NNC 2009 - 2010 Annual Report - Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

PG 22 PG 23MULTICULTURALNEIGHBOUR AID:Communities from GreeceThe Multicultural Neighbour Aid project has been establishedfor a number of years, the main aim and objective of the Projectcontinues to be in supporting clients to live independently intheir home and community. It is funded under the Home andCommunity Care (HACC) program.Expansion for ChangeThe Greek speaking population in this area is an ageingpopulation with a growing need to access aged care support.Our operations have expanded to include:Client Care Co-ordinationThis is an ongoing part of the Neighbour Aid service designedto assess individual clients needs, provide appropriate referralservices and maintain contact with all clients and accuraterecords according to funding agreements.------Day Care Centres on a Tuesday and ThursdayA Carers Support GroupA Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Support Group forGreek Men.Our range of services is an indication of the project’s ongoingcommitment to our target client group and people living in theMarrickville municipality and surrounding areas. We also providea door to door service twice a week to our frail members that livein the area and are no longer able to access public transport.HACC Day Care CentreEvery Tuesday and Thursday, clients have the opportunity to meetand participate in structured activities, including: listening to guestspeakers, receiving written information in their first language,attending recreational outings, accessing our library services,attending communal luncheons and accessing bilingual workers.The Centre also acts as a contact point in encouraging clientsto meet outside our structured meeting times; with the mainfocus in supporting elderly people living alone, frail members orpeople who are isolated or experiencing depression.Culturally and Linguistically DiverseSupport Group for Greek MenThis is a group for men only, aimed at those aged over 55. Itprovides opportunities to meet and participate in structuredactivities and recreational outings as well as offering peersupport. The Greek Speaking Men’s Group is facilitated by amale worker and meets on a weekly basisGreek Neighbourhood Aid StatisticsDay Care CentreNumber of clients 78Hours of support 8700Number of meetings 58Greek Speaking Men’s GroupNumber of clients 18Hours of support 1839Number of meetings 46MealsNumber of meals 630OutingsTotal Number of clients 220Hours of support 1448Number of outings 15TransportDoor to door Pick Up 20Passenger Trips 50Number of support hours 1480Client Co-ordinationNumber of hours 410Home Library ServiceItems borrowed 950Weeks provided 46Hours of service 148Areas of ConcernOnce again, isolation, lack of awareness and fragility were themain issues and areas of concern. Family members movingout of the area due to non affordable housing which resulted inleaving elderly parents increasingly reliant upon support serviceswas a significant issue.Additionally, there has been an increase in elderly couples livingalone due to the loss of their partner. This can result in furtherisolation and sometimes, depression.Educational ProgramsThe emphasis of educational programs is that prevention isbetter than cure. These programs are client focused and arebased on feedback we receive from clients and volunteers at theCentre. The education programs are ongoing and are developedin consultation with clients on a yearly basis.VolunteersVolunteers play an essential part of the Multicultural NeighbourAid program, and ongoing training is provided to them, withinformal meetings offered to support our volunteers throughoutthe year. We also allocate specific days for training and supportof volunteers. Thank you luncheons and special outings are alsooften arranged in order to acknowledge the valuable contributionof our volunteers to the programSpecial Programs and EventsA number of events are organised by the Neighbour Aid Projector in partnership with other organisations. This includes Councilfunctions, special religious celebrations and fundraising events.Thank You’s and AcknowledgementsThe Multicultural Neighbour Aid project continued to operatein partnership with Sydney South West Area Health ServiceMigrant Health Team, and special thanks must go to FreedaEconomidis. I would also like to thank all the speakers thathave attended and supported the Day Care Centre groups andMarrickville Council for providing the premises.I would also like to thank all our wonderful staff team and volunteersfor their great contribution during the year and for taking on thevalued additional tasks to support our projects. We also thank ourtwo drivers from Marrickville Council/Tom Foster Care CentreTony and John Robert from Leichhardt Community Transport.Finally, the Multicultural Neighbour Aid Project would notfunction as efficiently or be able to assist as many clients withoutthe ongoing support and commitment of George Zantis andChrisanthi Kandilas by supporting the HACC Day Care Centres.Marie KostovGreek Neighbourhood Aid Coordinator