8-9 New Youth Programs Creating a Brighter Future

ISSUE NO. 1 WINTER 2016 Flourish Celebrating the people and programs of UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide

8-9 NEW YOUTH PROGRAMS CREATING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

5 7 10 12 14 IN THIS Old beds are Helping more Fun, food & Congratulations Winter campaign ISSUE: put to good people to laughter for to our newest launched to help use overseas access loans Chinese New Year Centenarians homeless “ We are privileged to support people to overcome life challenges.”

CEO LIBBY CRAFT, 2016

Welcome

elcome to Flourish, our We launch our annual winter new quarterly publication campaign, Hang it up for Poverty, Wshowcasing the amazing to help SA’s homeless and speak with work of our staff and volunteers – our Anti Poverty Team Leader about and the successes of those we our emergency assistance program work alongside. providing food and warmth to thousands of people in need each year. Our work makes an enormous difference to people in our community. In our aged care homes, we have had We join together as a team, take our Chinese New Year festivities bringing roles seriously and provide quality colour and laughter to our sites, and services to make a positive difference two of our residents celebrating their to people’s lives. We are proud of our 100th birthdays. organisation and what it represents. We also meet a family who is the We assist people to have a home, essence of why we do what we do. find employment, attend education, They arrived in Australia almost 20 and improve their health and years ago with nothing more than a wellbeing. We are privileged to suitcase and our organisation provided support people to overcome life them with food and clothing. Now, challenges and work with them they are giving back to help others to improve their quality of life. in need. In this edition we celebrate our These are just a few of the stories community collaborations bringing in our first edition. We look forward people from diverse backgrounds to bringing you many more, as together. There’s a soccer program we continue to work to create a helping new arrivals forge friendships, compassionate, respectful and just a project improving literacy among community in which all people can young children and a partnership participate and Flourish. delivering beds from our aged care homes to communities in need Ms Libby Craft world-wide. Chief Executive Officer

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 2 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 IN THIS ISSUE

4 6 11

Meet the once struggling family Our Home Care Program is helping We sit down with Anti Poverty who are paying it forward to hundreds like Ruth stay in their own Team Leader Cindy Adey to learn others in need homes longer about the frontline

Welcome

UPCOMING DATES

June July August

5 World Environment Day 3–10 NAIDOC Week 1–7 Homeless Persons Week

13–19 Men’s Health Week 9–24 School holidays 12 International Youth Day

19–25 Refugee Week 26 Free BBQ at Family Centre 26 HIUFP Quiz Night

UCWPA PROFILE

20,299 822 151 2,149 5,021

PEOPLE CARED OCCASIONS OF LIVES EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERS FOR ACROSS EMERGENCY TOUCHED AGED CARE ASSISTANCE

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 3 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 1

The cycle of giving: one family’s story

hen Jasminka, her son and All three of her boys have gone on “Seeing a family come full circle, from grandson turned up at our to develop successful careers as an being the recipient to becoming the WFamily Centre with a trailer electrician, a small business owner donor, is what gets me out of bed in brimming with goods to donate, it was and a chef. the morning,” Ms Adey says. the culmination of a very long journey. “I have worked very hard to raise my “That’s what our role in the community A journey that started with Jasminka’s children and give them everything,” is all about – helping people to help upbringing in Croatia, her fleeing to Jasminka says. themselves and then, in an ideal world, Serbia with three young children to being in a position to help others.” “None of it would have been possible live in a refugee camp post-war, without that help when we first arrived. and her move to Australia to start 2 a new life. “Now we are able to give back.” It was 1999 when Jasminka arrived And that is just what the family in Adelaide with her husband and is doing. children, then aged 5, 15 and 18. The trailer of goods they donated “When we arrived we had nothing,” included a multitude of clothes, shoes, Jasminka recalls. toys and other household items. “Just one suitcase and three boys.” Jasminka says being able to donate “Seeing a family was a defining moment for her. Our organisation helped the new come full circle, from arrivals by providing them with “I know someone will be able being the recipient to clothes and vouchers to buy food. to use these things,” she says. becoming the donor, The family slowly carved out a life here, “I feel happy and satisfied that I can is what gets me out of do good things and now help others.” gaining work, education and a house bed in the morning.” in Salisbury, where Jasminka now lives Our Anti-Poverty Team Leader, Cindy with two of her sons, her daughter-in- Adey, says stories such as Jasminka’s CINDY ADEY law and three grandchildren. inspire her work every day.

1 Jasminka with her sons Danilo and Jasmin. 2 The family donates goods to UCWPA volunteer Amanda.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 4 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Graffiti program gives back

Our Wesley Social Enterprises team is helping clean up the western suburbs with a new graffiti removal program. The team is working with local councils and Transport SA to remove tags as part of a 12-month Old beds put to good use pilot project, which WSE Manager Tony Heinrich hopes will become a permanent program. He says the initiative is reducing undreds of beds from our aged “I am sure that all those needy people in the incidence of graffiti in the care sites are being sent to those countries would like me to pass district, while also providing developing countries world- on their appreciation for the beds and H extra work for people with wide to help communities in need. the basic health care and dignity that a disability who are part of these goods provide.” We have donated the beds to Rotary Wesley Social Enterprises. as part of their Donations in Kind In the past 18 months we have also The program also includes a program, which helps communities in donated about 100 beds from Wesley partnership with Western Youth South-West Pacific, South-East Asian House, 46 beds from St Teresa Aged Space to engage at-risk youths to and African countries. Care, 52 from Seaton Aged Care and create artworks around the Port. 32 from Hawksbury Gardens. Our most recent donation included “We are so excited our team 80 beds from Regency Green The donations were made possible has a new opportunity to help Multicultural Aged Care, which are thanks to Significant Refurbishment the community by cleaning up destined for Sierra Leone, Congo, funding, through the Department of our streets and buildings,” Liberia, Tonga, Tanzania and Zambia. Social Services, which allowed us to Tony says. replace beds across several of our sites. About 50 of them will go to help set “It will create extra hours of paid up a new hospital in Congo. UCWPA Senior Manager Aged Care employment for our supported Deborah Burton said it was wonderful The chairman of Rotary’s Donations in workforce, workers will learn to be able to put the beds we no longer Kind program for the Central Region, new skills and we will continue needed to good use. Dave Cockshell, sent us a Certificate of to build the range of services Recognition for our ongoing support. “To know that these beds have gone on offered by WSE. to help other communities in need, and “UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide have “Plus, the partnership with Western in one case even set up a new hospital, been very generous to us over quite Youth Space means we can help is so heartening,” Ms Burton said. some time,” Mr Cockshell said. disengaged youths. “We are delighted to work with “It really is a win-win for Rotary to support communities everyone involved.” of developing countries.” The project has been made possible thanks to a $50,000 State Government grant. Dave Cockshell, of Rotary’s Donations in Kind program and Tracey Zimmerman, Administration Officer at Regency Green.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 5 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Ruth’s home is where her heart is

our home is your castle, as the Mrs Johansen is among the growing “Then there’s Andrew who runs saying goes, and it could not number of older people being helped the exercises and he is wonderful. Ybe truer for Ruth Johansen. to live in their own homes for longer You ought to meet him. through our Home Care Program. The spritely 88 year old’s home “And Craig drives the bus and in Semaphore is testament to her We supported more than 80 people he’s gorgeous too.” colourful character and rich life. with Home Care Packages in 2014-15, Life today is very different for Mrs and a further 97 with Transitional Her shelves are full of books and Johansen than when she and her Care Packages. photographs of the family she has late husband Allan first moved from lovingly raised. Assistance provided includes personal Broken Hill to Semaphore in 1959. care such as showering and dressing, When asked for a tour, she leaps to The four young sons they had in as well as helping with jobs around the her feet and proudly leads the way tow are now grown men with house and transport to appointments through the rooms she knows like families of their own. and shopping. the back of her hands. Mrs Johansen can no longer zip Our Support Workers visit Mrs There are dozens of porcelain dolls around on the back of Allan’s Johansen six days a week to help with she has made over the years, flower motorbike – which first carried her her personal care and domestic duties, arrangements adorn each room and home from a dance when she met as well as transporting her to our trinkets of all shapes and sizes line her husband-to-be in 1950. exercise class each Tuesday. the walls. And instead of a house full of boys Mrs Johansen speaks fondly of She has even kept her wedding dress she now has just one housemate, the support she receives and the from 1950 and brings it out to show a 23-year-old cat named Ziggy. “gorgeous people” the program the way the pink satin pillows on her has brought into her life. But some things will forever remain bed match the dress’s fabric. unchanged – her love of her “Courtney does the ironing and when When asked what the house means independence and her castle. she gets a spare minute, she paints to her, her reply is quick. my nails,” she says, proudly displaying “Everything,” she says. the latest bright red coat of polish. “I don’t want to leave it – ever.”

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 6 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 New parenting program

The Australian Government has selected our organisation to deliver a new program to help parents with young children prepare for future employment. ParentsNext will help people prepare to join or re-enter the workforce by the time their youngest child starts school. To be eligible, parents must have a child aged under six, have had no paid employment for six months and live in the City of Playford. UCWPA Community Services Senior Manager Meredith Perry said ParentsNext would complement our existing employment services being offered in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Helping more people access loans “We are excited to be able to deliver a new program focussed on parents and to help them wice as many people on low “It’s very difficult to save on a pension develop pathways to achieve their incomes will be able to access our and the No Interest Loan Scheme has education and employment goals,” TNo Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) helped me buy things I really need.” Ms Perry said. to buy essential goods and services. “The program has great flexibility Over the years Ellen has also used and will allow us to tailor our Good Shepherd Microfinance, through the scheme to buy an air conditioner, support to meet a parent’s the assistance of the new GSM State lounge and computer. individual needs.” Office, has increased our funding over Each time, she has repaid the loan The program will be run in a the next two years, allowing us to help by having fortnightly payments further nine Local Government about 200 people access loans. automatically deducted from her Areas across Australia, assisting We have also introduced online disability support pension. about 24,000 parents each year. inquiries for the first time, allowing us “I wouldn’t have been able to afford to assist people from across the state. to have those things without the Previously we were only able to offer scheme,” Ellen says. Time to talk cents loans to people living in the western “It’s one of the best schemes We have launched a new money suburbs of Adelaide. I’ve been involved in. advice program to provide clients Taperoo resident Ellen Evans says “It has helped me out a lot and I think tips on how to manage finances. the scheme has helped her provide it could really help other people who Talking Cents is on the last Tuesday a comfortable home for her family. are unable to save.” of the month in the garden at She first learned about the loans Loans are available to people who are Youth and Family Services, 58 Dale when visiting our Family Centre in on a genuinely low income or have St, Port Adelaide, from 11am to Port Adelaide for emergency current concessions such as Centrelink, 12.30pm. assistance 10 years ago. a Health Care or Pension Card. The sessions coincide with a free “At the time I desperately needed a For more information about community barbecue lunch in the fridge, so I thought I’d give it a try,” the scheme and eligibility visit garden, provided by not-for-profit Ellen says. www.ucwpa.org.au organisation, the Rapid Relief Team. We are so grateful to RRT for providing the monthly barbecues as a way of bringing the community together.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 7 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE

Friendships forged on the field

he World Game is providing Adelaide United has also got behind more than just a healthy the initiative, providing 15 free tickets Tlifestyle for these young people. for players to attend an A League “It makes me feel free It is creating a sense of belonging match at the end of each term. to be friends with and friendship, which can be difficult Organiser Josh Smith, a Youth Project people from different to come by for many people starting Officer with UCWPA, says Football Life backgrounds.” new lives in Australia. eclipsed its target of 20 players by the MAHDI – AGE 23 “There is a language barrier but when end of Term 1 within its first week. Moved from Iran in 2013 they get onto the field, soccer is “It has blown up quicker than we ever a universal language,” coach and expected it to but it’s a good problem referee Igor Negrao says. to have,” Josh says. “I come here after “The reason we are here is to connect “We have a lot of guys from work – even though the cultures and get to know and Afghanistan, Iran and from across I’m very tired, I am respect each other.” Africa ... a lot of culturally diverse still keen to come here Football Life, for 13 to 25-year-olds, young people are coming from all and have fun with over Adelaide to be involved.” began in February as part of URBAN friends from different Youth Services – a UnitingCare Wesley Despite the early success of Football collaborative program providing Life, Josh is determined not to be cultures.” support to young people at risk. complacent. BASET – AGE 21 Moved from Afghanistan Each Wednesday evening dozens His vision for the program stretches in 2012 of people from diverse cultural even further than health and friendship. backgrounds head to the parklands “For these guys arriving in Australia, to participate in the 2-hour session. “I am also learning they need to learn English and then Players are provided fruit and water, find work so they can support their new skills about how as well as free bus tickets for their families,” he says. “If we can build that to play soccer and return travel. into a football program, that should be how to play fairly.” the plan. Adelaide City Council is funding the MOHAMMAD – AGE 24 program and the University of South “I want to be able to create Moved from Iran in 2012 Australia is providing volunteers to employment and training for help run the sessions. kids who show an interest.”

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 8 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 A range of new youth programs are connecting cultures and communities

Community unites to boost literacy Youth Week

hen Komal Jaitly first saw Paint the Parks & Gardens REaD is ur URBAN Youth team was a group of children reading partnered with a national group called out and about meeting young Wto an egg, she thought it Paint the Town REaD, which began Opeople at Youth Week events was a little bit odd. over the border 16 years ago. across Adelaide in April. Now, the mother-of-two is among It has since spread to more than 40 Among the events was Youth Expo hundreds of parents singing the locations across the country but this West, which saw hundreds of high praises of the new Paint the Parks is the first time it has been in SA. school students converge at Titanium & Gardens REaD project. The program launched at the end of Security Arena to learn more about Our organisation is involved last year at an event which introduced community organisations from in delivering the community the community to a small egg. across SA. collaboration, which aims to boost Over the next five months, the egg UCWPA Case Manager/Youth Worker the literacy levels of children in Angle travelled around preschools, schools Jess Collins-Roe spoke to students Park, Ferryden Park, Mansfield Park, and childcare centres, where children about URBAN Youth’s role providing Athol Park and Woodville Gardens. spent time talking and reading to it to early intervention and prevention The project includes regular “pop- help it grow. services to young people aged 10-25 years. up libraries” and story-telling events, On April 7, about 500 people attended free kids’ book swaps at shops and a free family event at the Parks Sports “Days like today are important because community centres, and an annual and Recreation Centre, Angle Park, it gives the information directly to family night where children aged where the egg hatched to reveal a the young people who may need the 0-5 read, sing, rhyme and dance. reading mascot, Parker the Pelican. service in the future and also lets the “The program helps the children to Parker will now appear at community school staff know about it as well,” develop reading skills from a very events to encourage parents to read Jess says. young age and they get into the habit,” to children from birth. URBAN Youth Services is led by Ms Jaitly says. Parks Children’s Centre Director UCWPA and delivered to young “Although electronic media is Dianne Krieg says the program people in partnership with Aboriginal becoming a big part of our lives, aims to increase the community’s Family Support Services and Re- books are also important so we should understanding of the importance of Engage Youth Services. It is funded by never stop encouraging our children developing children’s literacy skills the Department for Communities and to read books.” from birth. Social Inclusion.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 9 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Fun, food and laughter to celebrate Chinese New Year

hinese New Year was a cause Mr Lam said Chinese New Year was a for celebration at our aged highlight on the calendar for his mother. care sites, with residents C “She is seeing a lot of our friends coming together to sing, get creative coming together and some of her and, of course, eat! friends she hasn’t seen for a few years,” Chinese Welfare Services of SA he said. “She is very happy today.” brought people from across the Our residents at Wesley House, in community to our Regency Green Semaphore Park, also got a taste of Multicultural Aged Care home on Lunar New Year celebrations, with a February 10 to join with our residents documentary about China followed by in a morning of celebrations. a special afternoon tea on February 12. The event culminated in a feast of Residents enjoyed pork and prawn Chinese dumplings, lovingly made dumplings, Chinese mango pudding by volunteers. and lychee jelly. Steven Vines, from the office of Activities officer Thuy Pham also Federal Member for Port Adelaide gave a presentation to the residents, Mark Butler, also attended to share which included showcasing a special welcome with our residents Vietnamese clothing traditionally and sample the Chinese cuisine. worn on formal occasions. Our oldest Chinese resident Wai Lao, The afternoon was a great success and 96, was joined by her son Hong Lam residents really enjoyed learning about, on the day. and celebrating, different cultures.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 10 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Red Lime Shack at 158 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide, is an official partner of our Hang it up for Poverty campaign. When we go there for a cuppa, we make sure we buy a Suspended Coffee for someone in need to redeem at a later date. If you’re ever in the area, it’s a wonderfully simple way to pay it forward.

Q. If you had a magic wand and could grant one wish for Youth and Family A cuppa with Cindy Adey Services, what would it be and why?

A. It would be for people to donate In her role as Anti Poverty Team Leader at our Family Centre, to our appeals so it gives us more Cindy Adey is on the frontline helping people in need. We sat money to help more people. I could sit down for a coffee at Red Lime Shack in Port Adelaide to chat here and say ‘for there to be no more about her work, life, and everything in between. poverty’ and that would be fantastic. But until that happens I’m going to Q. What are some of the services Q. What is the best thing about keep asking for more donations so we provided at Youth and Family Services? your work? can buy those sleeping bags and buy those swags and tins of tuna. A. We provide emergency assistance A. Just helping people. Being able Whatever we need to keep us going to clients walking in. We are one of to change lives. That’s what we do. through the day and to send those kids the very few walk-in services left in the We meet those basic needs of food, to school with something in their belly. area where you can get emergency shelter and clothing. assistance. We provide emergency food assistance, Telstra vouchers, chemist Q. What is the toughest aspect vouchers, second-hand clothing. We of the job? have financial counsellors here and we A. Saying ‘no’ because we don’t have do the No Interest Loan program. We Fun facts enough funding to help everybody. also have an educator/facilitator who You don’t know who it’s going to be assists with money management. Favourite colour? but it is people who have exhausted all Green Q. What does an average day at Youth their entitlements and we have to re- Favourite animal? and Family Services look like for you? direct them to other services as we just Horse can’t afford to keep giving. It might be a A. Crazy. I start off my day with a plan mother with babe in arms or an elderly Favourite food? of what I’m going to do and it totally couple … it gives you goose-bumps. My husband’s cooking changes. One day never looks like you expect it’s going to look. You Which three people, living Q. What would you say to people or dead, would you invite just never know who’s going to walk considering work in the community to a dinner party? through the door and what their needs services sector? I can’t pick three, sorry, I need are going to be. to pick four: Kristin Davis A. It’s fabulous work. It’s a world of (Charlotte); Sarah Jessica Parker Q. How did you get into this line its own. A lot of people don’t realise (Carrie); Kim Cattrall (Samantha) of work? what it involves and I don’t think they and Cynthia Nixon (Miranda). A. It came about just over 11 years realise that there is so much need out What three items would you ago now. I was working as a nurse for there and what the needs are. People want if you were stranded on many years and injured myself and was just get on with their lives and go to a desert island? sick of sitting home on Work Cover. work and do what they need to do My sunglasses, phone and I realised I needed to get out and do and don’t realise that there are people my amazing husband. something, so I started volunteering sleeping under bridges and families here on the front counter. sleeping in cars.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 11 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Congratulations to our newest Centenarians

Teresa Micallef Reginald Colegate

For 100 years, Teresa Micallef has been bringing a smile You could feel the love in the room when family and friends to the faces of everyone around her. gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Reginald Colegate. From a young child in her native Malta, through to her time Four generations of his family attended the March 18 in England during World War II and her move to Australia in morning tea, joining with dozens of his friends from Wesley the 1950s, her passion for life has been contagious. House, church representatives and former neighbours. Mrs Micallef celebrated her 100th birthday on January 10 Even 10-month-old Chloe looked on – the youngest with family, friends and staff at Regency Green Aged Care, of Reg’s family, which includes four children, five where she has lived for a decade. grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Josephine Borg, a volunteer at the Maltese Aged Care “To reach 100 is very, very good,” Reg said, adding his faith Association, has been visiting residents at Regency Green and family were his secret to longevity. “It’s very nice to since 2003 and recalls when Mrs Micallef arrived in 2006. celebrate with all the people who have been part of your life.” “When she came in here she made everyone else happy,” Reg was born in Adelaide in 1916 and said the Uniting Ms Borg says. Church had been fundamental throughout his years. “She is such a happy person, she loves music, loves a joke It’s even the place he met Edith, with whom he and used to join in all the activities.” is about to celebrate 75 years of marriage. Regency Green Activities Officer Trevor Heywood has Reg and Edith married in Semaphore in 1941 and raised spent many hours with Mrs Micallef, who he describes their family in Royal Park, where they lived for 50 years. as “very loving and motherly” and a great story teller. One of their daughters, Heather, spoke on behalf He recalls her stories of being a volunteer in Plymouth of the close-knit family at the birthday gathering. in the UK during World War II, where she would blow “Dad has been a marvellous father and we are just very the whistle to warn people to take shelter during air raids. fortunate to have him,” she said. “He’s had his health struggles “Because of her happy nature she made everyone else but his faith and mum’s good cooking have kept him going.” calm, despite the war,” Mr Heywood says. Dennis Woods, Reg’s former neighbour at Aveo Retirement “She developed a lifelong interest in volunteering Village, Queenstown, also had some words to say. and the community since then.” “I represent everyone from the Village and they all send their Mrs Micallef spent much of her life in the western suburbs congratulations and are so pleased you have made it to 100,” of Adelaide, where she could be seen riding her scooter he said. “The words that I heard all week from people was around with her little white dog in the basket. that Reg is a true gentleman.” She has two children, four grandchildren and five After his giant cake was devoured and the speeches were great-grandchildren, whose photos adorn her room. through, Reg retired for a rest and to prepare for the next day. Mr Heywood says Mrs Micallef is a genuinely caring person A cocktail party at the Lakes Resort Hotel with his entire who has added to the rich culture at Regency Green. family – including people flying from WA and Queensland – was on the agenda. “She always wants to know how other people are and she has made some very good friends living here.” As Edith put it: “It’s all been lovely. We’ve had good lives.”

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 12 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Six tips to beat the winter blues

Winter can be great, with delicious warm meals and fun winter sports. However, sometimes winter can leave people feeling down, irritable and lonely. Here are 6 tips to help you overcome the winter blues and get the most out of this season.

STORY BY: KASIA MICELI Service Integration Officer with NewAccess 1 4 If you or someone you know Spend time with family Eat well and drink less needs immediate support, and friends You may feel tempted to eat hot, please call lifeline on 13 11 14. When it’s gloomy and cold out there, deep fried foods, or loads of it’s easy to fall into the trap of staying chocolate, but diet is crucial to home and becoming isolated. However, maintaining your wellbeing. Foods research shows that social interaction rich in omega 3 and fish oils are helps build self-esteem and alleviate particularly good at improving your feelings of depression. Reach out and mood. It is also recommended to spend time with family or friends. reduce your alcohol consumption.

2 5 Get out and do Get some sun something new We’re lucky, in Australia, that we get There is a strong link between hours sun all year round – even in winter. spent on social media and increased Take a short walk, have a meal or levels of depression. This can be due a coffee alfresco, or open the to online bullying, the negativity shared windows and let the sun in! Vitamin D, in stories and images, as well as the which we get from sun exposure, fear of missing out. Instead of getting has been shown to reduce feelings engrossed in the online world, why not of depression. head out and do something fun? Find something that you enjoy, and just do it.

Seek support 3 Pancake Day Some people need a little more help Exercise dealing with those low feelings. In fact, Our volunteers helped serve hundreds of pancakes earlier this It can be hard to get motivated 45 per cent of Australians experience year to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. when it’s cold, but regular exercise issues relating to mental health in Clients, staff and members of the has been shown to reduce feelings their lifetime. Support is available, community gathered in our Family of depression. It releases chemicals like the NewAccess program. It’s a Centre garden at 58 Dale St, like serotonin and endorphins, and free coaching service that has helped Port Adelaide, to enjoy the free has been shown to have similar over 1,000 people in SA take action pancake feast. A big thank you effects to antidepressant medication. and improve the way they feel. So if to everyone involved! Just 30 minutes of light cardiovascular you need a little extra support, call exercise each day can make all the NewAccess on 1800 010 630 and difference. make a change today.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 13 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Powerful partnership gives youth a pathway

We have formed a new partnership with Port Adelaide Football Club to provide employment opportunities for young school graduates. As part of the club’s Powerful Futures program, we have offered a school leaver a 12-month paid traineeship this year. The trainee is working within our Building Family Opportunities program, providing support to long-term jobless families to break the cycle of unemployment. They will also spend time working in our Western Adelaide Homelessness Service and Community Mental Health programs. The position will lead to a Certificate Hang it up for Poverty 3 in Community Services at the end of the year. UCWPA Employment Services ur winter campaign to Manager Cherie Jolly, who sits raise awareness about on the Powerful Futures Steering Ohomelessness and provide Committee, said the program practical ways for the community was an opportunity to provide to help is in full swing. meaningful employment to The Hang it up for Poverty mobile Where you deserving young people. wardrobe is travelling to shopping can donate “Powerful Futures is the springboard centres across Adelaide throughout a lot of young people need to help June, collecting donations of new Hang your clothing them make that transition from and pre-loved clothing to distribute donations in our mobile school into the working world,” to people in need. wardrobe as it travels Ms Jolly said. across the state. We are also raising money to “We are privileged to be involved provide food parcels, emergency and to be able to provide Brickworks Market Place accommodation and ongoing support meaningful employment and 2nd and 23rd June, 9am - 9pm for people who are homeless or at career pathways in our community risk of becoming homeless. Seaford Central services programs.” 3rd June, 9am - 5pm People can support the campaign Powerful Futures is run by the by hosting a casual day at work, Westfield Marion football club’s community spending one night sleeping rough 9th and 16th June, 9am - 9pm development arm, Power at our Kids Sleep Out on August 5, Adelaide Arcade Community Ltd, as an extension or registering a table at our Quiz 10th June, 9am - 5pm of the Aboriginal Power Cup, which Night, hosted by Sean Craig Murphy helps footballers from indigenous (above), on August 26. Westfield West Lakes communities complete their SACE. 14th June, 9am - 5pm Last year’s campaign raised $31,300 It is also an extension of the club’s and collected 10,153 items of clothing Greenacres Shopping Centre Empowering Youth program, and with the community’s support 17th June, 9am - 5pm which provides career pathways we hope we can go one step further Victor Harbor Central to disengaged youths from the this year. 24th June, 9am - 5pm northern suburbs. Read all about it at Mt Barker Central Powerful Futures was launched at hangitupforpoverty.org.au 30th June, 9am - 9pm Government House in February.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 14 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 Event to say thanks

The invaluable contribution of our 151 volunteers was recognised at a special event in May. A luncheon was held at The Lakes Resort Hotel, where each volunteer received a certificate of appreciation. UCWPA Volunteer Co-ordinator Jane Parker said the event, during National Volunteer Week, was a chance to say thank you to the team of hardworking volunteers. “Without them, we would not be able to continue to provide such a high level of support to people in our aged care homes, community welfare programs and outreach services,” Ms Parker said. “Their dedication is invaluable and it was wonderful to be able to Collaborative vision to increase our impact celebrate and show appreciation for their ongoing contribution.”

undreds of community Chris Arbon, from UCWB, and Craig Bushfire victim support service workers from Bradbrook, from UCWPA, took part HUnitingCare Wesley Port in a panel discussion with Ms Ezard Our staff visited the state’s Adelaide and UnitingCare Wesley about the Inner West Collective Mid-North earlier this year to Bowden came together for a biennial Impact Initiative. encourage people affected conference in April. by the Pinery bushfires to get The project involves government and support from NewAccess – a free, The theme of the day – Working in community representatives working confidential coaching service. the New World: From Competition together to improve the health, to Collaboration – encouraged staff wellbeing and educational outcomes We are delivering the beyondblue to explore ways the organisations can for children aged 0 to 18. program, which supports people work together to increase their impact who are feeling stressed and It started just over a year ago and in the community. overwhelmed, and who have is already strengthening networks symptoms of mild to moderate The day was led by Tracey Ezard, between organisations in Adelaide’s depression and anxiety. who has many years’ experience inner western suburbs and benefiting helping organisations engage, children living in the region. NewAccess Service Integration collaborate and act. Officer Kasia Miceli spent two Mr Arbon and Mr Bradbrook answered days speaking with affected Ms Ezard said effective organisations questions about the initiative, the communities about the service, must focus on: challenges of collaboration and how which offers coaching either over • partnerships not hierarchy they have overcome them. the phone or face-to-face. • addressing real need, Throughout the conference, staff from UCWPA Community Services Senior not perceived need both organisations participated in Manager Meredith Perry said it was • collaboration not competition group discussions to generate further often several months after trauma ideas on ways to collaborate. • collective impact not that people needed help the most. isolated achievement Among the suggestions were the “Depression and anxiety often “There are great collaborations already development of a joint expo, a shared come quite a while after the event going on between your organisations,” events calendar, a worker exchange and we want people to know we Ms Ezard told the gathering at program and co-location of services. are here to help,” she said. Morphettville Racecourse. A joint committee will now review People can access the program “This is about how we advance these the ideas generated, with the view by calling 1800 010 630. workings, not that we don’t recognise to implementing action to ensure what is already happening.” collaboration moving forward.

UNITINGCARE WESLEY PORT ADELAIDE 15 FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 1 | 2016 UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide PO Box 3032 70 Dale Street, Port Adelaide South Australia 5015

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