Meet the team: Leigh Howard

Meet Leigh – Program Coordinator for the Longreach region.

Leigh works collaboratively with the Longreach community ensuring that programs and services support the unique needs of people across the region.

Working closely with consumers, she organises safe spaces for social interactions and access to free mental health services. Her focus is on community connection, removing the stigma of mental illness and promoting mental wellbeing throughout the central west.

New to the mental health sector, Leigh has more than 20 years’ experience in early years education and care. She has been with selectability for seven weeks and finds every day an adventure.

“I feel like I can look at it with fresh eyes. And with every adventure is an opportunity to meet and work with a variety of people in my community. That is the most enjoyable part of my job,” said Leigh.

Born in Western Australia, Leigh has been a Queensland local since she was seven. A lot of her previous experience included delivering education programs to children in remote areas of Queensland. Sometimes this involved working around mental health issues.

“There were many conversations over a cup of tea about the trials and tribulations of living remotely, isolation, and other life issues that affect mental wellbeing.”

Leigh has an adventurous spirit, often exploring the region while camping and four-wheel driving. She recently toured the tip of Cape York Peninsula (Pajinka), marvelling at some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Queensland coast line.

Being very community orientated, Leigh is excited to join selectability’s team.

“If you love helping people and feel that you would like to give back to your community then selectability is the organisation to work for.

“All the employees I have met love their job and feel that the consumers enrich their lives as much, if not more, than what they do for the consumer.”