MyLink - Port Stephens Community Information Hub

When: Mondays and Thursday | 11:00am - 12:30pm
Where: Soul Cafe Newcastle | 2/49 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, 2300

Walk-in COVID-19 Vaccinations (Pfizer) are available in Belmont, Windale and Toronto. For full details you can view three flyers attached to this post.

Your Support is needed today.

Did you know that an Australian in crisis calls Lifeline every 30 seconds? In the last 3 months, more Australians than ever before have called Lifeline for help. Throughout the pandemic the demand for Lifeline services has increased over 25%.

Compounding the challenge for Lifeline in the Hunter and Central Coast to respond, is the closure of our 11 retail locations and cancellations of fundraising events. These revenue streams are used to support our crucial local services and the training of Crisis Supporters.

Lifeline has recruited over 35 new Crisis Supporters across the Hunter and Central Coast that will begin their training program in October.

Over the ensuing months of the training program, in excess of 150 hours of training will be invested into each of the Crisis Supporters to ensure that they are ready and capable of responding to each crisis call that they answer.

Your support will ensure that Lifeline can continue to train Crisis Supporters to meet the increased need of our local community.

https://were-all-mental-health-supporters.raisely.com/

#lifelinehunter #lifelinecentralcoast #mentalhealth #crisissupport #charity #MentalHealthMonth

CatholicCare Hunter Manning and Centacare New England North West, through GambleAware Hunter New England, are working in partnership with the Office of Responsible Gambling to provide free counselling and gambling related support services to people impacted, or at risk, of gambling harm.

GambleAware Hunter New England services are free and include:

• Counselling
• Financial counselling and consultation
• SMART Recovery Groups
• Self-Exclusions
• Community Engagement and Education

Their new program is a 5-level stepped care mental health model, it may be that the client just needs to be pointed in the right direction for self-help and resources or they may need intervention support.

You can find more details on the program below.

DV-alert is Lifeline’s FREE nationally recognised Domestic and Family Violence Response Training for health, allied health and frontline workers and volunteers.

The original plan to conduct 2-day in-person DV-alert workshops have been made uncertain by changing conditions around COVID restrictions. Instead, these workshops have been transitioned to virtual delivery for the time being, that is, three consecutive days, 9.30am-2.30pm delivered via Zoom, fully funded. The same VET Unit of Competency CHCDFV001 applies to completers.

18, 19 & 20 October Multicultural Stream version, apply here
20, 21 & 22 October October make your application here
9, 10 & 11 November make your application here
15, 16 & 17 November make your application here

Once registered, you will be Express Posted a workbook pack and so, when you apply, do ensure that you use your preferred mailing address.

Below you will find a link to The Smith Family's parents and carers survey. This survey is part of the organisations Planning for those living in Raymond Terrace, Karuah, Tilligerry and Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest.

The survey aims to determine:

1. What parents want to see more of in their communities
2. Priorities for the future
3. The wellbeing of their families

We encourage everybody to share this survey on to others in the local community.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FWN8PLD

Low rates of support combined with a lack of social and affordable housing has forced thousands of Australians into homelessness.

The Federal Government has the power to change that.

This Anti Poverty Week (which begins on 17 October), we have teamed up with Raise the Rate for Good, and Anti-Poverty Week to call on the Federal Government to increase Jobseeker and other income support payments and invest in social housing so that everyone can cover the basics and keep a safe roof over their head.

This impacts not only adults needing support but also children. 1 in 6 of our children are currently growing up in poverty in Australia.

The punitively low rate of income support, along with skyrocketing rental costs, and a shortage of social and affordable housing, is creating financial distress and creating a housing and homelessness crisis.

In a wealthy country like Australia, it shouldn’t be this way.

Can you join us in calling on the Federal Government to increase support payments and invest in social housing?

Signatories to this petition will receive updates from Everybody’s Home and the Australian Council of Social Service including the Raise the Rate for Good campaign.

Ashlie's Story

When Ashlie lost her full-time job in her late 50s, she quickly found that the low rate of income support did not allow her to live decently.

“ I had to go without at least seven meals in order to afford a haircut. Seeing a medical specialist was now out of the question, let alone a dentist. I had a couple of friends who provided me with some food so I could pay my rent.”

Unable to afford a private rental, Ashlie ended up homeless.

Since then, Ashlie has moved between emergency accommodation and staying with friends for short periods of time.

Sadly, Ashlie’s story is a common one for those struggling on income support.

The Australian Government is inviting organisations through an open competitive process to apply for the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity - Inclusive Communities Grant.

The Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity - Inclusive Communities Grants aim to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people on pathways to self-reliance and empowerment through local community-driven solutions that support them to participate socially and economically.

Applications close at 9:00 pm AEDT on 15 November 2021.

Information about applying for this round can be found on the Community Grants Hub website and GrantConnect.

Open for applications — Strong and Resilient Communities - Cashless Debit Card Support Services
The Australian Government is inviting organisations through an open competitive process to apply for the Strong and Resilient Communities - Cashless Debit Card Support Services grant.

The Strong and Resilient Communities - Cashless Debit Card Support Services grant opportunity aims to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people on pathways to self-reliance and empowerment through local community-driven solutions that strengthen economic participation.

Applications close at 9:00 pm AEDT on 25 October 2021.

Information about applying for this round can be found on the Community Grants Hub website and GrantConnect.