Last week The Family Centre ran an information session for the team at Surf Dive n Ski (SDS) about our organisation and volunteering. The SDS team are committed to giving back to the community through involvement in local events, fundraising, and supporting families & young people. Companies that engage in corporate volunteering actively support their employees to volunteer in their local communities, which in turn contributes to fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities.

When asked what their motivations were SDS staff said ‘It was a sense of wanting to give back to others, providing opportunities to support community wellbeing, making a difference to someone who may need a little extra support’. We look forward to having these passionate staff involved with our volunteer program.

If you would like to attend an information session, become a volunteer or start a volunteer program for your company contact us via our website www.thefamilycentre.org.au

This month Surf Dive and Ski also launched their work experience and mentoring program ‘Ready for Work’. It is open to young people participating in The Family Centre’s programs, who will have the opportunity to work alongside some experienced team leaders at SDS. During the three-week program they experience many facets of the SDS business. The young person’s efforts are recognised with a certificate of successful completion of the program. The aim of the program is to gain the confidence and skills to secure future employment. The young person will receive mentoring from SDS staff over the following 12 months to support them in achieving their goals.

The Family Centre’s playgroups are bringing more natural resources into child led play and increasing learning opportunities. Playgroup workers Vanessa and Simone approached the Tweed Heads Men’s Shed to create a custom made tree house. The Men’s Shed were happy to come on board, and through the vision of the playgroup workers built an amazing tree house from mostly recycled timber. The Children have loved playing with the tree house, transforming it to a magical fairy house and much more. Thank you to the Tweed Heads Men’s Shed for supporting The Family Centre and the families in our community.

The Creating Opportunities Fund (COF) was initiated by our Executive Director, David Boutkan in 2007.

COF is used to assist families participating in our programs with the costs of school uniforms, school excursions, remedial tutoring, musical tuition and instruments, books, computer equipment, sports club fees and uniforms, travel and accommodation to events etc.

COF has been supported through large donations from local clubs and smaller donations from individuals, community groups, and fundraising by our Volunteer Leadership Group.  See below some of the ways the COF fund is used. We welcome any donations to assist us assist families.

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a huge shift in the way people with a disability interact and relate to service providers. They now have control of their funds and can make informed choices about the services they purchase.

However, as with any new policy or initiative, the complex change process can be confusing and difficult. DAISI provides independent information and advice to people with a disability and their carers and can help you to navigate the system and get the best outcome.

DAISI has their head office in Ballina and are now co-locating with The Family Centre at our Frances St, Tweed Heads office.

If you need independent information and advice about the NDIS, you can contact DAISI on 1800 800 340 or email [email protected] or visit the website www.daisi.asn.au

You are invited to participate in the 2018 North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) Local Health Needs Community Survey.

All Northern NSW and Mid North Coast residents aged 15 years and over are encouraged to complete the survey while it's still open (between the 4-17 June 2018).

Click here to complete the survey now

The survey will ask you questions about the barriers and challenges you've experienced when trying to access and use local health services. We are specifically asking questions that no other official surveys have asked before, so the information gained is unique and focuses on gaps in current knowledge about health services, use and challenges. The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. All responses will be kept completely confidential.

Everyone who completes the survey will have the opportunity to go into a draw to win one of five $200 grocery vouchers.

Feel free to forward this survey invitation to your family members, friends and local networks, as they are community members too!