In her new role as CEO at Footprints Community, Dr Tanya Bell is excited at the path ahead, one that includes Purpose, Action, Teamwork, and Humility. For these are the values of the organisation.
With 15 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Dr Bell previously worked for the Queensland government before starting at Footprints in June 2025.
“I love organisations where I have a connection, not only with the values, but also the objectives. That’s a key motivation for me,” she says.
Now celebrating 35 years of existence and based in a bigger building, Footprints also boasts a new brand and logo.
“The look and feel may have changed, along with the people in the seats, but we certainly have the same heart,” Dr Bell says.
“We have a renewed purpose around supporting older Australians and those experiencing mental health and well-being concerns.
“We’re here for community.”
That community stretches all the way north up to Mackay, as far west as Toowoomba, and south across the state border into the Ballina region with care finder support for older people.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Footprints addresses social issues that benefit the public, in this case aged care and mental health, rather than generating revenue for owners or shareholders.
“We deliver more than 10,000 occasions of service any given year, equally divided between our health care and our mental health services,” Dr Bell says.
“We operate two Medicare Mental Health Services, in Logan and Cleveland, which opened in January 2025. This free service offers early intervention and support for all adults experiencing mental health distress.”
As an epidemiologist, Dr Bell’s qualifications are invaluable.
“Population health is my area of expertise – the reasons and causation of many chronic conditions.”
She’s also worked for many years in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, and suicide prevention.
“So my background is helpful for me in looking at designing programmes and initiatives to address these complex issues.”
From a small neighbourhood service with just three staff members in 1991, Footprints now has 360 employees and 110 volunteers.
“We outgrew Light Street and recently moved into wonderful new premises on St Paul’s Terrace,” Dr Bell says.
“The two-storey building is owned by the Leukaemia Foundation. We’re happy to have found a location in the right geography, and a partner with compatible values.”
Dr Bell says Footprints has gone through a huge period of transformation and growth.
“As the incoming CEO, my aim is for us to do more of what we really do well, helping those who face barriers to independence and participation.
“Footprints has been a big part in this community for a very long time and we’ve got a bright future ahead of us.
“There is so much work for us to do, in supporting and advocating for those vulnerable in our communities.
“This may include helping someone to remain at home, manage health challenges, or find safe housing.
“One rapidly-growing area is homelessness for women aged over 55. Footprints can help, not only with the logistics of this, but also with the emotional distress.”
She recalls the words of a grateful female client who said: “For the first time, I felt I was seen and heard.”
“That’s one of the wonderful things about our organisation and our team,” Dr Bell says. “We don’t promise that we can fix everything but what we can commit to, is to provide hope, to value people and to support them.
“That’s what makes my role worthwhile.”
