by Social Futures Community Hub | 14, Oct 2020 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
Ensuring access to health services is widely accepted as key to improving health outcomes. Like other rural communities, people living in Northern NSW have poorer access to and use of health services compared to people living in urban areas. This is amplified for minority and disadvantaged groups in our community.
Measuring access to care and identifying dimensions of access is challenging. In this seminar we will discuss how access is conceptualised in relation to a framework that integrates demand and supply side dimensions of access to care. This interactive seminar will be useful for anyone interested in improving access to care, through program implementation, evaluation, reflection or research.
Presented by Ross Bailie and Jodie Bailie
To register: Zoom registration link
by Social Futures Community Hub | 14, Oct 2020 | Services and support groups, Training and professional development
In April, the Australian Government announced a ‘debt pause’ and Centrelink largely stopped contacting people to tell them they’d been overpaid. Although Centrelink stopped raising debts, they haven’t stopped calculating them.
The debt pause is scheduled to end on 30 October and we’re anticipating a debt ‘surge’ as more than 6 months of debt notices are sent out. The numbers are compounded by a range of factors including the unprecedented number of people claiming payments; Centrelink dropping some standard reporting requirements during the initial COVID response; many people’s lack of familiarity with Centrelink requirements; and overlapping payments of JobSeeker and JobKeeper. A lot of people are unaware they’ve been overpaid and have no idea what’s coming.
During the debt pause, people repaying debts were able to ask for repayments to be suspended. They will also need to start re-payments.
Welfare Rights Centre’s free community legal education session, Centrelink Debts and Robodebts, will outline options when Centrelink raises a debt. Speakers will cover common reasons debts are raised and measures you can take to check that there really is a debt and the amount of the debt has been calculated correctly. They will also address how to negotiate repayments.
The session will outline how to appeal Centrelink decisions that are incorrect or seem unfair, and the type of circumstances in which a debt can be waived. It will also address garnishee actions, Departure Prohibition Orders and possible criminal prosecution.
Speakers will also provide an overview of the current situation regarding Robodebts, including the Government’s commitment to refund recovered money and the pending class action for compensation.
Jointly presented by Welfare Rights Centre’s Solicitor and Community Legal Education Officer, the session will include case studies and time for questions. Participants are welcome to submit questions beforehand to ensure areas of particular interest are covered.
This training session is not an RLC event. For more information please contact Welfare Rights Centre: [email protected] . Welfare Rights Centre is a specialist community legal centre providing free legal advice on Centrelink and social security matters to people in NSW.
Please follow this link for bookings.
by donna.byer | 7, Oct 2020 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
There’s never been a better time to enjoy riding bike! The Biketober Business Challenge runs throughout October and we’d like to invite you all to take part.
It’s a fun, free competition where we’re competing to see which workplace can get the most staff to try cycling. There are loads of prizes that you can win by riding and encouraging friends and colleagues.
Riding a bike is a good way to ensure you are getting enough daily physical activity, boost your mood and your immune system and an easy and fun way to travel from A to B while avoiding crowds.
If you haven’t ridden in years, don’t worry! You only have to ride a bike for 10 minutes for your participation to count towards our team’s score. Ride anywhere, anytime during the Challenge (doesn’t have to be a trip to work!).
If you already ride – you already know how enjoyable riding is and how good it makes you feel. So, here’s your chance to get your workmates to experience how easy and enjoyable riding can be.
Get involved, it only takes 30 seconds to register. Go to lovetoride.net/NSW, click ‘Register’ at the top of the page!
Give it a go and pedal your way to victory!
by donna.byer | 7, Oct 2020 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
An eight-week group program for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse which will focus on the following themes:
Getting to know each other and laying foundations
Neuroscience – connecting brain and body
Grounding ourselves
Mapping and navigating our nervous system
Exploring connections and relationships
Self-compassion and self-care
Wednesdays 12.30 – 2.30pm commencing 21 October 2020
Facilitators: Beth Cronin and Sue Partridge (social workers)
Cost: $50-150 depending on what you can contribute (payment arrangements available)
Due to Covid-19 groups will have a maximum of 6 participants.
To book or for further information please contact us on 0432 889 665 and at [email protected]
Heartfelt house is a small specialist service providing group work programs to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. We are based on beautiful grounds allowing us to incorporate nature into our healing-centred approach.
Support Services that may relate to this post
by Social Futures Community Hub | 29, Sep 2020 | Services and support groups
On Friday 16th October, the Gold Coast is being asked to swap the ‘Gold to Yellow’ as local businesses, schools and community groups GO YELLOW for World Food Day to raise awareness and funds for Oz Harvest.
Please follow link to learn more: https://events.ozharvest.org/go-yellow
by Katrina | 29, Sep 2020 | Families and children, Services and support groups
Dr Rob Gordon – Tackling uncertainty and anxiety ahead of the next disaster season
Audience: everyone
Date: Thursday 15th October
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n0Ndf3vWRRSeN4G05lU-eQ
More information
Jessie Huard
NSW Recovery Lead
Australian Red Cross
Mobile 0414 928 129
Email [email protected]
by susel | 29, Sep 2020 | Services and support groups, Young people
Please find attached the Connect 2020 School Leaver Guide. For those of you that are familiar with this guide, Connect traditionally dispurses this online guide annually. It is extremely useful for those students who are transitioning out of school and navigating their way into the world of work, learning and life as an adult.
The information is broken into several sections that contain a series of questions and links to gain support and guidance including;
• Accommodation and Housing
• Education and Training
• Health and Wellbeing
• Job Search and Career Planning
• Legal Matters
• Money and Finance
• Personal Development and other Living Skills
• Work Knowledge
• Work Skills and Employability
• Financial support or additional help.
This year, sees some added challenges for students leaving school, with the impact of COVID-19 on travel and our economy, there are several resources which may be useful also.
by susel | 29, Sep 2020 | Services and support groups, Young people
We are delighted to advise that the Work it Out program has been officially extended until June 2022. All referrals will need to be made by March 2022 to allow for reporting requirements.
In the usual manner, we require a 100-day exemption from attendance for those students under 17 years of age.
We encourage you refer the program to your 12 students to ease their transition from school to work or further learning.
Please find attached the Work it Out flyer and referral form for your purposes. Follow this link for more information.
by Katrina | 29, Sep 2020 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Services and support groups
Free Birth Certificate and Free Birth Registration for Aboriginal young people who are:
• Pre-school aged children
• Primary school aged children
• Secondary school aged children
• transitioning from school to the workforce
• transitioning from school to further education
• Aboriginal parents/Carers/guardians to Aboriginal children
• Juvenile Justice detainees (School and transitional aged only)
• Adult Correctional Centres
Date: Wednesday 21 Oct 2020
When: Morning Only from: 8:30am –12:30pm
Where: Gurehlgam Community Centre, 18-26 Victoria Street Grafton NSW 2460
For more information about applying and the ID requirements visit our website www.pathfinders.ngo or contact Ron on 0429684488 or [email protected]
by susel | 29, Sep 2020 | Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
The new suicide prevention initiatives will be coming to our area, one of which is the Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT). A company called Inside Out, which specialises in working with people with a Lived Experience of Suicide, has been contracted to support the LHD in the co-design of the new SPOT team. The co-design team will consist of equal part Lived Experience Consultants and Service Providers.
We are looking for 6 people with a Lived Experience of Suicide to be part of the co-design process and would be very grateful if you could share the attached flyer as widely as possible amongst your networks, or with people who you think may be interested. The co-design will commence on Wednesday 7th October. Apologies that there is not as much notice as we would have liked but we have only recently been able to lock in dates.
We understand that 2020 has been a particularly challenging time for some people and so we have provided several crisis support options below.
by [email protected] | 22, Sep 2020 | Services and support groups
The Lismore & District Financial Counselling Service has a team of Financial Counsellors who can assist individuals living in the Tweed to Richmond Valley regions of Northern NSW.
Financial counsellors provide free, confidential, and independent advice to people who have money and debt problems. Examples of advice include:
· understanding which debts are priorities
· developing budgets and money plans
· understanding the pros and cons of different options to manage financial issues
· accessing grants or concessions
· negotiating with creditors
We do not give investment advice. We encourage self-advocacy. We aim to educate and empower clients.
We are delighted to announce the addition of 2 Bush Fire Recovery Financial Counsellors to our team.
Our Bushfire Recovery Financial Counsellors can help you assess your current situation, consider your eligibility for grants and financial relief and work with you towards a plan for recovery.
Please email [email protected] or call (02) 66 222 171 for appointments.
by susel | 15, Sep 2020 | Families and children, Funding and grant opportunities, Services and support groups
The Heart Foundation has up to ten $10,000 grants for new, innovative programs that get more people
moving in schools, universities or local community groups.
The HF is encouraging community groups, councils, schools (primary and secondary), tertiary institutions
(universities, TAFEs, colleges), and other organisations to come up with an innovative idea to encourage
physical activity in a chosen group or community.
Community members/individuals will need to either hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN) or
partner with an eligible entity (one that holds a current ABN) for the project to be considered eligible, and to
enable a funding agreement to be executed.
The Heart Foundation strongly encourages innovative projects that specifically support people not
meeting Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, people at risk of chronic
disease, and people living in communities with high levels of physical inactivity, including rural and remote
regions. This includes people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and people with culturally
and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Grant ideas (based on previous years’ winners) include:
• Dance classes
• Exercising using virtual reality technology
• Surfing lessons for children with autism
• Engaging special interest groups (eg. Scouts and girl guides)
• Guided bicycle tours for young people
• Silent disco in aged care
• Free play resources (toys etc) in a portable trailer
• Walking/cycling ‘school buses’
Please follow this link for more information.
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by Katrina | 8, Sep 2020 | Families and children, Services and support groups
A resource developed by panelists at the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program (CLSD) webinar – see attached file.
It’s important to understand that young people who are in care, leaving care or entering care may have a range of legal issues. Local legal services offer education in identifying legal problems. If you would like a Legal Education Session or if your client needs legal advice please contact us.
Local Legal Service Contacts
Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre (Civil & Family Law)
Phone- 6621 1000
Web- https://northernriversclc.org.au/
The Aboriginal Legal Service (Criminal, Family, Care & Protection)
Phone- 6623 4400
Web- www.alsnswact.org.au/
Legal Aid NSW (Criminal, Family, Civil, Care & Protection)
Phone- 6621 2082
Web- www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/
by [email protected] | 1, Sep 2020 | Disability and inclusion, Families and children, Health and wellbeing (including Mental Health), Services and support groups
Richmond Tweed Regional Library wants to hear from you!
RTRL has been providing the community with outreach services through a mobile library since 1980. During that time the service has evolved to meet changing community needs and expectations.
In 2017, RTRL member Councils signed the RTRL Deed of Agreement which requires the library to review our mobile library service. To fulfil that requirement, we will be undertaking community consultation and research to inform the review.
What we are doing
We are currently undertaking a review and consultation process to ensure we are servicing the community need in the best way we can. The outcome of the process may result in changes or adjustments to the current service, or we may find that what we are currently offering best fits the need. We need your input to plan what happens next.
How can you contribute
If you would like to participate in the review process, you can complete our online survey running from August 24 to September 6. The purpose of the survey is to uncover your needs so that we can assess our service against your needs and respond accordingly. The survey can be taken online by clicking here, or by visiting any RTRL branch during opening hours.
We will be facilitating four focus groups during September and October to seek feedback on the findings of the online survey and possible library responses. To express your interest in participating in the focus groups, please complete the online survey which has a section to leave your details. We will then contact you with further details.
What will change?
We won’t know what, if any, changes need to be made to the service until the consultation process is complete. Any changes will be communicated to the community.
How do you stay up to date with what’s happening?
This webpage will be the main source of information and updates during the consultation and review. Information will be shared on the Library and Council’s social media channels, websites and in our branches. Subscribe and follow the Library at the bottom of the page.
How will we manage your information
Information provided by you through the online survey or focus groups will be used for the purpose of evaluating your needs and the Mobile Library service. The Library does not provide your details to third parties.
Who to contact if you have questions about the process?
You can use the Library’s Contact Us page, email [email protected] or phone Support Services on 02 6625 5100
Timeline
Online survey – August 24 through September 6
Focus groups – September through October 2020
Service model put forward – November
Visit the RTRL website to take the survey or participate in a focus group.
by donna.byer | 18, Aug 2020 | Families and children, Services and support groups
The Purple Book is now available in Tweed & Murwillumbah for Organisations working with clients impacted by Domestic & Family Violence
The Tweed Domestic Violence Integrated Response Committee (DVIRC) have sort funding to develop and print a cross-border (Tweed/Gold Coast) edition of the Purple Book. This publication is for those community members who live in the Tweed Shire and those from other areas in our region that are dealing with Domestic & Family Violence across the QLD Border. We would therefore recommend that this is the target group for this resource.
This is a wonderful resource and we are proud to have been involved in it’s development and now distribution to our communities. Please contact your closest access point to pick up your FREE booklets.
Joy Peters (on Behalf of the DVIRC Committee)
Purple Book Pick up locations for Community & Government Organisations
Murwillumbah Community Centre – Nullum Street Murwillumbah
Contact – Amanda Lindh
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 02 6672 3003
Mon to Thurs: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Friday: 9.00am to 12.00pm
Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre – 10b-12a Elizabeth Street, Pottsville Beach
PBNC main administration area,– open 9:00am to 1:30pm Contact: Angela Maxwell M: 0401 025 195 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm E: [email protected]
Murwillumbah Services Australia (formerly known as Centrelink Office) 107-113 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah, via PBNC’s Child and Family Support Service – usually each Wednesday morning.
Contact: Kym Ziegler M: 0455 911 715 E: [email protected]
Martin Watt Centre (bookshop and office) with St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 16 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah, via PBNC’s Child and Family Support Service – usually each Thursday morning during NSW school terms. ontact: Kym Ziegler M: 0455 911 715 E: [email protected]
Momentum Collective – 44a Wharf Street, Tweed Heads
Contact – Cheryl Coppin
[email protected]
44a Wharf St Tweed Heads
Office opened 9am-4pm
Tweed Heads Community Health, Florence Street, Tweed Heads
Contact – Angela McColl
My work days are Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 – 5:00.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0755067520.
The Family centre – 1/14 Amber Rd Tweed Heads South OR 15-17 Frances St Tweed Heads NSW (Opposite Church)
Contact – Shell Scott
Mobile:0498 069 260
Email: [email protected]
Times available: 9 – 3pm Mon to Friday or by appointment.
