Tandem eNews 24 November 2020

Tandem logo

Final Tandem Members Meeting for 2020 on 10 Dec

It has certainly been a challenging year for all. To celebrate and reflect on the year that was 2020, please join us for a virtual celebration on Thursday 10 December from 10am-12pm.

If you register for the Members Meeting by 3rd December, you will receive a $20 e-vouchert or purchase your own refreshments or nibbles to help celebrate. If you register after 3rd December, you will be reimbursed up to $20 for the refreshments or nibbles you purchased upon the presentation of your receipt(s).

We are also planning a fun activity! We look forward to seeing you there.

When you register to attend you will be sent a link that will enable you to login to the meeting online at its scheduled time and telephone numbers if you prefer to dial in using a telephone. If you have any feedback, reflections or questions you would like to ask, please contact us.

If you’re not yet a formal Tandem member, please join at the Tandem website to be able to attend. 
Register for Members Meeting

You can access the complete newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/e947222e6c34/dfxn4oqrm0-3942372?e=34088e3417

Tandem eNews 24 November 2020

Productivity Commission logo

Tandem response: Productivity Commission’s mental health report

Tandem CEO Marie Piu welcomed the release of the long-awaited final report on Mental Health released by the Australian Productivity Commission.

Marie stated that on behalf of Tandem Members, the family and friends in mental health, she “felt relieved that Australian Health Ministers have embraced the concept of the personal recovery of an individual within their family, carer, community and cultural context, rather than a narrow focus on clinical recovery”.

She went on to welcome Recommendation 18 – Support for Families and Carers – and said: “We particularly support the call for the Australian Government to amend the Medicare Benefits Schedule to provide rebates for family and carer consultations.”

“We also welcome the call for the Australian Government department of Social Services to evaluate outcomes achieved for mental health carers from its carer support program (Action 18.2)”.

“We strongly agree with Action 18.3 that the Australian Government should amend the eligibility criteria for the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance to reduce barriers to access for mental health carers.”

Marie stated that as the Victorian member of Mental Health Carers Australia, the national peak body representing the voice of family and friends (carers) in mental health, “Tandem particularly welcomes the recommendation from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health for lived experience representation at a national level. While the report acknowledged there are already various state and national organisations which advocate for mental health consumers and carers, it specifically noted the importance of these voices being acknowledged and heard as separate.”

Marie noted that the work of Mental Health Carers Australia is not currently funded by the Commonwealth Government but is funded by contributions made by member organisations around Australia such as Tandem, limiting the scope and ability to operate as a true peak.

Read the summary from a family and friends in mental health perspective in Victoria prepared by the Tandem team at our website. 

Read the Productivity Commission’s report on their website.
Read Tandem’s response

Pronia Caring for Carers program

We invite you to take a little time each week for self-nurturing and support.   Join PRONIA’s four week connection and meditation program for Carers

This program is for you if:
You are a primary carer of a loved one
COVID restrictions and isolation has impacted your sense of wellbeing You would like to slow down a little

Caring for the Carer
Who cares for you when you are caring for others?
Group 1:
Every Monday 3pm – 4pm 23 November – 14 December
REGISTER HERE

Group 2:
Every Thursday 11am – 12pm 26 November – 17 December
REGISTER HERE  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItdeqsqz0tHNTlyrrL7GJePAX3IXgEUVIi
This program is presented free by PRONIA for Carers, as part of its community engagement programs in alleviating the negative impact of COVID-19.

Sessions will be conducted in English and will be facilitated by Lucy Louca*, Community Engagement Officer at PRONIA.
*Lucy holds Counselling qualifications and is a registered meditation teacher with Meditation Association of Australia.
For more information call (03) 9388 9998 or email casework@pronia.com.au www.pronia.com.au

Connecting Carers Virtual Expo Monday 30 November and Tuesday December 2020

 Carers Victoria invites you to the free Connecting Carers Virtual Expo

Come along and connect to local service providers and community organisations, listen to engaging speakers, live chat with exhibitors and take part in fun activities.

The expo will be a great opportunity to:

  • Hear from expert speakers on relevant topics
  • Connect with local service providers and peak bodies
  • Find new information to assist you in your caring role
  • Listen to panel discussions and download resources
  • Enjoy fun activities and events
  • Learn new ways to boost your health and wellbeing.


Guest Performer: Christine Anu

We are pleased to announce that renowned Australian vocalist Christine Anu will join us to perform for the 2020 Connecting Carers Virtual Expo. Christine is one of Australia’s finest female vocalists. She sings from the soul of Australia with a deep connection to her indigenous heritage. Christine is arguably Australia’s most successful female Indigenous performer and one of Australia’s most popular recording artists, backed by an award-winning repertoire spanning across music, theatre, dance, film, television and children’s entertainment. Christine will perform on Monday 30 November and Tuesday 1 December from 7.45pm-8.15pm.

Expo Schedule

Monday 30 November
Day 1 will focus on Connecting to Systems.  You’ll gain knowledge about the Carer Gateway, the NDIS, carer benefits, aged care and more.

Tuesday 1 December
Day 2 is all about Connecting to Wellbeing. It’ll be a fun day of health and wellness events, fun activities and ways to connect with others including carer support groups.

Expo Full Schedule

Click here to see the full schedule.

https://www.carersvictoriaevents.org.au/

Register Now

Inner South Family and Friends End of Year Dinner Tuesday 8 December 2020

CELEBRATE NEWLY FOUND FREEDOM AMONG FRIENDS AT ISFAF END OF YEAR DINNER

6.30 pm Tuesday 8 December 2020 at The Camden Hotel, 414 Hawthorn Road Caulfield South
https://www.thecamden.com.au/

IMG_4391.jpg

Places are very strictly limited.  Bookings will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. To secure your place, you must book by noon Wednesday 2 December 2020

To book: Email elenikontos@icloud.com or mobile 0412018722.
In your email or phone message, please include:

  1. your phone number
  2. the names of all the people in your party
  3. the phone numbers of all the people in your party
  4. the choice of main course for each member in your party
  5. the choice of dessert for each member in your party
    Cost: $10 for pensioners with pension card, $20 if no pension card on the night.   Cost covers – three courses, coffee or tea but all other drinks to be paid individually immediately upon receipt.
    That is drinks other than water, tea and coffee are not included.

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ddb479c527463483cab1d72/1580710556187-X0JK4TT9FOKY8528SEPV/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kLkXF2pIyv_F2eUT9F60jBl7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z4YTzHvnKhyp6Da-NYroOW3ZGjoBKy3azqku80C789l0iyqMbMesKd95J-X4EagrgU9L3Sa3U8cogeb0tjXbfawd0urKshkc5MgdBeJmALQKw/IMG_4197.jpg?format=300w

CHOICES FOR MAIN COURSE

  • Fish of the Day (grilled or battered)
  • Seafood Linguini
  • Moroccan Chicken Warm Salad
  • Vegetarian Lasagna
  • Chicken Parmigiana

CHOICES FOR DESSERT

  • Chocolate Fondant or
  • Lemon Tart

 Dietary needs such as gluten free dishes will be catered for. Please advise of special needs when booking to assist in finding a suitable meal that pleases you.  Suggestions welcome.

There is no need to choose an entrée as the antipasto and salt and pepper calamari will be shared.

MORE NEWS FROM ISFAF

Walk ‘n Chat  Thursday 19 November:
Walk starts: 1.30pm at Brighton Beach at end of North Rd outside Northpoint Cafe.  Chat continues on our return at 2.45pm to Northpoint Café
Please feel free to join at 1.30 or at 2.45, Family and Friends welcome, including canines

Walk ‘n Chats are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month:

Thursday 3 and 17 December 2020

Thursday 7 and 21 January 2021

Thursday 4 and 18 February 2021

During the holiday season, Walk ‘n Chats will proceed, but please check on the ISFAF website http://ispaf.org/ or phone Judi on 0425 723 74 on the morning of the walk to check. Inclement weather has not stopped us to date.

Carer South eNews November 2020

Social Prescription
Are you feeling lonely or disconnected?
Social Prescription is a holistic way of addressing health and wellbeing and is particularly helpful for those feeling lonely or disconnected. Similar projects in the UK have demonstrated positive results with participants reporting improvements in self esteem, confidence, reduced social isolation and loneliness.

A Community Connector will chat with the participant to design a wellbeing plan to connect them to community activities and services that are right for them.

The trial is being run by Highett and Hampton Community Centres and is available to residents of Bayside, Kingston and the Glen Eira. For more information click on the link below: https://baysidecommunitycentres.org.au/social_prescription/

Mental Health – Federal budget 2020

The Federal budget was brought down in October and outlined more funding to various mental health services and some new initiatives.

Mental Health Carers Australia have summarised the key measures from the budget.

To view this summary click here

Motivational Mornings are Back!!!

During National Carer’s Week, we launched our Motivational Mornings. Due to popular demand and carer feedback, we will continue these events until Friday 18th December.

Express Your Interest in Events Here

https://www.carersouth.org.au/event-register-interest

Please click on the link below to read the complete Carer South newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/f5f3038efbaa/carer-south-june-enews-6455352?e=8f7e3a8626

 

Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) AGM Wednesday 4pm-6pm 18 November 2020

An important message from Maggie Toko, VMIAC CEO 
10th November 2020

Dear VMIAC members,
Please find enclosed the nominations for the VMIAC Committee of Management.  The nominees have provided a statement regarding why they wish to join the COM.  Please peruse and have the notice ready on the afternoon of the AGM so that you know who you are going to vote for.

NOMINEES:
Chair: Kathy Wilson
Deputy Chair: Chris Maylea
Secretary: Tom Wood
Treasurer: Ali Pain

Ordinary Member:
You will be asked to vote for one of the following – there are 3 positions
James Horton
Elvis Martin
Hamilton Kennedy
Rebecca Egan
Zoe Mithen

Please remember that you received a prior notice with the Eventbrite invitation which you will need to register for to VOTE. Please note that this is not a postal vote. If you are unable to attend the event, please ensure that you have returned your previously enclosed proxy nomination form. Any issues you may have, please contact us on 9380 3900.

Warm regards

Maggie Toko
CEO VMIA

Nominees:
click the following links to view nominees
Executive Committee of Management Nominations.
Ordinary Member Nominations.

If you are yet to register for the AGM, click here
For additional information head over to our website by clicking here.

Inner South Family and Friends 29th AGM 10 November 2020 at 7pm

We would be delighted if you would join Inner South Family and Friends for the 29th Annual General Meeting (via Zoom session), 7 pm Tuesday 10 November 2020

To join the Zoom meeting:

  1. Jot down: Meeting ID: 788 139 680 Passcode: 096604
  2. and click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/788139680?pwd=ZjhWRTM3L0dTUURSVStxVy9yQ1V6dz0

or alternatively, phone any of the following numbers – You can participate even from a land-line.  731 853 730 or 7018 2005 or 02 8015 6011 or 861 193 900 or 08 7150 1149

Guest Speaker: Dr Sudeep Saraf, Programme Director, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health

Topic: Innovations, New Developments at AMAH during the Pandemic and Beyond

Agenda

  1. Acknowledgement of country
  2. Welcome: Chairperson Judi Burstyner
  1. Apologies:
  2. Confirmation of Minutes of the 28th AGM of 9 July 2019
  3. Business arising from these Minutes
  4. Chairperson’s Report – Judi Burstyner
  5. Treasurer’s Report – Eleni Kontos
  6. General Business
  • Elections for Committee Members
  1. Other Business
  2.  ISFAF Monthly Meeting with guest speaker, Dr Sudeep Saraf

 

Update on Inner South Family and Friends AGM, Walk ‘n Chat and other activities for 2020

IT’S SPRING AND WE CAN WALK TOGETHER AGAIN THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2020
Beach Walk ‘n Chat this week, family members, including canines very welcome. Walkers meet  at 1.30pm outside  Northpoint Café Brighton – at the (beach end) of North Road If you don’t want to walk, feel free to join at 2.45 pm to chat.
Walk Dates for 2020:
Thursday 5 November and 19 November
Thursday 3 December 17 December

ISFAF Annual General Meeting is next week and  our End-of Year Dinner is just around the corner

Tuesday 10 November 2020 Annual General Meeting PLEASE NOTE 7 PM START

Invitations and  Proxy Forms have been circulated.
Guest Speaker: Dr Sudeep Saraf, Programme Director, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health will speak on ‘Innovations, New Developments at AMAH during the Pandemic and Beyond’, 

Tuesday  December End-of-Year Dinner (generously subsidised) details to be advised shortly

ISFAF office is not attended during ‘The Time of Corona’, but please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling Eleni on 0412 018 722 or Judi on 0425 723 746  or 9528 2820 if you have difficulty in accessing any  meetings or would like information or just need to chat to someone

If you know anyone in need of a chat, especially individuals who don’t have internet, please call them and let us know if we can help. We need to reach out to those around us. We all need to work together.

Please spread the message because those without internet are often the most lonely in our community. And finally – the same old message – please keep an eye on our website: http://ispaf.org/

ISFAF committee is planning fun things for us to share once the restrictions allow.  Now that restrictions are easing, we are already planning our end of year dinner.

If you have suggestions for venue / ideas for events please let Eleni or Judi know urgently

 We have received some wonderful contributions to the  ISFAF Anthology and seek more.
If you would like to contribute anything that is suited to publication within a book – such as an essay, article, poem, drawing or photo, please contact Judi on 0425 723 746 or email judi.burstyner@gmail.com