INFOBUS October 4th 2018: Getting to know the ReachOut Online Community Team with Amirah
This month's Infobus continues with the theme of "get to know the ReachOut team" as we welcome our guest @Amirah-RO, our Online Community Manager at ReachOut! We are very excited to introduce our incredible manager and give you the opportunity to learn more about the team behind the scenes!
Next week, on Thursday the 4th of October from 7pm-9pm join us to get to know the ReachOut team with Amirah and talk all things forums, ReachOut, mental health, social work and life!
Amirah is an award-winning social worker and youth advocate with over ten years’ experience supporting ‘at-risk’ youth in Australia and abroad. She is also the Founder and Director of Taboo Talk, ‘A brave space for difficult conversations’. Amirah is a firm believer in self-expression and promotes the use of arts and culture as a means of empowerment. An example of this is her most recent collaboration with Bankstown Youth Development Service (BYDS) and Zeal Theatres in producing ‘To Be Honest’, a play showcasing the painstakingly honest and often untold stories of young people’s journeys overcoming homelessness, drug abuse, racism, family breakdown, and mental health issues.
Amirah spent most of 2017 travelling the world where she engaged with communities right around the globe, including Indonesia, Capetown, Tanzania, Dubai, Egypt, London and Germany. Having worked with thousands of young people across the world, and across sectors, Amirah feels confident in her ability to understand the diverse and complex needs of young people and how to best work with individuals to help realise their true potential. Amirah joined ReachOut Australia 8 months ago as Online Community Manager.
We are very excited to welcome Amirah as our guest! Do you have a question you would like to ask? Now is your chance to ask all the questions you have been wanting to ask and get to know Amirah better!
You can submit your questions for Amirah here and join the discussion Thursday night at 7pm 
We look forward to seeing you there!
If you would like to get a notification 30 mins before we start the infobus, high five this post!
@Jess1-RO To answer your question, I count my blessings 🙂 And when times get tough I usually talk to a friend, or someone in the office if I'm at work. I often remind myself of the quote: "this too shall pass" which reminds me that every state is temporary.
@missep I'm sure you can! There are so many great organisations looking for motivated, caring young people like yourself! But you raise a valid point about the barrier with limited experience. It's definitely something I've come across with a lot of people entering the industry, something we need to work on!
Amazing @Amirah-RO, I can hear the passion in your words as I read them! It sounds like this work is something that just resonates so much for you 
Really life changing stuff you have done!
@scared01 with all the amazing support we see you offer other young people on the forums, we know you could definitely do this too if that's your dream
I love that quote @Amirah-RO ! I use that quote when I'm anxious or nervous about something.
It sounds like case work is so inclusive of so many important aspects of well being!
Totally @Jess1-RO! I think I would be interested in psychology and mental health volunteering!
@annabethxchase yeah same about psychology and mental health. ever since ive joined reach out ive finally found something i want to persue in life 🙂 i actually just joined the causal volunteer work for Reach Out !
@Amirah-RO all your answers are great and so inspirational !
So much in here! @litgym @missep @annabethxchase @scared01 before I continue just wanted to say that you are all amazing, and are helping inspire others by just being YOU!!
@Amirah-RO naww that’s so sweet
i have a question, do you have the exact same job as Jess and Gina or is yours slightly different ? I’ve read somewhere your job is a bit different to Jess’s and Gina’s.
@litgym Good qn! My job is slightly different. Jess and Gina are a lot more involved in the forums. I oversee any potential risks and duty of care issues that might arise, both in the forums and across the organisation. Being a mental health organisation, sometimes users access our website who need a level of support that we can't provide (as we are a prevention rather than intervention service) so my role is to ensure safety by getting them to the help they need in that moment.
I hope that makes sense!
Aww *Tears of happiness* you are to nice @Amirah-RO!
Is it okay if you send me the link to the volunteer page? I can't find it @litgym (Me and my non-existent technology skills causing issues
With your compassion you would be incredible in this field @annabethxchase
@Zeldasmile Believe it or not I used to feel the same way. I was 4 years into my social work degree before I realised my passion. Before that I used to always look to my friends who seemed so sure of what they wanted to do when they graduated and felt like I was missing something.
The first time I worked with young people was in my final placement, and that's where I discovered my true passion/calling and it's motivated me since then! Of course there are times when I lose some of that motivation, but volunteer work always bring me back.
So my humble advice would be to be patient and stay open to different things. Do you have any passions or hobbies? 🙂
We have some fun questions for you @Amirah-RO!
What is your favourite TV show?
Do you have any pets?
What is your spirit animal?
What is your favourite TV show? Do I get points if I say Brooklyn 99? 😄 Tbh my all time fav is probably the classic- fresh prince of bel air! 
Do you have any pets? Not atm unfortunately 😞 Although I'm a dog person.
What is your spirit animal? LIONESS- always protecting my pride 🙂
still catching up but brooklyn 99 is sooooo good !! @Amirah-RO i definitely find it helps distracting me because it’s such a fun show to watch 🙂
