Charlestown Caring Group Inc. Management Committee Members

OFFICE: 23 JAMES ST, CHARLESTOWN 2290 PHONE: 4942 1117 FAX: 4942 1337 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.charlestowncaring.org.au OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday- 8am- 3pm

Charlestown Caring Group Inc. Management Committee Members: Office Bearers John Mihell Chairperson Gordon Hughes Treasurer Marion Falcocchio Secretary Kay Ryan Asst. Secretary/ liaison Members Tony Frawley Community Representative Kirsten Girnth Community Service Provider Gaenor Keena Community Representative Daryl Jeffs Community Representative John Falconer Community Representative

A MESSAGE FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER

Hello everyone!! This edition is jam packed with information and feedback. See the feedback & great photos from our first ever cruise (3 nights). Thanks to Alyson and Kerry for all the preparation with necessary planning, documents and volunteering their time also to Judith for assisting, you all helped make some people’s dreams come true! In the past, we also took a group of clients to Nelson Bay for a few nights and that was appreciated as well. With our dedicated staff and volunteers and available funds from other grants, fundraising etc we would not be able to do these special one off events, without their help.

In appreciation of our wonderful volunteers we will be holding our mid-year function on 24th July (Christmas in the July theme). So keep this day free, more information in the next newsletter.

1 We also have been invited by SADI (Stroke and Disability Information and Advocacy) to join them to celebrate “Seniors” so we have 30 seats we can fill, you will be given $20 each for lunch at Central Charlestown Leagues Club on Wednesday 15th April 2015. Let us know if you would like to attend (clients and volunteers). SADI assists us in many ways, they also get CCG our annual sponsorship for free bus services at Cardiff Toyota and provide advocacy support for our clients in need, just to name a few.

We recently had volunteers and few a clients go to the Seniors Premier Gala Concert in Sydney and appreciated the free tickets, CCG funded lunches for those in attendance and the feedback was very positive.

We have not forgotten about the Social club events as discussed at Volunteer meeting, but with all of the above as well as our upcoming Quality Review, this is to be withheld until next edition, Maureen G will assist with the planning, so give her any other ideas you may have, even if it’s a night out or a BYO picnic to get everyone all together.

Reminder there is NO Tuesday CBDC on 7th April. Another date to put on your calendar is Sat 17th July as Susan is coordinating a fundraiser “Soup and Trivia Night” at Dudley Hall so get those thinking caps on!

The date for our Quality Review is 29th April 2015 – Where assessors will come out to CCG, review all our systems, documentation files have interviews and ensure that we meet all the Commonwealth HACC Standards. If there are areas where we do not comply they will report it back to DSS (our funding body). Information is attached to this newsletter. If any clients would like an appointment with one of the assessors, ring the office and we will put your name down, or you can meet as a small group. We will arrange transport to the office or you may prefer to speak over the phone with them. Or you can ring or email them directly. I will give feedback in the next newsletter of how we went.

Accounts A big thank you to all clients who attend groups as adapted to the change. A reminder to make sure when paying by depositing into CCG bank to put first initial then last name eg (B. Smith) we can easily identify your payment. Accounts will be out sooner next time as Barb was on leave first week of March. If unsure of anything need assistance please phone the office.

Programs 2 To keep in line with changes for Home Support Program we must continue to promote independence wellbeing and client choices.

Part of these choices, is to choose your own activities, without being “prompted” to attend, as sometimes you may not feel like attending but feel obligated Starting now:- in newsletters we provide calendars of all the programs for the coming 2 months. Read through carefully, decide what you would like to attend and it is up to you the client to phone the office and let staff know what you would like to attend or can hand a list to Alyson or Kerry. We will then put your name on lists for each program, Alyson and Kerry will complete the attendance bus list and clients that cannot attend due to bus being full will be put on the waiting list. Staff will call to let you know if you are on the waiting list. If someone cancels they will ring if there is a vacancy. Someone from the office will call you on the day before to remind you and make sure you are still going. Please if you cannot go let us know as soon as possible, as we may have someone else wanting a seat!

Wellbeing group This group was started with “wellbeing” in mind for those more “active clients” who do not want to sit and play Bingo, Cards etc. The criteria for this group are:  You must be able to walk unaided (no frames)  Be able to get on and off a small bus easily  Be capable and willing to go for walks, do exercise and maintain your mobility  It is not meant to be just another bus trip, the wellbeing group is for people who are active, have a wellbeing focus. Sometimes the wellbeing group may be held at the office especially in the winter months, where you will do exercises, cook healthy nutritious meals, learn about food safety and reading labels etc If interested in this group, please phone the office. So remember. Ring in with what you want to attend or make a list and give to Kerry or Alyson or you will miss out. First priority to those who are not able to attend many outings.

Surveys Thank you to all those who returned their surveys. I can’t express how important these forms are to CCG. We all get busy, paperwork takes up so much time out of the office and it is the only way that we can identify if staff, volunteers, clients are happy with our services and if there are improvements that we need to make. You don’t have to wait for surveys, other ways of communicating on services at CCG are through direct phone calls to the office and ask to speak to the 3 Coordinator (Alyson) or Manager (Margaret) we also have volunteer client meeting to express your suggestions and keep you up to date. We have a locked suggestion box at the office, where only the Manager has key to access it. We also have improvement logos for any suggestions. Just ask a staff member for a copy. I have attached a summary of the survey results to this edition, have taken suggestions on board and as an outcome have included information on Advocacy, complaints system and volunteer positions as a couple of people were unsure about these topics. We have also contacted the referral centre and attending network meetings to advertise our availability especially for male clients. Some volunteers are aware of the procedures eg we always phone clients prior to attending an outgoing activity. Also we will continue to apply for grants for more holiday overnight stays. If there is a volunteer shortage at groups we need to know so we can let the volunteers centre know, at present we are very short on drivers with many on leave. We try to keep everyone up to date with everything, within the constraints of confidentiality and privacy act.

Volunteer positions at CCG:-  Management committee members- people with current or recent financial accounting, management, human resource, business management skills are preferred. If no vacancies, we have a succession plan so if someone leaves we have a replacement, or some may want to be in an Adhoc way, where we can call on their expertise on a “as needed basis”.  Drivers – always needed for transporting to medical appointments. Drivers to take people shopping or do shopping for clients with a list  Home visits  Office volunteers [filled at present]  Gardening/grounds  Minor maintenance  Newsletter production  WHS officer [filled at present]  Shopping Bus Groups – Small groups eg Men’s, Wellbeing, and Wednesday CBDC Groups – large eg Tuesday CBDC and Friday CBDC (S. Morning and outing bus)

Volunteers can put names down for any positions even if we have no vacancies at present, when a vacancy exists we will contact you.

4 Also in one of the client surveys, it was stated that they did not know how to access other services eg cleaning. Please always ring the office if there is anything you require , if we cannot help, we can advise you of other services who can assist

Until next time

Margaret Morgan Service Manager

MY BEST FRIEND

My bed and I are the best of friends Perhaps you’ll call us lovers. We are together every night As I snuggle ‘neath the covers.

Sometimes in the daylight hours, When the stress of life descends- I will lie in its caressing arms As my aching body mends.

And I will buy the best for it, The best bedding in the town, The very finest linen sheets And a quilt of eiderdown.

So do not weep for me, my friends If I’m confined to bed. Think of me in my lovers arms, And be glad for me instead.

By Rosemary Pont

5 Social Support Report

This year is moving along and Easter is nearly here!

Transport services: Please phone the office and inform staff of your appointment date and time, we ask that you do this as soon as you get the appointment as time is needed to find a volunteer to provide the service.

Centre Based Day Care & Outing: Please ensure you ring the office and book in for the Calendar outing’s you wish to attend a lot of the outings are popular and do have waiting lists at times.

“Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!”

Alyson – Coordinator

Centre Based Day Care Report

Hi everybody hope you are all well and having a great time at centre based day care programs we are arranging for you. As you can see we have lots of fun and exciting events and outings happening, for example Fort Scratchley, Westpac Helicopters , Blackbutt Reserve just to name a few. As you know you are now paying by monthly accounts for your groups, but if we have a special activity or event such as going to the movies, Oakdale Farm where entry fees are paid you will need to pay your entry as this is not included in your fee. If money is required on the day it will be put on the calendar, so you are aware in advance to bring money along.

Also don’t forget to ring the office with what you want to attend; as if you don’t ring in and book you will miss out.

Looking forward to seeing you

KERRY- Program Officer

6 Charlestown Caring Group SURVEY AUDIT REPORT Survey User/Client 1. Summary of results:

Overall very positive results as demand stated in comments Areas for improvement being to ensure information given more frequently on Advocacy and how to make a complaint Also one client indicated that they require a cleaning service and one client would like more quizzes. 2. What do the results tell us? (What are the key problems/issues identified)

Information on Advocacy “what is an advocate?” and how to make a complaint has been addressed at client meetings, at time of initial assessment at least, annually in newsletters, and advertisement on CCG website Results show that there are still some who are unsure. Therefore information on Advocacy and complaints will be provided in the next issue of Newsletter as well as client meeting Also information on calling office for further information if they require any additional services

VOLUNTEER SURVEY RESULTS

The results show that majority of volunteers feel CCG does well as an organisation providing community services. The results also identify the need to ensure that volunteers are aware of the importance of returning surveys, this has been addressed previously at volunteer meetings and in newsletters, and another reminder is evident. The results also show that improvements are required, 2 volunteers may feel they are not valued, and this needs to be addressed, as CCG does value all volunteer support (CCG has volunteer appreciation luncheons several times per year, nominates volunteers annually for Shortland awards and volunteer of the year).

7 Community News

HELPFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Centrelink: Aged pension - 13 23 00 DSP/ Carer benefits – 13 27 17 NSW Seniors Card Discounts on goods and services – 1300 364 758 NSW Companion card Free event admission for companions of eligible people with a disability – 1800 893 044 Medicare – 132 011 Office of Hearing Services Subsidised hearing aids – 1800 500 726 VisionCare Subsidised spectacles – 1300 847 466 Public Dental Health Services Call NSW Health for details – (02) 9370 3100 or 1800 422 016 NSW Department of Housing Info and applications for public and community housing – 1300 468 746 Tenants Advice Line Mondays 3-6pm – 1800 251 101

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SIMONES MOBILE HAIRDRESSING

Specialises in haircuts for the elderly in the comfort of your own home- Ladies cut & blow dry $25 Gents haircuts from $10 Ladies short hair perms $70

Phone -0423184396 to make an appointment

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8 Lemonade Scones

Ingredients 300g (2 cups) self-raising flour, sifted 55g (1/4 cup) caster sugar 125ml (1/2 cup) thick cream 125ml (1/2 cup) lemonade 40ml (2 tablespoons) milk

Method

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 220C. Lightly grease a baking tray.

Step 2 Place the flour, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the cream and lemonade and mix to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured workbench and knead lightly until combined. Press the dough with your hands to a thickness of about 2cm. Use a 6cm round cutter to cut out 8 scones, place on baking tray and brush the tops with some milk. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm with your favourite jam.

Yummmmmmmmm!

9 Client Cruise 2015

On Friday 20th February, 5 clients (Shirley O, Elizabeth P, Betty R, Shirley A & Christine R) went on a Carnival Cruise for 4 days and 3 nights. The clients were supported by 2 staff (Alyson W & Kerry G) and a Volunteer (Judith H).

They travelled to Sydney on the Charlestown Caring Bus kindly driven by Volunteer Trevor. They boarded the ship at Circular Quay at lunchtime and enjoyed a lovely lunch once on the ship. It was a very large ship with nearly 2,000 people on it with pools, 2 restaurants, bar’s, gym and entertainment areas. The clients had 2 cabins with 4 people in each with one of the cabins getting an upgrade and had a balcony and the view was spectacular. The clients enjoyed their breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Truffles Restaurant and the meals and service was exceptional. The clients enjoyed karaoke, stage shows, trivia and pool side treasure hunt which we won and received a trophy!

We received some really positive feedback from the clients that went on the cruise thanking Charlestown Caring Group for giving clients the chance to go on the cruise, which was amazing and they enjoyed it.

The experience was a great success and we hope in the future to offer other holiday experiences to other clients. If you have any suggestions please contact Alyson at the office.