Jade North: "Keep our Mob safe from COVID-19."

GIVIT, an online charity, is one of the organisations supporting the "Keep our Mob safe" campaign aiming to spread health and safety messages within First Nations communities. Obeying strict social distancing and high hygiene standards form the core of these messages.

In a yarn with NITV Radio, Jade North admitted that even for him,  an elite sportsperson, the strict health safety  guidelines can be challenging. But, he considers protecting one’s health as a fundamental obligation. “Without your health you’ve got nothing,” Jade said.

“As a sportsperson I find it difficult to be in lockdown, unable to go out and enjoy time with teammates, sporting friends or just friends in general and family.”

During the lockdown he is allowed to go to work as his day-to-day job is considered an essential service. But going about his work during the crisis carries additional difficulties because his role as a relationships manager involves a lot of face-to -ace meetings, site visits and relationship building.

But they’ve had to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis, upgrading their safety measures. “A lot of our meetings are now done online using the Zoom platform.”

Jade recommends staying active during the lockdown. In our yarn, he even offered some tips on how to go about one’s fitness despite the tough restrictions.

“Go out for a twenty to half an hour run. And if you are home-bound, just do some little circuits around the home and stay active to get your heart-rate up and break some sweat just to stimulate the mind.”

Jade is very proud to be involved with GIVIT, an organisation whose National Indigenous Support Program has become a vital resource providing essential items to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as items to support people to return to work and school.

GIVIT has adapted its operations to meet COIVD 19 related demand.