Gemma Ward on returning to modelling, mental health and motherhood
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11th Jul 2019
Australian model and actor Gemma Ward has been announced as the ambassador for Curing Homesickness, a Sydney Children’s Hospital campaign in collaboration with fashion brand Assembly Label. “This is a beautiful initiative, especially because it is one that is uniting all of the hospitals across the nation, working towards a unified goal for all children in hospital,” the 31-year-old mother-of-two shared. “As a mother, I cannot ignore the fact that for these children, it’s proven that bringing them home increases their wellbeing.”
Curing Homesickness, which plans to address homesickness in children who experience long-term hospital stays, has collaborated with Assembly Label on a T-shirt, of which 100 percent of proceeds from the sale go directly to the cause. “It is a wonderful, comfy and soft tee and is very multi-use,” Ward says. “You can wear it with jeans, to the gym or to bed. Wear it to work, to yoga, on the school-run, whatever you like!”
After having a break from modelling to focus on herself, Ward says she is happy to be back, having marked her return last year. “I came back to modelling because I felt in a place where I was accepting of myself and ready to continue my journey and accept opportunities placed in my way,” she shares. “I learned that everything is relative and there are many realities to life and many ways to place value on yourself and life. What another person values might not be the same as you and that’s okay. It’s important to find out what you want and what is important to you and what is your main priority for living your best life on your terms.”
Ward was scouted at the age of 15 and lived her life in the public eye until taking her six-year hiatus. Throughout her career, she has been open about mental health, a topic that is still close to her heart. “It is really important to have strategies like breathing techniques, meditation and also just an ability to check in and place yourself and your wellbeing first,” she shares of her tips for keeping on top of her mental health now. “[These techniques help] so that you don’t overstimulate your anxiety response which can overtime be so damaged that you believe everything is a danger and a stress.”
As for how she manages to keep her life in check with her demanding schedule? “I think it’s all about teamwork,” she says of being a working mother. “You have to make sure everyone is on board and obviously the kids come first but work is pretty important too when you have an obligation to provide for them.”
It is because of motherhood that Ward carries a personal connection with the Curing Homesickness cause and can’t stress enough how important the initiative is. “I believe in a calm, steady and accepting place where you are nurtured to be yourself, not to place an unnatural and honestly unfair expectations on yourself and the same goes for children.”
You can shop the T-shirt here.
Click Here: afl store