by Carol T | 18, May 2022 | Aged care, Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
The Government will commit $6.9 million to a staged rollout of the national Co-operative and Mutual Enterprises (CME) Support Program.
CMEs are organisations that are owned and run by members, such as consumers, service providers, employees or people in the local community.The CME Support Program will support aged care, and the broader care and support sector to:
· develop sustainable and coordinated approaches in growing a skilled workforce using a model which is likely to attract new workers to the care sector
· support the start-up of six to seven CMEs that will deliver care services in areas of need, and
· deliver up to six additional projects to help grow existing CMEs.
Case studies can be found in this link:
https://blcw.dss.gov.au/articles/case-study-aged-care-the-co-operative-life/
To find out more about how co-operatives and mutuals might work for you, contact a BLCW Regional Coordinator at [email protected]
Other resources on governance can be explored here: https://bccm.coop/about/what-we-do/governance/
by Carol T | 18, May 2022 | LGBTIQA+, Services and support groups, Training and professional development
Through the generosity of Coles, 2 two-year Pride in Health + Wellbeing Memberships are available to help smaller organisations provide more LGBTQ inclusive care.
These memberships will allow these organisations to not only review and upskill on their care for gender and sexuality diverse patients/service users but also to measure this change through the free annual Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI) benchmark and surveys.
Criteria
These two memberships will be awarded to organisations that meet the following criteria:
• Less than 25 FTE
• Be a not-for-profit organisation
• Working in the health, wellbeing or human services sector
• Working with vulnerable, marginalised and minoritised communities (e.g. culturally and linguistically diverse communities, refugee and newly arrived communities, those impacted by domestic, family and intimate partner violence, people living with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, regional and remote communities etc)
• Are located outside a capital city
• At least one is for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander focused organisation
Expression of Interest forms can be found here.
https://www.prideinhealth.com.au/membership/membership-grant-opportunities/
by Carol T | 11, May 2022 | Research reports and information, Services and support groups
The Australian Government is inviting organisations in an open process to apply to deliver grants under the Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Program – Fostering Integration Grants from 2022 to 2023.
The objective of the grant opportunity is to facilitate the participation, integration and social cohesion of both newly arrived migrants and multicultural communities in Australia.
Applications close at 9:00 pm AEST on Tuesday 14 June 2022.
Information about applying for this round can be found on GrantConnect.
by Carol T | 11, May 2022 | Aged care, Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
Have you talked to your family about how you would like to be cared for in your advanced years? Families notch up so much intimate knowledge about their loved ones. Yet, advance care planning is often the most important conversations and we end up avoiding it. If you were too unwell to speak for yourself, who would speak for you and what would they say?
Advance care planning offers all of us the opportunity to discuss our preferences early, preparing ourselves and our loved ones in case there comes a time when we can’t make our own treatment decisions, or communicate them.
View the stories in the new ‘The Questions that Matter Most’ video. Visit advancecareplanning.org.au to access a free email starter pack and other helpful information.
For free, personalised advice, call the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 from 9am to 5pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. Full article in link below
https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/latest-in-lifestyle/plan-ahead-and-avoid-family-heartbreak
by Carol T | 11, May 2022 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Services and support groups
Does your community organisation need a governance refresh?
Justice Connect Not-for-profit Law is offering free Governance Health Checks to eligible not-for-profit organisations in the social services and health sectors and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations based in New Sotuh Wales, thanks to the NSW Government’s Social Sector Transformation Fund.
Find out more and register your interest in a Governance Health Check follow this link.
https://www.nfplaw.org.au/help/legal-help-nsw/governance-health-checks
by Social Futures Community Hub | 4, May 2022 | Services and support groups
It is with regret that Lismore’s iconic Eat the Street Festival, scheduled for later this month, has been cancelled due to the extensive flood-damage to much of the CBD’s infrastructure and many CBD businesses.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said it was crucial that businesses were able to focus on repairing their premises so they could reopen as quickly as possible.
“Eat the Street is an extremely popular event for our community, but I am sure everyone will understand that given the 28 February natural disaster followed by the March flood, we have little choice but to cancel the event this year,” he said.
“This will allow our businesses to focus on repairing their premises so that they can once again open their doors and provide jobs for our community.
“We understand the community’s strong desire to come together after what we’ve been through. We are currently organising a number of smaller events and will release details once they are locked in.”
Since its inception in 2016, Eat the Street has become an iconic Northern Rivers festival, showcasing the regions’ finest food vendors and entertaining tens of thousands of people. It was cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lismore City General Manager John Walker said Eat the Street will return again next year, bigger and better.
“We understand the community’s disappointment with the cancelation. Apart from being a great day where people can taste some of the best food our region has to offer, tourism events like Eat the Street are crucial to our local economy and businesses,” he said.
“While it is unfortunate that we had to cancel this year’s festival, it will be back in 2023 bigger and better than before.”
by Carol T | 4, May 2022 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
A toll-free 24-hour telephone counselling service is every day of the year for ALL remote health workers/service providers and their families.
You can call 1800 805 391.
Bush Support provides a range of programs and resources to assist remote workers and their families in managing the stress of living and working in a remote location. The program includes an anonymous, nationwide 24-hour telephone debriefing and support service, staffed by psychologists with remote experience.
Click here to find out more.
https://crana.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing/overview
by Ava Freeland | 4, May 2022 | Families and children, Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
The Family and Carer Mental Health Program invites anyone who is supporting a friend, neighbour or family member with a mental health issue to join us in their activities and support groups.
The Family and Carer Mental Health Program aim is to keep people connected and supported and looking after their own mental health.
Many people would have found themselves in a caring role in recent times and whether this is new or something that you’ve been doing for sometime, the Family and Carer Mental Health Program would love for you to join them.
by Carol T | 19, Apr 2022 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. So, in conjunction with Parkinson’s Queensland, Home Instead presents ‘A Lap For Parkinson’s’.
A collaborative initiative focused on raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. In partnership with local Health Professionals and community groups, this event was designed to reduce stigma and enhance education for a disease that affects over 130,000 Australians.
You are invited to find out about available support and to celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness Month on Saturday 30 April 2022 from 8:30 am – Midday. Where: The Gold Coast Performance Centre, 1 Sports Drive Runaway Bay QLD.
To find out more details go to https://a-lap-for-parkinsons.raisely.com/
by Carol T | 19, Apr 2022 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
Mental Health Australia have provided a step-by-step guide to support the community to think about the issues that are important and how to follow up with the local members, Senator’s and candidates to make sure you can have your issues heard.
The link below provides details.
https://mhaustralia.org/our-work/2022-election-vote-mental-health-mind
by Carol T | 19, Apr 2022 | Aged care, Services and support groups, Training and professional development
A joint collaboration between the Centre for Cultural Diversity and the PICAC Alliance, this webinar unpacks culturally diverse perspectives on end of life care and approaches to death and dying amongst diverse communities.
It features case studies from the PICAC Alliance with perspectives from peak bodies exploring the confluence between cultural sensitivity and end of life care.
Wednesday, April 20
Time: 2pm to 3.30pm
Where: Zoom
Register here
by Carol T | 19, Apr 2022 | Funding and grant opportunities, Services and support groups
Lismore Centrelink office now has a temporary office located at the Goonellabah Library, 27 Oliver Avenue.
Opening Hours
| Today |
19 Apr |
8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Tomorrow |
20 Apr |
8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Thu |
21 Apr |
8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Fri |
22 Apr |
8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Sat |
23 Apr |
Closed |
| Sun |
24 Apr |
Closed |
| Mon |
25 Apr |
Closed |
Services
by Social Futures Community Hub | 14, Apr 2022 | Services and support groups
new program in Kempsey and Bellingen is responding to the needs of people at risk of suicide. It also services the areas of Nambucca Valley and Macksville, (reaching as far west as Bowraville).
The not-for-profit organisation, Social Futures, is delivering Care Connect to support people who have recently attempted suicide, self-harmed or had suicidal ideas.
Care Connect’s program manager Jason Timperley said Care Connect links people to supports to help with challenges in areas including family relationships, housing and finance.
“We can also link people with clinical supports, including psychologists and psychiatrists,” Mr Timperley said.
“The assistance we give is all encompassing, we support the individual, their family and/or their caregivers after the person has been discharged from hospital or received other care.
“Our program workers assess the individual, identifying their personal challenges and needs, and then develops a personal plan around those. That means meeting regularly with the program worker and putting the person in touch with the care required to improve emotional and social wellbeing.”
Mr Timperley said research has found that some groups in the community have a higher suicide risk including:
- young people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- LGBTIQAP+ people
- people with a disability
- older people
- people in financial crisis
“We always seek to find culturally appropriate supports for the people we are working with,” Mr Timperley said.
To contact CareConnect phone 1800 718 873.
CareConnect is funded by Healthy North Coast.
by Social Futures Community Hub | 14, Apr 2022 | Services and support groups
Healthy North Coast has established the Head to Health service in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH). The free mental health service includes a 1800 helpline to help support local intake, assessment and referral, plus a new Head to Health Hub located at Lismore’s Primary Health Precinct at the Southern Cross University Campus.
Head to Health provides immediate mental health support and short to medium-term mental health care under a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If long-term care is needed, Head to Health will help connect people to the most appropriate services.
Head to Health can assist and support GPs and other health professionals in:
- providing a comprehensive patient assessment using the Initial Assessment Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) to identify the appropriate type of intensity of care needed for their patient (Level 1 to 5).
- finding the most suitable mental health support for their patients, including:
- access to existing low-intensity services and resources
- dedicated care provided at a Head to Health Hub or at other community-based services
- warm referral into specialist or acute mental health services, including emergency care or an area mental health triage.
Clinical care available at Lismore’s Head to Health Hub
Head to Health Hubs are staffed by multidisciplinary teams of skilled mental health professionals, including psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, and alcohol and drug workers. These teams will collaborate with GPs to support their patients onsite or through telehealth services.
No referral needed
Patients do not require a GP referral to access Head to Health. The free intake and referral helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 5 pm on 1800 595 212, as is the Lismore Head to Health Hub. No appointment is needed to visit the Hub.
The Head to Health Hub team may request further information to assist your patient with the most appropriate care. If your patient is going to receive care from a clinic, with their permission, you will be contacted for further information and shared care planning.
Patient care plans can be shared with a person’s regular GP or referring health professional if the patient consents.
Please note, Head to Health is not a crisis service and patients requiring immediate care or crisis intervention should be managed through the local mental health triage or 000 if there are immediate safety concerns.
by Social Futures Community Hub | 13, Apr 2022 | Services and support groups
Disaster Recovery Centres
Find a centre: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres
Dedicated community recovery centres provide face-to-face support for people impacted by the floods. Some of the services may include:
- Accommodation advice
- Financial assistance
- Support for businesses
- Insurance and legal support
- Relevant charitable services
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Replacing lost ID
Link2home
Free call 1800 152 152
- Provides information on crisis housing
- Conducts assessments
- Makes referrals to homelessness services across NSW
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year
- Free call 1800 152 152
Connecting Home
Free call 1800 048 310 (intake number), 02 6620 1800
Email: [email protected]
A Social Futures service that provides support for youth, men, women and families who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to identify and source sustainable housing. Program workers inform people about their options, link to appropriate housing providers and community supports and services. You can call our intake number – 1800 048 310 and leave a message for us to return your call, you can call us on 1800 719 625 or email us at [email protected]
Connecting Home does not provide temporary / crisis accommodation. If you are homeless and need emergency accommodation please call Link2Home 1800 152 152.
Service NSW – Storm and flood customer care service
www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods
Call 13 77 88, seven days a week between 7am and 10pm.
For free help in your language, call Translating and Interpreting Services on 13 14 50 and ask them to contact us on 13 77 88.
Service NSW is helping people and businesses impacted by the severe storms and floods. Visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods to get the latest updates on assistance available including:
Temporary Housing Support Package for people who need accommodation in the coming weeks and months and includes:
- Temporary housing options for rural land owners
- Mobile motor homes
- Temporary accommodation in recreation clubs
- Access to the Red Cross housing brokerage service.
If you’re currently staying with family or friends and need support, register online to get notified about the temporary housing support package https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/register-interest-floods-temporary-housing-support-package?fbclid=IwAR1q2o1oRvGprhX4gww4kxyWOqwRJoUK0SI9AkMyWnJhVzOG5P05rTKDkBk
Back Home Grant which provides financial support to renters and homeowners in eligible local government areas who are unable to claim under insurance. The grants will be available in the coming weeks. Applicants can find out more and register to be notified via www.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-support
Emergency accommodation is available to people who have had their homes affected by the February and March 2022 floods. Temporary emergency accommodation for those that have no other means is available by visiting an evacuation centre, or by calling 13 77 88.
Momentum Collective
Free call 1300 900 091
Assists people to access crisis accommodation and provide the support they need to transition to a safe and stable home environment. The customer service team is available on 1300 900 091 between 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and they will be able to direct you to the appropriate support available, depending on the location.
If you have nowhere safe to stay tonight, you can contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152.
Mental Health 24/7 telephone services
There is 24/7 help available on the following numbers:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
- 13YARN – a crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. It offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can call 13YARN on 13 92 76.
For Centrelink services, you can now call ahead to book an appointment at a service centre. Call your regular payment line.
Services our staff can help you with include:
Services you can access using our self-service terminals: