108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Bundaberg man Josh Bridge is proof that a positive attitude can change your life.
The 22-year-old has turned his life around from unemployment and homelessness with the help of the three local organisations, a positive attitude and sheer determination. He says help is available to those who need it, but you must take the initiative and ask for it.
Josh was a boilermaker apprentice but after going through some family issues he and his partner went travelling. When he returned to Bundaberg the couple found themselves homeless and Josh was unable to get work.
With the help of IMPACT and yourtown, Josh and his partner have now secured a home and Josh has a Certificate III in Disability Support from IMPACT and fulltime employment at Without Limits Disability Support.
From then to now
When Josh couldn’t find work, Services Australia put him in touch with a job provider who then referred him to yourtown, a transition to work provider.
yourtown’s Business Manager Karla Jurczakowski said: “When Josh met with yourtown, Job Placement Coach Bradley Weymouth took the time to understand where he was at and where he was wanting to go on his journey with us.”
Karla said Bradley was impressed with Josh's tenacity.
“Despite personal challenges, he had a clear direction on wanting to help people. Josh was referred to an IMPACT youth support program, where in addition to getting the support he needed, he was referred on as a possible candidate for a Certificate III in Individual Support – Disability.”
yourtown's Youth Worker Kylie Price assisted with obtaining Josh's Blue Card, Yellow card and a mobile phone, and the organisation also supplied a laptop to help with his continued study.
“When Josh was on placement, we kept in contact to ensure he had everything he needed,” Karla said.
“We were very happy in October when we were able to pay for his license, just in time to start his first paid shift.
"We are very proud of Josh and his resilience and perseverance, and while he has been too busy to keep in contact, knowing he is succeeding is fantastic.”
IMPACT’s Clinical Care Coordinator Jayne Watkins said Josh presented with a positive and open attitude from the first appointment.
"We wish Josh and his family all the very best in his career and want him to know we are always available should he need support again at any time in the future.”
IMPACT Trainer and Assessor Gay Wilson said when she met Josh she was shocked that someone so determined, intelligent and approachable was unemployed and living out of his car.
“Once class commenced it was evident that he was keen to learn and heavily invested in the material he was studying. Thankfully he was able to overcome the negativity and disappointment from his previous life and move forward,” she said.
“Josh contributed greatly to class discussions and soon became a natural leader and mentor to other students.”
It was during his studies that Josh was introduced to Mike Hayman, Industry Lead at IMPACT. Mike said: “I met Josh as a student in the course. At the time he was homeless and there was a significant need for him to have employment to be successful and have a house. One of my contacts, Marie Blundell, was looking for someone at the time, so Josh went for an interview and blitzed it.”
Gay said she didn’t have to think twice when Without Limits Disability Support were seeking someone to fill a role – Josh was the perfect choice.
“I am very proud of the way Josh has turned his life around. He is now sharing a lovely home with his partner awaiting the arrival of their baby girl and living the life he has earned and deserves.”
Marie Blundell, Director at Without Limits Disability Support Services, said after hearing about Josh's living situation and gaining an understanding of his motivation, determination and work ethic, she couldn't wait to sign him up and hasn't regretted it since.
"To hear that Josh had gone through so much in life, was couch surfing and living in a car with his pregnant partner, and yet presented at classes, well dressed and willing and eager to learn, impressed me,” she said.
“Josh conveyed that he was determined to not go back and was motivated to give the disability industry a go because he realised that he wanted work where he could care for people."
“Already Josh is taking on responsibility for planning our Holiday Program and our Experiential Learning Weekends for young boys and has proved to be a very valuable employee.”
Attitude is everything
Josh was determined to not be a victim of his circumstances.
“I’ve had a lot happen in my life and I wasn’t in the best headspace. It was a really dark time for me. Getting into this course and putting all my determination and effort into get through the course and change my situation has put me in a better headspace”, he said.
“I’ve always had a positive attitude, despite all the tough times. You can only help yourself at the end of the day. No-one else is going to do it for me, so why wait? I’ve got to do it myself.”
Josh has recently completed his studies and now works 6 – 7 days a week. He is grateful for the services, support and encouragement that have been provided to him by IMPACT, Without Limits and yourtown.
“I’ve now got a house, my situation has changed from living in a car to living in a 4-bedroom house. It has been a full backflip, a complete 180. If it wasn’t for the services these guys have provided, I wouldn’t be sitting here today…. But you’ve got to reach out and ask for the help.”
"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses asking for help when you need it.
By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea
When was the last time you asked for help?
Many of us find it difficult to accept help from others, and asking for it can feel impossible. At times, it can seem easier to sit with our struggles, tell ourselves that things will be okay and bury our head in the sand. In time, problems solve themselves, don’t they? Sometimes, but not always.
The brutal reality is that you cannot do everything by yourself.
So why is asking for help so hard?
Asking for help demands that we show our vulnerability. Some strive to achieve perfection in every role that they do, measuring their success or failure in terms of the number of things that they can achieve. Some don’t wish to be a burden to others or fear that their request for help may be rejected.
It’s common to underestimate people and whether they will help us. Many of us grew up with the belief that it is weak to ask for help, instead believing that we should be able to get through whatever it is that is troubling us on our own, without help.
Sometimes we might not realise that we need a hand, or the support we get might not be quite the right fit, so we turn away from it. But when we do this, nothing changes.
Now think about the last time you helped somebody; how did it make you feel?
Humans are hard-wired to help others. Most of us like to believe we are good people willing to be of service to others, so do not like to turn down a request for help. And let’s not forget that helping someone else is a huge boost to one’s own self esteem!
If you feel guilt or shame around asking for accepting help, I’d encourage you have a think about why this is.
Ask yourself some questions to help break down your barriers around asking for help:
It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s there if you just ask. Be brave, reach out.
Speaking to industry professionals and relevant organisations can make taking the leap into a new area of work all the more exciting!
And that’s exactly why IMPACT Community Services is hosting a meet and greet day from 10am-1pm on October 19, 2022 for people interested in working in the disability support sector.
At the event you will be able to meet employers, speak with current carers and meet community choir participants.
Local organisations Community Access Care, Care Right Associates and Community Lifestyle Support will be onsite and eager to discuss the industry with you.
There will also be a free sausage sizzle held throughout the morning!
For more information phone Michael Hayman on 4153 4233 or 0419 773 615.
Having access to mental health support services can be lifechanging, and just because you live in a rural area, shouldn’t mean you are without access to help.
IMPACT is dedicated to improving lives and one of the ways we strive to do this is via our mental health support services.
We have been present in the community for the past 10 years, delivering different styles of mental health support. Our commitment to supporting locals is solidified with the opening of our own drop-in centre on 6/119 Youngman Street, Kingaroy.
The center will enable IMPACT to deliver our mental health program and give locals a safe place to share their lived experiences, meet people and a place to have a coffee and a chat if they are having bad day.
“Mental health support needs to be delivered in a way that connects with people in a rural setting,” IMPACT’s Mental Health Manager Jannene Thorn said.
“There needs to be flexibility in service delivery.”
The Commonwealth Psychosocial Support service is a recovery focused, strengths based mental health support program.
It aims to strengthen the capacity of participants to live independently, safely and productively in their community by focusing on capacity building via phone, virtual or individual and group settings.
CPS is for participants over the age of 16 with severe mental illness not accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The centre will be open from Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm with our Peer Support Workers eager to meet and help out those who need it.
To find out more about IMPACT’s mental health support services head to https://impact.org.au/support-and-wellbeing/
To contact the team, phone 0488 534 222 or email larnold@impact.org.au.
If you need help now, please see the parenting/mental health support contacts below:
"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya focuses on our basic needs as humans and overcoming challenges by supporting one another.
By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea
The warmth of a hearty meal, a shower after a long day, the shelter from the change of season and a community that cares for others, is something we should all have this winter.
But across the country and in the Bundaberg region, people are experiencing homelessness as the housing crisis continues and people are finding it increasingly difficult to put a roof over their heads.
In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow coined his ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ in his paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” and it is undeniably prevalent nearly 80 years later.
Maslow’s theory breaks down five modes of needs for a person to being living their most authentic and comfortable life. Unsurprisingly, it starts with the physiological needs – what we need to survive. These foundational needs include food, water, clothing, and shelter, for without them it would be extremely challenging to priorities anything else.
The rising cost of living not only makes it difficult for people to afford shelter and food, but it can also take a toll on one’s mental health.
The power of having a consistent and safe place to rest your head and full your stomach cannot be overstated and for those who may be struggling, it is vital to know there are services to help you.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or other difficulties, there is an information flow chart on IMPACT’s Community Navigators’ webpage with a breakdown of the various situations one could be facing and the appropriate support service contact numbers and addresses to help.
If you are in a position to help fellow residents who are in need, there are various organisation which take food donations, like the Angels Community Group’s Emergency Food Hampers. Angels is also currently calling for cups of soup donations to facilitate their cup of soup bar at the support centre on 66 Targo St.
As indicative of the title of this column, as a community we are ‘stronger together’. Providing donations or sharing valuable information can be key to helping people attain their basic needs and begin improving their lives.
Understanding wellbeing and resilience is not only a key part of overcoming challenges in your personal life, but also when it comes to finding and maintaining employment.
And that’s exactly what IMPACT Community Services’ new program WORKFit is dedicated to in the ADAPTABLE stage.
WORKFIT is a free and voluntary program comprising of 4 stages, each designed to overcome barriers and help individuals achieve their goals.
ADAPTABLE Mentor Jonathan Bailey said the course was about empowering people to take control of their lives.
He said resilience wasn’t something that people were born with, nor was it a personality trait – which meant people eager to empower themselves could learn and develop this skill.
For Jonathan, resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and the ability to move forward when there is an opportunity.
Positive wellbeing is a crucial element to long-lasting resilience. He said the two went hand-in-hand to promote a healthier lifestyle aligned to your values and interests.
With a focus on wellbeing and interaction, Jonathan said over several modules, ADAPTABLE would cover the various facets of wellbeing, resilient practices to overcome roadblocks – whether they be from external or internal factors, workplace applicability – and when to put these skills into motion.
Jonathan said there could be various reasons people may be hesitant looking for a job; they may have had a difficult experience in the past, perhaps they’ve been met with rejection after rejection or maybe they’ve never had a job before and are anxious about what it would involve.
He said not only was improved wellbeing important when looking for work, but once you found a job that worked for you, it could increase your self-esteem and general mental health.
Jonathan said the program was client based to ensure each individual could be supported in the best way possible.
All our WORKFit services can be used in conjunction with other local employment providers for anyone who requires a little extra support.
These programs are available to residents in receipt of benefit. To find out more phone the WORKFit team on 0459 860 928.
The value of a safe place to learn and be supported when entering parenthood cannot be overstated.
IMPACT Community Services holds a weekly group session for young parents or soon-to-be parents to connect with one another and learn from health professionals.
IMPACT’s Positive Start Parenting Team Leader Lesley Allen said this group was aimed at providing support and education for people aged 15-19 years old.
She said information to help the young parents prepare for when the baby arrives without fear of judgement was what the group was all about.
During their first session a representative from Child Health spoke with the group about their new Pepe Pods which they can give to the parents before the baby is born.
The pods are used to enable safe, co-sleeping for parents and new-born babies.
Lesley said the session will not always be held at IMPACT, with the potential to host the group at a local park or café if it is of interest.
The young parents group meets on Wednesdays from 3.30pm-4.40pm to ensure they aren’t missing out on school.
IMPACT can also aid with transport to the sessions should you require it.
For more information about this group phone 4153 4233.
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month – and at IMPACT Community Services support and prevention is something our Intensive Family Support team is dedicated to daily.
The IFS team provides support to families with children at risk of entering the Child Services system, families dealing with mental health and wellbeing matters, disability, child development, and issues with housing.
The majority of IFS clients have endured some form of Domestic and Family Violence, and someone who is on the frontline supporting the community is Family & Domestic Violence Specialist, case manager Sasha.
Sasha works with survivors, parents, children, perpetrators, police, and offers emotional support for people going through the court.
With experience working in this space in the United Kingdom, Sasha joined the IFS team in Bundaberg at the start of the year, bringing with her a wealth of expertise.
She said there were a lot of issues in the region and hopes more education about healthy relationships and boundaries could mean greater DFV prevention in the future.
Sasha said people need to be taught that hitting or abusing someone is not an appropriate way to get their point across.
She said people should also be aware of what stalking behaviour is.
As technology and social media creates a culture of sharing and accessibility, she said it can be difficult for some people to realise what stalking and controlling behaviour looks like.
When people are constantly sharing where they are, who they are with and what they are doing on social media, it may not be seen as controlling behaviour when a partner demands to know all this information; but it is.
Sasha said bullying and consent were two other major areas where education needed to be bolstered: understanding ‘no’, what is appropriate behaviour in a healthy relationship and personal boundaries are crucial to DFV prevention.
She said she would like to see the Love Bites educational program introduced in schools.
For anyone experiencing DFV, the IFS team wants to hear from you. They offer numerous support options to help anyone who may be experiencing or has experienced DFV.
One of the means of support is a survivor’s group which IMPACT runs with Churches of Christ, which focuses on psychoeducation, the effects of DFV, how to move forward, and safety planning.
Sasha also holds one-on-one education sessions for individuals who may be parents with learning disabilities and children who are dealing with the fall out.
The IFS team’s support has been likened to helping you ride a bike. They put the training wheels on and teach you how to ride; they take the wheels off and stand alongside you, supporting you until you’re ready to go off on your own – and they will be there should you ever need to come back.
To get in contact with IMPACT Community Services’ IFS team phone 4153 4233.
If you need help now – here are some useful hotlines:
Domestic Violence Services
DV Connect: 1800 811 811
Edon Place: 4153 6820
Men’s Line: 1300 78 99 78
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT).
How to report a DFV incident Visit Police Website, CLICK HERE or for all other domestic violence related matters, phone Policelink on 131 444, 24 hours, 7 days a week .
Family and child safety
Child Safety Central Queensland Regional Intake Service (business hours): 1300 703 762
Child Safety (after hours): 1800 177 135
Family and Child Connect (FACC) 13 32 64 to share your concerns for families in your community.
Parenting/mental health support
Parentline: 1300 30 1300
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Improving lives is at the heart of IMPACT Community Services’ programs and staff – and our Community Navigators are no exception.
George Nathan recently joined IMPACT’s Community Navigator team as a case manager where he’s eager to start supporting those in need.
“My role as a Case Manager Community Navigator involves supporting participants transitioning to the Cashless Debit Card to access a range of services that are available,” he said.
“The role also supports other members of the community that come to us or are referred and need assistance in a variety of ways.”
No stranger to the work IMPACT does, in 2021 George was delivering a financial literacy workshop monthly to clients and assisted them on a one-on-one basis when necessary.
Having worked as a financial counsellor for 10 years, George felt he was a good fit for the team and could add value to the services they provide.
“I am most looking forward to the variety that the role provides,” he said.
“Whilst I love financial counselling it can take a toll on you when you do the same thing every day for 10 years.
“Assisting people with their financial problems can be overwhelming as you’re dealing with mortgage stress, car repossession, court proceedings and a range of other issues which could easily have a devastating effect on a person’s life and could even lead them to developing long-term mental health conditions.”
He said sometimes it is difficult for members of the community to find assistance for their particular problem(s), which was where a Community Navigator can help.
“A Community Navigator can assist clients in all things and also refer them to the right service,” George said.
“From that aspect the Community Navigator’s role is very essential to the region.
“Having worked in Queensland, New South Wales, and ACT I have never come across a role such as this.”
All members of the community who live within the 4670 postcode can access our services. For more information about Community Navigators call IMPACT on 4153 4233 or visit here.
By Tanya O'Shea, IMPACT Community Services' Managing Director
"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya focuses on the support IMPACT provides people who are looking to get into the workforce.
With the new year well and truly upon us, there’s no time like the present for those who are looking for a new job.
On your own, looking for employment can be a daunting process, but IMPACT Community Services has a team of people ready to help you on your journey into the workforce – whatever that may look like.
The Bundaberg region has rarely seen the volume of job vacancies as it is experiencing at present.
In early December 2021, the job search site Seek showed there were close to 600 vacancies.
While many small and medium size business are looking for staff, still many people are finding it difficult to get their feet in the door.
Jobseekers can feel frustrated when they are not progressing into employment as easily as they expect.
This is where building resilience is so important.
Our thoughts create our feelings and our feelings create our actions.
IMPACT’s employment services manager David Maxey-Fisher said sometimes when we don’t get a job, we have negative thoughts (such as, I failed) which can create negative feelings (I am not good enough or worthy) which then lead to negative actions and behaviours (there is no point in applying for jobs).
People sometimes “externalise” the situation by blaming the employer or some other circumstance rather than bringing it back to themselves and taking ownership on what they learnt and what they could improve on for the next interview/application.
Sometimes you’re just not “the person for ‘that’ particular job” and that’s ok!
While the region has had a previously poor unemployment rate compared to the state on a whole, jobs and hope aren’t entirely lost.
Our employment service team are trained to help people with their resilience and to help them break away from any negative thinking that holds them back.
IMPACT facilitates a range of services to support you on our 2022 job quest. For more information on how we can help, phone 4153 4233 or click here.
Looking to broaden your horizons this year?
IMPACT Community Services has two training courses, CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) and CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community), starting on February 7, 2022.
IMPACT’s trainer and assessor, Robyn Green, said for anyone interested in this field training was vital.
She said for some of the clients who students care for, flexible and reliable support was crucial.
“The support person (students) needs to be highly trained in hygiene covid safe procedures to help themselves and their clients in their everyday routines,” she said.
The courses are delivered under a hybrid classroom/digital model to cater to student circumstances and commitments.
She said with the industry was in high demand, there was a huge variety of skills to be employed.
“There is around the clock shifts with a great hourly rate and room to upskill and gain a respectful employable role and reputation,” she said.
“Working in this industry has long term employment.”
IMPACT’s Innovation General Manager Nathan Spruce said the individual support qualification has three focus areas which can be mapped to each other allowing a choice of employment industries, all of which are growing in Bundaberg.
Looking at more than employment opportunities, Mr Spruce said it was a rewarding profession to support clients develop skills and live out their dreams.
There will be free information sessions ahead of the courses, on January 17, January 24 and January 31 at 9.30am.
More information on IMPACT’s training courses can be found here or you can call 4153 4233.
IMPACT Community Services is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code: 0115), located at 108 Bargara Rd, Bundaberg East.
We are open from 8am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-4.30pm on Fridays, visitors are required to adhere to the Covid-19 safety regulations while on-site, this includes wearing a mask while indoors.
Bowling over success at Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre, IMPACT Community Services’ bowling team has celebrated their year at the alley.
At the recent award presentation, it was revealed that our team has taken out the top gong in the friendly rivalry between IMPACT Community Services and CLS.
IMPACT's Bundy Incredabowls are certainly living up to their name!
Alongside this trophy, numerous individual awards were given out, some of which were:
Bruce Gossner – Best Overall Player
Patrick Jen – The Wise One
Adam Lawson – The Quiet Achiever
Luke Henry – The Larrikin
Norman Greer – Most Consistent
The team will be back in the alley next year on January 7.
If you would like to find out more information about IMPACT's community based activities, click here.
See some of the photos from the presentation below!
By Tanya O'Shea, IMPACT Community Services' Managing Director
"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya focuses on self-compassion.
Getting a break from work is one of the many perks of the holiday season, but there are still myriad pressures that come with this festive period.
So, this holiday season give yourself the gift of self-compassion.
You can give yourself a break and you don’t need to feel guilty about it.
On the surface this may seem like a silly or even fruitless notion – but I’m talking about more than simply putting on a facemask and going for a walk (although you should definitely do that too).
At IMPACT Community Services we understand the importance of taking your mental health seriously.
And we encourage our staff to do the same and take their self-care seriously.
It’s okay to take time to work out a self-care plan that works best for you in order to give yourself the best foundation to tackle the day and boost your wellbeing.
As per Dr Kristin Neff’s research, self-compassion is different from self-esteem, it’s not self-pity and it’s not self-indulgence.
Dr Neff’s suggests ‘instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, who ever said you were supposed to be perfect?’.
It’s about being kind to yourself and giving yourself a level of understanding that imperfections/mistakes/suffering is part of the human experience and you’re not alone.
Taking a balanced approach to negative emotions is also key so that feelings are neither suppressed nor exaggerated.
Basically turning the compassion you would show a friend towards yourself – because you deserve it too.
Some of the exercises stepped out by Dr Neff for the practice include writing, changing your critical self-talk, identifying what you really want and taking care of the caregiver.
In taking care of yourself and allowing time, understanding and acceptance you establish a solid foundation of self for yourself.
If you are taking care of your wellbeing and showing yourself some self-compassion, you’re giving yourself the best mind frame to soak up the good times and handle difficult situations.
This can foster a greater sense of gratitude, love and appreciation – all of which are more powerful than fear.
Be kind to yourself this holiday season.
For more information click here.
Jannene Thorn knows a thing or two about lending a helping hand to those in need of support.
Jannene is IMPACT Community Services' Manager of Mental Health Services and has worked at IMPACT for 10 years across at least four different programs.
Jannene loves the work she does and the reputation IMPACT has in the community.
“I work here because the mission, vision and values align with mine,” Jannene said.
“And I work here because I enjoy empowering vulnerable people so that they become independent and no longer need support.”
Jannene said that IMPACT was great because of its diversity, scope and wrap-around services.
“Someone will come as a jobseeker and wind up in parental support, or one of our other programs which is right next door,” she said.
“People are being referred across programs all the time – it's a one-stop shop here.”
Mental Health programs at IMPACT Community Services
Jannene was a chef before entering the community services field, but after 19 years she felt “burned out” and needed a change of career.
She has a brother with disability so had plenty of experience in caring; it seemed natural to work in that sector. Jannene started working eight hours a week at IMPACT as a casual disability support worker, but soon became full time.
“My lived experience with my brother made me stronger as a support worker,” she said.
“You already know what standards of care are needed to look after someone properly.”
IMPACT's Community Hub: A one-stop-shop of service providers
Jannene spent three years as disability support worker before moving to early intervention in parenting as a Team Leader.
She then worked in supported employment at our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), looking after our workers with a disability.
“I really loved it and almost didn't want to leave,” she said.
But then Jannene found her calling as Manager of Mental Health Services, looking after a vast area of the Wide Bay. She now manages nine programs and organises the collaboration with other various support services.
“We collaborate well with the community,” Jannene said.
“We partner with other services, all with the end view of a better outcome for the client.”
Jannene manages a staff of 10, all mental health experts with vast experience.
“We use a strengths-based recovery approach,” she said.
“It’s whatever works well with the client.”
Jannene's plans for the future involve co-designing mental health programs and trying to establish a wider footprint across Queensland.
And of course, helping more people to improve their lives.
Providing documentation or receiving advice from multiple service providers can be a time consuming and exhausting process.
Visiting one provider after another can take hours, if not days or weeks to complete, depending on one’s available time.
That’s why IMPACT Community Services has decided to host a Community Hub.
The aim of the Community Hub is to bring Bundaberg services together in one place to work collaboratively and provide a one stop shop for mutual clients.
IMPACT’s Support Services Manager Sandra Higgins said the hub will prove a huge time saver for people and allow the community to streamline service delivery.
“Having assisted clients for many years though my varied roles, I have witnessed how time consuming it can be going from one service to another, filing out a variety of forms and needing to copy and attach documentation,” Sandra said.
“By being able to do this all in one place as well as having the facility to copy and scan documents while you are here, will cut down the running around for clients and the wait times to get forms lodged or to find out information.
“We see that members of the community will benefit from this service by being able to come and get any information, forms and soft introductions to services that they may not be aware of but could utilise, and the support services will be able to network and exchange information on each other’s programs and services, so it’s a win/win all round.”
The services in attendance will work collaboratively with each other to make it easier for people to access services and gain the help and support that they need.
“We are trying to make things a bit easier for people that may have mobility issues or not have access to transport,” Sandra said.
“We have a bus stop right at our front door so come over at take advantage of a one stop shop for services.
“If this is successful for people, we hope to attract more service providers and build a convenient community access point for service delivery.”
The Community Hub will host its first meet on Thursday May 6, and continue on the first Thursday of each month moving forward.
So far in attendance will be Wellways, Wide Bay Sexual Health, B Transformed Health & Fitness, Central Queensland Indigenous Development, Step Up Step Down service, a free legal service, Meals on Wheels, Carers Gateway, the Department of Housing, a Justice of the Peace to witness documents, and two financial counsellors, one from Uniting Care and the other from The Salvation Army.
IMPACT’s Community Navigators will also be on hand to assist people with filling in forms or directing any queries people might have.
If you are interested in attending, click here to register or phone 4153 4233 today.
This service has been established by IMPACT as it continues its work to improve lives in the Bundaberg region.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.