BATHURST Community Corrections officer Natalie Tremain is serious about bringing some fun to her office.
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Looking after the mental wellbeing of those she works alongside is the secret ingredient to improving community safety, she says,
"A Community Corrections officer's role in keeping the community safe is complex, so I like to give back to my colleagues by supporting them in maintaining their resilience, health and wellbeing," she said.
"Practising resilience is the key to mental health and wellbeing - if Community Corrections officers are at their best they can be while at work, this will positively impact the offenders, other colleagues and the community at large."
Ms Tremain, 54, has been a Community Corrections officer for four years.
She is among 10,000 Corrective Services NSW staff who will be celebrated on National Corrections Day this Friday, January 21.
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Ms Tremain said she is passionate about bringing colleagues together by creating fun and having meaningful activities, so they create stronger connections to each other and the work they do.
"I think that having a health and wellbeing champion in the office creates opportunities to talk about practising resilience on a daily basis - it has definitely opened up the door to normalise discussing mental health issues," she said.
"Some staff have struggled with their mental health and I've been able to steer them in the right direction in terms of seeking help and achieving good outcomes."
Ms Tremain's efforts have included organising health checks, fun days, desk decorating and fundraising challenges such as Talk Like a Pirate Day.
On Talk Like a Pirate Day, she has been known to dress like a pirate and spend the entire working day in character.
Corrective Services NSW says the 2022 National Corrections Day theme is "Giving back", which focuses "on how our staff go beyond the call of duty to protect the community, mentor staff, fundraise for important charities and contribute to vital community projects and partnerships".
