WSCF Regional Community Care Forums this month were held in two sessions, focused on Aged Care and Disability respectively, with feature guest speakers delivering presentations to address some of the current issues arising from recent developments and updates in these areas. More than 60 Community Care agencies attended the Aged Care focused session, held in Penrith City Council Nepean Room on June 26. Guest speaker Tanya Travis-Smith, from the NSW Government Department of Health and Ageing, covered a range of issues including the extension to CHSP contracts, the new manual, wellness approach, reablement and restorative care.

“Workers Compensation should be a detour, not a journey for life.” Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson Set back from the street in a quiet industrial part of Girraween in Sydney’s west is a social enterprise that carves out a place of meaningful work, transition and life-changing purpose, for people whose experience in being injured at work led them into a complex of systemic holes.   Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson is the author, powerhouse and patron of the Craig’s Table program, which supports people who have been injured at work and who find themselves stuck in a hard place. Initially from Adelaide, Rosemary has been in Sydney for 15 months, to trial delivery of the program - which is unique in the world – together with with colleague Corey Williams, and supported by NSW insurance and care organisation, iCare.

The 2017 survey of Community Care stakeholders gave strong endorsement to the role of WSCF in providing resources, support and sector engagement for aged care and disability providers in Western Sydney and the Nepean. Specifically, the survey related to providers funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Community Care Supports Program (CCSP). Feedback provided anonymously by participants gave insight into the focus, balance and relevance of the work of WSCF, in supporting aged and disability providers, which helps to direct development of priorities and initiatives for the future.

This guide includes, The Wellness Approach to Community Homecare Information Booklet 2008, Ageing Myth and Reality, Towards an Enabling Approach in Community Care, Publications from Dept of Health Victoria, Service and Care Plans, Wellness Video, and Goal Setting.

This Guide and Consumer Checklist is available in various languages to support enabling the use of easy living equipment in everyday activities.

This latest resource developed by The Better Practice Project (Aged and Community Services South Australia & Northern Territory), this handbook aims to support those who work with older people to assist them stay in control and live a lifestyle in the community that is meaningful for them.