On Wednesday 7 November, WSCF staff attended the Healthy Ageing Forum in Granville, hosted by Multicultural NSW, facilitated by Granville State member Tony Issa MP, with panelists includng the Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon. Ray Williams MP and the Minister for Ageing, the Hon. Tanya Davies MP.
The Communities of Change Roadshows are underway, delivering key insights from the Communities of Change Report, throughout the local government areas of Western Sydney. The Roadshow sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the report with WSCF specialists and facilitators, specifically relating the data to current and future service delivery in local government areas.
WSCF Regional Community Care Forums this month were held in two sessions, focused on Aged Care and Disability respectively, with feature guest speakers delivering presentations to address some of the current issues arising from recent developments and updates in these areas. More than 60 Community Care agencies attended the Aged Care focused session, held in Penrith City Council Nepean Room on June 26. Guest speaker Tanya Travis-Smith, from the NSW Government Department of Health and Ageing, covered a range of issues including the extension to CHSP contracts, the new manual, wellness approach, reablement and restorative care.
“Workers Compensation should be a detour, not a journey for life.” Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson Set back from the street in a quiet industrial part of Girraween in Sydney’s west is a social enterprise that carves out a place of meaningful work, transition and life-changing purpose, for people whose experience in being injured at work led them into a complex of systemic holes. Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson is the author, powerhouse and patron of the Craig’s Table program, which supports people who have been injured at work and who find themselves stuck in a hard place. Initially from Adelaide, Rosemary has been in Sydney for 15 months, to trial delivery of the program - which is unique in the world – together with with colleague Corey Williams, and supported by NSW insurance and care organisation, iCare.
As 2017 draws to a close, on behalf of the team at Western Sydney Community Forum I would like to say a warm thank-you to all of our members, partners and colleagues for your continuing support and inspiring work throughout the year. Much has been achieved! While we look forward to a well-earned rest during the upcoming holiday season, celebrating and relaxing with family and friends, we can reflect on a year of continuing change and growth. In 2017, the basis of our endeavours was shaped by our commitment to the people, places and services of Greater Western Sydney. We have continued to work alongside organisations who are achieving inspiring outcomes for the region and its communities. Our organisation is in the fortunate position of being able to witness the improvements being made and their diverse, positive impacts.
The inspired MAGIC (Macarthur Access Group for Inclusive Communities) Project is run by extraordinary people working to help their community to recognise difference and develop inclusivity. Nominated for a ZEST Award in 2017, the MAGIC Project is a potent fusion of community, businesses and passionate individuals working with the collective goal of changing attitudes towards inclusion, through a positive, person-centred approach. The beneficial impact of the MAGIC Project for the community is enormous: increasing participation and extending opportunities for social mobility means better spaces, shared experiences and increased wellbeing. Benefit to businesses is also significant, says Project Manager, Lisa Harrison. “People living with disability account for 19% of the population. It makes no financial sense to exclude a significant portion of the community from engaging with your business.”
Nepean Food Services (NFS) is thriving community service, providing meals and social support for our aged people and people living with disability. Based in Sydney’s Greater West they have a service reach that extends much further inland and across Sydney. The organization is widely recognized for its excellence, and was inducted into the Western Sydney Community Forum’s ZEST Awards Hall of Fame in 2015. Ditte Kozak is the Manager at NFS and has worked with the organization for 25 years.
The 2017 survey of Community Care stakeholders gave strong endorsement to the role of WSCF in providing resources, support and sector engagement for aged care and disability providers in Western Sydney and the Nepean. Specifically, the survey related to providers funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Community Care Supports Program (CCSP). Feedback provided anonymously by participants gave insight into the focus, balance and relevance of the work of WSCF, in supporting aged and disability providers, which helps to direct development of priorities and initiatives for the future.
The New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) delivered their 2017-2018 Budget Briefing this week, with a $7 billion spend for the sector in the next financial year, an increase of $459 million (7.1 %) in funding from the previous year’s budget.
The 2017 survey of Western Sydney/Nepean Food Forum participants reflects a resoundingly positive and valuable experience, resulting in enhanced support, collaboration and improved service delivery. Convened by Western Sydney Community Forum, the Food Forum consists of Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Community Care Support Program (CCSP) funded Food Services, CHSP dietitians and other interested service providers from Western Sydney and Nepean regions.
