Join us for a free, practical workshop created with and for Queensland’s creative community. Set in the magnificent heritage-listed Empire Theatre in the heart of Toowoomba, we’ll explore wellbeing, alcohol and other drug literacy, and simple ways to build healthier and more connected creative communities.

This is a practical and interactive workshop designed for Queensland’s creative community. Through guided conversations and activities, we’ll explore wellbeing, AOD literacy, and ways we can better support ourselves and one another across the creative industries.

Who it’s for: Artists, creatives, freelancers, arts workers and anyone working across Queensland’s creative industries. No prior knowledge required.

You’ll leave with:

• Practical strategies to support your wellbeing

• More confidence talking about alcohol and other drugs

• A better understanding of support options and pathways

• New connections within the creative community

• Ideas for supporting wellbeing in your own creative networks

Morning tea provided. Free to attend.

Getting there: Empire Theatre, 54–56 Neil St, Toowoomba City. Neil St is one-way. Paid parking available in Neil St car parks and on Julia St (rear). Free parking applies after 11:30am Saturday and all day Sunday. Neil St Bus Interchange is adjacent. Wheelchair accessible — hearing loop available in rows A–P.

About Uplift Queensland: Funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission and delivered by Hey Mate across 10 locations in regional and metro Queensland, August–November 2026.

Places are limited, so register now to join the Toowoomba workshop.

About Hey Mate

Hey Mate is a social impact organisation working at the intersection of community wellbeing, creative industries and peer connection. We design and deliver programs that build capacity, reduce harm and strengthen communities — with and for the people who need them most. theheymateproject.org

About Uplift Queensland

Uplift Queensland is funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission and delivered by Hey Mate across 10 locations in regional and metropolitan Queensland from August to November 2026. The program combines workshops, lived experience engagement, a digital AOD literacy resource (the Uplift Guide), and a statewide storytelling and awareness campaign. Hey Mate acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Queensland on which this project is delivered and pays respect to Elders past and present.

Questions?

hello@heymateproject.org · theheymateproject.org

Schedule / agenda

Time

9:00 am

Doors open — facilitators and crew arrive

9:30 am

Attendees arrive, welcome and workshop commences

10:30 am

Morning tea (provided)

1:00 pm

Workshop concludes