Services & Programs
Holiday Program
The Holiday Program offers a short break for people with a mental illness. For information on the Holiday Program Click Here.
Illawarra
Camera Club
This is an opportunity for people who have a mental illness and who have a love of cameras and photography, to get together with other people who share their interest. The group is not always located in the same place – choosing different subjects and activities according to the weather, the season, and what they want to do.
Crafty Creations
This group meets in the Nowra area in what is known locally as the “West Street” building. It is a group for people who have a mental illness. It provides an opportunity for members to participate in a large range of craft activities, increasing their skills, and giving an opportunity to develop friendships and support networks.
Huskisson Brunch Club
This is a meeting point for carers. It provides an opportunity for carers to talk to each other, to identify services available in the area, to have a short time of relaxation. The group meets in the Huskisson Community Centre. Any new members would be most welcome and could indicate their interest in attending by ringing 02-4285 0019 or 02-4421 0231.
Illawarra Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is an international movement which has been proven to support people who have a mental illness and help them in their recovery. The Illawarra Clubhouse is in start-up stage, having begun in March 2010. The members have responsibility for decision-making about the operation of the Clubhouse, and participate in activities for the promotion and maintenance of the Clubhouse. It presently operates in the function room of the Illawarra Multicultural Services building at 17 Auburn Street, Wollongong.
Pampering
This is a program provided to support carers in their caring role. Therapists are employed to provide this program. The carers have two hours each fortnight when they have some respite from their role as a carer, they have an opportunity to develop friendships with the other carers, and to be pampered. This group meets upstairs in the Bulli Community Centre on the Highway at Bulli.
The Boys are Back in Town
This program was started in July 2009 to provide a social outlet for men who have a mental illness and who had become isolated from the community because of that illness. To make it easy for people to participate in this group transport is arranged. The group meets every Wednesday. A range of different activities is provided, but always involving lunch. The location for the group to meet varies according to the activities which are planned. All participants in the group are rung the day before to confirm the arrangements, including transport, for the next day. The participants in this group have gone on to develop relationships and support networks with each other outside the group.
The CALD Group
The nationalities represented in this group are Macedonian, Philippine, Indian, Turkish. A Macedonian Translator attends. This group provides the opportunity for these carers to get together with other carers and they benefit from discussing what is happening in their lives. Some of the activities provided for this group include information about mental illness, information about government initiatives, and pleasurable, social activities. The group meets in the Lutheran Church Hall in Burelli Street, Wollongong.
The Macedonian Social Group
This is a group of Macedonian people who have a mental illness. They are isolated from the community by their language limitations and their illness. This meeting provides an opportunity for the members to get together and socialise, to experience a range of different activities, to learn more about mental illness, and to be informed about important issues occurring in the general community. The group is based at Warilla Community Centre, but on occasion will attend special functions or activities at other locations. A translator attends this group to assist the members.
Ulladulla Brunch Club
The Ulladulla Brunch Club is a group of carers which meets every Monday morning at the Ulladulla Resource Centre. This meeting provides an opportunity for group members to share their experiences, to socialise, to talk through any issues that have arisen in their lives since their last meeting, and to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
To find out more information on Respite Services in the Illawarra HACC region contact us.
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Inner West
Art Group
The goals of this program are to provide a supportive and accepting environment that allows self expression, to motivate through the enjoyment and appreciation of art forms and to increase participants self-esteem and self- confidence. The objectives are to increase knowledge of different art mediums and styles, to build rapport and trust among the participants and decrease social isolation, to provide an opportunity to express their creativity and develop friendships with one another.
English Learning Group
For people with mental illness from a non-English speaking background to improve their English and social skills. The goals are to provide an opportunity for the participants to speak English in a natural environment and to improve their participation in the community. The objectives are to take them to different places in Sydney for them to practice English, to talk to people, to plan and participate in planned activities and to cultivate social interactions, the development of social skills and to improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Meaningful Engagement
Prevocational Program in collaboration with the Commonwealth Respite Carelink Centre Inner West. The goals are to prepare people with mental illness to get to know about the services available in different organisations for them to get employment. This program includes presentations from Centrelink, Dress for Success, Disability Employment Services, Department of Housing and TAFE.
Men’s Group
The goals of this program are to provide recreational activities that link the participants with the community, to build rapport and trust among the group participants and encourage them to contribute to the planning and discussions. Respite staff to provide practical support in order to cultivate social interaction, assist the development of social skills and enhance participants self-esteem and self-confidence.
New Moves
Structured, healthy lifestyle program with a professional trainer and lunch provided. The educational component of this program is designed to encourage participants to make informed and healthy lifestyle choices in regards to exercise and diet. The participants also undertake an exercise program, incorporating both strength and cardio workouts, with the aim of improving their physical health. Other activities include peer assisted meal preparation and discussion activities. The program is run in a group setting which facilitates social networking opportunities, thereby reducing the isolation felt by many people with mental illness.
By assisting the participants to make healthy lifestyle choices, they learn to better manage their health, fitness and weight. The expected outcomes of the program include: improved physical health and mental well being with a consequent reduction in the reliance and use of health systems.
Women’s Group
For women who find it hard to fit in a larger group and who have shared interests. They meet once a week, have coffee, talk about issues and go out together. We provide a safe environment for women to form a small circle of friends with the support of Respite staff.
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Orana Far West
Sanctuary Respite Centre Retreats
Retreats
There are numerous retreats planned for 2011 at the Sanctuary Respite Centre, these retreats are specifically designed for different groups including:
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Carers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)
- Young Carers
- Care recipients and their Carers
- Mental Health Training
and many more!
For more information or to register for an Art Group please contact Katherine Owen 04587 92908 or Jennifer Madsen 04299 28201.
The Sanctuary Respite Services invites carers to join our Art group every Wednesday from 10am till 3pm at the studio based on the former School of Artillery grounds, North Head. Please bring your own packed lunch, drinks provided. This group is open to all skill levels and is run with a focus of flexibility, fun, freedom and play.
Do you have a mental illness, are you an artist or a creative person looking for a space to create........with like minded people. Come and create at our Respite Studio on the former School of Artillery grounds, North Head, Manly. Some materials supplied.
Gundair Rural Homestead Respite Centre
Gundair Rural Homestead Respite Centre is located in Tooraweenah near Gilgandra. It is currently available for groups, retreats or individuals. To find out more information on Respite Services in the Orana Far West HACC region contact us.
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Riverina Murray
Cootamundra Care Recipient Group
The Cootamundra group meets on a weekly basis to provide social and recreational opportunities to people living with a mental illness. Group participants have the opportunity to discuss and plan outings and activities, as well fostering new friendships and peer support to develop a sense of community inclusion.
Inner & Outer Beauty
Inner and Outer Beauty is a group for people who provide care to an individual living with a mental illness. The group meets weekly to undertake social and recreational activities, crafts and outings in the local area. The group provides opportunities for carers to meet within a supportive environment and provide some time away from their caring role.
Temora Carer & Care Recipient Group
The Temora carer and care recipient group meets on a weekly basis at the PRA building to provide social and recreational opportunities to people living with a mental illness. Group participants have the opportunity to discuss and plan outings and activities, as well fostering new friendships and peer support to develop a sense of community inclusion.
Tumut Care Recipient Group
The Tumut group meets on a weekly basis to provide social and recreational opportunities to people living with a mental illness. Group participants have the opportunity to discuss and plan outings and activities, as well as fostering new friendships and peer support to develop a sense of community inclusion.
To find out more information on Respite Services in the Riverina Murray HACC region contact us
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