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Ability Groupwork

All these groups are online and FREE:

www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/relationship-education-programs/living-with-disability

Groups include:

• 24/7 LOVE – Care for Carers; Wed 22nd Sept – Wed 10rd Nov, 11-12:30pm
• Feeling GREAT About ME – for people living with disability & for people caring for somebody living with disability; Mon 18th Oct – Mon 22nd Nov, 5:45-7:15pm
• Sex, Love & Dating for All Men (Cis and Trans) & Non-Binary People; Tues 2nd Nov – Tues 7th Dec, 11-12:30pm
• Sex, Love & Dating for All Women (Cis and Trans) & Non-Binary People; Tues 2nd Nov – Tues 7th Dec, 11-12:30pm

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SCAM ALERT: ‘COVIDsafe’ and proof of vaccination

Please be aware of the latest scam SMS targeting Australia.

The SMS may appear to be sent from ‘COVIDsafe’ or ‘BeCOVIDsafe’. It shows something similar to; “Your digital version of COVID-19 Passport is available at XXXXXXXXXXX”.

The link in the SMS will direct to a malicious website that offers a ‘COVID vaccination certificate’, requesting a small payment for issuing the certificate. This is an attempt by scammers to steal the individual’s personal and banking information.

If you or a customer have received this SMS please delete it immediately. Do not click the link.

Important facts to know:

• – You will never pay for services related to their Services Australia held accounts or records, including for COVID 19 vaccination certificates or assistance with myGov.
• – Services Australia will never send a text message to a customer that includes a link.
• – All customers can obtain their COVID 19 proof of vaccination via Service Australia’s secure channels.
• – If a customer advises they have fallen victim to this scam, they can contact our Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126.

To find out what we know about the latest scams, please visit the Services Australia website and type ‘scams’ in the search bar.

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FAMS Vaccine Survey

Since the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in March 2020, Fams has been working closely with the sector to learn and understand what you need to keep working safely.

So that Fams can keep advocating for the resources you need, we must urgently understand the state of the sector with regards to vaccination. Please help us be your voice by spending no more than 2 minutes to complete this voluntary survey. In normal circumstances, we would never ask these kinds of questions, and Fams is not taking a public position on vaccinations.

Fams promises that all responses will remain confidential. We will only use the aggregated results to each question for the purposes of informing our advocacy.

From Monday 30 August 2021, the Public Health Orders (https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-protections-and-compliance-rules-to-carry-nsw-through-to-vaccination-targets) will change again. Authorised workers who work outside of their LGA of concern are only permitted to attend work if rapid antigen testing is implemented at their worksite or they have had their first vaccination dose by Monday 30 August 2021. We, and DCJ, recognise that rapid antigen testing may be difficult to implement for some service providers.

To give us a full picture, we need workers from across NSW to complete the survey, not just those living and working in the currently named LGAs of concern.

Thank you, we really appreciate your time in taking this survey.

Begin Survey

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Cumberland Council is partnering with Sydney Water and the Energy Ombudsman of NSW to deliver free training for community workers who are supporting families and individuals during this difficult time.

When: Wednesday 22 September, 10.30pm – 12pm
Where: online (via MS Teams)
Register:  Via this Link

This session is for community workers who work with clients to address financial resourcing related to energy and water issues. Information includes details on help paying bills, disconnection and re-connection, how to avoid high bills, disputed accounts, managing your account and how to save on bills.

The session is an opportunity to learn about the issues affecting consumers first-hand, and how to help clients overcome these issues.

This is particularly designed for workers who support vulnerable groups and those experiencing hardship, including:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
• community housing tenants
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• seniors
• people with disabilities
• people living on fixed and or low incomes
• people living in regional and remote areas

If you have specific questions that you would like to have answered, please contact Holly Corpe, Cumberland Council 02 8757 9276 E  Holly.Corpe@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

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URGENT ASYLUM SEEKER FUNDING BOOST OPENS

Specialist organisations supporting asylum seekers and temporary visa holders who need emergency support can now apply for a share of a $5.5 million funding boost from the NSW Government, in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said the grants process was now open and funding would be directed to non-Government organisations (NGOs) who could help where the need was greatest.

“This funding will be available to NGOs who deliver immediate support to temporary visa holders, particularly asylum seekers, who are among the most vulnerable members of our community,” Mrs Ward said.

“It will help them provide emergency relief including food, medical support, essential housing and transport.

“It’s important this support gets to where it is needed most, as quickly as possible.”

The total funding package to support asylum seekers and temporary visa holders in response to the current outbreak is now $6.25 million, including $5.5 million for this program and $750,000 initially allocated for emergency relief.

The funding boost complements the work undertaken by the NSW Government to reach multicultural communities including:

• Direct engagement with more than 3000 religious and community leaders in dozens of online community forums;
• Multicultural NSW coordinating more than 150 individual interviews with community leaders to understand community needs;
• More than 1500 translated resources covering specific health information including stay-at-home orders in almost 60 languages;
• A partnership with SBS to interpret the daily COVID news conferences into Arabic, Assyrian, Cantonese, Khmer, Mandarin and Vietnamese, in real time;
• Urgent grants to more than 150 multicultural community organisations with grassroots community-led initiatives.

Eligible NGOs can apply for the latest grant through: https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/grants

Closes: Wednesday 25 August, 5pm

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Computerised Bookkeeping using MYOB (Short Course)

27 July Start

This introductory skillset is for people who wish to understand and use commercial accounting tools and packages to support the financial area within a small office environment.

This skillset provides an excellent pathway to the Certificate III in Accounts Administration. Course runs 1 session per week.

On successful completion of the course, participants will receive a statement of attainment from Certificate III in Accounts Administration FNS30317 in the following units:

• ICTICT208 Operate accounting applications
• BSBFIA302 Process payroll

Students will have access to great support and the opportunity to undertake work placement.

Subsidies & Fee-Free Scholarships are available for eligible students*

  OTHER BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING COURSES IN JULY – OCTOBER:

Microsoft Office – At Your Level (Short Course)

Certificate III in Accounts Administration FNS30317


SUBSIDY INFORMATION
*Subsidies and fee free scholarships are available for students who meet the eligibility requirements. The training is subsidised by the NSW Government. If you would like more information on Smart and Skilled please refer to our website or phone the Community College on 02 4232 1050.

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Wollongong Flexi Learning Centre (FLC)

Wollongong Flexi Learning Centre (FLC) in Towradgi, is a co-educational secondary school, registered with NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) to provide courses to young people from Year 7-10. Our school has a strong focus on providing individualised programs of study that respond to the unique talents and needs of each young person. This includes having youth worker support in each class. We work with young people who are vulnerable and experience a complexity of interrelated needs.

Participation and retention are key elements in the philosophy of Wollongong. We offer a free inclusive and non-discriminating learning community to young people, who for a variety of reasons, are disenfranchised from mainstream education. We understand that young people often first and foremost need to learn how to be and how to be with other people.

Young people are enrolled from both genders, from a variety of language, cultural and religious backgrounds, with particular sensitivity to Indigenous culture, and from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage.

We offer daily bus runs to collect young people from the neighbouring Shellharbour LGA, and Albion Park, about 20km south of the campus. We also provide free meals (three times a day), and can assist with clothing, opal cards, trade certs, work experience, and employment/further training pathways.

We provide a holistic learning experience that addresses the social needs of young people, and promotes their emotional, cognitive, spiritual and academic development. Learning programs are developed with the intention to:

• Empower young people to take personal responsibility for their learning

• Support young people to become independent learners

• Address deficits or gaps in literacy and numeracy

• Develop in young people the skills of twenty first century learners including collaboration, innovation and knowledge creation

• Recognise and celebrate the skills and knowledge of young people,

• Enable young people to experience challenges within a safe and supportive learning environment

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Campus, Atesh Maharaj on Ph: 02 4201 1900 / 0407 381 345 or Email: atesh.maharaj@ereafsn.edu.au

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24/7 LOVE

Support, connection and care for carers

A FREE 6-week on-line group for people who care for a loved one living with disabilities.

DATES:  Wed 30^th June – Wed 4^th August, 11-12:30PM – ON-LINE.

Through supportive discussion and guided activities this course covers:

• Developing a self-care practice you can do even when you’re flat-chat;
• Self-compassion – i.e. how to become your own best friend;
• Developing and nurturing healthy relationships;
• Setting boundaries;
• Growing your self-esteem;
• Managing overwhelming emotions;
• Moving through grief and loss;
• Connecting with helpful services and people.

Prior to the group starting, our facilitators will invite participants to an individual on-line session. 

The purpose of this initial individual session is to:

• gain an understanding of each participant’s specific interests and needs;
• give participants the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, and
• solve any technical issues around accessing an on-line group that may present for some participants. 

Facilitated by Relationships Australia group workers who live and work in mixed ability communities.

For more information, please contact Alicia (Al), Ability Groupwork Team Leader, at Relationships Australia, Illawarra Centre:  02 4221 2000 or via email illawarra@ransw.org.au

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Sex, Love & Dating

For Men (Cis and Trans) and Non-Binary People living with a disability

This FREE 4-WEEK ON-LINE course offers practical support and learning around having respectful, safe, and fun relationships, on-line and off, with people we are attracted to.

DATES:  Monday 19^th July – Monday 9^th August, 11-1230pm.  ON-LINE.

Topics include:

Week 1:  Me, Myself & I – The Most Important Relationship I’ll Ever Have!

• In this first week we’ll talk self-esteem, and strategies for developing a self-care practice that is enjoyable & nurturing.

Week 2:  I Really Like Them!  What Now?

• In this second week we’ll be talking communication and healthy relationship styles, and the steps involved in asking that special someone out on a date (or more dates)! 

Week 3:  Hooking Up Safely:  Understanding Consent & Boundaries

•  In this third week we’ll be talking about intimacy and sex on-line and off-line, and what we need to do to stay safe, and keep other people safe.

Week 4:  The Whole Package! 

In this final week, we’ll reflect on the key learnings from the last three weeks, and role-play some of the strategies we’ve discussed around healthy relationship styles and hooking up safely.  We’ll also discuss and refer to helpful services, apps, and products that support people living with disabilities to live their best dating life.

Prior to the group starting, our facilitators will invite participants to an individual on-line session. 

The purpose of this initial individual session is to:

• gain an understanding of each participant’s specific interests and needs;
• give participants the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, and
• solve any technical issues around accessing an on-line group that may present for some participants. 

Facilitated by Relationships Australia group workers who live and work in mixed ability communities.

For more information, please contact Alicia (Al), Ability Groupwork Team Leader, at Relationships Australia, Illawarra Centre:  02 4221 2000 or via email illawarra@ransw.org.au

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Sex, Love & Dating

For Women (Cis and Trans) and Non-Binary People living with a disability

This FREE 4-WEEK ON-LINE course offers practical support and learning around having respectful, safe and fun relationships, on-line and off, with people we are attracted to. 

DATES:  Tuesday 20^th July – Tuesday 10^th August, 11-1230pm.  ON-LINE.

Topics include:

Week 1:  Me, Myself & I – The Most Important Relationship I’ll Ever Have!

• In this first week we’ll talk self-esteem – and strategies for developing a self-care practice that is enjoyable & nurturing.

Week 2:  I Really Like Them!  What Now?

• In this second week we’ll be talking communication and healthy relationship styles, and the steps involved in asking that special someone out on a date (or more dates)! 

Week 3:  Hooking Up Safely:  Understanding Consent & Boundaries

•  In this third week we’ll be talking intimacy and sex on-line and off-line, and what we need to do to stay safe, and to keep other people safe.

Week 4:  The Whole Package! 

• In this final week, we’ll reflect on the greatest hits (key learnings) from the last three weeks, and role-play some of the strategies we’ve discussed around healthy relationship styles and hooking up safely.  We’ll also discuss and refer to helpful services, apps, and products that support people living with disabilities to live their best dating life.

Prior to the group starting, our facilitators will invite participants to an individual on-line session. 

The purpose of this initial individual session is to:

• gain an understanding of each participant’s specific interests and needs;
• give participants the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, and
• solve any technical issues around accessing an on-line group that may present for some participants. 

Facilitated by Relationships Australia group workers who live and work in mixed ability communities.

For more information, please contact Alicia (Al), Ability Groupwork Team Leader, at Relationships Australia, Illawarra Centre:  02 4221 2000 or via email illawarra@ransw.org.au

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Feeling GREAT About ME

A FREE 8-Week ON-LINE group for people living with disabilities

Dates:  Monday 18^th Oct – Monday 6^th Dec, 5:45pm – 7:17pm.  ON-LINE.

Feeling GREAT About ME is a nurturing, fun and practical 8-week educational on-line group tailored specifically to participants’ individual needs. 

Feeling GREAT About ME brings together core concepts from Relationships Australia’s long-running Relationship Education Program, such as Healthy Relationships, Self-Esteem, and Managing Strong Emotions, with a playful and gentle approach tailored specifically to the interest-areas of the group’s participants. 

Content includes:

• Developing fun and relaxing self-care tools that are right for us
• Growing our self-esteem
• Boundary setting and keeping ourselves safe in relationship
• Dealing with feelings of sadness and loneliness
• Learning about and practicing “I Matter / You Matter” styles of relating
• Managing overwhelming feelings
• Relationships after group: staying connected with helpful services and people

Prior to the group starting, our facilitators will invite participants to an individual on-line session. 

The purpose of this initial individual session is to:

• gain an understanding of each participant’s specific interests and needs;
• give participants the opportunity to ask any questions they may have, and
• solve any technical issues around accessing an on-line group that may present for some participants. 

Facilitated by Relationships Australia group workers who live and work in mixed ability communities.

For more information, please contact Alicia (Al), Ability Groupwork Team Leader, at Relationships Australia, Illawarra Centre:  02 4221 2000 or via email illawarra@ransw.org.au

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