Want to participate?
Applications are now open
Focus on your employment goals and create connections
As the partner of a current- or former-serving Defence member you might feel your career is patchy. You might feel disconnected and isolated.
Are you wishing you had some time to yourself to pursue what matters to you?
Imagine being in a welcoming space with others where you can connect, learn and explore your goals and then go after them!
This isn’t just a program; it’s a community where you can share, grow and have some fun (the ‘play’ is also for the adults) and be surrounded by others who just ‘get it’.
If you need child care this is provided, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, this is free for participants.
Grab this unique opportunity, designed by a Defence partner for the Defence/veteran community.
Whether you’re pursuing your career plan, want a job or are undertaking business, study or volunteering… you’re welcome.
Program benefits
Our past Cowork Coplay participants have reported
- Increased confidence in their career or work goals, as a result they feel aligned, empowered and keen to go for their next step! Whether that is a job role, study, business or other opportunities.
- Feeling better, mentally and emotionally. This has ripple effects to all aspects of their lives. Some have started running/sports again, others have found renewed energy for family relationships, others have started that business they’ve dreamed about because they feel calmer, in control and optimistic.
- Greater understanding of the services and resources available, so they can tap into supports and improve their employability, finances, wellbeing.
- Feeling more comfortable with children in care, opening up opportunities for them to feel ready to jump back into the workforce again.
- Improved family dynamics, happier adults and happier children.
What’s included in a program?
3-hour sessions, 8 weeks
Sessions are 3 hours once a week, face-to-face. Starting at 09:30am, the facilitated program includes blocks of time for learning, networking with others and coworking (where it’s head down and work; bring your laptop, notebook or project to progress).
Supportive group
Discuss, share and learn with others, build relationships and collaborate. You get access to a group chat for all alumni, enabling people to engage with each other, and ask questions of the program facilitators. Connections made in programs have often lasted long after the program concludes.
Workshops with mentors
Opportunities to participate in workshops tailored to the desires of the group, some with external mentors. Examples include: career and life goal setting; how to beat overwhelm for clearer decision-making; local jobs and employers; wellbeing & practical mindfulness; government support services.
Morning tea
Have a break and a chat, and some caffeine! We’ll have yummy snacks available (sometimes our facilitators even choose to bake!).
Creche for children
Children cared for by professionals in the creche nearby. Pop by to feed or if you need to bring your baby into the room, that’s ok too.
WIFI + online learning
Access to WIFI during sessions and access to our online learning platform to access resources and activities on your timeframe.
How it works
Each morning you’ll arrive at the venue for a 09:30am start. Our program facilitator will be there to greet you! If you’re bringing children you can check them into the creche 5 minutes before. Read more in the FAQs about the style of child minding and supplies provided.
Each session will follow a curriculum and core topics. These will focus on a different aspect of meaningful employment, community connection or wellbeing. You’ll have time to work on your own projects and participate in workshops provided by us and guest mentors (optional).
The 3-hour block will be broken up with regular breaks and there’ll be a yummy morning tea.
You’ll walk away with a range of resources, tips, links and actual plans and materials that you’ve completed. And you’ll be able to refer back to these over and over again.
You’ll have access to an online learning platform with the program content (don’t worry if you miss a session; you’ll be able to catch up), extra resources and modules you can do at your own pace.
During and after the program we support a group digital chat group (e.g. Signal) to enable any questions or requests for help in between sessions (and after the program). We also organise ongoing social catch-ups but also encourage the group to do this itself as we hope to see a ‘mutual admiration’ cheer group exist after the program.
Program activities and learning outcomes
We’ll help you to:
- Embed and deepen purpose and impact in your career and refer back to a range of self-assessments and goals.
- Utilise an array of tools and approaches to your personal and professional growth.
- Use a powerful reflect, think and act approach to develop solutions that work for you and speed up your progress.
- Articulate what you need for your wellbeing.
- Tap into knowledge about Defence and veteran sector supports, local organisations and connections.
- Develop strong connections with other participants.
- Cultivate practices that bring more joy and meaning into your everyday life.
Overall, the program is designed to support you in setting personal and career goals and giving you the tools and strategies to achieve those goals.
The program’s learning outcomes approach enables you to:
- increase self-awareness and develop a positive self-concept
- identify strategies that contribute to personal wellbeing
- develop plans for life, career and self-care
- identify and trial approaches for you to set and achieve your intentions
- identify local and government support services
- define career success, for you, based on your life stage, needs, values and interests
- understand job/business/employment opportunities in your local area
- locate and use information and resources to secure/create work or identify study opportunities
- take action to create connections.
2026 program details
- Eligibility: Partner/spouse or adult child of current- or former-serving ADF member (including former-spouses and widows)
- Start date: 2nd week of Term 2, day TBC, starting week of 6 May
- Times: 09:30am to 12:30pm (including morning tea)
- Locations: northern Adelaide
- Places are no-cost but limited! This program is fully subsidised thanks to our partners.
Indicative schedule and themes each week
Each week includes learning-action activities, workshops (some with external mentors) and time for you to work on your own goals or projects.
Welcome
Settling in with the group. Definition of career. Understand the systems and influences on your career. Reflection and intention-setting activities. Meet the team from Human Quotient Group and get a feel for how the program will work.
Your life, your career
Deep dive into your values, strengths, skills and interests. Start of career plan. Access a range of tools and resources to accelerate your career development.
You matter
Wellbeing, mindsets and self-care. We focus on understanding and practicing exercises to boost wellbeing. Explore self care and how to make it part of your everyday life.
Opportunities
Local jobs, employers and emerging opportunities. Find out about local jobs, great employers and services in your area. What is on offer from veteran family focused employers and the remote jobs market.
Shining in the market
Boost your profile. Learn about valuable employability skills. Create or refresh your CV, get onto LinkedIn. Explore the ‘hidden jobs market’ and the value of networking.
Wellbeing and joy
Fun, fun, fun = more practice at self-care and an especially fun activity! Unpack what joy means to you and where you can find it every day.
Community
Community services and connections. Find out about local and government services that are there for support. Includes mental health, wellbeing, family and career support.
Celebrate
Celebrate what you’ve learned and how you’ve changed. Map your future pathway. Meet with Defence and community stakeholders.
Move your career forward, pursue your goals.
Feel part of a community that gets it! Grab this chance to form new connections with people that get the ups and downs of Defence life.
“The Cowork Coplay program has been life-changing. It’s given me a real sense of belonging in the Defence community. I’ve been able to connect with other spouses that just ‘get it’. So often, as Defence spouses we are made to feel like our whole life should revolve around the serving member, and little thought is given to our career development. Claire has carefully chosen weekly speakers that help us to identify our career goals and focus on improving our employment prospects.”
Elise Knight, Adelaide
“Participating in Cowork Coplay was one of the best decisions I made when posting to Adelaide. It provided me with instant community, connection, and support in a city where I knew no one. It was essential to me being able to pursue my own goals and study in a time where I wouldn’t have otherwise had support to do so. Connecting with other Defence partners, learning about available resources, and having care for my daughter while I studied was an invaluable support to me and I’m so glad I found the program and was able to participate!”
Jennah Robichaud, Adelaide
Cowork Coplay programs are delivered by Human Quotient Group, a certified social enterprise and veteran community business.
