August 2022

Join others for a weekend of music, arts, campfires and relaxation on the banks of the beautiful Bellinger River!

It’s happening 30th September – 2nd October 2022.

For more information about the festival and to secure tickets, click HERE.

Yes it’s on! After a 2 year absence, live music is coming back into our lives again, reconnecting our communities, helping us overcome our hardships and giving us that longed for soul connection.

Dorrigo comes alive with three days of acoustic concerts, workshops, dance, jamming, impromptu performances and children’s entertainment. Featuring some of the very best performers in the Folk, Bluegrass and Old-Time genre.

Tickets for the 20th Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival 2022 are now available. Tickets must be purchased online and will be available until sold out.

The festival is being held at several locations around Dorrigo 21st-23rd October 2022.

For more information and to secure tickets, click HERE.

The Bellingen Growers Market is held at the Bellingen Showground on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month between 8am and 1pm.

The market’s purpose is to encourage/promote local growers and services, and to give the community reliable access to organic and chemical-free produce within a multi-faceted marketplace which supports a healthy lifestyle and a more sustainable future.

You’ll find an amazing range of freshly-picked produce – mostly certified organic – fruit, vegetables, salad greens, nuts, flowers… all direct from local growers. The café has delicious locally-baked bread and pastries and will serve you a hearty organic breakfast. Order an organic coffee or freshly squeezed juice and enjoy the live music whilst browsing the newspapers or meeting with old and new friends. The kids love our famous storyteller (and the smoothies and waffles too). There are also plenty of second-hand clothes and quality bric-a-brac to choose from.

For more information click HERE.

Free counselling is available to residents of the Bellingen Shire. The counselling sessions are available by appointment at all three Neighbourhood Centres – Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo.

For more information and to book an appointment click HERE.

Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our 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. Our 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. Below you will find an outline of our workshops.

The outcomes:

• Understand risk and protective factors
• How to identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
• How to ask directly about suicide intent
• Understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk

Register now for the Wednesday, 21st September 2022 workshop in Nambucca Heads through Eventbrite. Click HERE.

The Valla Beach Community Association (VBCA) holds a market from 8:00am to 1:00pm on the first Saturday of every even month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and Dec), focusing on homemade and homegrown local produce, arts, crafts and fantastic musical talent.

It runs at the Valla Reserve (also known as ‘Lions Park’), at Valla Beach, a serene and peaceful seaside village.

The location is next to the footbridge across Deep Creek, at the end of Ocean View Drive, just off the Pacific Highway. Head towards the Valla Beach Tourist Park and turn left just before the entry – just follow the Market signs!

You can follow the markets on Facebook or check out their website HERE.

Macksville Music Muster HAS BEEN POSTPONED and will now run from 16th – 13th March 2023 at the Macksville Showground.

A country music muster full of pure classic country artists and entertainment, and community connection.

For more information and to secure tickets, click HERE.

Hosted by Healthy North Coast, join colleagues at the Nambucca & Macksville Clinical Society Meeting to network with fellow clinicians, enjoy a two-course dinner, and learn more about eating disorders, the management, support and available services in your region.

Dr Ashlea Broomfield, GP and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician will explain how eating disorders impact patients, how to recognise them in practice and how to implement an eating disorder management plan. Local Eating Disorder Coordinators, Ute Morris and Linda Winn, will provide access and referral information on the local Eating Disorder Service.

Register now, come along, ask lots of questions, and better understand eating disorders in the Nambucca Valley.

For more information and to register click HERE.

There’s more than you think on offer at your local library!

Check out what’s coming up by clicking HERE.

Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our 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. Our 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. Below you will find an outline of our workshops.

The outcomes:

• Understand risk and protective factors
• How to identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
• How to ask directly about suicide intent
• Understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk

Register now for the Tuesday 13th September 2022 workshop in Kempsey through Eventbrite. Click HERE.

To celebrate International Day of People with Disability 2022, the Glitz & Glamour Ball is being held at the Slim Dusty Centre Kempsey, on Saturday, 15th October 2022. Don’t miss this amazing event!

Check out the flyer for all the info.

GG-Ball

Women Can and Kids Can are evidence-based group programs designed to safeguard against family and domestic violence. The programs run for two hours, one day a week for 8 weeks.

Women Can is a psycho-educational group program for women who are parents/primary carers of children who have been exposed to family and domestic violence. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe place for women with peers who have a similar experience, to better understand the nature, dynamics and impacts of domestic violence on children and families. It is designed to run parallel with the Kids Can group program for children aged 8–12 years who have been exposed to domestic and family violence. The Women Can program equips mothers with knowledge and skills to support their children in dealing with the impacts of family and domestic violence and respond in ways that support their children’s self-esteem, development and safety and support healthy family functioning.

Kids Can is a therapeutic group program for children who have been exposed to family and domestic violence. The purpose of this program is to provide a safe place for the children with peers who have similar experiences, to clarify and understand the thoughts and feelings which arise from exposure to domestic violence, and to equip them with some age-appropriate strategies to deal with these.

We are also facilitating Parenting After Domestic Violence, a program to support parents and caregivers to establish healing relationships with their children, so that the negative effects of violence can be improved, and children can be provided with a safe, nurturing environment for healing, growth and development.
This program runs for an additional 4 weeks, (2 hours, one day a week) usually after the completion of the Women Can and Kids Can programs.

View the flyer HERE.
View the referral form HERE.

Mentors Required

The Driving Change Program is looking for people interested in assisting learners to accumulate their log book hours in a car provided by us. This is a good opportunity to give back to your community and to assist young people to get safely on the road. If you (or someone you know) are interested or would like more information, please ring the Driving Change project workers:

Krystal Smith: 0427 047 413

Shirley Kent: 0458 695 167

View the flyer HERE.

There’s so much happening at Kempsey Library!

For more information click HERE.

The Neami Community Cup is a round-robin soccer competition which will include teams from different organisations, combining both support workers, consumers and members of the public. There will also be community stalls hosted by various local mental health-based organisations, agencies who can provide a positive impact on one’s mental health, as well as a BBQ lunch and children’s activities.

The target group will be a mixture of members of the community: schools/TAFE/university, service providers in the mental health and disability sector, consumers, community mental health as well as the indigenous and local community.

The aim is to raise awareness around mental health, overcome stigma, promote acceptance, educate people, promote the importance of physical health, have fun, share experiences and create community involvement. This event is designed to promote integration between several different populations in the community, including people affected by mental health in some way and those that may not have any known experience with mental health.

As the event is broad reaching and open to all members of the community, there will be a mixing of people with different experiences, and aeveryone will be given the opportunity to share their experience and learn from others.

Through this sharing of experience we hope the community can come together to recognise the everyday impact of mental health and show the strength of the community. This we believe is a formula for social inclusion, lasting wellbeing and promoting healthy communities.

Attendees can share their journey through participating in the soccer competition, being curious about the different organisations present, and/or sharing a meal.

Neami-Cup

The Hastings Community Support Booklet is available to assist people living in the Port Macquarie and surrounding area to locate services and supports they may need.

Check out the booklet HERE.

For children 8-12 years and young people 13-18 years of age.

Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
When: Tuesday afternoons during the school term

Kids 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Teens 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Ph: (02) 6583 8044

See the flyer HERE.

Are you a woman living in the Hastings area looking to invest in your health & wellbeing?
Come along each week as we chat and experience all things:

• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Movement
• Self Reflection
• Self Care
• Nutrition Tips & Tricks
• Healthy Habit Stacking

When:  Monday’s 11am-12:30pm
Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
For more information click HERE.

For infants 0-6 months and their caregivers.

Please bring a small blanket and toys if desired. Tea, coffee & morning tea are provided.
Please note this is a fully-funded program with no cost to families who attend.

Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Muston & Dodds Street
When:  Mondays 9am-10am

For more information click HERE.

Stay in the know with what’s happening at headspace Port Macquarie!

For more information click HERE.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council has public libraries in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Laurieton, Wauchope, South West Rocks and Stuarts Point.

To see what’s on at your local library click HERE.

Blue Sky Community Services is delivering the NDIS Local Area Coordination Service across the NSW Mid North Coast, in partnership with the NDIA.

We are looking to employ two full-time Local Area Coordinators based in Port Macquarie, NSWThese positions play a pivotal role in supporting people with disability, their families and carers and the broader community to ensure people with disability are included and valued, are able to participate in and contribute to community life, and are connected to the resources, services and supports they need to achieve their goals.

Applications are due by midday on Monday, 5th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

We are looking to employ a Team Leader: Families, Young People and Communities based in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

The Families, Young People and Communities Team Leader plays a pivotal role in supporting the Families, Young People and Communities Program Manager to deliver a range of efficient, effective and high-quality services/programs and in leading and supporting the Families, Young People and Communities team.

The Families, Young People and Communities Team encompasses:

• The Youth and Family Service
• Groundworks Youth and Family Hub
• Momentum Youth Housing Service
• Rent Choice Youth program
• All One Under the Sun program
• Sector Development Program
• Financial and Wellbeing Service

A part-time position (35 hours per week) is available.

Applications must be received before midday on Monday, 19th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

We are seeking to employ a professional and values-aligned person to join our supportive and friendly team and to assist us in delivering the Momentum Youth Housing Program on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

A part-time position is available working 35 hours per week (with some flexibility).

Applications must be received before midday on Monday, 5th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

The Coffs-Clarence WDVCAS provides services and support to women experiencing domestic violence. We provide services to Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Maclean Courts.We are seeking to employ two Women’s Domestic Violence Specialist Case Managers for 32 hours per week (4 days per week).

Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
For further information and to request a Position Description please email coordinator@nccas.org.au.

If you are interested in these exciting new positions, please submit a cover letter outlining why you would meet the requirements of the role and include your resume. Please email applications to: coordinator@nccas.org.au. Applications must be received by 12pm, Monday 5th September 2022. Late applications will not be considered.

This service is funded by Legal Aid NSW.

The FASS is a specialist family violence service that provides legal, emotional and social support to clients affected by family violence in the Family Law courts. The FASS comprises a partnership between Legal Aid NSW duty lawyers and social support workers. For women, The FASS are provided by the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS). This is a new service for the Coffs Harbour Family Law Court Circuit.

We are seeking to employ a Family Advocacy Support Service (FASS) Worker on a permanent 35-hour per week position. In this role you will provide high quality trauma-informed casework, safety planning and support to our clients. The program is targeted to support women currently engaged with the Family Court System and who are either affected by family violence or who have allegations of family violence against them.

Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
Further information and a position description is available by request to: coordinator@nccas.org.au

If you are interested in this exciting new position, please submit a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role and include your resume. Please send your applications to: coordinator@nccas.org.au. Applications must be received by 4pm on Monday, 29^th  August 2022.

This service is funded by the Commonwealth Government.

Looking for a job? Find an ethical job that contributes for a more equitable, more just or more sustainable world.

For more information click HERE.

The theme for Child Protection Week 2022 is ‘Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go’.

In the light of this theme, Blue Sky Community Services, in collaboration with the Child and Family Interagencies across the Mid North Coast district, will be delivering a slate of online professional development opportunities for child and family service staff across the region.

The program kicks off on Monday, 5th September and runs through to Monday 12th.  The workshops will be delivered online via MS Teams.

To view the full schedule click here.

To view available spaces and register for individual workshops click here.

Who do we help?

We support anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide including:

• individuals, families, friends, witnesses
• schools, workplaces and community groups
• first responders and service providers.

To find your local StandBy site, please visit our website.
For more information click HERE.

Feeling stressed or worried? Not coping so well at the moment?

Call and have a yarn with our Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Staff on 0408 985 916.

For more information click HERE.

• Women’s Legal Advice Line
• Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line
• First Nations Women’s Legal Contact Line
• Working Women’s Legal Service

The Beware of Scams factsheet has been updated and is now available on the Services Australia website in 26 languages.

The factsheet provides tips on how to protect your personal information, how to identify a scam by knowing what Services Australia will and won’t do and what to do if you have been scammed.

The factsheet is also available on the How to know if it’s a scam webpage. This webpage has other useful information, including links to current scam alerts and examples of scams.

Blue Sky Community Services offers NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management in the Manning-Great Lakes and Forster areas. 

Blue Sky Community Services has expanded its services, and as a registered NDIS provider is now delivering best practice Plan Management and Support Coordination (including Psychosocial Recovery Coach) services to NDIS participants in the Manning-Great Lakes and Forsterareas.

Blue Sky has been delivering community services across the region since the early 1970s and has a wealth of experience and expertise in facilitating innovative connections to services and to the community for people living with disability.

Blue Sky has a team of passionate, skilled and dedicated staff, who have supported many participants and members of the community to achieve amazing outcomes and achievements, through inclusive, strength-based practices and a values-based culture.

These new NDIS support services complement the organisation’s vision of supporting people to thrive and creating communities where everyone belongs. The services will support NDIS participants with their support coordination and plan management through a strengths-based and person-centred approach, ensuring that participants maintain full choice and control over their plans.

For more information visit the Blue Sky Community Services website HERE

The ATO have developed new resources to assist people from CALD backgrounds with tax and superannuation. Check out the video stories by people from CALD communities via the following link.

For more information click HERE.

Disability Advocacy on the Mid North Coast is taking referrals, however, there is a considerable wait for non-urgent matters.

For more information click HERE.

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that refers to the diversity in brain functioning associated with a range of developmental conditions and experiences. Evidence suggests that conventional counselling approaches may not be as effective for neurodiverse children, since these individuals may need additional support to learn. This practice paper provides an overview of principles and strategies that can help practitioners to support children with neurodiversity to engage in counselling and reflective learning.

Key Messages:

• Emerging evidence suggests that a range of developmental conditions and experiences can be associated with neurodiversity.
• A psychological assessment is needed to confirm a child’s neurocognitive status, and it can be helpful to support a family to pursue an assessment if this is deemed appropriate.
• Children with neurodiversity may have more difficulty in reflective learning, and in developing behavioural and emotional control.
• Children who experience neurodiversity may need additional supports to help them engage with and benefit from counselling, develop new skills, participate in learning environments, and develop self-regulation.
• Children with neurodiversity can become more engaged with learning in the context of an environment that is characterised by structure and predictability, and that is scaffolded by visual supports and simplified adult-child interactions.
• Children with neurodiversity cannot control their sensory sensitivities and how they respond to the sensory world. They can be supported to understand how the sensory world affects them and be taught to use behavioural strategies to manage this impact.
• Children’s adaptive functioning can be extended by understanding the barriers that exist for each child as a learner; and using explicit and systematic techniques to gradually improve their independence in manageable increments.

To read the publication, click HERE.

If you’ve been impacted by the recent floods and storms, we’re here to help, in several ways, including the following:

Rental support
The Rental Support scheme will provide up to 16 weeks of financial rental support to flood victims in temporary accommodation. Total funding available will depend on the number of people per household including children.
To be notified when more information is available, please register your details or call 13 77 88.

Temporary housing support
To be notified when more information is available, please register your details or call 13 77 88.

Financial Support
Immediate financial help and payments are available to people living in disaster declared areas.

Clean-up
Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be dangerous – here’s some advice on how to clean up safely and deal with hazardous waste.

Food & essentials
Essentials and personal care items such as blankets, clothing, and medication are also available.

Recovery Centres
Flood Recovery Centres are a one-stop shop for you to access recovery service.

Landlords and Tenants’ Rights in a Flood
If you live in or lease a rental property that has been affected by a flood or storm, tenants and landlords have certain rights and responsibilities relating to payment of rent, damage to belongings and urgent repairs.
Any tenancy related disputes following a natural disaster can be taken to the Tribunal.

Help with Animals
You can get immediate assistance with animals by contacting WIRES, Wildlife Rescue Australia, RSPCA or NSW Department of Primary Industries.

There are many options for accessing mental health supports online.

Don’t hesitate to reach out, as we all need help from time to time.

Check out the flyer via the link below to explore these options.

Mental-Health-Supports

The Australian Centre for Disability Law (ACDL) gives free legal advice to people with disability who live in New South Wales, including students and families with disability.

We have created the online toolkit “Learning Together – Tools to help you get the support you need at school” so that students with disability and their families can understand their rights in education, and advocate more effectively for the supports they need – HERE.

This website contains the toolkit and its accessible versions, information about upcoming training and other useful resources. The toolkit will be translated into community languages and free translated training will also be offered in those languages from May 2022. The first round of languages is Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese.

We are keen to work with community groups and organisations to plan face-to-face training sessions in these languages, so would love to discuss further.

13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provides a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.

We have co-designed this line using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention, along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples with lived experience.

We work to explore options for ongoing support, and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.

For more information click HERE.

Apps like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram allow young people to connect with peers, be creative and express themselves through images and videos.

Online dares and challenges encourage users to share videos of themselves or others taking part in a challenging activity. Sometimes, these dares can be creative and inspiring and build a sense of belonging. But young people can also feel pressure to participate, even if the challenge might result in harm to themselves or others.

Platforms usually don’t allow activities that might cause harm. For example, TikTok’s Community Guidelines ban dangerous challenges.

TikTok has also just released a package of information and safety features to help users stay safe around online challenges. The package includes a 4-step process that users need to go through before taking part in challenges, and they’ve also made it easier to report dangerous challenges.

Learn more about dangerous online challenges and how you can talk to young people about them and minimise the potential for harm.

NILS has launched a new loan program for no-interest loans for cars. The loan can be up to $5000 which is paid back over 5 years via $57.70 fortnightly repayments.

Other programs of interest:

• DV clients may be eligible for a $2000 loan
• Flood disaster, clients may be eligible for a $2000 loan.
  (*NOTE: NILS is not able to pay for rent or food)

To be eligible for NILS, you need to earn less than $45,000 a year for a single or $60,000 for a family (after tax).

For more information contact Anne Stuart at fssintake@lifetimeconnect.org.au

If you’re an Aboriginal person and have been thinking about buying a home there are support grants available as well as support on how to purchase a home.

Check out the grants HERE.

And you can also call Debbie Avery | 0491 228 003 | homeownership@aho.nsw.gov.au  | Northern Region

Anxiety occurs across a long continuum, from occasional ‘butterflies’, to feelings of panic which can be recurring and disabling. Even though most children who experience mild or occasional anxiety will not need to see a mental health professional, there may be circumstances that mean a referral to a specialist service is important. Learning more about the child’s experience of anxiety helps practitioners and parents to decide when support from a mental health professional may be required.

Co-produced with the Parenting Research Centre (PRC), we have developed two practice guides for children aged 4–8 years and 9–12 years who may be experiencing mild to moderate levels of anxiety. By being aware of anxiety and responding early to their experience, practitioners may prevent children from developing severe and/or persisting anxiety or other mental health concerns in the future.

View the practice guides HERE.

The Connecting you to My Aged Care services factsheet is now available on the Services Australia website in 21 languages.

This factsheet informs older Australians how agency staff, including Aged Care Specialist Officers, can help with their aged care matters.

Key topics include:

• what we can help with
• where to find more information
• what Aged Care Specialist Officers can help with
• how to find an Aged Care Specialist Officer.

To access the factsheet click HERE.

Blue Sky Community Services has received the following short-term funding and we would appreciate it if you could share this information with your networks and with anyone you think may be eligible for this support.

FLOOD AND RECOVERY RELIEF SUPPORT – GRAFTON TO GREAT LAKES
This funding will end on 30/6 and can provide assistance in the form of vouchers, to people who have experienced flood/storm damage (including mould).

Referred by an organisation: with the consent of the person, complete the (very simple) referral form and email it to: contact@bluesky.org.au.  We will then contact the person to make a time (probably on a Thursday) for a 30-minute phone call with our Financial Wellbeing Coordinator. During this phone call, our Coordinator will identify if there are any other supports the person might be eligible for, as well as arrange the issuing of a voucher (generally Woolworths or Bunnings or Good Guys, or combination) to the following value: Single ($600), Couple ($800) and Family ($1000).

Self-referred: Although a referral is the preferred process, as an alternative, if a person is eligible for the flood funding (refer to the fact sheet), they can contact us on: (02) 6651 1788 and say that they wish to make an appointment for the flood funding.

Please refer to the Fact Sheet HERE and Referral form HERE for more information.

COVID-19 REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT SUPPORT – COFFS TO GREAT LAKES  
This funding will end in September and can provide assistance to people who are experiencing some hardship and vulnerabilities due to either testing COVID-positive or having to isolate. This assistance can be in the form of:

• material aid – such as essential grocery vouchers
• payment of essential items to help support people isolating
• links to well-being supports.

For assistance, please contact us at (02) 5632 4021 or email: CovidRPG@bluesky.org.au

Please refer to the attached flyer HERE for more information.

This Small Grants program (up to $750) supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

There are three small grant rounds in 2022, with the following closing dates:

• Round 1 closed on Monday, 7 March 2022
• Round 2 closed on Monday,  11 July 2022
• Round 3 closes on Monday, 14 November 2022

Applications that are particularly creative and innovative are welcomed, as are those put forward by individuals, communities and organisations who have not received small grant funding in the previous 2 years. Projects that work as partnerships between individuals and organisations are also regarded favourably.

For more information, click HERE.

The First 2000 Days webinar series has been designed by the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Blue Sky Community Services to build the capacity of MNC service providers who support families and young children with the priority health areas identified in the First 2000 Days.

The webinar series is split into 13 sessions:

• The Importance of the First 2000 Days
• Antenatal Care
• Get Healthy in Pregnancy
• Early Breastfeeding
• Tresillian – Navigating early parenting
• Nutrition and Feeding
• Child and Family Health Nurses
• Perinatal Infant Mental Health
• Smoking Cessation Support
• Physical Activity and Screen Time
• Refugee Health
• Oral Health
• Speech Pathology

Links to register for the remaining sessions are available via the Blue Sky Training and Events page.

The Mental Health Coordinating Council has many resources and tools available to the community, including a very useful Recovery Oriented Language Guide.

Check out their resources and tools page HERE.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District is now offering their Covid-19 Vaccination Hub for community events!

If you would like to discuss having the hub available at your upcoming event, please see the flyer and give Clare Casey a call (contact details included in flyer).

MOBILE-CLIINC-PROMO-POSTER

Mission Australia’s Family & Carer Mental Health Program supports families and carers of people with a mental illness through a comprehensive range of supports and services. Education and training sessions to build the skills and resilience of families and carers are held each month across the Mid North Coast, including Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.

To obtain a copy of the education and training calendar for your area please email richardsonc@missionaustralia.com.au or to read more about the program click HERE.

TLC for Kids is an established charity that has been helping sick children and their families since 1998.

We’ve developed a free smart device app featuring fun and colourful distraction games to divert children’s attention during short medical procedures. Distraction helps to reduce fear and anxiety and makes the whole process less stressful for the child, healthcare professional and the parent or carer. The app is completely kid-friendly, with no ads, sign-ups, plug-ins etc. Digital distraction is an anytime, anywhere distraction and can be used as a valuable resource now, and into the future, by your community.

Go to tlcforkids.app if you like and check it out – it’s really great!

There’s a lot being said about vaping at the moment – and much of it is conflicting and confusing. That’s why we’ve developed a suite of new social media resources that you can share to help clear the air on vaping.

The new resources include simple images and videos addressing some of the common questions about vaping by providing the facts. They’re ready for you to copy, paste and post on your social channels to share with your community.

View the resources HERE.

Build your disability awareness with an education session from the Let’s Talk Disability team! This training is delivered by people with lived experience of disability.

Check out their website HERE.

Each year, Vision Australia awards Further Education Bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision.

The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies. Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information. It enables students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life.

For more information and details on how to apply, click HERE.

Applications close strictly on 30 September 2022.

If you have any queries or would like to speak with our Bursary Coordinator, please feel free to make direct contact:

Joy King – Bursary Coordinator
Joy.king@visionaustralia.org
Ph:  (03) 8378 1220

Online education in August:

• 5 Ways to Wellbeing
• Carer Skills
• Caring Through Crisis: Disaster planning
• Future Matters: The importance of carers planning ahead
• Health and Wellbeing

Workshops are delivered using Zoom. You will need access to a computer with speakers (a microphone and video camera are a bonus). Carers NSW will send you instructions about how you can join the session on the day before each session.

Click here to download the flyer for these sessions.

The North Coast Public Health HARP team developed an 8-episode podcast that strives to reduce stigma in health care settings towards people who inject drugs (PWID), as a way of improving their wellbeing and treatment outcomes. The podcast series was launched by the NSW Health Minister (Kerry Chant) on World Hepatitis Day (28 July).

Research shows discrimination towards people who inject drugs is a barrier to seeking treatment to progress their health. Eighty per cent of people who inject drugs report having experienced discrimination when seeking help in health care settings. Furthermore, our rural region has some of the highest rates of hepatitis C, a blood borne virus (BBV) primarily transmitted via the sharing of injecting equipment.

The podcast features 8 stories (up to 45 minutes each) by local PWID that was arranged with quotes by Dr Alex Wodak and Prof. Carla Treloar.
Listen to the podcast series via the link HERE or scan the QR code on the flyer and download the series to your mobile phone.

Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our 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. Our 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. Below you will find an outline of our workshops.

The outcomes:

• Understand risk and protective factors
• How to identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
• How to ask directly about suicide intent
• Understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk

Register now for the Tuesday, 27th September 2022 workshop in Coffs Harbour through Eventbrite. Click HERE.

‘SHARING KNOWLEDGE TO CREATE OUR DREAMING’

The 5^th National Aboriginal Wellbeing Conference will explore the opportunities mainstream services have to offer culturally-inclusive practice for Aboriginal People and Families. Our speakers will share their practice, wisdom and knowledge with delegates, and our delegates will have the opportunity to attend a range of workshops exploring how we maintain our Aboriginal identity whilst engaging with mainstream services.

When: 29^th – 30^th August 2022
Where: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW [Contact the resort directly for room rates: (02) 6651 0510] Cost: $620

For more information, visit the website HERE.

Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre is hosting a SMART Recovery Support Group. The group offers free, practical training to help you champion your own behaviour change around alcohol, drug use, gambling or any behaviour of concern. For more information see the flyer below.

SMART-Recovery-Flyer-CHNC

The Smith Family, in partnership with The Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre, has operated the Bright Sparks Learning Club since 2008.
The Learning Club operates Monday afternoons from approximately 3:15pm to 4:45pm during school Terms 2, 3 & 4.
We are currently recruiting students for this year. Attached is the Bright Sparks Student Application Form for your information.
We are focused on high school students, however, if a CALD family has other students attending Primary School years 3 and above, we are open to considering their attendance.

Please Note:

• Learning Club Tutors are Volunteers with Child Protection Screening clearances
• Learning Club Tutors are Male & Female
• Families/Parents/Carers are responsible for the drop-off and pick-up of their students
• Students attend Learning Club because they want assistance
• Students must bring school work to be worked on at the Learning Club each week
• To ensure the best outcomes, students attend every week.

We encourage Families/Parents/Carers to support the students learning. Please contact Darrin Allen for any further information:
Email: darrin.allen@thesmithfamily.com.au
Mobile: 0428 234 399

Classes are open to any adults who would like to learn and improve their conversational English. There is no charge to attend the classes, which are run by mentors who attend Harbourside Presbyterian Church and are fully supported and endorsed by the Church.

Where: Classes are held in the foyer of the Harbourside Presbyterian Church
When: Monday mornings at 9:30am and Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

For more information click HERE.

Are you struggling to manage feelings of low mood, stress or anxiety?

MindStep is a free and confidential mental health coaching program and is available to anyone over the age of 16 living on the North Coast of NSW.

For more information click HERE.

Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services was successful in securing the Men’s Behaviour Change Program (MBCP) Tender for the Coffs Harbour LGA after achieving registration by DCJ to deliver this work two years ago.

It represents an exciting expansion on the work Warrina has been doing in MBCP over the last 8 years with partners, Kempsey Families and Liberty DFVSS through Engage2Change (group) and Fixed Address (individual case management).

From 1 July, Warrina has been delivering the group and individual case management service (Fixed Address) for men who use violence under the broader umbrella of “Safer Futures”.  The group program commenced on the 3rd of August and will run over 20 weeks with a mix of group and individual sessions.

Get in touch to learn more at saferfutures@warrina.org.au

Join others for a weekend of music, arts, campfires and relaxation on the banks of the beautiful Bellinger River!

It’s happening 30th September – 2nd October 2022.

For more information about the festival and to secure tickets, click HERE.

Yes it’s on! After a 2 year absence, live music is coming back into our lives again, reconnecting our communities, helping us overcome our hardships and giving us that longed for soul connection.

Dorrigo comes alive with three days of acoustic concerts, workshops, dance, jamming, impromptu performances and children’s entertainment. Featuring some of the very best performers in the Folk, Bluegrass and Old-Time genre.

Tickets for the 20th Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival 2022 are now available. Tickets must be purchased online and will be available until sold out.

The festival is being held at several locations around Dorrigo 21st-23rd October 2022.

For more information and to secure tickets, click HERE.

The Bellingen Growers Market is held at the Bellingen Showground on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month between 8am and 1pm.

The market’s purpose is to encourage/promote local growers and services, and to give the community reliable access to organic and chemical-free produce within a multi-faceted marketplace which supports a healthy lifestyle and a more sustainable future.

You’ll find an amazing range of freshly-picked produce – mostly certified organic – fruit, vegetables, salad greens, nuts, flowers… all direct from local growers. The café has delicious locally-baked bread and pastries and will serve you a hearty organic breakfast. Order an organic coffee or freshly squeezed juice and enjoy the live music whilst browsing the newspapers or meeting with old and new friends. The kids love our famous storyteller (and the smoothies and waffles too). There are also plenty of second-hand clothes and quality bric-a-brac to choose from.

For more information click HERE.

Free counselling is available to residents of the Bellingen Shire. The counselling sessions are available by appointment at all three Neighbourhood Centres – Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo.

For more information and to book an appointment click HERE.

Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our 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. Our 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. Below you will find an outline of our workshops.

The outcomes:

• Understand risk and protective factors
• How to identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
• How to ask directly about suicide intent
• Understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk

Register now for the Wednesday, 21st September 2022 workshop in Nambucca Heads through Eventbrite. Click HERE.

The Valla Beach Community Association (VBCA) holds a market from 8:00am to 1:00pm on the first Saturday of every even month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and Dec), focusing on homemade and homegrown local produce, arts, crafts and fantastic musical talent.

It runs at the Valla Reserve (also known as ‘Lions Park’), at Valla Beach, a serene and peaceful seaside village.

The location is next to the footbridge across Deep Creek, at the end of Ocean View Drive, just off the Pacific Highway. Head towards the Valla Beach Tourist Park and turn left just before the entry – just follow the Market signs!

You can follow the markets on Facebook or check out their website HERE.

Macksville Music Muster HAS BEEN POSTPONED and will now run from 16th – 13th March 2023 at the Macksville Showground.

A country music muster full of pure classic country artists and entertainment, and community connection.

For more information and to secure tickets, click HERE.

Hosted by Healthy North Coast, join colleagues at the Nambucca & Macksville Clinical Society Meeting to network with fellow clinicians, enjoy a two-course dinner, and learn more about eating disorders, the management, support and available services in your region.

Dr Ashlea Broomfield, GP and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician will explain how eating disorders impact patients, how to recognise them in practice and how to implement an eating disorder management plan. Local Eating Disorder Coordinators, Ute Morris and Linda Winn, will provide access and referral information on the local Eating Disorder Service.

Register now, come along, ask lots of questions, and better understand eating disorders in the Nambucca Valley.

For more information and to register click HERE.

There’s more than you think on offer at your local library!

Check out what’s coming up by clicking HERE.

Informed by the latest research in suicide prevention, Wesley LifeForce has developed a quality suite of suicide prevention training. Our 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. Our 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. Below you will find an outline of our workshops.

The outcomes:

• Understand risk and protective factors
• How to identify the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide
• How to ask directly about suicide intent
• Understand what local and national support and resources are available to support a person at risk

Register now for the Tuesday 13th September 2022 workshop in Kempsey through Eventbrite. Click HERE.

To celebrate International Day of People with Disability 2022, the Glitz & Glamour Ball is being held at the Slim Dusty Centre Kempsey, on Saturday, 15th October 2022. Don’t miss this amazing event!

Check out the flyer for all the info.

GG-Ball

Women Can and Kids Can are evidence-based group programs designed to safeguard against family and domestic violence. The programs run for two hours, one day a week for 8 weeks.

Women Can is a psycho-educational group program for women who are parents/primary carers of children who have been exposed to family and domestic violence. The purpose of the group is to provide a safe place for women with peers who have a similar experience, to better understand the nature, dynamics and impacts of domestic violence on children and families. It is designed to run parallel with the Kids Can group program for children aged 8–12 years who have been exposed to domestic and family violence. The Women Can program equips mothers with knowledge and skills to support their children in dealing with the impacts of family and domestic violence and respond in ways that support their children’s self-esteem, development and safety and support healthy family functioning.

Kids Can is a therapeutic group program for children who have been exposed to family and domestic violence. The purpose of this program is to provide a safe place for the children with peers who have similar experiences, to clarify and understand the thoughts and feelings which arise from exposure to domestic violence, and to equip them with some age-appropriate strategies to deal with these.

We are also facilitating Parenting After Domestic Violence, a program to support parents and caregivers to establish healing relationships with their children, so that the negative effects of violence can be improved, and children can be provided with a safe, nurturing environment for healing, growth and development.
This program runs for an additional 4 weeks, (2 hours, one day a week) usually after the completion of the Women Can and Kids Can programs.

View the flyer HERE.
View the referral form HERE.

Mentors Required

The Driving Change Program is looking for people interested in assisting learners to accumulate their log book hours in a car provided by us. This is a good opportunity to give back to your community and to assist young people to get safely on the road. If you (or someone you know) are interested or would like more information, please ring the Driving Change project workers:

Krystal Smith: 0427 047 413

Shirley Kent: 0458 695 167

View the flyer HERE.

There’s so much happening at Kempsey Library!

For more information click HERE.

The Neami Community Cup is a round-robin soccer competition which will include teams from different organisations, combining both support workers, consumers and members of the public. There will also be community stalls hosted by various local mental health-based organisations, agencies who can provide a positive impact on one’s mental health, as well as a BBQ lunch and children’s activities.

The target group will be a mixture of members of the community: schools/TAFE/university, service providers in the mental health and disability sector, consumers, community mental health as well as the indigenous and local community.

The aim is to raise awareness around mental health, overcome stigma, promote acceptance, educate people, promote the importance of physical health, have fun, share experiences and create community involvement. This event is designed to promote integration between several different populations in the community, including people affected by mental health in some way and those that may not have any known experience with mental health.

As the event is broad reaching and open to all members of the community, there will be a mixing of people with different experiences, and aeveryone will be given the opportunity to share their experience and learn from others.

Through this sharing of experience we hope the community can come together to recognise the everyday impact of mental health and show the strength of the community. This we believe is a formula for social inclusion, lasting wellbeing and promoting healthy communities.

Attendees can share their journey through participating in the soccer competition, being curious about the different organisations present, and/or sharing a meal.

Neami-Cup

The Hastings Community Support Booklet is available to assist people living in the Port Macquarie and surrounding area to locate services and supports they may need.

Check out the booklet HERE.

For children 8-12 years and young people 13-18 years of age.

Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
When: Tuesday afternoons during the school term

Kids 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Teens 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Ph: (02) 6583 8044

See the flyer HERE.

Are you a woman living in the Hastings area looking to invest in your health & wellbeing?
Come along each week as we chat and experience all things:

• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Movement
• Self Reflection
• Self Care
• Nutrition Tips & Tricks
• Healthy Habit Stacking

When:  Monday’s 11am-12:30pm
Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre
For more information click HERE.

For infants 0-6 months and their caregivers.

Please bring a small blanket and toys if desired. Tea, coffee & morning tea are provided.
Please note this is a fully-funded program with no cost to families who attend.

Where: Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr Muston & Dodds Street
When:  Mondays 9am-10am

For more information click HERE.

Stay in the know with what’s happening at headspace Port Macquarie!

For more information click HERE.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council has public libraries in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Laurieton, Wauchope, South West Rocks and Stuarts Point.

To see what’s on at your local library click HERE.

Blue Sky Community Services is delivering the NDIS Local Area Coordination Service across the NSW Mid North Coast, in partnership with the NDIA.

We are looking to employ two full-time Local Area Coordinators based in Port Macquarie, NSWThese positions play a pivotal role in supporting people with disability, their families and carers and the broader community to ensure people with disability are included and valued, are able to participate in and contribute to community life, and are connected to the resources, services and supports they need to achieve their goals.

Applications are due by midday on Monday, 5th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

We are looking to employ a Team Leader: Families, Young People and Communities based in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

The Families, Young People and Communities Team Leader plays a pivotal role in supporting the Families, Young People and Communities Program Manager to deliver a range of efficient, effective and high-quality services/programs and in leading and supporting the Families, Young People and Communities team.

The Families, Young People and Communities Team encompasses:

• The Youth and Family Service
• Groundworks Youth and Family Hub
• Momentum Youth Housing Service
• Rent Choice Youth program
• All One Under the Sun program
• Sector Development Program
• Financial and Wellbeing Service

A part-time position (35 hours per week) is available.

Applications must be received before midday on Monday, 19th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

We are seeking to employ a professional and values-aligned person to join our supportive and friendly team and to assist us in delivering the Momentum Youth Housing Program on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

A part-time position is available working 35 hours per week (with some flexibility).

Applications must be received before midday on Monday, 5th September 2022.

For further information on the position, including how to apply, please click HERE.

The Coffs-Clarence WDVCAS provides services and support to women experiencing domestic violence. We provide services to Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Maclean Courts.We are seeking to employ two Women’s Domestic Violence Specialist Case Managers for 32 hours per week (4 days per week).

Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
For further information and to request a Position Description please email coordinator@nccas.org.au.

If you are interested in these exciting new positions, please submit a cover letter outlining why you would meet the requirements of the role and include your resume. Please email applications to: coordinator@nccas.org.au. Applications must be received by 12pm, Monday 5th September 2022. Late applications will not be considered.

This service is funded by Legal Aid NSW.

The FASS is a specialist family violence service that provides legal, emotional and social support to clients affected by family violence in the Family Law courts. The FASS comprises a partnership between Legal Aid NSW duty lawyers and social support workers. For women, The FASS are provided by the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS). This is a new service for the Coffs Harbour Family Law Court Circuit.

We are seeking to employ a Family Advocacy Support Service (FASS) Worker on a permanent 35-hour per week position. In this role you will provide high quality trauma-informed casework, safety planning and support to our clients. The program is targeted to support women currently engaged with the Family Court System and who are either affected by family violence or who have allegations of family violence against them.

Being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
Further information and a position description is available by request to: coordinator@nccas.org.au

If you are interested in this exciting new position, please submit a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role and include your resume. Please send your applications to: coordinator@nccas.org.au. Applications must be received by 4pm on Monday, 29^th  August 2022.

This service is funded by the Commonwealth Government.

Looking for a job? Find an ethical job that contributes for a more equitable, more just or more sustainable world.

For more information click HERE.

The theme for Child Protection Week 2022 is ‘Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go’.

In the light of this theme, Blue Sky Community Services, in collaboration with the Child and Family Interagencies across the Mid North Coast district, will be delivering a slate of online professional development opportunities for child and family service staff across the region.

The program kicks off on Monday, 5th September and runs through to Monday 12th.  The workshops will be delivered online via MS Teams.

To view the full schedule click here.

To view available spaces and register for individual workshops click here.

Who do we help?

We support anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide including:

• individuals, families, friends, witnesses
• schools, workplaces and community groups
• first responders and service providers.

To find your local StandBy site, please visit our website.
For more information click HERE.

Feeling stressed or worried? Not coping so well at the moment?

Call and have a yarn with our Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Staff on 0408 985 916.

For more information click HERE.

• Women’s Legal Advice Line
• Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line
• First Nations Women’s Legal Contact Line
• Working Women’s Legal Service

The Beware of Scams factsheet has been updated and is now available on the Services Australia website in 26 languages.

The factsheet provides tips on how to protect your personal information, how to identify a scam by knowing what Services Australia will and won’t do and what to do if you have been scammed.

The factsheet is also available on the How to know if it’s a scam webpage. This webpage has other useful information, including links to current scam alerts and examples of scams.

Blue Sky Community Services offers NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management in the Manning-Great Lakes and Forster areas. 

Blue Sky Community Services has expanded its services, and as a registered NDIS provider is now delivering best practice Plan Management and Support Coordination (including Psychosocial Recovery Coach) services to NDIS participants in the Manning-Great Lakes and Forsterareas.

Blue Sky has been delivering community services across the region since the early 1970s and has a wealth of experience and expertise in facilitating innovative connections to services and to the community for people living with disability.

Blue Sky has a team of passionate, skilled and dedicated staff, who have supported many participants and members of the community to achieve amazing outcomes and achievements, through inclusive, strength-based practices and a values-based culture.

These new NDIS support services complement the organisation’s vision of supporting people to thrive and creating communities where everyone belongs. The services will support NDIS participants with their support coordination and plan management through a strengths-based and person-centred approach, ensuring that participants maintain full choice and control over their plans.

For more information visit the Blue Sky Community Services website HERE

The ATO have developed new resources to assist people from CALD backgrounds with tax and superannuation. Check out the video stories by people from CALD communities via the following link.

For more information click HERE.

Disability Advocacy on the Mid North Coast is taking referrals, however, there is a considerable wait for non-urgent matters.

For more information click HERE.

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that refers to the diversity in brain functioning associated with a range of developmental conditions and experiences. Evidence suggests that conventional counselling approaches may not be as effective for neurodiverse children, since these individuals may need additional support to learn. This practice paper provides an overview of principles and strategies that can help practitioners to support children with neurodiversity to engage in counselling and reflective learning.

Key Messages:

• Emerging evidence suggests that a range of developmental conditions and experiences can be associated with neurodiversity.
• A psychological assessment is needed to confirm a child’s neurocognitive status, and it can be helpful to support a family to pursue an assessment if this is deemed appropriate.
• Children with neurodiversity may have more difficulty in reflective learning, and in developing behavioural and emotional control.
• Children who experience neurodiversity may need additional supports to help them engage with and benefit from counselling, develop new skills, participate in learning environments, and develop self-regulation.
• Children with neurodiversity can become more engaged with learning in the context of an environment that is characterised by structure and predictability, and that is scaffolded by visual supports and simplified adult-child interactions.
• Children with neurodiversity cannot control their sensory sensitivities and how they respond to the sensory world. They can be supported to understand how the sensory world affects them and be taught to use behavioural strategies to manage this impact.
• Children’s adaptive functioning can be extended by understanding the barriers that exist for each child as a learner; and using explicit and systematic techniques to gradually improve their independence in manageable increments.

To read the publication, click HERE.

If you’ve been impacted by the recent floods and storms, we’re here to help, in several ways, including the following:

Rental support
The Rental Support scheme will provide up to 16 weeks of financial rental support to flood victims in temporary accommodation. Total funding available will depend on the number of people per household including children.
To be notified when more information is available, please register your details or call 13 77 88.

Temporary housing support
To be notified when more information is available, please register your details or call 13 77 88.

Financial Support
Immediate financial help and payments are available to people living in disaster declared areas.

Clean-up
Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be dangerous – here’s some advice on how to clean up safely and deal with hazardous waste.

Food & essentials
Essentials and personal care items such as blankets, clothing, and medication are also available.

Recovery Centres
Flood Recovery Centres are a one-stop shop for you to access recovery service.

Landlords and Tenants’ Rights in a Flood
If you live in or lease a rental property that has been affected by a flood or storm, tenants and landlords have certain rights and responsibilities relating to payment of rent, damage to belongings and urgent repairs.
Any tenancy related disputes following a natural disaster can be taken to the Tribunal.

Help with Animals
You can get immediate assistance with animals by contacting WIRES, Wildlife Rescue Australia, RSPCA or NSW Department of Primary Industries.

There are many options for accessing mental health supports online.

Don’t hesitate to reach out, as we all need help from time to time.

Check out the flyer via the link below to explore these options.

Mental-Health-Supports

The Australian Centre for Disability Law (ACDL) gives free legal advice to people with disability who live in New South Wales, including students and families with disability.

We have created the online toolkit “Learning Together – Tools to help you get the support you need at school” so that students with disability and their families can understand their rights in education, and advocate more effectively for the supports they need – HERE.

This website contains the toolkit and its accessible versions, information about upcoming training and other useful resources. The toolkit will be translated into community languages and free translated training will also be offered in those languages from May 2022. The first round of languages is Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese.

We are keen to work with community groups and organisations to plan face-to-face training sessions in these languages, so would love to discuss further.

13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provides a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns.

If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.

We have co-designed this line using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention, along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples with lived experience.

We work to explore options for ongoing support, and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.

For more information click HERE.

Apps like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram allow young people to connect with peers, be creative and express themselves through images and videos.

Online dares and challenges encourage users to share videos of themselves or others taking part in a challenging activity. Sometimes, these dares can be creative and inspiring and build a sense of belonging. But young people can also feel pressure to participate, even if the challenge might result in harm to themselves or others.

Platforms usually don’t allow activities that might cause harm. For example, TikTok’s Community Guidelines ban dangerous challenges.

TikTok has also just released a package of information and safety features to help users stay safe around online challenges. The package includes a 4-step process that users need to go through before taking part in challenges, and they’ve also made it easier to report dangerous challenges.

Learn more about dangerous online challenges and how you can talk to young people about them and minimise the potential for harm.

NILS has launched a new loan program for no-interest loans for cars. The loan can be up to $5000 which is paid back over 5 years via $57.70 fortnightly repayments.

Other programs of interest:

• DV clients may be eligible for a $2000 loan
• Flood disaster, clients may be eligible for a $2000 loan.
  (*NOTE: NILS is not able to pay for rent or food)

To be eligible for NILS, you need to earn less than $45,000 a year for a single or $60,000 for a family (after tax).

For more information contact Anne Stuart at fssintake@lifetimeconnect.org.au

If you’re an Aboriginal person and have been thinking about buying a home there are support grants available as well as support on how to purchase a home.

Check out the grants HERE.

And you can also call Debbie Avery | 0491 228 003 | homeownership@aho.nsw.gov.au  | Northern Region

Anxiety occurs across a long continuum, from occasional ‘butterflies’, to feelings of panic which can be recurring and disabling. Even though most children who experience mild or occasional anxiety will not need to see a mental health professional, there may be circumstances that mean a referral to a specialist service is important. Learning more about the child’s experience of anxiety helps practitioners and parents to decide when support from a mental health professional may be required.

Co-produced with the Parenting Research Centre (PRC), we have developed two practice guides for children aged 4–8 years and 9–12 years who may be experiencing mild to moderate levels of anxiety. By being aware of anxiety and responding early to their experience, practitioners may prevent children from developing severe and/or persisting anxiety or other mental health concerns in the future.

View the practice guides HERE.

The Connecting you to My Aged Care services factsheet is now available on the Services Australia website in 21 languages.

This factsheet informs older Australians how agency staff, including Aged Care Specialist Officers, can help with their aged care matters.

Key topics include:

• what we can help with
• where to find more information
• what Aged Care Specialist Officers can help with
• how to find an Aged Care Specialist Officer.

To access the factsheet click HERE.

Blue Sky Community Services has received the following short-term funding and we would appreciate it if you could share this information with your networks and with anyone you think may be eligible for this support.

FLOOD AND RECOVERY RELIEF SUPPORT – GRAFTON TO GREAT LAKES
This funding will end on 30/6 and can provide assistance in the form of vouchers, to people who have experienced flood/storm damage (including mould).

Referred by an organisation: with the consent of the person, complete the (very simple) referral form and email it to: contact@bluesky.org.au.  We will then contact the person to make a time (probably on a Thursday) for a 30-minute phone call with our Financial Wellbeing Coordinator. During this phone call, our Coordinator will identify if there are any other supports the person might be eligible for, as well as arrange the issuing of a voucher (generally Woolworths or Bunnings or Good Guys, or combination) to the following value: Single ($600), Couple ($800) and Family ($1000).

Self-referred: Although a referral is the preferred process, as an alternative, if a person is eligible for the flood funding (refer to the fact sheet), they can contact us on: (02) 6651 1788 and say that they wish to make an appointment for the flood funding.

Please refer to the Fact Sheet HERE and Referral form HERE for more information.

COVID-19 REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT SUPPORT – COFFS TO GREAT LAKES  
This funding will end in September and can provide assistance to people who are experiencing some hardship and vulnerabilities due to either testing COVID-positive or having to isolate. This assistance can be in the form of:

• material aid – such as essential grocery vouchers
• payment of essential items to help support people isolating
• links to well-being supports.

For assistance, please contact us at (02) 5632 4021 or email: CovidRPG@bluesky.org.au

Please refer to the attached flyer HERE for more information.

This Small Grants program (up to $750) supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

There are three small grant rounds in 2022, with the following closing dates:

• Round 1 closed on Monday, 7 March 2022
• Round 2 closed on Monday,  11 July 2022
• Round 3 closes on Monday, 14 November 2022

Applications that are particularly creative and innovative are welcomed, as are those put forward by individuals, communities and organisations who have not received small grant funding in the previous 2 years. Projects that work as partnerships between individuals and organisations are also regarded favourably.

For more information, click HERE.

The First 2000 Days webinar series has been designed by the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Blue Sky Community Services to build the capacity of MNC service providers who support families and young children with the priority health areas identified in the First 2000 Days.

The webinar series is split into 13 sessions:

• The Importance of the First 2000 Days
• Antenatal Care
• Get Healthy in Pregnancy
• Early Breastfeeding
• Tresillian – Navigating early parenting
• Nutrition and Feeding
• Child and Family Health Nurses
• Perinatal Infant Mental Health
• Smoking Cessation Support
• Physical Activity and Screen Time
• Refugee Health
• Oral Health
• Speech Pathology

Links to register for the remaining sessions are available via the Blue Sky Training and Events page.

The Mental Health Coordinating Council has many resources and tools available to the community, including a very useful Recovery Oriented Language Guide.

Check out their resources and tools page HERE.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District is now offering their Covid-19 Vaccination Hub for community events!

If you would like to discuss having the hub available at your upcoming event, please see the flyer and give Clare Casey a call (contact details included in flyer).

MOBILE-CLIINC-PROMO-POSTER

Mission Australia’s Family & Carer Mental Health Program supports families and carers of people with a mental illness through a comprehensive range of supports and services. Education and training sessions to build the skills and resilience of families and carers are held each month across the Mid North Coast, including Coffs Harbour, Sawtell, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.

To obtain a copy of the education and training calendar for your area please email richardsonc@missionaustralia.com.au or to read more about the program click HERE.

TLC for Kids is an established charity that has been helping sick children and their families since 1998.

We’ve developed a free smart device app featuring fun and colourful distraction games to divert children’s attention during short medical procedures. Distraction helps to reduce fear and anxiety and makes the whole process less stressful for the child, healthcare professional and the parent or carer. The app is completely kid-friendly, with no ads, sign-ups, plug-ins etc. Digital distraction is an anytime, anywhere distraction and can be used as a valuable resource now, and into the future, by your community.

Go to tlcforkids.app if you like and check it out – it’s really great!

There’s a lot being said about vaping at the moment – and much of it is conflicting and confusing. That’s why we’ve developed a suite of new social media resources that you can share to help clear the air on vaping.

The new resources include simple images and videos addressing some of the common questions about vaping by providing the facts. They’re ready for you to copy, paste and post on your social channels to share with your community.

View the resources HERE.

Build your disability awareness with an education session from the Let’s Talk Disability team! This training is delivered by people with lived experience of disability.

Check out their website HERE.

Each year, Vision Australia awards Further Education Bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision.

The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies. Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information. It enables students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life.

For more information and details on how to apply, click HERE.

Applications close strictly on 30 September 2022.

If you have any queries or would like to speak with our Bursary Coordinator, please feel free to make direct contact:

Joy King – Bursary Coordinator
Joy.king@visionaustralia.org
Ph:  (03) 8378 1220

Online education in August:

• 5 Ways to Wellbeing
• Carer Skills
• Caring Through Crisis: Disaster planning
• Future Matters: The importance of carers planning ahead
• Health and Wellbeing

Workshops are delivered using Zoom. You will need access to a computer with speakers (a microphone and video camera are a bonus). Carers NSW will send you instructions about how you can join the session on the day before each session.

Click here to download the flyer for these sessions.

The North Coast Public Health HARP team developed an 8-episode podcast that strives to reduce stigma in health care settings towards people who inject drugs (PWID), as a way of improving their wellbeing and treatment outcomes. The podcast series was launched by the NSW Health Minister (Kerry Chant) on World Hepatitis Day (28 July).

Research shows discrimination towards people who inject drugs is a barrier to seeking treatment to progress their health. Eighty per cent of people who inject drugs report having experienced discrimination when seeking help in health care settings. Furthermore, our rural region has some of the highest rates of hepatitis C, a blood borne virus (BBV) primarily transmitted via the sharing of injecting equipment.

The podcast features 8 stories (up to 45 minutes each) by local PWID that was arranged with quotes by Dr Alex Wodak and Prof. Carla Treloar.
Listen to the podcast series via the link HERE or scan the QR code on the flyer and download the series to your mobile phone.