News and views from our community

Orana offers new social housing option

“I have found the unit that I am living in to be comfortable, warm and something that I have wanted to live in my whole life. It is an amazing piece of architecture that is modern and light” – Ken, a former architect and one of the five residents who calls the new social housing development at Orana home. To ease homelessness four new social housing units have been built by Baptcare, in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, in East Devonport. Tenants moved in recently and come from Tasmania’s priority social housing list. They are all older Tasmanians, still capable of living independently, who have been provided the opportunity to live comfortably in affordable housing rather than private rental accommodation where they have not been able to manage their health and/or financial situation due to the ongoing costs of living.Baptcare Affordable Housing (BAH), a subsidiary company of Baptcare, will manage the units as part of Baptcare’s commitment to the Devonport community.The new units sit adjacent to Baptcare’s Orana Respite and Social Centre. Baptcare Disability Services Manager, Catherine Viney said this development realised Baptcare’s vision and commitment to social housing by providing homes that are well located, of quality build and affordable to lower income households.“The shortage of affordable housing in Tasmania is extreme. 34% of households renting in Tasmania are living in rental stress, a 17% increase since 2011 which is far too many people struggling to keep a roof over their head, as well as afford the basics of life. It is this chronic shortage of affordable rental housing which is a leading cause of homelessness,” said Ms Viney.“Our goal with these units is to improve access to affordable housing options for those who are struggling, as well as creating a community where residents can participate fully in life and live independently, with rent adjusted to tenants’ income.“Baptcare is excited to deliver this opportunity to the people of Devonport and help create positive memories for all who reside here,” said Ms Viney.This development would not have been possible without the valuable contribution and partnership with Housing Tasmania who contributed $440,000 toward the project.

• 24 Oct 2019

Celebrating and thanking our carers

National Carers Week provides the opportunity for Baptcare and other organisations to recognise the outstanding role that carers play in the community. Each year carers save the Government $60.3 billion through their caring role.Of the 43,399 children in out of home care in Australia, 20,528 are living in formal kinship care. Kinship care refers to care provided by relatives or members of the child’s social network when a child is unable to live at home with their parents and is the preferred placement option within the child protection system. The demands on carers are diverse, extending from the care of the child, to negotiation with parents, support services and the legal system.Informal kinship carers receive very little or no support financially and a number of grandparents have had to dip into their retirement savings, while others have had to sell their homes.Baptcare has highlighted the work of carers in its report into family violence in kinship care, including evidence that 82% of carers experienced psychological, emotional or verbal abuse caused by a family member of the child. Consistently carers identify threats and intimidation resulting in the loss of social connection.One carer explained, “I was treated like I was so lacking in value. I was very tired of hearing the phrase, “you’re only the grandmother””.Carers Week gives Baptcare and the wider community the opportunity to acknowledge carers as more than, ‘only the grandmother.’ While carers are lamenting the lack of respect and recognition, Baptcare recognises that, “respect, encouragement and validation are no-cost resources that could make a huge difference in the life of a kinship carer with flow on benefits for the children in their care.”[1] ‘ It’s been an absolute nightmare’ Family violence in kinship care. August 2017.

• 15 Oct 2019

Baptcare to offer affordable housing option in Melbourne’s east

Baptcare Affordable Housing will soon offer an affordable housing option to single people on low incomes in Ringwood.Eight one bedroom units, which are part of a much larger complex of 195 units, will provide a home to those who find it difficult to manage in the private rental market, helping them feel safe and supported.Baptcare Head of Housing and Homelessness, Cliff Barclay said this acquisition realises Baptcare's vision of providing housing that is well located and affordable to lower income individuals."The housing shortage in Victoria is extreme. Only 7.6% of new lettings in Melbourne are 'affordable' – compared to 30% a decade ago. The chronic lack of affordable rental housing is a leading cause of homelessness," said Mr Barclay."Our goal with these units is to improve access to affordable integrated communities for disadvantaged people, as well as offering a space where residents can participate fully in life and live independently, with rent adjusted to tenants' income."Baptcare is excited to become part of the Ringwood community, to provide much needed accommodation and help create positive memories for all who reside here."These units will help to transform people's lives," said Mr Barclay.Residents of the units are currently being recruited and will have access to a variety of first class amenities within the development including a yoga room, gymnasium, café, cinema room, large communal kitchen, and shared entertainment spaces all of which can be booked by residents.The units are located alongside bicycle and walking tracks and within a short distance to Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood Square and transport options.

• 20 Sep 2019

Graduate aged care worker wins state award

Baptcare Karingal staff member, Anna Daniel has been awarded the Equity Vocational Student of the Year Award at the 2019 Tasmanian Training Awards.This award recognises the achievements of apprentices, trainees and vocational students who strive for the highest standards of knowledge and skills within their industry.Shirley Shaw, Baptcare Karingal Nurse Unit Manager said the aged care sector needs more workers like Anna.“Anna is a great example of an employee who lives and breathes our Baptcare values. She is vibrant, passionate and extremely professional. Her work ethic and commitment to residents is truly admirable. She is a wonderful choice to receive this accolade,” said Shirley.Anna commenced working with Baptcare Karingal Community in May 2019 as an Extended Care Assistant after she had completed her work placement with Baptcare.Anna says it is a dream position to work in.”I am very happy and grateful to be working at Karingal Community. I’m very appreciative to Shirley for all her support and encouragement during my work placement and for her commitment to education and training, and her encouragement to get the best from all employees. I’m so proud to be a team member at Karingal Community,” said Anna.Looking to the future, Anna wants to improve her skills while striving to deliver the best care possible, working hard to display ethics, integrity, respect and dignity.“I will keep increasing my knowledge base by attending training sessions offered through Baptcare and the community to further assist families and residents. My aim is to always provide optimum care with heart and compassion, respecting life until its final stage. I will work towards always striving to improve a resident’s quality of life,” said Anna.Baptcare believes Anna is an exceptional example of one of our aged care workers delivering the best of care and we wish her our heartfelt congratulations.This is the second time in as many years that Baptcare Karingal Community has won a state-based Award. We couldn’t be prouder!

• 20 Sep 2019

Baby joy for Karen and Garry

New to foster care, Karen, 50 and Garry, 58 recently added to their family of six, with a baby boy who they fostered for 10 months.The Audley’s, who live in Altona, decided the timing was right to become foster carers as their own four children, aged 25, 23, 22 and 17, were now all grown. “It’s something we have been thinking about for many years. We have always enjoyed having kids around and the timing was finally right for us to be able to foster,” said Karen. “Having retired three years ago, it was a great opportunity for us to give something back. We love having kids around as they bring so much joy. Having worked so much when my own children were born, this was a great opportunity for me to get involved and give back,” added Garry.Karen and Garry started working with Baptcare in February last year and were accredited in June 2018.“We have worked with Baptcare for the last 12 months, after being given a list of providers located in the western suburbs by Foster Care Australia. Having had a past affiliation with the Baptist Church, Baptcare just felt right for us,” said Karen. “Our experience so far has been extremely positive. We instantly became part of an extended family. After our training and four home interviews Baptcare also became part of our family and really got to know our kids making the whole process very easy,” said Garry.Karen and Garry received their first foster child in October 2018. Felix* came to them at four months of age as a result of his young mother being in an abusive relationship and did not have the support available to care for him by herself.“Felix had never lived with his mum or dad; he went straight from the hospital to kinship care where he was removed due to safety concerns through protection services,” said Karen. “We got to spend 10 months with him and enjoyed so many of his milestones – crawling, walking and his first birthday. He was such an easy going, happy child despite his dislike of sleep. We will treasure those moments for a long time,” said Karen. “When the time came to say goodbye, despite how hard it was, we knew that he was going to a good home, and transitioning to another foster family who already had his half-brother in their care, and whom was looking at permanently fostering both of them,” said Garry.Karen and Garry say being foster carers is highly rewarding.“Seeing Felix happy and knowing we could give him a loving environment that he could thrive and develop in was so satisfying,” said Karen. “We saw such a dramatic change in Felix from when he came to us to when he left, he was just so happy and content, and we take comfort in being able to do that for him. He also did a lot for us as a family. Our entire family enjoyed him, and he brought a bit of life back to us,” said Garry.Karen and Garry, who are committed to a short term and emergency foster care arrangement, are currently awaiting another child to foster and highly recommend foster care to anyone considering getting involved.“If you are considering it, do it for the kids. We’ve got memories that we will treasure, and the children have an opportunity to grow in safety,” said Garry.This week (September 8-14) is Foster Care Week.Baptcare celebrates and appreciates our pool of amazing foster carers and the invaluable contribution they are making to the lives of vulnerable children and young people and the community as a whole.People interested in becoming a foster carer with Baptcare can phone 13 22 78 or visit www.baptcare.org.au*name has been changed to protect the individual’s identity.

• 09 Sep 2019

Cafe pays it forward

Home Ground Café located in Mornington is a café with a difference.Opened in 2017 with the support of Baptcare’s Community Grants program providing funding of $45,000, Home Ground is a social enterprise that supports young people. From inception to realisation the Café has been a space which focuses on vocational training, and employment placing to many local enterprises, and health equity access for better diet and food practises.The daily operations of the café in the middle of a disadvantaged neighbourhood combined with the Café’s strong Pay it Forward model has seen this social enterprise become a second home and space for connection and belonging for a diverse range of local community members.Sam Keck, Owner of Commonfolk Coffee Co which supplies the coffee at Home Ground says hospitality and tourism has the highest skills shortage of any sector on the Mornington Peninsula, and at the same time has the highest youth unemployment in Victoria.“Right now, in Australia, there is a real disparity between entry level unskilled workers and skilled hospitality jobs that need to be filled but no mechanism in the middle able to train these people. Businesses are left struggling to find actual vocational experience. Home Ground bridges that gap between unskilled workers and providing the skills necessary to fill the roles within hospitality,” said Sam Keck.“Social enterprises like Home Ground are a really important ingredient in the community and the business landscape because of what they bring as a consistent, sustainable change maker and influence for change.“It is vital for us to train and support people to engage in hospitality, providing them with opportunities and showing them there are viable careers to be had within the industry,” said Sam Keck.Home Ground partners with Commonfolk Coffee Co to connect with local industry leaders to provide onsite experience to its trainees and offers a glimpse into some of the best restaurants and cafés on the Peninsula. Upon completion of their training, trainees will be supported to find lasting employment.“Not only does Home Ground offer pretty special coffee, it’s also coffee that helps change lives and offers young people the training to become the best baristas in the world” said Sam Keck.Another aim of Home Ground is to be a place to hang out, meet new people, and share a sense of belonging, connectedness and friendship. Home Ground has been designed in consultation with the local community creating an aesthetic that fits the community and provides them with a sense of ownership.Sam Hearn, Youth Worker, Board Member and Councillor says this is evident on a daily basis.“What I love when you come to Home Ground is seeing a whole bunch of people from all walks of life eating, drinking coffee, having a good chat and enjoying themselves. The icing on the cake is knowing, that for our staff, this is their first opportunity in hospitality and that they are the reason our customers are smiling,” said Sam Hearn.Home Ground is also working with local community gardens and growers to focus menu items on locally sourced and grown produce, developing a supply chain that aims to have a positive environmental and social impact. The menu is accessible but healthy and they are keen to offer community cooking and meals that give people from the local community an opportunity to share skills and create awareness around healthy eating.Key Youth Trainee and Employee, Joel Furneaux couldn’t be happier at being given the opportunity to develop his skills at Home Ground.“Cafes in general have a wonderful equalising force in society where everyone from all walks of life can come and be equal. At Home Ground, your financial situation doesn’t determine whether you can or can’t come through the door. I think that’s a really beautiful place to create equality and a space of harmony,” said Joel.Home Ground is just one of many that Baptcare has aided over the years through the Community Grants project, helping many realise long held dreams.“The support that Baptcare provided Home Ground was amazing. We wouldn’t have begun the project without the funding we received from Baptcare. It provided 25 per cent of our initial start up need,” said Sam Hearn.“This has enabled us to develop a model that has now reached a place of sustainability from our own revenue that ensures we can continue to transform our community and the lives of young people week in, week out, and for many years to come!” said Sam Hearn. Watch more of Home Ground athttps://vimeo.com/305639632

• 29 Aug 2019

The Orchards wins national award

Congratulations to The Orchards Community who were recently awarded the title of “National Winner of the 2019 Australian Achiever Award for Australia’s Retirement & Care Services”, as well as being the VIC State Winner. This is an excellent result which highlights quality customer relations and service within the aged care sector.Now in its 22nd year, the Australian Achiever Awards are an independent, unbiased award system based on assessment ratings from a companies’ own clients. The Award focuses on seven criteria: time related service, addressing client neeeds, care and attention, value, attitude, communication and perception.Residential Care and Services Manager, Belinda Wandabwa said this award reflects The Orchard’s promise of delivering on customer satisfaction.“Winning this award highlights our dedication to provide our residents the care and attention they deserve, addressing their needs in a way that satisfies and brings happiness. The Orchards are very proud of all of our staff and the real sense of community and home we have built here,” said Belinda Wandabwa.When asked about The Orchards Community, residents were quoted to say,“I am very happy. I have had an enjoyable stay so far, and am very settled here. I appreciate the excellent customer service I receive from the staff, and I really enjoy the company of the other residents.”“The staff are always friendly and nice at all times. I appreciate that they make things easy to understand. All services, such as lunch, are always ready on time. The hours are excellent as friends and family can visit when they please. And the facility is well presented, clean and tidy.”“I have been amazed by the quality and variety of food. The general layout of the facility is excellent, including the television, internet and car parking. They have put care and attention to detail in with many things like the bed linen and bath towels, for example, which are of excellent quality. I am extremely happy.” Baptcare The Orchards Community achieved a 97.25% overall score for Customer Service and Relations, topping all other Australian Retirement & Care Services businesses. Anything above 80% overall is regarded as exceptional and reflects outstanding customer service. Well done to all involved!

• 01 Aug 2019

A little goes a long way — how one community came together to help those less fortunate

Every Saturday, Anjuman-e-Saifee Melbourne, a Chapter of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community in Melbourne, run a school which is attended by local children to practice their religion, culture and language skills. One important part of the teachings that this community school is focussed on is social justice, and compassion to others who may be less fortunate — an important lesson in this day and age!This teaching came into practice over a weekend in July, when members of our Sanctuary team visited the school and were presented with food and dry goods, by the school children. The children had held a fundraiser where they raised money to purchase rice, lentils and cooking oil.Tuaha a member of the Anjuman-e-Saifee Chapter, who also worked within the Transformation team at Baptcare said "fundraisers like this bring our teachings into practice. To see the children, take ownership and even loading the donated goods into the van and listening to Peter talk about Sanctuary, was a delight".Presently Baptcare's Sanctuary program presently has 134 residents, many with no income as they are not allowed to work or have not been able to find work, and who are not eligible for any government income support, so donations of food and food drives like the one the children ran are essential. Without this support, people go hungry and poor nutrition contributes to additional health challenges.Donations, food and furniture are always needed as they go towards providing aid for Sanctuary's transitional accommodation and related support services. These services aid in empowering homeless people seeking asylum and enable them to move towards living an independent life within the Australian community. For more information on how you can assist, contact Cliff Barclay, Head of Housing and Homelessness via cbarclay@baptcare.org.au.

• 18 Jul 2019

How Baptcare and the NDIS has worked to support Roxy

Roxy is a happy and resilient nearly 4-year-old little girl. Through the support of their ECEI coordinator, Roxy and her family were able to transition to the NDIS in 2018, and she is now receiving support through her second NDIS plan.Through the support that Baptcare is able to provide, Roxy regularly receives the therapy that she requires, and now has the ability to reach and use her hands for play and some functional tasks when her posture and seating are supported. Roxy has also become more vocal and has increased the sounds that she can make, and due to the improvements in her oral control, has increased safety when eating.“To see the improvement in Roxy has been wonderful to watch and be a part of. She is a wonderfully happy little girl, and to see her increased play skills and communicative skills, just shows the impact the NDIS can have” said Jessica.Roxy has also shown development in her receptive language skills. Through her therapy, Roxy has been able to learn to scan between two items unassisted and fix her gaze on the item that she wishes to choose. Roxy has been able to have the assessment required to work towards vital assistive technology that will allow her comfort and increase participation in her social environment.Roxy has now been set up with an eye-gaze system, which she has demonstrated great success with. This is a huge achievement for Roxy, allowing her to have some choice and control in her world and work towards increasing her initiation of social interactions and of her needs and wants.Roxy has also received assistive technology to support her during her self-care needs, to assist with her comfort and safety, encourage the use of her hands to engage in some of these tasks and to reduce the physical demands on her informal supports.

• 04 Jul 2019