Normalising Grief, One Text at a Time: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Griefline’s Help Texts Pilot

June 27, 2025

Grief is a universal experience, yet support can often feel out of reach - particularly for older Australians. That’s why the Arcare Family Foundation is proud to have supported Griefline in piloting Help Texts, a world-first text-based grief support service now trialled in Australia.


Originally developed in the United States, Help Texts provides personalised, evidence-based messages directly to individuals' phones. These text messages offer gentle reminders, grief education, emotional support, and practical coping strategies - all without the need for appointments, phone calls or waiting lists.


Why Help Texts?

Research shows that grief support in Australia is often hard to access. Many bereaved individuals, especially those over the age of 65, find it difficult to reach out for help. Meanwhile, those around them often feel ill-equipped to provide meaningful support.

According to the National Ageing Research Institute, 71% of Australians over 65 have experienced at least one bereavement in the past 2.5 years. And without support, older people are twice as likely to develop prolonged grief disorder - causing lasting emotional and functional difficulties. Help Texts aims to break that cycle.


The Pilot: Supporting Older Australians Through Loss

Thanks to the support from the Arcare Family Foundation, Griefline piloted Help Texts across Australia from April 2024 to February 2025. The goal was to reach 200 people aged over 65, but the program attracted an even broader audience - including younger adults, carers, and health professionals.


Now Funded Through Home Care Packages

One of the most exciting developments is that Help Texts is now eligible to be funded under individual Home Care Packages, removing financial barriers for older Australians and improving the sustainability of the service. This breakthrough makes grief support more accessible, dignified, and integrated into aged care - something the Arcare Family Foundation is deeply passionate about.


Moving Forward: Creating a More Grief-Literate Community

The pilot has not only provided immediate relief to those experiencing loss but also created a ripple effect of grief literacy within communities. Subscribers shared the service with loved ones, expanded their understanding of grief, and began to normalise difficult conversations. This aligns powerfully with Griefline’s mission: to normalise grief, support communities through loss, and encourage courageous conversations around bereavement.


At the Arcare Family Foundation, we are honoured to support projects like this that bring innovation, empathy, and community into aged care and beyond.


To learn more about Help Texts, visit: www.helptexts.com
To learn more about Griefline, visit: www.griefline.org.au


The Arcare Family Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for older Australians and the communities around them. Together, we’re building a future of care, compassion and connection.

Supporting Metro Community Housing’s Women’s Safe-Housing Gardens

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 13, 2025
At the Arcare Family Foundation, we believe that lasting change begins with creating spaces where people can grow - together, with dignity, safety, and joy. It’s why we were pleased to support Metro Community Housing in their thoughtful initiative to establish two community garden sites for the women’s safe-housing estate.

Celebrating Gardens, Art and Community

August 4, 2025
Supporting NGV Women’s Association’s Open Garden Day

Supporting a National Conversation on Dignity at Life’s End

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 4, 2025
Arcare Family Foundation x Live the Life You Please

Delivering Dignity At Christmas: Supporting Turbans 4 Australia

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 1, 2025
Providing Food Relief with Heart

Rebuilding Stories: Supporting Lismore Library After the Floods

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 1, 2025
A Community Coming Together, One Book at a Time

Creating Pathways for Women to Enter the Workforce Once More

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 1, 2025
Supporting WomenCAN Australia's Peer-Led Employment Programs

Bringing Harmony to Aged Care: Supporting Orchestra Victoria’s Connect Program

By Joyce Mookhoek • August 1, 2025
At the Arcare Family Foundation, we believe in supporting programs that foster connection, compassion, and community — especially among older Australians. That’s why we’re proud to support Orchestra Victoria’s Connect program, a beautiful initiative that brings the transformative power of live classical music into aged care residences across Victoria .

Honouring Culture and Connection: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big hART’s Traditional Heroes Project

By Joyce Mookhoek • June 27, 2025
The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support Big hART , an organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices, stories, and cultural legacies of First Nations communities across Australia. One of the remarkable projects we are supporting is Traditional Heroes — a portrait series that pays tribute to Elders from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. Developed through extensive community consultation across Roebourne, Karratha, Port Hedland and Yandeyarra, the project celebrates cultural knowledge, leadership, and intergenerational storytelling. In 2023, the striking portrait of Nana Berry from the Traditional Heroes series was a contender in the prestigious Archibald Prize. This moment of national recognition honoured not only an extraordinary individual, but also the broader community and culture she represents. Now, work on the next portrait in the series is well underway. Each artwork is a testament to the enduring strength and wisdom of Elders, and the vital role they play in shaping and preserving cultural identity. Alongside Traditional Heroes, Big hART’s recent short film Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli (Senior Woman, Young Woman) is currently showing at the WA Museum. The film is a powerful reflection on women’s strength, knowledge and the legacy passed from generation to generation. The Arcare Family Foundation is honoured to support these creative and deeply meaningful initiatives. They reflect our commitment to community, storytelling, and cultural respect—values that are at the heart of everything we do. Stay tuned for more updates as the Traditional Heroes series continues to unfold later this year. To learn more about Big hART and their work, visit: www.bighart.org

Big Hearts, Little Hands: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Big Little Buddies

By Joyce Mookhoek • June 27, 2025
The Arcare Family Foundation is proud to support Big Little Buddies , a joyful intergenerational program that brings together aged care residents and young children to share moments of fun, learning, and connection. Founded on the simple yet powerful idea that friendship knows no age limit, Big Little Buddies creates opportunities for meaningful interaction between seniors and young children through regular visits, activities, and play. Whether it's a game of catch, a shared storybook, or painting side by side, these moments spark joy and belonging—for everyone involved. The program celebrates the wisdom and warmth of our older generation, while nurturing empathy and confidence in little ones. The bonds formed between “big” and “little” buddies are authentic, heartwarming, and often deeply moving. For many residents, these visits are a highlight of the week, bringing energy, laughter, and a renewed sense of purpose. For children, it's a chance to develop social skills and form friendships that are grounded in patience, kindness, and understanding. Thanks to support from the Arcare Family Foundation, Big Little Buddies continues to grow and bring this magic to more aged care communities. We’re thrilled to help fund programs that create moments of joy and lifelong impact - for both the young and the young at heart. Because sometimes, the best friendships are the ones you didn’t see coming. To learn more about Big Little Buddies, visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/biglittlebuddies

Supporting Independence at Home: Arcare Family Foundation Supports Dementia Australia

By Joyce Mookhoek • June 27, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
MORE POSTS