability for participants and volunteers.
Items Awarded: Portable Gym Equipment, Branded T-Shirts, Pull-Up Banners, Media Wall, Mental Health First Aid Training
Playgroups with Pride | Perth Metro, Great Southern, South West
Purchase of a branded marquee, shirts, and mascot merchandise to strengthen visibility at events and outreach, providing a recognisable, welcoming presence that supports connection, reduces isolation, and enhances long-term engagement and sustainability for members.
Items Awarded: Marquee, Volunteer Polo Shirts, Logo Embroidery, Penguin Plush Toys
Pride Perspectives | South West
Establishment of Rainbow Kart Club video gaming sessions with purchased consoles, games, sensory supports, banner and volunteer shirts. Creating an inclusive library-based social space that strengthens peer connection, reduces isolation, and builds confidence and belonging for LGBTQIA+ young people.
Items Awarded: 2 x Gaming Consoles, Sensory Fidget Tools, 4 x Noise-Reducing Earmuffs, Pull-Up Banner, Social Media Frame, Volunteer T-Shirts
Siblings Australia Inc. | Perth Metro
Pilot establishment of an in-person peer support group for Perth teenagers who have a sibling with disability or chronic illness. Strengthening belonging, mental health literacy, and long-term group sustainability.
Items Awarded: Working With Children Checks, Police Checks, Facilitator Training
Solace Grief Support Group WA Inc. | Perth Metro, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid West, South West
Redesign, printing and distribution of information pamphlets promoting peer support services for widowed people, improving awareness and access through health and community providers. Strengthening social connection, emotional recovery, and long-term sustainability of the support network.
Items Awarded: Information pamphlet printing
South West Migrant Women’s Group | South West
Art sessions, cultural cooking activities, and ongoing craft-based peer support meetings to support relaxation, self-expression, connection, and strengthened mental health, resilience, and engagement among culturally and linguistically diverse members.
Items Awarded: Art workshop facilitation, kitchen equipment, program consumables, catering and craft kits
Wheatbelt Friendship Club | Wheatbelt
Four-week photo challenge and art sessions for members with disabilities, strengthening social connection, inclusion, and positive mental health within the group.
Items Awarded: iPad, digital camera
Bluebird Depression and Anxiety Support Group | Perth Metro
Venue hire and development of a professional website to strengthen visibility and engagement, enhance member mental health, improve mental health literacy, and increase long-term group capacity and sustainability.
Items Awarded: website build & venue hire
Neurofibromatosis Association of WA Inc (NFAWA) | Perth Metro, Peel
Printed resources and website maintenance to connect people affected by Neurofibromatosis, reduce isolation, improve mental health, and strengthen ongoing peer support participation.
Items Awarded: Public liability insurance, brochure design & printing, website hosting & domain
Next Pay it Forward funding round
Have an idea that could strengthen your peer support group?
The next Pay it Forward funding round will open on 17 November 2026 and close on 1 February 2027.
Pay it Forward is available to Alike WA peer support group members and can support projects that build group capacity, strengthen connection and contribute to positive mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.