Carer E- Newsletter
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North West Disability Services Inc aims to enhance the quality of
life of people with disabilities and their carers principally in the
North Western area of Sydney while not limited to that geographical
area, by providing quality respite, skills development, information and
other services in ways that are flexible to meet individual needs.
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Some phone numbers you might find helpful to have at hand are:
Conie Ave (HADPAC) – 9686 4155
Lavender Cottage – 9686 4561
Gemhill Cottage (Respite Service) – 9634 7531 ( office) / 9634 6110 ( house)
Aberdoon House - 8814 5844
Opal Cottage - 4578 5733
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A Message from our CEO, Deborah Gersbach
We have so many opportunities for people across the Cumberland Prospect and Hawkesbury areas happening at NWDS. We have self managed options as well as individual and group community access or group skill development options.
We have some new specialised options for people with our Community Contributions program now extending to a wide range of activities people can do to support the community, including our new graffiti removal team working with Rotary and another group collecting food for distribution to the needy. We have extended our Arts program and have just had one person receive a champion ribbon at the Castle Hill Show in open company. The Secret Garden is also extending their training areas with permaculture and mud brick building as well as the Food for Thought Program, propagation and retail skills. A new Farm Yard Project we hope is soon to commence and will entail such things as Sheep Dog training, raising farm animals and home vegetable and fruit production. Aberdoon House continues with its hospitality programs and is also now providing historic information to the public with morning teas and short tours of the building and grounds. Our Community Radio is ongoing and we are always keen to train new presenters and researchers for the weekly programs.
We continue to offer a vast range of skill development programs that people can link into and develop skills such as cooking, crafts, computers, music, dance, exercise, life coaching, office skills, etc. Recreation, sporting and sensory activities are being changed constantly as we are requested to provide different types of opportunities. Short trips to community activities and tourist type venues are always popular requests from many individuals and groups looking to explore their community more. Our evening men’s group and Ladies of Leisure continue to come up with new ideas on how they wish to engage in more gender specific type activities. We also have small trips and holidays available and our “community service abroad” project with Vanuatu is expected to be up and running by later this year.
Support to attend the theatre, shows and music events are also popular individually and often attending with a small group makes the evening much more fun. Paid and volunteer work is a goal for many people and NWDS has certificated training, career development with work options and connections available to meet diverse areas of interest, whilst always nurturing the work-like abilities we are all keen to foster.
The only limit to opportunities at NWDS are the limits our people place on their own boundaries and we try to constantly move those out and actively attempt to have them more integrated into the community. We look forward to chat to any person wishing to know more about what we provide at NWDS, as we believe we can support people to connect with their community and achieve their personal aspirations while having a great deal of fun either individually or with a group of like minded people. NWDS staff as always are highly skilled at all support requirements whilst also bringing that extra bit of zest to the day to make sure it is enjoyable, and a little bit challenging for all.”
Summer Program
Summer brings new issues and considerations for carers in ensuring service users only attend when they are well. (not contagious) Our Policy is that service users should not attend if they have gastro symtoms. If a service users attend suffering gastro symptoms carers will be asked to take them home or if they have left will be called to return to pick them up. Extreame care is required as we have many service users whos immune system is compromised and we need to take every precaution to keep them safe from communicable sickness and disease.
Dates for your attention
Please see below a copy of the planning dates of 2012. Please note these dates represent the days when service will not be provided for group based programs. Please check with your co-ordinator if you require service or are currently expecting service on these days. For easy reference you will find a copy of dates for all of 2012 placed in the front of your Service User’s communication diary and on our Website at
www.nwds.org.au
Service user free days (excludes Gemhill):
27/3/12 Tuesday -Staff Development Day NO SERVICE USERS
5/4/12 Thursday -Summer Program ends
06/04/12 Friday- 09/04/12 Monday -Easter Public Holiday
10/4/12 Tuesday -Winter Program Starts
25/4/12 Wednesday -Anzac Day Public Holiday
11/6/12 Monday -Queen’s Birthday, Public Holiday
02/07/12 Monday -08/07/12 Sunday -Mid Year Close Down
NB 1st Week of School Holidays
6/8/12 Monday -Staff Development Day NO SERVICE USERS
28/912 Friday -Winter Program ends
1/10/12 Monday -Labour Day, Public Holiday
2/10/12 Tuesday -Summer program starts
25/10/12 Thursday -AWARDS DAY
7/11/12 Wednesday -Staff Development Day NO SERVICE USERS
20/12/12 Thursday -Service User last Day for 2012
-Last day for Casual staff
15/1/13 Tuesday -Management & LF return from XMAS Break
16/1/13 Wednesday -Summer Program recommences after break
28/1/13 Monday -Australia Day, Public Holiday
Special Events
Carer's Morning Tea
WHEN: On the second Tuesday of every Month.
TIME: 9.15am – 11am
WHO: Any carer who would like to attend
WHERE: Lavender Cottage, Building 33 in the Balcombe Heights Estate (on Seven Hills Rd, opposite Jasper Rd School)
PHONE: 9686 4561
At a recent evaluation meeting it was stated, by the Carers who have been attending this morning tea, it is a wonderful opportunity to regularly get together with those who have similar concerns, joys and loads - “it is a great time to just sit and chat with others who know what it is like”
We invite you to feel welcome to come along to the beautiful surrounds of Lavender Cottage, enjoy some delicious home baked morning tea, a cuppa and the relaxing company of new friends
For further information call Frances, Rhonda, or Michelle on 9686 4561
- Feb 14th
- March 13th
- April 10th
- May 8th
- June 12th
- July 10th
- August 14th
- September 11th
- October 9th
- November 13th
- December 11th
Valuable External Informations and Links
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY
Social media is what allows anyone with an internet connection to publish their own content and connect with other people. For people with a disability, such as a hearing, sight or mobility impairment, social media websites and applications have their own barriers. Social media for people with a disability review aims to enable all users to have equal access to the inclusion which social media allows. Users with disabilities then contributed their tips and tricks on how to overcome each social network’s inaccessible features. read more>> As at 16 March, 2012
Getting young people with disabilities ready for study and work: A guide for parents
This resource was developed by Michelle Hayter, Nicole Ison and Katie Hayes, of the NDCO program hosted by the University of Western Sydney, through a Strategic Project Grant funded by the Australian Government. This resource aims to support parents and carers of young people with disability through the process of transition from high school into post-secondary education, training and work. read more>> As at 07 March, 2012
Extended eligibility for Australian Hearing Services
From 1 January 2012, young Australians with hearing impairment will be eligible for services from Australian Hearing until the age of 26, extending the previous cut-off age of 21. read more>> As at 22 February, 2012
After school – what then? A workshop about navigating the post school system for families of school students with disability in years 9, 10, 11 and 12
After school – what then? is a workshop specifically for parents of students with developmental disability in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 who will need ongoing formal support after leaving school. The workshop has come about as a result of frequent requests from parents and is designed exclusively for family members of a person with disability. read more>> As at 10 February, 2012
HEADS UP - A Bulletin of the Brain Injury Association of NSW
This issue of Heads Up finds all of us at BIA NSW well and truly back into the important tasks that keep us so busily focused on raising awareness about brain injury and offering support to as many people affected by ABI as we can. read more>> As at 3 February, 2012
More Choice and Control – NSW family stories of creating inclusive lives, Ryde/ Eastwood Leagues Club – Friday March 9
Come and hear how some NSW families have taken the initiative to build an inclusive life for their family member that reflects their real interests, aspirations and the joy of belonging and contributing to their community.
There is much talk in the NSW disability sector about people with disability and their families having more choice and control over their lives. Beyond the jargon, however, what does it all really mean? Resourcing Families will bring together parents and other family members from around NSW already leading the way with an individualised or self-directed approach for their son, daughter or sibling. It is their hope that by sharing their story, they will inspire others to have the confidence to dream big, support a person with disability to lead a full and meaningful life and get started now with what is potentially already available. read more>> As at 30 January, 2012
Cancer Reminder Message
It may surprise you to learn that at least one in three cancer cases are preventable and the number of cancer deaths could be reduced significantly by checking yourself once a month. Please take the time this month to check yourself. Please see links below for more information on how to check:
Breast Cancer Testicular Cancer Skin Cancer
As at 25 January, 2012
Air Travel Tips for People with Disability
Anew information guide titled prepare for take off - Air travel tips for people with disability has been released providing important and helpful information about air travel for people with a disability. The booklet provides a range of information including what travellers needs to tell airline, travelling with medication and mobility aids, security screening, and getting on and off the plane. The 16-page guide was recently released by the Ministterial Advisory Council on Disability (MACD), and the Disability Services Commission and People with Disabilities (WA) Inc. read more>>
Workshop on Challenging Behaviour
Workshop on challenging behaviours organised by Dr. Steven Walker (Brief therapy solutions) in partnership with Community Links Wollondilly.
read more>>
Guide Dogs Australia Newsletter
Since January 1993, the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT office in Orange has provided its services to the western regions of New South Wales. With just one instructor for many years, today the region has, read more>> As at 16 November, 2011
Autism Spectrum Disorders as a Breakthrough
Smart technology apps for autism are a hot topic right now. CBS's 60 Minutes recently featured a story about the growing number of apps for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and focused on the great benefits these apps can provide.
read more>>
As at 16 September, 2011
Disability Expo 2011, 16th & 17th September 2011
Autism Advisory and Support Service has organise Disability Expo on 16th and 17th September 2011, for tickets and more info,
read more>>
Hills Community Aid Newsletter
The Hills Community Aid and Information Service Newsletter, read more>> As at 10 August, 2011
Statewide Consultations Person Centred Approaches -Living Life My Way.
Government is seeking a greater understanding of the needs of people with a disability in the community. This will help to build a disability service system in NSW that puts decision making control, choice and flexibility for people with a disability at the centre of their support plan.
read more >>
As at 25 July, 2011
Disability Newsletter and Servicer in the Northern Beaches. More people benefit from the newsletter, all over Northern Sydney.
Each Council has staff who identify and respond to comments, queries and concerns raised by residents, and bring these to the Council's attention. They provide information,
read more>>
As at 06 June ,2011
Woolworths & BIG W fan heater recall
Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is urging consumers to check their oscillating fan heaters following a voluntary national recall of two brands of heaters due to the risk of fire and injury,
read more>>
As at 01 June ,2011
News for Carers -Centrelink
News for Carers provides the latest details about Government initiatives, payments and services available to assist carers. This includes
read more>>
As at 05 May,2011
National Disability and Carer Congress 2011
National Disability and Carer Congress 2011 will be held on 2-3 May 2011 at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. read more>>
As at 05 May,2011
Carers NSW, e-bulletins
"e-bulletin" is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter from Carers NSW, for professionals interested in carers' issues,
read more>>
As at 11 April,2011
Attendent Care industry Association, Bulletin March 2011
New NSW Minister and priority directions for incoming government.
read more>>
As at 8 April, 2011
Workshop on Challenging Behaviour
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed a National Disability Strategy on 13 February, 2011. read more>>
As at 05 May,2011
Consultation opportunity for people with disability on Standards in Action Manual
Consultation opportunity for people with disability on Standards in Action Manual
The Standards in Action Manual is currently being reviewed. The manual was developed by ADHC to assist service providers to implement the NSW Disability Service Standards and assist in service development. It is now being updated to match up changes made to the National Standards for Disability Services. read more>>
NSW CID E-News March 2011
NSW CID E-news is a monthly email news bulletin to update NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (NSW CID) members and supporters of recent NSW CID activities and other news relevant to people with intellectual disability and their advocates.
read more >>
Carer's Christmas Lunch 2011
New NSW Minister and priority directions for incoming government. read more>>
As at 8 April, 2011