Literacy Coaching and Support
The Better Reading for Better Communities program provides one-on-one tutoring service for children and adults, with English as a first or second language.
There are various services including assistance with filling in forms, understanding mail, writing, reading, computers, study, and homework.
Volunteer tutoring positions are also available.
For more information, or to book a time contact the Forster Library on (02) 7955 7001.
Toormina Tech Savy Programs
Fun and Free digital skills sessions. In today's increasingly digital world, staying connected and informed is more important than ever, and this Tech Savvy Seniors program aims to bridge the digital divide by providing the knowledge and confidence to navigate technology with ease.
If you have your own device, bring it along. Otherwise, Coffs Harbour Libraries can provide a device to learn on.
Dates: Weekly, starting Friday 2nd May until Friday 13th June 2025. With a different topic for each session.
Time: 10.15am to 12.30pm
Location: Toormina Library
Please book in for each session you wish to attend. Each session is listed as an individual ticket. All you need to do is select the ones that interest you.
You are able to book your session Toormina Tech Savvy Programs here.
Need some assistance? Call the library on (02) 6648 4925.
Port Macquarie Seniors Expo
The Port Macquarie Retirement Living and Seniors Lifestyle Expo offers a unique and valuable opportunity exclusively tailored to over 55s and Seniors.
With free admission, visitors can explore a wide range of businesses and service providers all under one roof.
Whether you are interested in retirement living, travel packages, social outings, financials, health and specialised services, this expo provides a platform to ask questions, and make informed decisions about your future.
Date: Thursday, 21 August 2025
Time: 10am to 1pm
Where: The Westport Club, 25 Buller Street Port Macquarie.
Access Support, Know your Rights, and Thrive
Join Vision Australia for an exciting webinar series designed to help you better understand the Aged Care system.
Vision Australia is excited to launch its latest collection of webinars created for people who are blind or have low vision, their families and support networks.
This four-part series offers expert insights and practical tools to simplify the complexities of aged care and help you understand your core rights to get the services and supports you need.
You are able to register for all or some of the sessions. The webinar series starts on Monday, 28th April at 1pm, touching on your core rights and overcoming the barriers to inclusion.
You are able to register your preferred sessions at the Vision Australia. Blindness and Low Vision Services Sessions webpage.
What are the Changes to Aged Care?
Carers NSW is hosting a free webinar to help family and friend carers understand the Aged Care reforms and what they will mean for them. Â
The free online 30-minute webinar will cover:Â Â
- information about the Aged Care reformsÂ
- what changes might impact carers of older peopleÂ
- where to access relevant information. Â
The webinar will be running virtually on Wednesday 30th April from 12.30pm to 1pm. Â
For more information email: policy@carersnsw.org.auÂ
Changes to Aged Care Support Arrangements
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety noted the importance of supported decision-making to ensure older people have control and choice over their own life and care.
The new Aged Care Act puts the rights of older people first. Everyone has the right to make decisions about their life. A change under the new act is the assumption that all older people can make their own decisions. Â
Some older people may want or need support while making decisions.
When the new Act starts, older people can still choose who can support them to make decisions, if they want. These people can be registered supporters.
A registered supporter role can be a trusted family member or friend, of an older persons choosing. An older person may choose to have more than one registered supporter. Â
Registered supporters help older people make and communicate their own decisions in aged care. Becoming a registered supporter does not provide a person with decision-making authority for the older person. A registered supporter role is intended to support the older person to make their own decisions.
For more information check out the Changes to Aged Care Supporter Arrangements webpage.
360 on Aged Care
A four-episode podcast series offering guidance for those navigating the Aged Care system, whether for yourself, a loved one or as a professional in the sector.
This series takes a full view of aged care, ensuring that no matter who is receiving support, the focus remains on their personal wants and needs, their rights and wellbeing.
Each episode explores topics including:
- Understanding your rights. Being able to advocate for yourself with clarity.
- Making informed choices. Breaking down aged care plans.
- Finding the right supports. Services to support your wellbeing.
- Simplifying life with technology. How assistive technology can help.
Featuring industry experts and special guest speaker, Commissioner of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Liz Hefren-Webb. 360 on Aged Care has been developed as a trusted source for practical advice and real stories.
Listen to the 360 on Aged Care Podcast.
Department of Health and Aged Care Updates
Keep up to date with the Department Updates.
Advance Care Planning Workshop
These workshops will provide information on why future planning is important and how to get started. Â
Topics covered include:
- Understanding capacity and decision making.
- Advance Care Directives and Advance Care Plan – What are they and which one do I use?
- Advancing Dementia – 4 main areas of change.
- Planning and what you need to consider.
- Sharing and storing a plan.
This workshop is suitable for people living with dementia, their family members and care partners. These workshops are not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sector.
The workshop is offered on the following dates:
- 1 May 2025, 10am to 12pm – Kempsey Library, 22 Tozer Street, Kempsey Â
- 15 May 2025, 10am to 12pm – Kempsey Library, 22 Tozer Street, KempseyÂ
- 29 May 2025, 10:30am to 12.30pm - Dementia Australia, 121 Bridge Street, Port Macquarie Â
Bookings are essential.
To secure your spot or for more information, please contact nightingalensw@dementia.org.au or call 0490 849 439.
Aged Care Financial Hardship with Services Australia
Services Australia has aged care financial hardship assistance available if you need help to pay for your aged care costs.Â
If you are having trouble paying your costs, you can apply for financial hardship assistance.
When you are intending to start your aged care journey, you can apply before you start getting aged care service. Â
If you are granted a claim for assistance, Services Australia will pay some or all of your costs, depending on your situation. Payments are made to your aged care provider on your behalf. You will be responsible for paying the remaining costs directly to your home care provider.
There are requirements you will need to meet to access the hardship assistance.
To find out more, When you need financial hardship assistance to help meet aged care cost of care webpage.
Aged Care Answers at Wauchope Library
Do you have any questions regarding the rights of seniors? Struggling to navigate aged care? Join us for a concise session on understanding services, negotiating care plans, and making confident decisions.
Former Aged Care advocate Jill McDonnell believes in making Aged Care as easy as possible, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.
Some questions you may have:
- What are my rights when receiving services?
- How do I access aged care services I've heard about and can you tell me more about 'My Aged Care'?
- What fees do I have to pay for my aged care services?
Morning tea will be provided.
Join Jill for a cuppa on Thursday, 1st May 2025 at 11am in the Wauchope Library.
Register your spot here at Aged Care Answers.
Community Information Day at Dorrigo Neighbourhood Centre
if you provide support to a family member or friend who needs your assistance there is support for you through Carer Gateway.
Our Carer Gateway outreach will be available to assist you in understanding the support and services available to you. Not sure whether the support you provide a family member or friend makes you a carer? Come and have a chat to our staff to learn more about your individual circumstances.
Date: Thursday, 24th April
Time: 10am to 1pm
Location: 65a Hickory Street, Dorrigo NSW
Dementia and Driving
Dementia Australia is hosting an information session to provide information about the impact of dementia on driving. The session offers tips for recognising when dementia is impacting on someones ability to drive safely, the importance of planning ahead, and acknowledging the significance of retiring from driving.
You will gain knowledge in:
- the effects of dementia and driving
- managing the impact of ceasing driving
- relevant services and support.
Suitable for people living with dementia who are still driving, and family members and carers of someone living with dementia. This program is not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sectors.
Date: 25th June 2025
Time: 2pm.
You can find the Dementia Australia online registration page here.
The Nightingale Program
The Nightingale Program is a palliative model of advanced dementia care throughout specific New South Wales locations. The New South Wales locations include Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Hunter, Metro Sydney, and Queanbeyan-Palerang. The program is provided by specialist nurses.
It is available free of charge and provides strategies and advice to support people living with advanced dementia, their families and care providers, with a focus on promoting choice, wellbeing and forward planning.
The program supports people living at home and is now also available for people in residential aged and community settings.
How can this program help?
By offering a specialist nurse as the single point of contact, Dementia Australia can develop care strategies to enable people living with dementia to:
- stay at home longer and maximise their independence
- promote quality of life and positive relationships
- have a voice in their future care options and decision-making
- avoid unnecessary presentations to acute hospital settings
- have a clinical advice including co-morbidity management, pain management, delirium and palliation.
To access the program, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500
For more information visit the Nightingale Program webpage.
Community Information Session in Wingham
Are you providing care and support for someone in your family or a friend? Did you know you could be a carer? Carer Gateway is here to support you. Drop by to have a friendly chat with the Carer Gateway Outreach team and have your questions answered.
Date: Thursday, 22nd May 2025
Time: 10am to 11am
Location: Old Court House Wingham, 4 Farquhar Street, Wingham.
Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services (MVNS) Community Cuppa
Connect over a free cuppa thanks to the MVNS food van.
Community Cuppa is held fortnightly on a Tuesday, with the next date on 6th May.
Services Australia will also be available for one-on-one information and financial support. No booking is necessary.
All are welcome.
The Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services are located at the old Court House Wingham, 4 Farquhar Street, Wingham.
Aged Care Service Navigation Day
Are you a carer supporting someone with a mental illness? Is your loved one needing aged care services and it is all a little confusing? Come along to hear from services who can help you in this stage of caring.
Guest speakers on the day include Carers NSW, Services NSW, and more to be announced.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Bookings are essential.
For more information or to register, contact Mydie Keegan on 0429 995 907 or email mydie.keegan@onedoor.org.au
When: Thursday, 29th May 2025
Time: 10am to 1pm
Location: Forster Civic Centre, 4 Lake Street Forster.
Financial Assistance is Available
Depending on your location and the extent of the impact, you may be eligible for payments by the National Emergency Management Agency:
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child adversely affected.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance: Up to 13 weeks income support for those who can demonstrate their income has been impacted.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants: $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more to cover essentials like food, clothing, and medicine.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance: $150 per person, up to $750 for families of five or more, to assist with immediate need following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.
- Essential Household Contents Grants: Up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents.
- And more...
Please contact 1800 173 349 if you are in Queensland or 13 77 88 if you are in New South Wales to find out what you may be eligible for.
