COVID-19
Dear members and friends,
It’s time for us to talk about COVID-19.
A public health emergency has been announced in the ACT in response to the coronavirus. To help protect the most vulnerable people in our communities, all gatherings of 100 people or more are prohibited until further notice.
While there is no ban on smaller groups gathering in the ACT, this health alert is already having a huge impact on events around Canberra as social distancing is encouraged. You may have noticed many literary events in our region have now been suspended until further notice.
We will continue to provide the best possible services, opportunities, connections and advocacy over coming months. However, to practice and encourage social distancing, our team will be working from home. This means the office is not currently open for meetings or drop-ins. However, you are very welcome to contact the team members through their usual email addresses. You are also welcome to contact admin@actwriters.org.
If you phone the office, we will receive your messages and respond accordingly. If you have already booked into a scheduled program our staff will be in touch soon to advise credit arrangements. Please keep an eye out for our regular enews through which we will be providing ongoing updates on this process and the launch of future digital initiatives.
Here are some digital resources, that you may find helpful:
Writers Go Forth. Launch. Promote. Party.
The Social Distancing Festival
We understand that this is a difficult time for all of us. If you have any concerns, please contact us to discuss. It’s clear to us, like many other arts organisations that we will need to think differently in order to continue to provide services over the next few months at least. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will keep updating our program as required over the course of this pandemic.
It is completely normal to experience a range of emotions at this time including anxiety, hopelessness, fear and sadness. If you feel that you are not coping or need additional support, free services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline - 1800 959 500
Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
Lifeline – 13 11 14
In an effort to support you we’ve generated this survey as we would like to hear about how COVID-19 has impacted you as a writer.
The information you provide will enable the ACT Writers Centre, in conjunction with the network of Australian Writers Centres to maximise our advocacy for you and your work.
As a small not-for-profit organisation with charity status, we rely on our membership and program income to sustain our organisation so that we can continue to support the community. Please continue to maintain your membership or consider joining if you aren’t with us already.
If you do have the means, all donations are gratefully received and if over $2.00, are fully tax deductible.
In the interests of keeping our staff safe, we have decided that staff will be working from home for the time being. The best way to contact us is by email admin@actwriters.org.
Please look after yourselves and those around you. Stay informed and keep in touch. The impact of coronavirus will continue to impact our sector for some time, and we will all need to support each other.
Our very best,
The ACT Writers Centre Team