august 2019 act seniors and veterans newsletter€¦ · an alternative format – such as large...
TRANSCRIPT
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ACT Seniors and Veterans Newsletter
August 2019
Contents Page
Awards and Grants ................................................................................................................................. 2
Recreational, Health and Wellbeing ........................................................................................................ 4
Information and Assistance .................................................................................................................... 6
Training and Education ......................................................................................................................... 11
Volunteering Opportunities .................................................................................................................. 13
Mailing List and Future Articles............................................................................................................. 14
Accessibility The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and venues, accessible to as many people as possible.
If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format – such as large print or audio – please telephone (02) 6205 0282.
If English is not your first language and you require the translating and interpreting services – please telephone 131 450.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired and require the National Relay Service, phone 133 677 then ask for 133 427
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Awards and Grants
Veterans Grants Program The 2019-20 Veterans Grants Program is now open.
The primary aim of the Veterans Grants Program is to support veterans and their family’s wellbeing and social inclusion. To best meet the needs of the veteran community, a focus on ageing veterans, contemporary veterans and veterans’ families might be considered collectively or separately as the focus of the grant application. Applications are sought for innovative projects that promote veterans as valued members of the ACT community and enable them to participate in community activities. A maximum of $10,000 is available per grant. To apply, visit http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants Applications close at 5pm, Monday 2 September 2019
Seniors Grants Program The 2019-20 Seniors Grants Program is now open.
The Seniors Grants Program provides funding for innovative projects that promote seniors as valued members of the ACT community and enable their active participation in community life. The Program has a particular emphasis on supporting projects which address the areas of elder abuse, enhanced social inclusion and those that address the needs of diverse seniors, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse seniors. A maximum of $10,000 is available per grant for innovative and dynamic new programs/ projects or equipment to promote seniors in our community. To apply, visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/wac/seniors/grants Applications close at 5pm, Monday 2 September 2019
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Chief Ministers Inclusion Awards Nominations are now open for the Chief Ministers Inclusion Awards. The Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards acknowledge the outstanding and progressive work of individuals, organisations and businesses who are leading the way in making Canberra the most inclusive and welcoming community.
There are 14 awards available across four categories for the 2019 Awards:
1. Recognising people with disability who are leaders in inclusion
2. Excellence and innovation in community access and inclusion
3. Achieving inclusion through supporting the independence and wellbeing of people with
disability
4. Championing rights protection and justice
Individuals or organisations can be nominated for one or more awards within the 4 categories and individuals or organisations are welcome to self-nominate. If you are unsure what category would be best for the individual/organisation you are nominating, Office for Disability staff can decide which category best suits the nomination. The Awards will be announced in December 2019. To lodge a Chief Ministers Inclusion Award nomination:
1. Find out more about the Awards at the ACT Inclusion Council website http://actinclusion.com.au/;
2. Submit an online nomination from the 2019 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards Smarty Grants webpage https://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2019_CMIA
Nominations close on 23 September 2019. Please contact the Office for Disability on 6207 1086 for more information
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I-Day Grants now open
The I-Day grants celebrate the International Day of People with Disability, which happens on 3 December annually. The grants are available to eligible local not-for-profit organisations and individuals, who can apply for a one-off grant of up to $5000 to deliver an activity, project or initiative which addresses one or more of the following five priority areas:
• Create inclusive opportunities for people with disability in the Canberra community
• Showcase the skills, abilities, contributions and achievements of people with disability
• Raise awareness and understanding of disability issues, including raising
awareness/prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault against women with
disability
• Provide opportunities for people with and without disability to come together, share ideas
and network
• Build sustainable options for people with disability to connect with their communities
To lodge an I-Day application nomination:
1. Read the 2019 I-Day Guidelines at https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/disability_act/recipients/i-day-guidelines, which outline the eligibility criteria in more detail;
2. Submit an application online from the 2019 I-Day Smarty grants webpage at https://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2019I-Day
I-Day Grants applications close 26 August, 2019
Recreational, Health and Wellbeing
Forrest Men‘s Shed Date: Each Tuesday Time: 10am until 12 Noon Where: Wesley Uniting Church 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest ACT 2602 Cost: $2 contribution for morning tea More Info: Ph 0490 027 153 or tinyurl.com/MENS-SHED-FORREST Forrest Men’s Shed has a weekly program including speakers, cooking and a woodworking workshop.
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Marymead Grandparents Group
Have you heard about the Grandparent's Group?
Marymead's Grandparents Group provides a support network for grandparent carers in the ACT. It also provides social connection, support, education and advice for grandparents who are preparing to be or who are primary carer for their grandchild/ren. Marymead’s Grandparent’s Group meets monthly at Marymead’s Canberra site at the Rheinberger Centre. Where: Corner of Weston and Loch Streets Yarralumla When: 12 noon until 3.00pm Lunch is provided. For more information, please call 1800 427 920 or visit our website: http://www.marymead.org.au/services/grandparents-group
Gungahlin Day View Club Why not join a VIEW Club now. VIEW stands for Voice Interests and Education of Women and is open to women of all ages and offers a friendship network, providing fun and a sense of purpose for members through supporting education of disadvantaged children As a valued part of The Smith Family, VIEW members help to change the lives of young Australians in need through fundraising, volunteering, advocating and sponsoring disadvantaged students on The Smith Family's Learning for Life program. Australia wide VIEW Clubs sponsor more than 1,400 disadvantaged students through the Learning for Life program. Gungahlin Day VIEW Club meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Versatile Restaurant, Federation Square. Where:18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls When:11.30am for 12.00pm RSVPs required by the Sunday before. For more information go to www.view.com.au or email [email protected]
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Information and Assistance
Bring Your Bills Event Bring your current energy bills, any letters from your energy provider and any concession cards to receive free face to face support around energy issues.
When: 14 August 2019, 12-2pm Where: St John’s Care at the St John’s Anglican Church, 45 Constitution Avenue in Reid Services include:
• A financial counsellor from Care Financial available for a one-on-one chat
• Consumer Law Centre representative
• Ren Webb from Actsmart to deliver a presentation with independent advice on how to be comfortable in your home in all seasons
• ActewAGL staff on hand for billing questions or to discuss discounts
Not need to RSVP- just come along. Venue has free parking. Here is a link to a venue map: https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.2877376,149.1375426,16.69z For more information call Fleur or Aoife at Care Financial on 6257 1788 or email [email protected].
Need Assistance Navigating the Aged Care System?
COTA ACT can provide you with free advice on:
• exploring the options available to help you stay in your home
• Accessing aged care for the first time
• Navigating MyAgedCare
• Transitioning between the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Home Care Packages and/or Residential Aged Care
• Your rights and responsibilities around aged care
You can book an appointment by visiting: https://cotaacn.eventbrite.com.au or contacting the COTA ACT office on 6282 3777. This service is being delivered as part of the Aged Care Navigation Trial (part of the Better Access to Aged Care program)
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Law for Non-Lawyers Wednesday 25 September- NDIS The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a Commonwealth scheme to provide individualised support for eligible people with a permanent and significant disability, their family, and carers. This session will cover:
• Brief overview of NDIS;
• Internal and external review of NDIA decisions; and
• How Legal Aid ACT can assist. Time: 9.30am to 11.30am Location: Legal Aid, 2 Allsop Street, Canberra City Cost: FREE. Materials and morning tea included
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/law-for-non-lawyers-july-november-2019-tickets-62897774938 This session will be delivered by a lawyer from Legal Aid ACT
Tax help is back for 2019
If you need help lodging your tax return, you may be eligible for the Tax Help program. Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax. COTA ACT is hosting a Tax help volunteer on Wednesday afternoons from 17 July. Book an appointment by contacting the COTA ACT office on 6282 3777.
Eligibility You must:
• earn $60,000 or less per annum
You must not:
• own/run own business
• operate under a labor hire agreement
• receive any royalties
• Receive income from public unit trust/public trading trust
• Own or share ownership in a rental property
• Make a capital gain or capital loss by selling shares/other assets
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Support for Seniors Living with Dementia and Driving Are you or your loved one living with dementia? Retired from driving or considering retiring in the future? Needing support? The University of Queensland is looking at ways to support people living with dementia, and their care partners, adjust to life without driving. Researchers are now recruiting participants in the greater ACT region and Southern NSW for the new and innovative “Living with Dementia and Driving Study”. Stopping driving can be one of the most challenging issues for people living with dementia, their families and health professionals. Challenges may include not knowing the right time to stop driving and concerns about how to stay involved in valued activities without driving. The study, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), gives the opportunity for people living with dementia to participate along with their care partner in the CarFreeMe program. The six-week program involves a one-hour individual session each week and is suitable for both people who have already stopped driving or are thinking about stopping in future. There are no costs or driving tests involved. The CarFreeMe program provides individualised support and education in relation to the practical and emotional challenges associated with retiring from driving. The program includes practical support to try out different transport options and find solutions to problems with getting around. To participate or find out more please contact research staff. Amy Nussio (ACT and Southern NSW) Email: [email protected] Phone: 0457 779 766 Theresa Scott (Queensland) Email: [email protected] Telephone: (07) 3443 2546 Check out the Our Research – Dementia page. http://www.carfreeme.com.au
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Tax Support Volunteering and Contact ACT will be offering the Tax Help program for 2019 at our Info Hub in the Griffin Centre. Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax. Volunteers can help you lodge your tax return or amendment online or complete a non-lodgement advice. What do I need to bring? * Confirmation that you are 'Tax Ready' if you earn an income or salary * A MyGov login * A Personal email address You are eligible for Tax Help in 2018-19 if your income is around $60,000 or less for the income year and you did not: * work as a contractor, for example a contract cleaner or taxi driver * run a business, including as a sole trader * have partnership or trust matters * sell shares or an investment property * own a rental property * have capital gains tax (CGT) * receive royalties * receive distributions from a trust, other than a managed fund * receive foreign income, other than a foreign pension or annuity Contact Volunteering and Contact ACT on 6248 7988 or visit our Info Hub at the Griffin Centre, 20 Genge St, Civic to check eligibility and make an appointment.
Advance Care Planning
An Advance Care Health Plan ensures your values and preferences are respected when you can’t voice your decisions. This could be due to a stroke, a car accident or other health issue. Learn the steps to make a plan, tips for having the conversation about your wishes and find out who can help to get your plan in place. Date: 10:00am – 12:00pm, Thursday 29 August, 2019 Venue: Health Care Consumers’ Association meeting room, 100 Maitland St, Hackett. RSVP: by Monday 26 August to [email protected] or phone: 6230 7800. Light refreshments provided.
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Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS)
The new Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) is a specialist service within Legal Aid ACT offering flexible legal assistance to older people. OPALS can help in many situations, such as if you:
• have concerns about your safety
• are being pressured to change your living arrangements, sign documents, or provide details of your finances
• are having money taken from you without your permission
• owe money and are not sure how you will pay
• are being abused, threatened or bullied
• are being denied access to grandchildren, other members of your family or support services
• are being discriminated because of your age OPALS has a strong community legal education and outreach component and provides information and referral services to concerned family, friends and workers. OPALS draws on the expertise of other practices in Legal Aid ACT when providing advice and representation services. OPALS is a free service and all cases are treated in confidence. We can also help make referrals to other specialist services if you choose not to take legal action. If you think you need legal advice, please feel free to contact OPALS: Address: 2 Allsop Street, Canberra, ACT; or Telephone: (02) 6243 3436 or 1800 353 374 Email: [email protected] www.legalaidact.org.au/opals
Have Your Say – NBN Issues
We want to hear about your questions on NBN or any issues you have been experienced connecting to the NBN. This information will be used to develop the content of an upcoming NBN information session. You can email your questions and issues to [email protected] or call COTA ACT on 6282 3777.
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Training and Education
Mature Age Worker Support The Mature Workers Grants Program, a Skills Canberra initiative, Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will focus on assisting mature workers by providing a wide range of supportive measures. For the purposes of the Program, the category ‘mature workers’ includes persons aged 45 years or older and Australian Apprentices aged 25 years or older (aka mature apprentices/trainees). The Program targets mature workers who live and/or work in the ACT. Mature workers may;
• be employed,
• Unemployed,
• Underemployed,
• Not in the labour force,
• Volunteer, or
• Unpaid carer.
At CIT, we want you to enjoy your student experience with us and we have a range of services available to help and encourage you. Services include:
• Course and Career information and advice
• Financial support opportunities for training
• Skills Recognition
• Professional counselling support services
• An active CIT Student Association (CITSA) which provides advocacy, student activities, information,
accommodation, bookshops, food services and cafes on campus
• CIT Yurauna Centre, a welcoming Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Foundation skills (reading, writing and using numbers)
To register for any of these support services, please register on our webpage at https://cit.edu.au/study/mature_workers_support or alternatively drop into the Student Services area on campus or call on 02 6207 3188.
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Silver Rainbow Training – LGBTI Awareness for the Age Care Sector Silver Rainbow training is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) aged care awareness training that is delivered to the wide range of staff working in ageing and aged care. Silver Rainbow educates and informs service providers, policy makers, and communities about the use of LGBTI inclusive practice in the Australian aged care sector. Silver Rainbow is a national partnership between the National LGBTI Health Alliance members in every state and territory. The AIDS Action Council of the ACT is the project partner in the ACT. Understanding and celebrating the diversity of genders, bodies, sexualities, and relationships of older Australians. Topics include:
• Exploring the lives of LGBTI Australians and the issues
• Definitions; defining sexual orientation and diversity of genders
• Social stigma and assumptions
• Impacts of negative attitudes
• Ageing issues specific to older LGBTI people
• LGBTI inclusive practice
• Lifestyle of older LGBTI people
• Trans and intersex specific ageing issues
• Importance of advanced decision making
• Privacy, disclosure and outing
Please access the Eventbrite link below to register for one of the following sessions. Registration: https://cbrsilverrainbow.eventbrite.com.au
1. Tuesday, 10th September 2019 - 1:00pm - 4:30pm
2. Thursday, 17th October 2019 - 9:30am - 1:00pm
3. Tuesday, 12th November 2019 - 1:00pm - 4:30pm
4. Thursday, 5th December 2019 - 9:30am - 1:00pm
Morning Tea/Afternoon provided.
A nominal fee of $10 will be charged per participant for this training. For further enquiries: please email [email protected] (or call 6257 2855).
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Volunteering Opportunities
2019 Weary Dunlop challenge
The Weary Dunlop Challenge is a 24 hour volunteering journey undertaken by training officers from the Australian Defence Force Academy. The aim of the challenge is for Training Officers to have engagement with people from different walks of life. The Weary Dunlop Challenge is held over two 24 hour periods: 5pm Friday 20th until 5pm Saturday 21st September 2019 And 5pm Friday 27th until 5pm Saturday 28th September 2019 During these times training officers are sent out in groups of 20 to volunteer their efforts at various community organisations. Training Officers can do anything from social support (conversations, playing games, teaching people how to use technology) right through to capital works/manual labour projects (gardening, painting, heavy lifting). An organisation is free to pitch any idea. If your organisation could use the assistance of a group of 20 volunteers during the challenge please contact Volunteering and Contact ACT at [email protected] with “Weary Dunlop” in the subject line. Please note: Volunteering activities can only be supported during the Weary Dunlop Challenge times of 5pm Friday 20th until 5pm Saturday 21st September 2019 or 5pm Friday 27th until 5pm Saturday 28th September 2019.
Volunteering and Contact ACT Volunteering and Contact ACT (VCA) is the peak body for volunteering and community information services in the Canberra Region. VCA provide a diverse range of services to individuals and organisations including information on community events, Volunteering roles and upcoming events and training For more Volunteering Opportunities, contact VCA or visit the website: www.volunteeringact.org.au/#/ Shopfront: Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Canberra 2601. 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Call: 02 6248 7988 Email: [email protected]
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Mailing List and Future Articles
Please let us know if you want to be added to our Newsletter mailing list (email or postal), or if you have an article you would like included in future editions, by emailing [email protected] , calling 62072258 or by post to The Office for Seniors and Veterans, GPO Box 158, CANBERRA ACT 2601. Feel free to pass on information about this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.