ABOUT WINDANA
Windana creates meaningful and lasting change for people and communities impacted by alcohol and other drugs.
They do this by providing community-based and residential services for adults and young people facing challenges with alcohol and other drugs, as well as where intersections of family violence, mental health and social disadvantage across Victoria. Last year alone, Windana supported over 5,000 people.
Their work is a lifeline for people who might otherwise not receive the care they need. People like me.
Ben’s Run for Recovery is an opportunity not only to raise vital funds to help Windana support more people in need, it’s also an opportunity to challenge the stigma around alcohol and other drug dependence and tell the story of hope in recovery.
THE CHALLENGE
As a not-for-profit community organisation, Windana operates in an environment where demand and client complexity continue to grow, while the broader health system often struggles to cater for individual needs and circumstances.
This reflects a broader crisis in Australia’s alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. According to data from the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, on any given day, more than 4,500 Victorians are waiting for AOD treatment, with demand increasing by 90 per cent since 2020. As services struggle to keep up, many people are left without timely access to care.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, AOD use contributes 14 per cent of Australia’s burden of disease, with alcohol alone responsible for 4.1 per cent.
When people cannot access treatment early, more present to emergency departments, chronic conditions worsen, and pressure intensifies across the entire health system. My journey illustrates the urgent need for sustained investment in AOD treatment, so organisations like Windana can meet growing demand, respond to increasing complexity and deliver timely care to those who need it most.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Proceeds raised will help Windana provide access to the services people need, when and where they need them.
