The Living Well Expo is on again!
Save the date! The Living Well Expo is on again this year in Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025 at the Coffs Harbour Showground.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details - we'd love to see you there!
Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention, Full-day Workshop – Port Macquarie
Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley Lifeforce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Suicide Prevention training equips participants with the knowledge and skills to increase awareness of suicide in Australia, identify the signs that someone may be at risk of suicide and appropriate action to take. Effective interventions can make a real difference and save lives. The programs aim at training individuals from all walks of life, as well as organisational groups. All Wesley LifeForce facilitators are accredited trainers and have completed suicide intervention training.
The workshop material is specifically designed towards keeping participant safety in mind. The course material is vetted by Mindframe, an Australian Government body which provides expert advice to the suicide prevention sector on reporting/portrayal of the issues of suicide. Â
During the workshop you will learn how to:
- understand risk and protective factors Â
- identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide Â
- ask directly about suicide intentÂ
- understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk.Â
Reserve your spot for the Wesley LifeForce event in Port Macquarie here.
Voting when Living with Dementia
A diagnosis of dementia can impact a person's ability to understand information and make decisions, such as how to vote. This information session is designed to support people living with dementia, and their carers, to know what to do when it comes to voting.
Dementia Australia's facilitators have specialist dementia knowledge, skills and experience. This free session will be delivered in a webinar style and has been prepared with information provided by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Date: Thursday, 3rd April 2025
Time: 12pm to 1pm - online.
To register for this important session, visit the Voting when Living with Dementia website.
Free NSW Birth Certificates for Eligible People in Forster
Legal Aid, the Forster Neighbourhood Centre and Cooperative Legal Service Delivery program are teaming up to bring free birth certificates to Forster.
Who is eligible?
Applicants applying for a Birth Certificate must:
- Be experiencing financial hardship (on full Centrelink or no income); and
- Have not received a free birth certificate in the last year; and be
- living in, or have lived in out-of-home care; or
- a victim of family or domestic violence; or
- living with low or no literacy; or
- homeless, or at risk of homelessness; or
- under 18 and not in education or employment; or
- living with a mental illness or cognitive impairment, or
- be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
What do applicants need to do?
- Meet the eligible criteria.
- Bring two forms of ID.
The best forms of ID are:
- Driver License or Learner Driver License
- Proof of Age Card
- Medicare Card
- Bank Card
- Centrelink Statement or Card
- Service NSW Photo ID
- Teritary or school ID; or
- Health Care Card.
When: Wednesday, 26th March from 10am to 1pm, at the Forster Neighbourhood Centre, 3 Lake Street Forster NSW.
To make an appointment or for further information call (02) 6555 4351.
It’s Time to Prepare for Extreme Weather
Come and join the Australian Red Cross EmergencyRediTM free workshop.
As part of Help Nation, an NRMA Insurance initiative, this workshop will help you learn about your local risks and how you can get prepared.
Date: Tuesday, 8th April 2025
Time: 10.30am to 12pm
Venue: Sawtell RSL Club, 38-40 First Avenue, Sawtell, NSW 2452
For more information contact Karen Maloney on: 0428 634 272.
To book your spot Coffs Harbour Australian Red Cross EmergencyRediâ„¢ Workshop eventbrite booking site
Chair Yoga
Enhance your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, for all ages and fitness levels.
Experience the tranquillity and rejuvenation of Chair Yoga. Whether you're seeking to enhance flexibility, reduce stress, or improve posture, our gentle yet effective practices are tailored to meet your needs and promote holistic wellness.
Time: 10.30am to 11am
Date: Every fourth Wednesday of the month
Location: Learning Lab, Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place.
Cost: It's Free!
The next date is Wednesday, 26th March at 10.30am.
All you need to bring is a positive attitude and readiness to unwind and relax. Don't miss out on this opportunity to prioritise your wellbeing.
Book your spot via the Coffs Harbour Chair Yoga webpage.
Free Craft and Connect
A wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people, share ideas, and enjoy a relaxed morning of crafting with a cup of tea and coffee.
Looking for a creative outlet and a chance to connect with fellow crafters? Craft and Connect is the perfect monthly gathering for craft lovers of all skill levels.
Bring along your own project to work on or join in on exciting community crafting initiatives throughout the year.
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Dates: First Wednesday of every month
Location: Learning Lab, Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place Coffs Harbour.
The next date is Wednesday, 2nd April 2025.
Book your spot via the Craft & Connect webpage.
Step-by-Step Technology Sessions
Sometimes technology can be a bit confusing. Dementia Australia is making it easier to use.
This first session looks at using Mobile Phones.
- Find your contact list
- Send and receive text messages
- Send a photo on your phone
- Send and receive emails
To register call Donna on: 0438 542 269
When: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Where: Dementia Australia, 121 Bridge Street, Port Macquarie
Time: 5pm to 6.30pm
Younger Onset Dementia Support/Social Group
Do you have or know someone who has Younger Onset Dementia (YOD)?
Dementia Australia recognises that people living with Younger Onset Dementia have different needs and wants in life.
The Port Macquarie region is establishing a Younger Onset Dementia support/social group. The group will meet monthly and will host activities such as guest speakers, outings, coffee, dinner etc. Â
We welcome carers and people living with dementia to get together in a social setting, share expectations, talk, learn, support and have a bit of fun too.
The next date for the support group is 15th April 2025. Â
For more information, please contact Donna Leonard, Dementia Support Specialist on: 0438 542 269.
Hastings River Flood Study Information Session
Join the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for an information session on the Hastings River Flood Extension Study, to learn about updated flood mapping and how it will guide planning for future development, help develop flood controls and assist with emergency preparedness in Port Macquarie, Fernbank Creek, North Shore and surrounding areas. You can read about the Hastings River Flood Extension Study.here.
This is an ideal opportunity to ask questions and speak with subject matter experts.
Date: Monday, 31st March 2025
Time: 6pm to 7.30pm
Location: Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Function Room.
For more information contact the Port Macquarie/Hastings Council Community Engagement team on: (02) 6581 8111 or email: communityengagement.communications@pmhc.nsw.gov.au.
Free NSW Birth Certificates for Eligible People in Port Macquarie
Legal Aid, the Mid North Coast Legal Centre and the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery program are teaming up to bring free Birth Certificates to Port Macquarie.
Who is eligible?
Applicants applying for a Birth Certificate must:
- be experiencing financial hardship (on full Centrelink or no income); andÂ
- have not received a free birth certificate in the last year; and beÂ
- living in, or have lived in out-of-home care; or
- a victim of family or domestic violence; or
- living with low or no literacy; or
- homeless, or at risk of homelessness; or
- under 18 and not in education or employment; or
- living with a mental illness or cognitive impairment, or
- be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
What do applicants need to do?
- Meet the eligible criteria.Â
- Bring two forms of ID.Â
- The best forms of ID are:
- Driver License or Learner Driver license
- Proof of Age Card
- Medicare Card
- Bank Card
- Centrelink Statement or card
- Service NSW Photo ID
- Tertiary or school ID
- Health Care Card.
When: Thursday, 8th May 2025 from 10am to 1pm, at Our Place, Homelessness Hub, 140 Horton Street, Port Macquarie.
Numbers are limited, to make an appointment or for further information call 0434 332 903.
Department of Health and Aged Care Updates
Keep up to date with the Department Updates.
Navigating Home Care, Everything you Need to Know
Join Livable for one or all of their free information sessions designed to help you navigate and make the most of your home care services.
There are 3 sessions over every second Wednesday in April 2025:
- 2 April 2025 - Let's get started with Aged Care
- 16 April 2025 - Home Care is changing, what you need to know
- 30 April 2025 - Maximise the benefits of your Home Care Packages
The sessions will be held at Livable Port Macquarie, 146 Lake Road Port Macquarie from 10.30am to 11.30am.
Bookings are essential - Let's Get Started With Aged Care.
Fly2Health, Psychologists now available
FLy2Health is excited to share that two new psychologists are joining their NSW team. They will be ready for face-to-face appointments across all clinic locations, with bookings starting from early May.
If you are on a long waitlist or struggling to access care, Fly2Health can help. With psychology services in high demand, spots will fill quickly.
To find out more check out the Fly2 Health Website.
Cafe Connect, a Dementia Support Group in Kempsey
This regularly scheduled group offers both a social activity for People Living with Dementia (PLWD) and their carers, and a Carers Support Group, over alternate months.
The Cafe Connect Social Group will meet at various locations and invites carers and PLWD to attend.
The Support Group will be open to carers only and will meet at Kempsey Shire Library, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey, from 10am to 12pm on various dates.
For more information or to register your interest, contact Donna Leonard by phone on: 0438 542 269, or email: donna.leonard@dementia.org.au
Creating an Advanced Care Plan
Dementia Australia is offering 1:1 support for creating an Advanced Care Plan or an Advanced Care Directive in the Port Macquarie and Kempsey region.
If you are interested in being supported in the drafting of these documents, and any questions that may be of interest to you, reach out to Rhiannon, Clinical Nurse Consultant on: (02) 8397 5481 or the Dementia Australia helpline: 1800 100 500.
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 available for people in residential aged care and community settings.
How can the program help?
Offering a specialist nurse as the single point of contact, we 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 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 check out The Nightingale Program webpage.
Carers as Partners in Care
Carers as Partners in Care is designed to build the confidence of CHSP-funded aged care providers (frontline staff, managers) in partnering with family, friends and carers of clients to deliver person-centred care.
This session will explore:
- your understanding of the role of families and carers in person-centred care
- the relevant Aged Care Quality Standards aimed at strengthening carer-inclusive practice
- practical strategies and resources on how you can implement carer-inclusive practices.
You will require access to a computer with speakers (a microphone and video cameras are a bonus). Training is delivered using the Zoom platform. Carers NSW will send you instructions about how you can join the session on the day before each session.
When: Thursday, 12th June 2025 from 2pm to 2.45pm
Register you spot via this Carers as Partners in Care registration link.
Free Community Information Day at Kempsey 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 if you:
- wish to understand the support and services available to you.
- are 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: Friday, 28th March 2025 from 10am to 1.30pm
Location: Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre, Geoffrey Debenham Street, Kempsey NSW
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.
