aag conference 2015 power point presentation act to connect - adding life to living louise forster...

Act to Connect - adding life to living

Copyright ©2015 CommunityWest

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@CommunityWestWA

@loubaforster

Loneliness - research

• Societal epidemic

• Predicts increases in depression, poor health, morbidity & mortality

• Socially connected individuals experience improved health and wellbeing

• Connected communities contribute social capital

Image: iStock

Rockingham

Background

City of Rockingham

• Population 116,000

• Growth rate 4.5%

• Most isolated suburb growth rate: 16%

• Single occupant households 24.4% by 2021

Image: iStock

Wellness Philosophy

• upholds independence and personal

autonomy • reduces dependency and powerlessness • reflects a whole of person approach • person centred • can be consumer directed • flexible and goal focused • Upholds choice and control in decision making.

Image: iStock

Sustainability

Build rapport

Identify current

connections and barriers

Map connections

Set and prioiritise

goals

Create connections and check progress

Transition out

©CommunityWest Inc. 2013

Act to Connect training

• Act to Connect facilitating community connections

• Act to Connect people with disability

• Act to Connect people for mental health

• Staff and Volunteers Act to Connect

• Centre Based Day Care Act to Connect Copyright ©2015 CommunityWest

Evaluation

• Department of Local Government & Communities

• Disability Services Commission

• Two evaluation reports

• Evaluated the whole process

• Identified challenges

• Solution focused

• Resulted in The Guide Copyright ©2015 CommunityWest

Act to Connect The Guide to Connecting your Community

Business excellence requires effective:

• Planning

• Implementing

• Results

• Continuous improvement


The Guide includes:

• tools and templates • management and marketing strategies • assessment and documentation templates • output and outcome measurement tools • evaluated training content


Image: iStock



• Planning

• Implementing

• Results



Planning

• steering group • reporting structures • policies, procedures & processes • program budget • engage and train staff • marketing plan • participant documentation • measurement tools

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• Planning

• Implementing

• Results



Implementation

• participant assessments • risk assessments • intake letters • work with participants to set goals • measure participant outcomes • good news stories • market the program • transition out of the program • participant exit letters

Image: iStock



• Planning

• Implementing

• Results



Results

• baseline questionnaires • implementation questionnaires • post program questionnaires • analyse results and record data • participant results report • disseminate results report • promote results

Image: iStock



• Planning

• Implementing

• Results



Continuous improvement

• identify CI opportunities • determine improvement leads • timelines and strategies • implement improvements • measure results • embed improvements into policies,

procedures, processes and practices


Individual benefits

• improved health and wellbeing

• mental, emotional and physical stimulation

• increased knowledge and skills

• positive relationship development

• opportunities for life long learning

• sharing common interest

• feeling valued and important

Image: iStock

Community benefits

• enhanced social capital • improved community safety • increased social participation • altruism and philanthropy • community resilience • acceptance of difference • assimilation of different cultures • structured and unstructured activities.

Image: iStock

“Before Act to Connect I didn’t go out and do anything, I just stayed in my room and played games. I was bored.”


“I feel I can now speak to new people and contact my son on email when I want to. Mostly I am just more confident.”

Image: iStock

My Story

Peggy Harvey • Computer group • Life at the Core Gym • Program Steering Group


www.communitywest.com.au | (08) 9309 8180 | [email protected]

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aag conference 2015 power point presentation act to connect - adding life to living louise forster...

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