The latest news from Capital Region Community Services
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2 February 2024
Hi CRCS family,
Can you believe it’s already February? The year is going so quickly!
That also means that our CEO, Mandy Green, will be returning from her extended leave on Monday. We hope she’s refreshed, relaxed and ready for another fantastic year. I am certainly excited to have her back.
Just a selection of the exciting programs and developments you can read about in this month’s newsletter include:
- our drop-in sessions to help seniors and their family members navigate My Aged Care
- how you can help us to continue running our vital programs
- the benefits of the ACT Government’s free three-year-old preschool program
- what young people think of the Belconnen Youth Centre
- upcoming events in our theatre and gallery.
I hope you enjoy reading all the details.
Kind regards,
Deb Bampton
Acting CEO
Capital Region Community Services (CRCS)
Articles
Navigate My Aged Care with CRCS every Wednesday at the Belconnen Community Centre!
As a provider under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Package (HCP) program, we understand that starting the process of accessing My Aged Care services can be overwhelming. We also know that many seniors in our community deserve access to the domestic support, personal care and flexible respite services available through these programs.
Let us alleviate the stress of navigating this system by guiding you through the initial steps of accessing My Aged Care or transitioning from CHSP to a HCP if your needs have grown.
Our friendly Aged Care Team will be available on-site at the Belconnen Community Centre every Wednesday from 9am to 5pm to help you with any enquiries. Just drop in and ask for them at reception!
You can also give us a call at (02) 6278 8101 or email communitycare@crcs.com.au.
You can help us run our vital programs, with your donation doubled!
Canberra is a great city to live in! We are very lucky here, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t people in our community who need a helping hand. That's why we will soon be asking you to donate, if you can, to help us reach our goals as part of the 2024 Canberra Day Appeal.
Run by Hands Across Canberra, the Canberra Day Appeal is Canberra’s largest fundraising drive. It raises much-needed funds to support charities across Canberra and helps us continue to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
The Canberra Day Appeal runs from 6 February 2024, through to Canberra Day, with a 48-hour donation drive being held on 6 and 7 March. We will send more information once the campaign opens, and we appreciate any and all assistance you can provide.
In our childhood services
We run early childhood, out-of-school-hours care and school holiday programs across the Belconnen region and in regional NSW. Each month, we want to share updates from our services.
Free education and care for three-year-olds
The Australian Early Development Census 2021 ACT report (AEDC) highlighted that the Belconnen region had the highest rates of children who were developmentally vulnerable out of any region in the ACT. Almost a third of Belconnen children were developmentally vulnerable in one or more domains, a significant increase from the 2018 figures.
One way to help address this issue is by providing education and care at a young age. That is why we are proud to be part of the ACT Government’s program to provide free preschool for all three-year-olds.
Although it’s commonly known as ‘childcare’, early childhood education is more than just playtime—it's a cornerstone of lifelong success. Extensive research has shown that high-quality early education programs enhance children’s learning and developmental outcomes, foster social participation, lay the foundations for future learning and well-being, and have long-lasting effects on their productivity as adults.
Even just one day a week can provide significant benefits to children. Our preschool programs funded under the ACT Government program are overseen by an Early Childhood Teacher to ensure optimal outcomes for children. This not only helps children reach their developmental milestones but also improves transitions to kindergarten.
Under the program, eligible three-year-old children in our early childhood services in Belconnen and Bruce can receive free care up to a cap of $2500 value or 300 hours per family (whichever comes first). This could significantly help your family during this period of rising living costs.
We have aligned the program to our existing preschool program, which is designed to help children get ready for their transition to school. You can book your child in either on a full-day (8am to 6pm) or part-day (8:30am to 3pm) basis.
New early learning centre in Milton opens on Monday
Our latest education and care facility will be opening in Milton, NSW, on Monday. The Budawang Early Learning Centre is located on the campus of the new Budawang School. It will provide education and care to children aged two to five in the Milon and Ulladulla region.
We are currently working under a provisional name for our service because we want the children enrolled with us to have their voices heard on what we should be called. This is part of our commitment to a child-centred philosophy and to help develop a sense of belonging with the children.
From a parent
We wanted to share the kind words of a parent whose two children have been attending our Ginninderra Early Childhood Centre but who is moving away from Canberra:
We want to thank and express our sincere gratitude to you all, the dedicated educators, and the entire staff at GECC. The support, care, and guidance provided to [our children] during their time at the centre have played a pivotal role in their growth and development. The memories created and the skills acquired by them under your care will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on their early years. We appreciate the effort, commitment, and passion demonstrated by each member of your team in fostering a safe and stimulating atmosphere for the children.
We wish GECC continued success in nurturing and educating young minds.
What beautiful words! We are so proud of our Educators for the incredible work they do in nurturing children’s social and emotional growth, creativity and physical well-being, to help them become confident, well-rounded individuals.
In the Belconnen Youth Centre
The Belconnen Youth Centre (BYC), next door to our Belconnen Community Centre, continues to thrive as a safe place where young people (aged 10 to 25) can hang out, participate in our wide range of activities, grab a bite to eat or chat with a youth worker.
To determine the impact of BYC, we recently undertook a Social Impact Survey with the support of the Social Outcomes Lab. This asked young people about their experience with the Youth Centre and the Canberra community. Some of the key outcomes were:
- On average, young people experienced a high sense of belonging at BYC, regardless of age. They felt safe and accepted.
- On average, young people experienced low optimism and high pessimism. Those aged 18+ experienced a slightly higher level of optimism than those under 18.
- The most popular BYC program for young people under 18 was Bit Bent, our weekly drop-in service for LGBTQIA+ young people.
- For those aged 19 to 25, the most popular programs were Friday Dinners, Dungeons and Dragons, and Games Drop In.
- Young people aged 18 to 25 wanted BYC to provide additional programs on life skills as an adult.
Drop in for dinner on Fridays!
Are you or a young person you know looking for a meal and great company on Friday nights? Look no further than BYC’s Friday dinner drop-in program. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for young people to come together, enjoy a delicious dinner and make new friends. Our youth support team work hard to provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere, and there’s always something new and exciting happening.
We also hold regular sausage sizzles at the Westfield Bus Interchange. These are held every fortnight during Daylight Savings time and once a month for the rest of the year. We are often joined by other services and stakeholders who might be able to help you out as well.
No waitlist psychology services available
Our Wellbeings service is a multidisciplinary, allied health practice that believes in accessible, holistic health care for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our psychologist and clinical psychology registrar, Molly Havyatt, is currently accepting new clients. She provides high-quality, evidence-based psychology services in a welcoming environment, with tailored psychological assessment, education and therapeutic interventions to address a range of life challenges and mental health concerns.
Wellbeings is located at Capital Region Community Services, Chandler St, Belconnen ACT 2617.
Contact: email wellbeings@crcs.com.au or call 6264 0200.
Make your own memories at BCC
Did you know that you can hire facilities at the Belconnen Community Centre? We have venues for various needs!
Our accessible 145-seat Belconnen Community Theatre is perfect for a performance, production, large gathering, seminar or movie screening.
The Belconnen Community Gallery provides an intimate and affordable space for gallery exhibitions.
Our spacious and well-equipped sports hall is designed to accommodate a wide range of sports and activities, including badminton, volleyball, half-court basketball, martial arts, fitness classes and more.
You can indulge in your artistic passions and explore your creativity like never before in our well-equipped art room.
Our two meeting rooms have just been repainted and are available for hire, accommodating up to 40 people.
The Belconnen Community Centre is located opposite the Belconnen Bus Interchange, and there is plenty of parking nearby.
What’s on
What’s on at the Belconnen Community Theatre
- 15 to 24 February: Next to Normal, presented by Queanbeyan Players. This winner of three Tony awards explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.
What’s on at the Belconnen Community Gallery
- 30 January to 23 February: The Tree Within, paintings by Phillip Frankcombe.
In the gym
Join us in our well-equipped gym at the Belconnen Community Centre, where we hold the following classes each week:
- Back in Balance: Exercises designed to help with fall prevention & support free and easy daily movement.
- Building Fitness: Increase your aerobic fitness, no matter where you are starting from.
- Building Strength: Learn how to safely execute movements to get the most out of your workout.
- Chair yoga: A gentle form of yoga that can be done sitting on a chair or standing using a chair for support.
- Mature Fitness: Activities to improve strength, balance, & coordination. No machines are used in this class. Designed for seniors.
- Mature Multi-Fitness: Low–impact cardio & strength activities for seniors, including cross-training, interval training & cross fit.
- Mature Strength: Basic weight exercises combined with machine exercises to improve fitness & strength. Designed for seniors.
- Open Gym: Do an assessment with a PT to create a program just for you, or freely use the gym.
- Swiss Ball: Exercises using large inflated exercise balls to improve balance, stamina & fitness.
- Yoga: A physical, mental and spiritual practice combining postures, breathing exercises & meditation to enhance wellbeing & consciousness.
Upcoming coach tours
Friday 2 February: Crookwell
Historic Crookwell is a haven of beautiful gardens, tree-lined streets and fascinating heritage. Located atop the Great Dividing Range, we will visit highlights including the Crookwell Wind Farm, Crookwell Visitor Information Centre and Arcadia Crookwell. You can take a guided tour at Lindner Quality Socks. Or you can take a self-guided walk around Crookwell that will take you past heritage-listed buildings and parks.
We will take the scenic trip home via the Crookwell Wind Farm, Goulburn and Lake George.
Friday 9 February: Cootamundra
If you enjoy all things cricket, this is definitely the tour for you! If not, don’t worry, there is still plenty else to see and do in Cootamundra.
Like many towns in the beautiful Riverina region of Southern NSW, Cootamundra flourished during the gold rush of the 1860s. Today, it remains an important agricultural hub, with attractions showcasing its history and notable residents.
Friday 16 February: Berridale and Jindabyne
Jindabyne is the gateway township for the Kosciusko National Park and the NSW ski resorts, with beautiful views over Lake Jindabyne. In winter, it is a base for skiers; for the rest of the year, it’s a great place to go bushwalking, mountain biking and participating in water sports.
We will also take in the sights of Berridale, Thredbo River and Lake Crackenback. If time allows, we will chill on the shores of Lake Jindabyne.
Friday 23 February: Sun, Sand, Sea and Shops
Take off your shoes and feel the sand and the sea under your feet with our ‘Sun, Sand, Sea and Shop’ trip to Surf Beach and Mogo.
We will start with a couple of hours to relax at the beach at Batemans Bay. As the day heats up, we will head to Mogo, where you can explore the unique craft shops and galleries of Mogo Village, where you will find something delicious for lunch. The tour also includes a stopover in Braidwood each way.
Wednesday 6 March: Fairground Follies
The new and exciting Fairground Follies in Bowral embraces fun with interactive cultural music, folk art, mechanical music, 100-year-old carousels and much more of the world’s greatest museum exhibits from 1840 to 1950. Enjoy morning tea before a two-hour guided tour through the incredible Fairground Follies. You will also have time to explore Bowral.
Sunday 17 March: Iandra Castle
Iandra Castle is a large heritage-listed homestead just outside Greenethorpe, in the Weddin Shire, NSW, that was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 2005. Built between 1880 and 1910, the property is a former Methodist Boys home and now sits on working farmland. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the beautiful homestead and surrounding buildings and gardens.
The tour will include a scheduled lunch stop in Young on the way home.
Note: Ticket sales must close: Wednesday 13 March.
