Inclusion and connection through craft

Inclusion and connection through craft

Inclusion and connection through craft

The Avon Art & Craft Guild provides a local social and mental health outlet for the community within the district, and it is these community groups that we are more than happy to support through our CHS Community Grant Program.

The craft club is open each Tuesday 10am to 3pm and whilst open to all ages, the members are aged between 60 and 80 years with some attendees being 90 +.

The quiet rural open space atmosphere provides a safe place for people to attend. It gives people the opportunity to share a conversation, join in activities, or just sit and have a cuppa. Their group enjoys working with wool and they also recycle objects within other types of craft. They often do something special on themed holidays and do a big display at Christmas and invite other community groups to see it.

Whilst the Craft Hall is a community-owned hall, there are no other amenities available in Avon, so they very much appreciated the assistance of our grant program.

The grant has gone towards the purchase of chairs with arms to support those members with Parkinsons, high-rise toilet seats, and grab rails for both ladies and men’s toilets, and also at entry points of both toilets and craft hall.

These small changes alone, make such a big difference to their members, providing a more comfortable and safer space.

We admire the work these small groups do, as in many cases their dedication and thoughtfulness keep their community thriving.

If you are part of a volunteer group in our country communities, then please take a look at our CHS Community Grant Program as we would love to help support you.

 

Why learning technology is so important for older people.

Why learning technology is so important for older people.

Why learning technology is so important for older people.

As technology advances, more and more services and information are moving to an online platform, which makes it essential for older people to learn new ways to interact with this technology. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, many older people soon discover that there are so many benefits for older people in using technology such as:

  • Staying socially connected by keeping in touch with family and friends.
  • E-health and wellness apps enable older persons to manage their health and maintain independence.
  • Using brain activity games to keep their brains active.
  • Can provide a learning environment with so many ways to access information about topics they love.
  • Ensure their safety from personal alarms to notifications of emergency events such as Bushfires.
  • They can listen to the radio and find their favourite music on their devices.

To help with the learning process, organisations such as the SYP Community Hub in Yorketown, provide a range of services to the community including assistance with using digital technology such as phones, computers and tablets. 

This includes a weekly computer class for older people that range in age from 50-93 years old, plus drop-in sessions are also available during normal business hours as well. 

To support this further, Country Home Services is pleased to support the SYP Community Hub with a grant of $2,500.00 toward upgrading computers used to provide these services at the Hub. 

In fact, in order to support other country areas we have also introduced our own sessions called Coffee, Tea and IT Sessions.

Coffee, Tea and IT Monthly Sessions

Knowing the importance of assisting older people with technology, Country Home Services have introduced Coffee, Tea and IT Monthly Sessions. These sessions are held at our offices in Clare, Kadina and Nuriootpa each month.

So you are invited to come along for a cuppa and ask any questions you might have about the internet or if you are needing help with your phone, laptop or tablet, then bring them along.

To find out when these sessions are available or if you have any questions then call Kalie on 0448 557 973 or email marketing@countryhomeservices.org.au

*Image above is from the SYP Community Hub Facebook Page.

How our grants benefit more than just one club 

How our grants benefit more than just one club 

How our grants benefit more than just one club

The RSL Club in Yorketown is very much the heart of the community.

Like most RSL clubs, the membership over the years has become small. To survive and continue their service to the community of Yorketown, the club has opened its doors to the local football and cricket clubs.

Joining forces has not only given more life the RSL Hall, it has also helped the sporting clubs survive as the costs involved in keeping them operational keep increasing. Combining the sporting clubs with the RSL Club has benefited the community greatly.

The RSL Hall has become a hub, providing space for other community groups, – such as an exercise group for older members of the community. It is an important part of the community, enabling people of all generations to commemorate important RSL activities such as the ANZAC Day breakfast and Remembrance Day.

So how did our grant help them?

We were more than happy to supply the club with a grant to purchase hand driers for the building. This will replace the large cost of paper towels normally used in their bathrooms. Just think about how much they would go through during the football season!

This is how our grants help our communities. At times they may have a simple everyday purpose, however, as shown above, they can make quite an impact.

Our small grants program is designed to support community groups to do what they do best – provide a safe and social place for older people to connect and contribute.

If you’re interested in learning more, we would love to chat with you.

 

How a community can achieve their vision when they come together

How a community can achieve their vision when they come together

How a community can achieve their vision when they come together

After experiencing the devastating fires of 2019, the Yorke Peninsula community rallied together. The Response Trailer (known as the Boot,) emerged as a positive, practical idea to support the community during future emergencies.

Through funding from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) – Strengthening Rural Communities, generous donations of time and skills by local volunteers, and in-kind support from local businesses, this community-owned project took off.

The community vision for the Boot is that it provides an additional resource to support emergency services or communities during any incidents on the Yorke Peninsula.

As such, it is powered by a 3.4 Kva generator and a solar panel with battery, equipped with a 2.4m roll out awning, 2 x 70L portable fridge/freezers, First Aid kits, eye wash stations,  defibrillator, UHF radio,  chairs and tables, blankets and pillows, urn and kettle and other consumables, along with an 84L water tank with a 12v pump. Country Home Services were happy we could contribute with a grant to purchase communications equipment and a water tank.

Volunteers are trained to set the trailer up and distribute prepared food, water, and basic first aid. As well as providing a valuable resource during an emergency, the Boot can be hired by local community groups for market days, sporting events, or community festivals.

The boot can be hired by contacting SYP Community Hub on 8852 1820 or Karen Warren on 0428324508

Are you part of a community group that could do with some extra support? Our small grants program is designed to support community groups to do what they do best – provide a safe and social place for older people to connect and contribute.

If you’re interested in learning more, we would love to chat with you.

 

Why so many contractors choose to work with us

Why so many contractors choose to work with us

Why so many contractors choose to work with us

“Every day is a bit different; you meet new people and have the opportunity to support people in their own homes. As some clients don’t see many people, it is so nice to support them and to help our community.”

Amanda Cobain, Contractor

Amanda was one of the many contractors that joined us last year after she decided to have a change in career. After having a successful business with a cake and coffee van called Mobile Cake Love (sounds divine!) she was drawn towards a career in providing home care services to older members of our community.

So why did she choose to become a contractor for Country Home Services?

Like so many others, it is what we offer our contractors that make working for us so attractive. For Amanda, she chose to contract with us because:

  • The work is close to home,
  • Country Home Services made her feel welcome and supported,
  • It provided the type of flexibility that gives her the opportunity to work within school hours.

She also shared with us:

“Being a contractor is rewarding because I enjoy visiting clients. The friendships you form give you a wonderful feeling because you know you are making their life easier. Plus, I enjoy their conversation and having a few laughs over a cup of tea.”

Amanda lives in the Barossa and provides services to Gawler, Hewitt, and across the Barossa. She provides services such as Personal Care, Social Support, Transport, and Domestic Assistance.

How a piece of equipment can improve your quality of life 

How a piece of equipment can improve your quality of life 

How a piece of equipment can improve your quality of life

There are so many ways a Home Care Package can help you as it gives access to a wide range of services, however, for Marie, it was the equipment you can purchase through a Home Care Package that can make a valuable difference.

Marie joined us on a Home Care Package a couple of years ago after experiencing a stroke. Since then, she has needed a CPAP machine to assist with her breathing while she sleeps.

Through her Home Care Package, we were able to assist her with the purchase of her CPAP machine, which has made such a difference in her well-being. Her husband David, commented, “She looks better, sounds better, and is sleeping better.”  Marie’s Country Home Services advisor Vonny shared, “She was looking so good at her review, and she has really improved since using the CPAP machine.”

Marie enthused, “I have more energy where I can do more around the house, including a bit of laundry and even some cooking. It’s great as it means that David doesn’t have to do it all.”

However, despite the benefits of the CPAP machine, when David and Marie went traveling, it became an awkward item; there was no guarantee there would be a power point close to the bed at their accommodation.

Again, her Home Care Package helped. We supported her with the purchase of a portable battery pack. This not only helps Marie while she is traveling but also is an important aid should there be a power outage at her home.

“I find the services very good, when I first came home, I couldn’t do anything so the services were great to be able to fill in where I couldn’t manage.”

Marie

This has added to her independence, as she can travel knowing that she will wake up feeling good after having a peaceful night’s sleep with her CPAP machine.

But this isn’t all. To increase her independence even further, Marie’s Home Care Package was also able to purchase an All-terrain lightweight mobility scooter. If fits perfectly into the boot of a car, enabling Marie and David to visit the country field days.

How could a Home Care Package assist you in gaining your independence again?

Contact us to find out more