News and views from our community

How Baptcare supports children in need

Baptcare is a leading provider of integrated support services to children, families and young people in Victoria and Tasmania. We believe that every child deserves a safe, nurturing and loving environment where they can thrive and reach their full potential. Baptcare is proud to offer a range of programs designed to prevent harm, promote wellbeing and build parenting skills.Some of the services that Baptcare provides to support children and their families in Victoria include:Integrated Family Services ProgramThis program offers in-home support to families in the Brimbank and Moonee Valley areas, with children between 0-18 years of age. If you or someone you know is struggling with:parenting skillsfinancial hardshipmental health issuesrelationship issuessocial isolationthen our Integrated Family Services Program may be able to assist you.The program helps families with parenting skills development and support, advice and referral to other services in your area and support groups. To make a referral to our Victorian Integrated Family Services Program, please contact the Brimbank Melton Orange Door on 1800 271 046 or the Western Melbourne Orange Door on 1800 271 045. This program is also available in Tasmania – click here for details.Parenting Assessment Skills Development Service This service supports families with children up to three years of age and who are currently clients of the Victorian Child Protection Service, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The program assesses whether children aged 0-3 are growing up in a safe environment, along with parenting capacity and competency. This service includes an element of education and skill development for parents. Read more about our Parenting Assessment Skills Development Service initiative here.Home-Start ProgramThis program provides practical support and mentoring from volunteers to families with children under the age of five in the Bendigo, Macedon Ranges, Brimbank-Melton or Western Melbourne areas. The program helps families to build confidence, connect with their community and access other supporting services. Read more about Home-Start here.Family Preservation and Reunification Response ProgramThis program is funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to support families involved with Child Protection:keep children safely at homeprevent children and young people entering care servicesand support children and young people to safely reunify with their family after a period of separation.The service works with families in the Western Melbourne and Brimbank/Melton areas of Melbourne to create a safe and stable environment for children. Read more about this program here.Parenting and Children’s GroupsThese are evidence-based, accredited groups helping parents and their children to enhance their communication, bonding, resilience and coping skills. The groups cover topics such as positive parenting, managing emotions, dealing with trauma and building self-esteem. Groups, including supported playgroups, are currently available in the Bendigo area. For more information, please call us on (03) 9373 3800 or email VicFamilyCommunityServices@baptcare.org.auFamily Violence Program + WAVESThis is a therapeutic service for people who have experienced or witnessed family violence. The service provides counselling, advocacy, referral and support to help people recover from the impact of violence and abuse on their physical, emotional and mental health. The program is available to single adults, families and children who are living or studying in the Brimbank, Melton and western metropolitan areas of Melbourne. Read more about these programs here.In Tasmania, Baptcare provides a range of family services programs, including:Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral LineThe Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral Line is the first point of contact for anyone with a concern about the safety and wellbeing of a child or who is in need of support. The Advice & Referral Line provides advice to the caller, information about referral pathways and support options for responding to the needs of children and families.Contact the Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral Line on 1800 000 123 (state-wide, Tasmania) between 8.30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.Targeted Youth Support ServiceBaptcare’s Targeted Youth Support Service (TYSS) homeless youth program works with young people aged 10 to 18 years who are identified as having significant and/or multiple risk issues including experiencing or being at risk of homelessness.Participants are identified as requiring significant assistance and, without intensive support, notification to Child Protection or entry to and/or escalation within the youth justice system is likely.This is a therapeutic intervention program aimed to provide support and casework services for at risk young people. The service also aims to re-engage young people in education, training, employment and housing.TYSS can be accessed by families who are referred via Strong Families, Safe Kids on 1800 000 123.Community Kinship ProgramCommunity Kinship care is where children or young people are placed with a family member, friend of the family or someone in the young person’s community when they are unable to stay at home with their parents without the intervention of Child Safety Services.Community Kinship Practitioners provide support to kinship placements, and partner with Mission Australia to ensure a consistent service for carers across the state.We can provide assistance to establish a placement, referrals to other services, source respite and broker support as needed.Foster Care and Kinship CareBaptcare Foster and Kinship Carers help create a secure and loving environment for a foster child by taking day to day responsibility for their care. As part of a cooperative team (with the child’s family, other services and Baptcare foster care worker) foster carers focus on the best outcomes for the child, aiming to return them to their own families where safe to do so.Baptcare also provides support for Kinship Carers who have assessments pending and existing carers who would like an alternative support service other than the Department of Education, Children and Young People. If you are interested in the services Baptcare could offer, please discuss this with your Out of Home Care worker or reach out to our team.Baptcare Foster Carers provide respite care across short periods when a child’s primary carer needs a break, emergency care and short- or longer-term care.To learn more about our Foster Care and Kinship Care programs in Tasmania, click here. Foster Care services are also available in the Western Melbourne suburbs of Victoria – click here for more details.Other services for childrenBaptcare also provides disability support, affordable housing and asylum seeker assistance for families and children in need. Baptcare is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred and holistic services that respect the dignity, rights and diversity of every child. A Child Safety Officer and associated working group has been established to oversee our child safe strategies.If you would like more information about Baptcare’s services for children, please contact us on 13 22 78 or enquire online here.

• 24 Oct 2023

What does spiritual care mean?

Spiritual care supports the spiritual and emotional aspects of human life. It is based on the recognition that people are more than just physical beings – they have needs and values transcending the material world. Spiritual care can help people cope with illness, loss, grief, pain and other challenges by providing them with a sense of meaning, purpose, connection and hope.Spiritual Care emerged from the Christian church’s understanding of pastoral care. The central image of pastoral care was of a shepherd caring for their flock. In recent decades, the category of ‘Spiritual Care’ has been accepted as a broader term addressing the spiritual wellbeing needs of all people and is increasingly recognised as an essential part of person-centred care across a broad range of sectors. Pastoral and religious care is a subset of this category.Baptcare’s framework of Spiritual Care is shaped by its Baptist theological heritage, the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care and evidence-based research. This framework is a direct expression of Baptcare’s mission DNA, a key quality in our person-centred care models and a point of difference in the marketplace for both customers and staff. Baptcare is committed to a relational and wholistic understanding of spiritual wellbeing as the measure of meaning, purpose and belonging in human experience.Do I have to be religious to access spiritual care?Spiritual care is not limited to any religion or belief system. It respects the diversity and uniqueness of each person’s spirituality and does not impose any doctrine or agenda. Rather, it seeks to understand and honour each person’s own spiritual perspective and to facilitate their expression and exploration of it. Spiritual care can involve listening, talking, praying, meditating, reading, singing or engaging in rituals or ceremonies that are meaningful to the person accessing care.Who provides spiritual care at Baptcare?At Baptcare, spiritual care is provided by a team of Spiritual Care Coordinators and chaplains. This support is provided to our clients, their families and carers. Our spiritual care program focuses on truly getting to know each person and genuinely hearing what is important for them to express and share in their lives. Spiritual Care Coordinators also offer educational resources for care staff to support their work.Who benefits from spiritual care?Spiritual care can benefit anyone who is facing a difficult situation or transition in life. It can help people to find comfort and strength in their faith or values, to cope with emotions and fears, to reconcile with themselves and others, to express their gratitude and/or regrets, to discover new insights and possibilities and to prepare for death and bereavement. Spiritual care can also enhance the quality of life and well-being of people who are healthy and happy, by helping them to appreciate the beauty and mystery of life, to deepen their relationships with themselves and others and to grow in their spirituality.Why is spiritual care important?Spiritual care is a vital part of human care. It recognises that we are not only physical beings, but also spiritual beings who seek resilience and meaning in our lives. By attending to the spiritual dimensions of life, spiritual care can help us to heal emotionally as well as physically, to rebuild relationships and regain a sense of spiritual well-being. It can help strengthen knowledge and relationships we hold with our families, other people, the broader community, nature and anything else that is significant or sacred to our lives.

• 19 Oct 2023

Caregiver burden and burnout – signs to look out for and ways to prevent it

Key points:what are the signs of caregiver burdenwhat is the difference between caregiver burden and caregiver’s burnoutways to relieve caregiver burdenJenny, 56, is a full-time nurse and mother of three school-aged children, one of whom has a learning disability. Jenny is also the primary carer for her two elderly parents and her husband’s mother, and the go-to advisor for various elderly neighbours in her street.Jenny visits her local GP as she’s ‘just not feeling right’. She has been feeling overwhelmed, constantly tired and often on the verge of tears. Her GP explains that she has a classic case of caregiver burden.What is an informal and primary caregiver?One in 10 Australians are informal carers, the majority of whom do not receive government support payments.In 2018, one in three carers (33% or an estimated 861,600 people) were primary carers, meaning they provided the most care to a person with disability in one or more core activities (self-care, mobility and communication) (ABS 2019). ‘Other informal carers’ are people who provided informal care to someone but were not their primary carer.Primary carers are most commonly female (72%, compared with 50% of other informal carers in 2018). This varied further by age, with primary carers between the ages of 25 and 54 particularly likely to be female (81% of those aged 25–34, 82% of those aged 35–44, and 75% of those aged 45–54).Informal carers are people who provide care to those who need it within the context of an existing relationship, such as a family member, a friend or a neighbour. The demands of the role often go beyond what would normally be expected of these relationships. People who need help may also receive formal services from government and other organisations.What is caregiver burden? Caregiver burden can be defined as the (often cumulative) exhaustion experienced by a person who cares for a disabled, chronically ill or older family member/loved one.What is the difference between caregiver burden and caregiver burnout?If unrecognised and untreated, caregiver burden can escalate into caregiver burnout.Caregiver burnout is a serious state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that a carer can experience while they’re taking care of others. It’s worth remembering that the risk of burnout often increases as the responsibilities and burden of caregiving grow.Three common signs of caregiver burdenWhile not all caregivers may have the same caregiving experience as Jenny, here are three typical signs that you may be experiencing caregiver burden. 1. Feelings of being overwhelmed Often a carer can find their support is needed urgently with no time for them to plan their time, resources and mindset. More often than not, these new care responsibilities are added to an already long list of personal obligations the carer may have as a mother, wife and/or employee.The specific requirements of caring for people can also add to the feeling of being overwhelmed. Much caregiving is learnt on the job without any training and this responsibility is a huge burden for the carer. Perhaps the carer needs to deal with a new diagnosis of a family member that requires transporting them to various appointments, picking up and administering regular medication. Elderly family members may have cognitive issues, such as dementia, or need to be settled into respite or an aged care community. These things take patience, time and money that can cumulatively be overwhelming for a carer. 2. Financial strainThe burden of caregiving is often complicated by the financial pressure it can place on families. Apart from the costs associated with any medical treatments and medication, carers may find themselves needing to take time off work or even resigning from their jobs in order to support a loved one. This can cause financial strain on the carer and her family who may rely on the carer’s income. 3. Feelings of isolationApart from exhaustion, another common characteristic of caregiver burnout is a feeling of personal isolation. The caregiver may be so overwhelmed that they find it difficult to reach out for help. Additionally, the caregiver may feel that they shouldn’t burden other people with their issues or perhaps that they may not understand them.Three ways to relieve caregiver burdenRecognizing the signs of caregiver burden can help you proactively manage stress and reduce the chance of burnout. 1. Prioritise your wellbeingWhile caregivers may say they don’t have time for self-care, it’s essential. A bit like the oxygen mask instructions you’re given on a plane – caregivers need that wellbeing oxygen mask in order to keep caring for others.This self-care may be as simple as going for a walk with a friend or giving yourself permission to watch your favourite show on TV. The important thing is that you care a bit for yourself and regularly.In addition to emotional self-care, it’s important to prioritise your diet (fruit, vegetables and chocolate treats can help too!) and sleep to ensure that you stay healthy yourself. 2. Use local caregiver resources to support caregivers – like respite careEveryone deserves a break now and then to rest and recharge – which is why a respite stay with a provider like Baptcare can be a great option for caregivers and their loved ones.Every Baptcare aged care community offers short-term stays for older people in need of temporary care and accommodation, who have a current ACAT/ACAS approval for respite care.Carers Victoria offers widespread support for carers, including a Victorian Carer Support Group Directory to search for a group near you. You can even filter your search to target groups for specific types of carers or carers of people with specific needs.Also, consider free caregiver resources and training and online caregiver support groups to get ideas and emotional support. 3. The importance of carers seeking out specific coping skillsUnfortunately, carers can turn to unhealthy crutches like alcohol to cope with carer’s burden. Use of effective coping skills to reduce the level of personal burden can improve caregiver physical health and psychological well-being. Some examples may be:exercisealternative natural health practices like mediation or kinesiologycounselling – informal or formal - having someone listen is so valuableYou can read more about Caring for the Carer here.

• 12 Oct 2023

How to Care for the Carer

Key Points:The role of the carer can be fulfilling, however it can be both physically and emotionally demanding as wellIt is important to prioritise your wellbeing so you can be the best support person you can be to your loved onesIt is common for people to feel they have no choice but to be a carerThere are various free resources available online and in person to support your wellbeingYour role as a carer is incredibly important both to your loved one and to your community. Not only do you provide ongoing emotional support to your loved one, but you may also support them with their personal and health care, transport and administration needs, housekeeping/household chores and miscellaneous activities.Chances are that you do all these tasks in addition to juggling many other responsibilities in your life.While the role of a carer can be very fulfilling, it can also be demanding both physically and emotionally, and can be a cumulatively demanding job too. Therefore, it’s important that you prioritise your wellbeing.How to accept your role as a carer It is a common feeling for carers to feel they did not have a choice about becoming a carer. This role can occur gradually, through helping more as a loved one's independence reduces over time, or it may happen abruptly due to a health change or an accident. The responsibility as carer is often left to one individual within a family rather than being shared equally. There is an array of free resources available to you that could help support your wellbeing as you care for your loved ones.Connection: support groups and free resources for carers Carers Victoria is an aged care team that provides expert advice to support you in times of crisis, and can provide you with tools to plan for the future. If you need support or advice, call Carers Victoria on 1800 514 845 or visit their website. Carers Victoria also conducts wellbeing workshops for carers, which you can find here: calendar for carersCarer Support Group DirectoryThere are support groups in your local area made up of people who share common caring experiences. You can share knowledge and experiences and receive emotional, social and practical support. In addition to learning more about being a carer, these groups are also a great opportunity for you to meet other carers who may be in similar situations to you. You can find one in your local area by visiting Carers VIC Australia.How a primary carer can prioritise their own wellbeing Carers often overlook the importance of prioritising their own wellbeing. However, it’s extremely important that carers look after themselves or they will burn out and be unable to care for anyone. Try and give yourself a small amount of time each day to do whatever will ‘fill your cup’. Perhaps it’s as simple as going for a walk with a friend or doing some online learning or meditation. Or perhaps you’d just like to watch your favourite show on TV with a strong cup of tea. The important thing is that you care a bit for yourself.Also try and prioritise your diet (fruit, vegetables and chocolate treats can help too!) and sleep needs to ensure that you stay healthy yourself.Wellbeing apps and websites for carers Future learn: free online courses on health, languages, wellbeing and moreSpotify: play music anytime, anywhereHeadspace: Short meditation and mindfulness sessionsSmiling Mind: a guide on how to meditateHome fitness: YouTube has a wide range of workout videos. One of these options is ‘Fitness Blender’ Mental health support resourcesIf you are struggling with your mental health, there are resources and support available to you through Beyond Blue. If you need support phone 1300 224 636 or visit the website which includes an online chat function.What is Respite care? Respite care is when somebody else takes over and supports the person you care for so you can have a break. This gives primary carers an opportunity for short-term rest, to maintain mental health and wellbeing, and reduce the risk of you becoming exhausted or burned out.What are day centres? Baptcare day centres are friendly and comfortable facilities, with care delivered by qualified and experienced carers. Day respite at our day centres is available Monday to Friday. Baptcare offers ongoing regular bookings, occasional care, plus respite care at short notice for when the unexpected arises. Baptcare staff provide friendly and attentive care seven days a week, including public holidays.Baptcare offers additional support for carers. Talk to us about upcoming coffee mornings, dinners, outings, and carers’ meetings. Enquire today via our website.To read more about Caregiver burden and burnout – signs to look out for and ways to prevent it, click here.

• 12 Oct 2023

How to have the difficult conversations with ageing parents about home care

Key Points:It is important to have these conversations earlier rather than later so plans can be in place to ensure your loved one can remain supported at homeThere is between a six- and 18-month wait for home care services depending on when your parents have undergone an ACAS assessmentThe main benefit of receiving home care is to allow people to maintain their independence and to gain a better quality of lifeHaving open conversations with your parents and really listening to their feelings on home care may make them more open to the ideaBecome familiar with the language used and how home care packages workBook an appointment with a primary care physician to conduct an assessment on your parents’ physical and mental wellbeingWhen to discuss home care with elderly parents You may have noticed that your ageing parents are getting more overwhelmed with everyday tasks in their home. Perhaps changing sheets on their bed or keeping up with gardening or grocery shopping has started to cause them stress?It can be difficult to talk to our parents as they age about the need for them to get some extra help at home. However, it is important to have these conversations with your parents earlier rather than later so supports can be put in place to ensure that they can continue to live comfortably and independently at home. Wait time for home care servicesIt is important to start the conversation about home care before your parent or loved one needs help at home. This forward planning is necessary because there can be between a six- and 18-month wait for home care services, depending on the date your parents have undergone an assessment from Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS) and the priority your assessor gives to your parents’ application. Starting the conversation early will give you and your parents time to make plans and discuss care needs and options.Does my parent need home care?It can be difficult to know or predict when your parents are at a stage of needing home care, depending on factors such as their overall health, level of independence and ability to manage their daily activities. A resource that is helpful in beginning this process is by reaching out to My Aged Care to begin the assessment stage.The positives of home care Your parents may be hesitant to discuss home care so it’s important to highlight the benefits they will receive with extra home help. For example, let them know that the main benefit of receiving home care is to allow them to maintain their independence and to gain a better quality of life. You could focus on the positives of home care such as caregivers helping them with tasks around the house to make living at home easier, such as laundry, dishes, and cleaning. Another benefit is the companionship your parents will receive from their caregiver.To learn more about the benefits of home care, refer to our website about how Baptcare offers you the highest quality Home Care Services, delivered by our caring, quality staff.How to talk to your parents about home careYour parents may be uncomfortable to discuss the introduction of home care into their lives. It can be challenging for a parent to feel like they have lost a sense of independence and they may even feel embarrassed about the idea of needing help with personal care. To make sure this conversation remains positive and productive, your loved one must feel that they are being listened to and understood. By having open conversations with your parents and really listening to their feelings on homecare, you may be able to identify the reasons why they may be hesitant with the idea of receiving help. You can then work together to come up with solutions that suit the needs of both you and your loved one.Home care options You can help make the home care discussions and process smooth for your parents by starting your own research early. There are many home care options and different providers available, but you’ll need to spend time sifting through the information. If possible, become familiar with the language used and how home care packages work before you start the conversation with your parents. You will then be able to explain calmly to your loved one how a home care package works, what types of care are available and the cost of the services.It's also a good idea to involve your parents in the research phase, asking them questions and working out their preferences along the way. This collaborative approach may help your parents to process and accept the introduction of home care into their lives.Who can help me talk to my parents about home care? In some cases, you may find it difficult to have the conversation about home care with your parents. Perhaps you’re not the best person to float the idea of home care, and this is okay. If so, think about who a better fit for your parents may be – someone within your family, a spouse, an aunt or even a friend.Another option is to book in with your primary care physician to conduct an assessment. For some parents, advice coming from a trusted medical professional may mean they are more willing to accept home care.Baptcare is here to assist you with finding reliable information, understanding your options, and applying for a Home Care Package. We understand that the process can be difficult and confusing, and we are dedicated to guiding and supporting you every step of the way.

• 12 Oct 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Callum Poole

Tuesday, 10 October is World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day, two causes close to Callum Poole’s heart. A valuable part of Baptcare’s Mental Health team, Callum works in Baptcare’s Choices program, where we assist individuals discharged from hospital mental health units who may also be experiencing homelessness. We sat down with Callum to hear more about his role and what he’d change in the mental health space if given a magic wand. And speaking of wands, we also learnt about his love of all things Tolkien and Hobbiton but that’s another story. What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? My current role at Baptcare is Mental Health Practitioner in the Choices program, assisting people who are being discharged from the mental health ward of hospitals (and who are also at risk of homelessness) to find short-term housing. My day starts early as I have three little kids, a four-year-old boy and twin girls who just turned two. During the day I try to spend as much time as I can at the shelter to build a therapeutic relationship with the clients. I take them to appointments, advocate for them but mostly what I do is a great deal of listening. How long have you been working within the Mental Health team at Baptcare? I started working at Baptcare in May of 2022, so about a year and a half.Can you explain a bit more about Baptcare’s Choices program?The Choices Program operates in the south of Tasmania in partnership with the Royal Hobart Hospital. People can be referred to Choices while they are at inpatient locations such as the Department of Psychiatry, or other mental health residential or respite accommodations. The program also supports people in the community following discharge, with the aim to assist their return to the community and reduce the need for re-admission. Often the circumstances leading to admission include homelessness, in which case Choices can provide short-term emergency accommodation and intensive psychosocial support, allowing timely exit from inpatient services. What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the mental health space? I love the team I work with, and this is so important to me. It is a challenging role working with homeless people who have just come out of the Mental Health Wards but having a good team that I can be real with helps immensely.Working in the mental health space is great, I enjoy going home knowing that I am making a massive difference in people's lives. I also see it as a great privilege to work with people in their most vulnerable moments and for them to trust me enough to let me in to their world. World Mental Health Week aims to address what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. If you had a magic wand, what is something you’d change in the mental health space? Big question. I think it would be around lifting the shame that is associated with having a mental health issue. Talking to clients, friends, family and from my own experience, shame is often the barrier that stops people from getting the help that they need. By removing shame, I believe, people will seek help sooner which is shown to have positive impacts. Did you always want to work within the mental health space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? Working in Mental Health is not something I particularly wanted to do before starting the role. However, looking over my previous roles, they all have some form of mental health aspect to them.I have had an array of ‘people helping’ jobs:* School chaplain for 10-plus years, here in Hobart and the greater Darwin area.* Worked at a halfway house with individuals out of prison who were not managing their mental health medication correctly.* Launch Youth, a male youth homeless shelter.* House Parent in Darwin looking after hundreds of Aboriginal boarders from the top end of Australia. What is one thing you wished people understood/knew about mental health? The pervasiveness of having a mental health condition and the impact it has on every area of life. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was young, I wanted to be a scientist. I love understanding why things work the way they do. Can you tell us 2 surprising things about yourself? I am tall, I am 208cmAnd no, I do not play basketball. Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life? I have two.“Caffeine is not a drug; it’s a vitamin.”“A man without a vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.” - P.K Benard What are two things on your bucket list? I want to go to New Zealand and geek out at Hobbiton and spend as much time and money as my wife will let me. I love the works of Tolkien.I want to do a cycling tour of Tasmania. I think it will be a lovely way to slow down, (very slow with my current level of fitness!) and see this beautiful state. If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? I would love to sit down and have dinner with J. R. R. Tolkien. It would be great to ask all the questions that I have in my head regarding his written works like - what happened to the Entwives? Did he purposely make the name Denethor and Théoden similar? And where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?Thank you, Callum, for all that you give to our Baptcare community and for being a man with a vision. One day soon we look forward to seeing photos of you geeking out at Hobbiton with a strong cup of coffee in hand.

• 05 Oct 2023

How Baptcare is supporting mental health in Tasmania

Mental health is a vital aspect of well-being. Statistics show that one in eight people around the world are living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common. In Australia, more than 40 percent of Australians aged 16–85 are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.For people living with mental health conditions, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalised, having access to quality and holistic care is essential. Which is why Baptcare has developed a range of innovative and evidence-based programs to support people with mental health needs.What is Mindset Tasmania?Mindset Tasmania delivers psychosocial services to build people’s capacity to improve their mental health and make progress towards their recovery. Our programs work with adults experiencing severe and persistent or episodic mental health conditions, as well as people who are transitioning from hospital to community settings. Mindset Tasmania employs mental health practitioners and peer practitioners who use person-centred and strengths-based approaches to help clients identify their goals and remove barriers to living the life they want to lead.Mindset Tasmania offers three main programs: Foundations, Choices and Horizons.Foundations is a state-wide, nationally accredited, intensive psychosocial recovery-based program run by Baptcare in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides medium-term support for clients with complex needs.“The Foundations program is wonderful and they support the clients so well, unlike any other program. When Foundations was in its early stages we thought here is another program, how long will it last and will it deliver? We are so pleased to say that the program is great and the clients are so well supported once they leave our facility.” - Mental Health Services Case Manager, North Tasmania.Choices is a short-term, intensive outreach service operating in partnership with the Royal Hobart Hospital. The aim of this program is to assist people in the community following discharge from inpatient services or other mental health residential or respite accommodation. Choices is targeted at reducing the need for re-admission to in-patient care and provides transitional accommodation when necessary.“Choices helped me sort out my housing problems and helped me with my medications.” - Choices participant.Horizons is a short-term, intensive service that aims to equip clients with the strategies, skills and resources they need to work towards individual goals for their personal recovery. Individual, client-led support can be provided for up to 26 weeks.How does Baptcare ensure best practice support?The work we are doing with our Mindset Tasmania programs has been validated through independent research by the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University. This ensures our programs are of consistently high quality, accessible and tailored to the specific needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.Baptcare is committed to providing accessible, relevant and pragmatic support and care to people with mental health needs. By using research to continuously measure, refine and develop our services, we ensure that our programs are grounded in best practice and deliver on our vision to create communities where every person is cherished.How to contact usIf you are living in Tasmania and interested to know more about our Mindset programs, please contact us today on 1800 290 666.

• 05 Oct 2023

The bear necessities – Baptcare Wattle Grove residents knit toy teddies for children in need

If you hear a clicking sound around the corridors of Baptcare’s Wattle Grove Residential Aged Care community, chances are it’s Phyllis Dawe knitting.She’s good at it, which makes sense – she has had 90 years of practice. “I was taught to knit by my grandmother, auntie and mother when I was three or four,” Phyllis recalled.“I’ve been knitting ever since. I had a temporary stay at Wattle Grove last year and started knitting squares for residents’ rugs. When I went home I kept knitting the squares, well over 100.“Now that I have moved back in permanently, they said they wanted to make bears and I was more than happy.”Maria Alvaro, Wattle Grove Spiritual Care Coordinator, said, “We decided to knit bears to give to children in Baptcare’s Foster Care and Houses of Hope programs.“I approached Phyllis, knowing she has always been very involved in community work. We started knitting scarves for Bernie Bears, Baptcare’s stuffed toy bears. Then we decided to make some bears of our own.“Phyllis led the way and knitted 17 bears. The mother of our lifestyle assistant Kiran, Swarnjit Kaur, knitted another seven. We had staff and residents sewing them up, stuffing them and putting their faces on in a real team effort.“Then our Lifestyle team decided to make clothes for Bernie Bears, and that became its own project.“Phyllis is amazing, so proactive. She says it gives her meaning and purpose to do things for others. She’s an absolute joy,” Maria said.Phyllis grew up in Brunswick during the Depression, worked in clothing factories then spent the bulk of her career doing clerical work in Melbourne’s biggest hospitals. Her family was committed to the Salvation Army, an opportunity for Phyllis to exercise her love of singing and community outreach.“Knitting helps with my arthritis and it is very relaxing as long as you keep your mind on it,” Phyllis said.“I feel that it is something I can contribute so I should be doing it for people. They started calling me the Teddy Bear Lady in here!“I love the thought of refugee and foster care children receiving the bears, but I also want to keep going with rugs because I want to help out other people in Wattle Grove.”Never one to sit idle, Phyllis has rallied several other nimble-fingered residents to join in a project to make knitted bags to give out on Mother's Day 2024. “We are aiming for at least 50,” she shrugged.

• 22 Sep 2023

Meet TV writer Mike McColl Jones

Humble and quietly-spoken, it’s no surprise that Michael McColl Jones shocked TV executives years ago by building a quick rapport with the infamously prickly Graham Kennedy. A fan of cocktail frankfurts, James Patterson crime novels, soft liquorice and a good trashy magazine, just don’t put Mike near a stage or microphone!Mike, can we start with the irony of you hating the very thing that you spent your entire professional life supporting – live performance!I loathe public speaking! I don’t seek publicity at all. I’m very happy to stay behind the scenes.Graham (Kennedy) knew how terrified I was of public speaking and often used to joke that he never had to worry that I’d take over his job! Bert Newton used to say that I had ‘microphonobia”.But your speech at Graham Kennedy’s funeral where you read a Fax from Heaven that you said Graham had sent to you that morning was so brilliantly delivered. How did you manage this? I was so scared that I drove for over eight hours from Melbourne to Bowral, NSW for the funeral rather than flying so that I could commit the speech to memory.But I’ll tell you why I said yes to speaking at Graham’s funeral. There was no-one from Melbourne on his funeral bill who could speak live. Graham was Melbourne-born and he conquered everything from Melbourne. I felt it was very important that someone from Melbourne spoke at his funeral. And you even got everyone singing at the end of your speech?Yes! I didn’t know that I was going to be leading them all into the song until Geoff Harvey told me 20 minutes before the show that I needed to sing.I was petrified! There I was doing something that I hated even more than public speaking – singing!Can you imagine Graham laughing from heaven at your expense?Absolutely!You are renowned for your comedy writing, even awarded an OAM in 2017 for services to the arts and TV. But your entry into the world of TV writing was a story in itself.You started out as a travelling door salesman while also contributing material to Channel 9 on the side. You eventually got your break with a one-month trial working with Graham Kennedy. How was this month? Terrifying! For a start, I didn’t know if I would actually get the gig or not and I was starting from scratch. I was lucky to have met Fred Parsons who became my mentor. To my mind, the greatest comic writer this country has ever seen because he was a writer for vaudeville and theatre and a top writer for radio and TV in their golden days.Your relationship with Graham was unusually positive. Why do you think you got on so well?Before I started, Graham didn’t have a great relationship with writers because they tried to get away with murder – not all of them, but a lot of them.During my one-month trial, I sent Graham some material and then got a note back from him with feedback. It was pretty unheard of for Graham to write notes to writers and not long after that, I was given the permanent gig. I ended up writing for him for over twenty years.I didn’t treat Graham differently to other people. We had the same attitude to comedy that was basically get a laugh and if we got into trouble with the sponsors along the way, well, so be it.We upset all sorts of people but we also knew our boundaries.You always wanted to be a writer. Why? Yes, I always wanted to be a writer but I didn’t know of what.I wasn’t the classic prolific reader and writer as a child and I really don’t know why I wanted to be a professional writer. I just liked it.I think there’s a bit of rebel in all of us – certainly there is in me. I enjoyed pricking pomposity and big business through words.Probably the most rewarding thing was being able to do something under the cloak of anonymity – no one knew where the jokes and content was coming from and I loved it that way.What are some of the best memories of your TV writing career? (I’ve heard you say that you try only to remember good things, so I won’t ask you about your bad memories).I worked with Graham for over 20 great years.I introduced a few things into his shows that remained for the full life of the show.For example, I introduced a segment ‘Headlines of the future’ that ran every Wednesday for 10 years.Graham would have a mocked-up paper and it was headlines you may read in the paper 30 years hence.I remember the first joke I did for this segment:Today Elizabeth Taylor celebrated her golden wedding anniversary – 50 husbands!With your vast experience in writing and dealing with people – what have you learnt?The thing you learn is that everyone is the same – everyone has fears and gets cranky. People are nothing out of the ordinary just because they’re famous.Did anything surprise you looking back now at your career? I think the thing that surprised me most of all is that it’s all over in a moment. You can worry about something for days but when you’ve completed a show – or delivered a speech – it’s over and in the ether. There’s no time to say I’ll do it again - you don’t have that opportunity – it’s hit or miss.After being in TV industry for so long, what advice would you give your younger self?My advice is that once you’ve created something and had it published or performed, don’t worry about it. There’s no point in worrying about something once it’s done – it’s out there and finished. Let it go.I generally try not to hurt people but at times you do, and at times you can do this intentionally because you don’t like them necessarily! But I try not to hurt anyone because I think comedy should be a place where we do laugh and have some fun. More importantly, we should laugh at ourselves. That’s the best sort of humour.You also need to be able to work really hard and be committed.When I worked as TV writer for Graham and others I was in the studio from 9.15a.m. to two or three a.m. the next day for five days a week for over 20 years.It’s a job and I did it to the best of my ability.I did 25 Logies and two Royal Command performances for the Queen and Charles and Di. They were big shows – huge pressure events.Who makes you laugh?Bert and Graham made me laugh. But people don’t have to be comedians to make me laugh. Friends who would be known to no-one make me laugh.I’ve retained friendships with lots of people. For 50 years, I met all the top people in the world. For 50 years! That’s throwing in people like Americans Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart.If there was a TV series made about you, what would it be called?Mr NervousAre you a nervous person?Yes, particularly if I get close to a stage or a microphone! Bert used to say that I had microphonophobia.But being a writer, you can be behind the scenes. That must have helped?Yes, well, you have to be! I was lucky enough to have a relationship with GK/Bert and Steve Vizard and they could almost tell what I was thinking before I said it/did it/wrote it down.One night during ‘Tonight Live’ I made Steve laugh so hard that he had to go to a commercial break because he couldn’t continue. It was just something I said off the top of my head and he just collapsed laughing – it had hit a nerve. I’d say it into his ear live – I’d just walk over and tell him something.Did you seek out accolades during your career?No! No! The worst thing that could happen to me would be to get singled out – I hated that.It was enough that the jokes worked on the night.There’s no way known that anyone could fool me into thinking that a bad show was a good show. We seldom had bad shows but on those rare occasions there’d be no drinks in GK’s dressing room.Are you a big reader?Yes, I read everything. I read all sorts of things from the local paper to magazines. I love the trashy magazines – I don’t believe a thing about them and they contradict themselves in the one story!I also like crime fiction and airline disaster books.My favourite crime writer is James Patterson. I bought his first book in New York and started reading it and thought he has worked out the formula for books and it’s a lot like a TV show –it’s all about pace. If you establish good pace early in a show or a book, you’ve got an audience hooked and nothing can stop you.You’re a published author of at least six books. Do you still write today?Yes. I do a weekly column for the Melbourne Observer and I’m also writing another book. This one is going to be the most interesting one of all.It’s unusual because I haven’t decided what the book is about yet – I keep changing my thoughts on it.My books have always been about other people but this book will be about me. It is likely to include some family history and some tips on how to write jokes.I write a little bit each day and it’s enjoyable because I have no idea how it’s going to turn out . Like many fiction writers who say they enjoy the process because they don’t know what their characters are going to do…well, I have no idea and I’m the character and I don’t know what I’m going to do (laughing).We’ll look forward to reading your book.So will I!Can we chat a bit now about your time at Hedley Sutton. What do you enjoy about life at Hedley?I’ve been at Hedley since the start of this year and everyone has been terrific.I don’t have any complaints. It’s the people who make it. You could have flashy marble everywhere in a place but it wouldn’t make any difference if the people were no good.I think the staffing is fantastic – there are some really, really good people – particularly a lot of younger people who are taking the trouble to find out things about how the place runs that impresses me. By and large for an organisation that’s so care oriented, it does a very good job.The other thing - and people can’t believe me when I say this – but the food here is amazing!What’s amazing about it?The variety, flavour and the way in which it’s served – it’s inventive and impressive.What they’d managed to do with food is that they take normal menu items and they play with them – put spices in them – make the food really interesting. The chef Elton has just got a dedication – Baptcare is so lucky to have someone like that.Our chef, Elton must have heard you talking! (Elton comes over to join the conversation and Mike gives Elton some live feedback).I think you should be very proud of what you do Elton. Congratulations. Your Japanese pancake on today’s lunch menu was fantastic! But one thing you shouldn’t ignore – with footy season around the corner – please include some cocktail frankfurts! They’ll be really popular, trust me.Do you get involved in the activities at Hedley?No, I don’t join in any of the activities at the moment because I tend to do my own thing, including working on my book. But I do eat dinner in the dining room and have made a few friends – some charming people who have made me feel very welcome.Any motto in life? Someone asked me recently what I would change in my life and I can say absolutely nothing.What’s done is done, and how am I going to change it? That’s me anyway. There’s nothing you can do about things that are done. It doesn’t worry me. Perhaps it should?What are you proudest of in your career?Making people laugh – it has been my forté for so many years and hopefully having people leave the studio/theatre in a better frame of mind than when they came in.Unfortunately, we’ve got to the stage in society now where you’ve got to be careful with anything you say. My attitude is don’t be careful with anything – just do it! I’d prefer to get a laugh rather than have someone snooze and nod off.There’s little danger of that happening in your company Mike. Thank you for your time. You can learn more about Baptcare Hedley Sutton community on our website:https://www.baptcare.org.au/services/aged-care-homes/residential-aged-care-homes/camberwell-residential-aged-care

• 20 Sep 2023