Category Archives: Communication

National Human Rights Survey

National Mental Health Consumer Alliance Human Rights Survey 2025

The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has launched Australia’s only national Human Rights Survey designed by and for people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The Alliance is gathering lived evidence to hold systems accountable — tracking how well Australia upholds its human rights obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The survey is open until 31 December 2025, is anonymous and will be analysed by the lived experience research group, ACACIA.The results will shape national advocacy to make sure human rights are real for all mental health consumers.

Take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AllianceHR2025

Connecting Carers Grant October 2025-30 June 2026

Dear Inner South Family and Friends   ( CCC202500072 )

We are delighted to inform you that your project,  : Carer Resilience: Culturally Responsive Mental Health Support Initiative, has been awarded funding through the Victorian Government’s Connecting Carers in their Community Small Grant Program 2025/26.

Project Title:  : Carer Resilience: Culturally Responsive Mental Health Support Initiative 

Grant Amount Awarded:  $24,000.00 

Grant Period: October 2025 to 30 June 2026

For more details email Judi Burstyner at Judi.burstyner@gmail.com

Turning Point

Mapping the ecosystem of addiction report launch.With the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University, we have developed a map of the ecosystem of addiction.

Alcohol and other drug services in Australia are wide-ranging and serve many different needs. They often overlap with other areas like mental health, hospitals, housing, justice, and community support, which can make the system confusing and hard to navigate. Without a clear understanding of how it all fits together, efforts to improve the system may not work well.Based on the concept of health care as a Complex Adaptive System, this seminar presents a graphic that provides a holistic view of AOD services.The graphic provides a detailed map of issues, influences, interdependencies, workarounds, disconnects, and facilitators.

When: Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Time: 12pm to 1pm
Location: online
Cost: Free

 

Alfred Health Carer Services eNews November 2025

Welcome to our November edition of eNews

This month you will find lots of useful information and activities available for carers.

Click on the headings below to jump to a section:

Alfred Health Carer Services News
Our Upcoming Events
Male Carers
Carer Stories
Around Our Region: Services & Programs
Library Spotlight
Carer Support Group Spotlight
Podcasts
Taking Care Of Yourself
Staff Q&A

Inner South Family and Friends Meetings and Events for 2026

Dates to Diarise for 2026

We are in the throes of planning our 2026 programme.

Monthly Meetings, second Tuesday of the month, commencing in February:

10 February

10 March

14 April

12 May

9 June

14 July

11 August

15 September

13 October

10 November

Social functions being considered are:

  • a day at Peninsula Hot Springs
  • lunches,
  • cinema,
  • day outing / special walk / regional gallery visit

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS – email isfaf@alfred.org.au

Inner South Family and Friends Walk n Chat

BEACH WALK N CHAT ON THE FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH  TUESDAY OF THE  MONTH

Walkers generally meet at 1pm, with non-walkers joining us at 2.15pm, for a drink provided by ISFAF.   Family members, including canines are very welcome.  Bookings by phone / text to Alexis on 0423 939 949 are essential, or by 10am on the day of the walk.  Please state your name when you book and ensure that you have provided a return phone number, that is, if your number does not show up when you call, please include it and your name in the message. Times and starting points may vary, as may the availability over the holiday season.

2024 Tuesday Walk n Chat dates to diarise:  December 2, 16 and 30,   January 6 and 20

Advance Notice for 2026 – Commencing in 2025, Penny has offered to organise a second regular walking group in the South Melbourne/Port Melbourne/Albert Park area. This will be in addition to our regular Elwood Walk n Chat. If you are interested, and to assist with planning, please advise Penny of your preferred choice of days by calling or messaging her on  0400 979 976 or sending an email either to pmal@catullus.com.au or to  isfaf@alfred.org.au.  The suggested venue is Albert Park starting and finishing at the coffee shop on the light rail at Armstrong Street Station. There is a car park alongside the café directly opposite the Middle Park Bowling Club. If leaving a message, please be sure to clearly leave your name and contact details.                                                                             

Inner South Family and Friends End of Year Christmas Dinner

2025  END-OF-YEAR CHRISTMAS DINNER 6PM TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER AT CUSINA 130 ERSKINE STREET MIDDLE PARK

Bookings close 5pm Wednesday 3 December

Free parking is available in Erskine Street

TO BOOK

  1. Deposit $5 for pensioners or $10 for non-pensioners to ISFAF Community Account,  BSB 033169   A/c No:  258307  to reach ISFAF account by Wednesday 3 December

Please ensure that your deposit shows your name and names of any others in your booking.

  1. Email confirmation to Penny Lewisohn pmal@catullus.com.au or isfaf@alfred.org.au

      In your email, include

  • Name, phone number and email of each individual attending (preferably mobile phone number)
  • Choice of main course for each person and their special dietary needs if any

Cusina is a gourmet restaurant with a highly regarded chef. We have held our end of year dinner here for the previous two years as members seem to enjoy the outdoor ambience, let’s hope it is fine! Food will be cooked specifically for us on the night. We are a big group. To assist the chef, we must advise the restaurant of our main courses by the previous Wednesday night. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE YOUR MIND ON THE NIGHT It causes chaos for everyone!

Accordingly, please let us know in your email which ONE of the following main courses you wish to have:

 – any ONE pizza shown on the menu. The list of pizzas is on on the Cusina website:  https://www.opentable.com.au/r/cusina-middle-park

 – or one of the following pasta dishes:

  • beef ragu pappardelle (pappardelle pasta with slow cooked beef brisket in red wine and paprika sauce)
  • spaghetti with prawns in lobster bisque
  • gnocchi with pumpkin and gorgonzola
  • or chicken cacciatore : boned chicken thighs with roasted capsicum olives and onion with a touch of Napoli sauce served w roasted potatoes  (GF)
  • or fish of the day: wild caught barramundi fillet roasted tomatoes ,potatoes ,olives and caramelised red onion (GF)

If anyone in your booking has special dietary needs you MUST let us know the specific needs in your email.

All of the above pastas and pizzas can be made GF if you advise ahead.

Please note that the meal is highly subsidised by AMAH.  Drinks other than tap water are not included in the above cost. Any drinks other than tap water are to be ordered and paid for individually at the bar upon order.

Confirmation of booking will be emailed to individuals whose deposits show up in the above account AND who have emailed isfaf@alfred.org.au.  with their choice of main course (and any special dietary needs)

WE THANK THE VICTORIAN STATE GOVERNMENT, CARERS VIC AUSTRALIA AND AMAH FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUBSIDISING THIS AMAZING DINNER FOR US TO ENJOY

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The Age AM News 30 October 2025