Invisible Illnesses Inc. Logo

Invisible Illnesses Inc.

Warnbro, WA Community Services
Ph: 08 61403977 www.invisibleillnesses.org.au

About Invisible Illnesses Inc.

Making the Invisible - visible is our motto

Invisible Illnesses is a registered Not for Profit in-person support and social group for those who suffer from an Invisible Illness, such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Depression and Chronic Fatigue, in WA. We understand what it’s like to feel alone while struggling with an invisible illness and support not only sufferers but those that support sufferers as well.

The group started in 2016 after establishing a need for a local support group for those who suffer from or support those with Fibromyalgia, in the Rockingham/Kwinana/Baldivis - Mandurah area. Within a short period of time, the group opened up to the metro area and then the rest of WA

From the time the group was founded most Committee Members are those who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or other co-conditions. Because of the unpredictability of symptoms, we have tried to maintain a large Committee to minimize the workload on each Committee Member. All Committee Members work voluntarily and are rewarded by the fact that Invisible Illnesses Inc provides education, support, raising awareness and networking opportunities for several thousand people throughout Western Australia.

Over the last few years, we have implemented many ideas making us a unique support group. We have an off-shoot group called "Helping Hands" which assists those who are having problems at home with housework, gardening etc. Our volunteers can also help with cooking, transport and shopping. We are a registered Centrelink approved organisation for those who have to volunteer for a certain amount of hours to be able to receive their benefits. We also work with a number of disability groups, giving those with other conditions such as Autism a chance of volunteering and learning new skills.


We have a small team of volunteers that are currently working on finding information for GP’s, Specialists and other members of the medical and holistic field – Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists etc. Our eventual aim is to be able to send out surveys and information to be able to ascertain their knowledge of Fibromyalgia and other invisible illnesses so that we are able to make suitable recommendations to our members of those who are fibro friendly and non-judgemental. We would also invite them to our events and information sessions so they can learn more about different invisible illnesses and the challenges we deal with on a daily basis

Our roaming lunches are an informal get-together for people with an invisible illness and their supporters. They are a great opportunity to meet people who really do understand. These roaming lunches take place in various areas throughout the metro and spreading into rural areas. People can talk about anything and everything not just about their condition.

As well as our roaming lunches we hold numerous fundraising events throughout the year. Our most successful is generally our Quiz Nights. We also hold an annual Never Hide Your Wings Gala & Recognition Night in September. We frequently heard our members say that they couldn’t afford the cost of tickets, even though we have kept them at a minimal cost, so for to help those who wish to attend we offer a layby system so they can pay their ticket & accommodation off over 11 months.


We have started a Loyalty Program where we are asking business to give our members some sort of discount when they produce their membership card as well as placing a “We support Invisible Illnesses” poster in their windows.

2018 saw us, partner, up with Act Belong Commit as part of our mental health support.


We are a self-funded group. Most of our income comes from membership fees, fundraising, grants and the few items we sell at different events. During 2019 we started a PopUp Op-Shop to help make us more sustainable, rather than relying on grants etc. In 2021 we moved to much larger premises on Dixon Road Rockingham.

We constantly advocate the awareness of Invisible Illnesses by attending many different markets, fairs, shows etc through the metro & rural areas.

We have a very active, friendly and supportive Facebook group for our members who discuss symptoms, share information and resources.


We also have our public page where we share all of our events and fundraisers plus the markets we attend to raise awareness.
To help our continued growth we will be putting in different event teams so we can offer what we do in Rockingham to other regions throughout the metro and regional area


You can visit us anytime at U3/4 Leach Crescent Rockingham. Our office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays & Friday 9am - 3pm. We are currently closed on Wednesdays

Our Mission
Help facilitate a change in knowledge, understanding and behavior.

Improve pain management and quality of life.

Spread awareness & breakdown stigma associated with chornic pain.

Our FB group has just over 2500 members and growing everyday. Our page has around 1500 followers and our monthly newsletter goes out to 5000 people including doctors, MPs



Contact

8 Dolton Place
Warnbro WA 6169
Australia

[email protected]

Local VRC: Volunteering WA