Latest News
Annual Report 2020
POSTED: 01st March 2021
The Focus Connect 2020 Annual Report is now available to view online.
WE ARE MOVING
POSTED: 19th October 2020
From Monday 26 October 2020 will be located at 3 CORDEAUX STREET, CAMPBELLTOWN (click on READ MORE for further information)
Exciting things are happening at Focus Connect!
We are moving to temporary office accommodation whilst our brand new office is being prepared (it should be ready by mid February 2021 so keep on eye on our Facebook page for information and updates).
From Monday 26 October 2020 will be located at:
3 CORDEAUX STREET, CAMPBELLTOWN
Please note that to facilitate the move our current office at L3, 171-179 Queen Street will be closed on Friday, 23 October 2020.
Our general contact number (02 4627 1188) and email address (info@focusconnect.org.au) remain unchanged.
Brighter Future Ahead
POSTED: 10th August 2020 SOURCE: Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser 05th August 2020
Migrant women across Western Sydney are taking advantage of fee-free TAFE courses to help them settle into the community and learn some new skills.
EWON COVID-19 Customer Support
POSTED: 03rd June 2020 SOURCE: Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON)
The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) has launched an awareness campaign to highlight the range of energy affordability assistance available to customers impacted by COVID-19.
The campaign targets groups in the community who are already having trouble paying their energy bills, as well as those who are experiencing affordability challenges for the first time including casual workers, families, seniors, CALD and ATSI customers.
Click here to find out more about this campaign.
Bush Fire Financial Assistance Program
POSTED: 21st May 2020
Have you been affected by the recent bushfires? Focus Connect is now offering assistance for households within the Macarthur, Wollondilly & Wingecarribee regions affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Available assistance includes:
- Vouchers to purchase food/household/essential items
- Utility bills payment assistance
- Pharmacy/medication payment assistance
ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM
This program is available to individuals residing in the Macarthur, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee regions who have experienced any of the following as a result
of the recent bushfires:
- Loss/damage of home
- Loss/damage of personal/household items
- Loss of income
- Loss of a family member/pet
- Displaced from your home
- Health related impacts
In order for us to determine your eligibility we will conduct an over the phone assessment, this usually takes about 30 minutes. We will ask you to provide some details on how you/your household has been impacted. You will also need to provide certain types of information including:
- Your personal details & contact information
- Identification
- Income
(All information you provide is for assessment and record keeping purposes only and will remain confidential and handled in accordance with Focus Connects Privacy Policy)
Assistance provided will be assessed on need, ability to meet the programs eligibility criteria, program demand and available resources.
For further information about this program, or to make an appointment, please contact Caitlin Manganaro P. 4627 1188 or E. caitlinmanganaro@focusconnect.org.au
Focus Connect COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update
POSTED: 08th May 2020
Click on READ MORE for important information about changes to our services and programs.
Given the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19, we want to connect with you, as a highly valued member of our Focus Connect community and let you know the steps we are taking to navigate through these unprecedented times.
Firstly, be assured that we are taking this situation seriously. The health and wellbeing of our clients, volunteers and staff is at the forefront of everything we do.
With this in mind we have made the following changes to our services and programs:
- All Face-to-Face appointments will now be conducted via the telephone if possible and/or appropriate.
AGED CARE TEAM
- From Thursday, March 19 until further notice, all of our Aged Care Social Support Groups and Individual Social Supports have been cancelled.
- Home Care Packages will continue as normal.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
- From Monday, March 23 until further notice, we will be cancelling all of our social and educational groups/activities including Playgroup, Start Right, HIPPY, Parenting programs and Settlement programs.
NDIS SERVICES
- Our NDIS Community Access Group will continue to run as normal.
- Individual Services and Primrose Cottage Respite will also continue as normal.
In this time of social distancing, we invite you to stay connected with us via our website and follow us on Facebook, you can also call the office to talk to your contacts.
In an environment of information overload we do encourage you to refer to the World Health Organisation and Australian Government Department of Health for the most up to date health advice.
Other language resources on COVID-19 are available from www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus-resources-cald.aspx
We will get through this, together.
Stay safe and healthy.
Focus Connect Celebrates Seniors Week 2020
POSTED: 21st February 2020
Event Recap & Photos: Love, Happiness & Wellness Day at The Manse.
On Monday, 10 February 2020 Focus Connect celebrated Seniors Week.
The Poem "Not" by Erin Hanson (see below) was read to mark the occasion and it summed up the theme of the day perfectly.
The seniors who attended the event spoke about, and reminisced, on what they did, their beauty, their cultural experiences, their family, their support for each other, the places they have been, what they believe in and all the people they love, and have loved. They also spoke about seniors sometimes being defined by all the things they are “Not”.
The event featured a toast to celebrate being a senior and included morning tea, a lunch prepared by the Coffee Room members, using natural ingredients and traditional recipes, interactive Valentine Day puzzles and Uruguayan folk dancing from members of Focus Connect Social Support Group.
SENIORS FESTIVAL - 12 - 23 FEBUARARY 2020 - www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au
NOT by Erin Hanson
You are not your age, nor the size of clothes you wear,
You are not a weight, or the color of your hair.
You are not your name, or the dimples in your cheeks.
You are all the books you read, and all the words you speak.
You are your croaky morning voice, and the smiles you try to hide.
You’re the sweetness in your laughter, and every tear you’ve cried.
You’re the songs you sing so loudly when you know you’re all alone.
You’re the places that you’ve been to, and the one that you call home.
You’re the things that you believe in, and the people whom you love.
You’re the photos in your bedroom, and the future you dream of.
You’re made of so much beauty, but it seems that you forgot
When you decided that you were defined by all the things you’re not.
GALLERY
Click to
Enlarge
Good News Story: from Focus Connect HIPPY Program
POSTED: 12th February 2020
Ann Tibbles, Focus Connects HIPPY Program Coordinator, shares some beautiful and heartfelt feedback.
As told by Barunaya Shnan, HIPPY Tutor at Focus Connect, about one of her 2019 HIPPY graduates.
Thomas was so excited about the graduation ceremony last night (09/12/2019). He recalled the magician and laughed when he remembered his silly mistakes.
He had all his HIPPY books on the floor and we found his favourites. He liked the experiments and making things he said.
When we reviewed Thomas's portfolio his Mum was crying. She said she was so emotional about the last day of the program. Mum talked about the great support she and her family got from the HIPPY program and staff.
This family has really benefited from doing HIPPY. They said they felt less isoloted, had improved their English skills and were confident that Thomas was now more than ready for school. Through the HIPPY program they learnt that all their children are different, learn at their own pace and in the their own unique manner - and this is to be celebrated.
Feedback from Thomas's teacher is that he has settled into school very well and is a confident and keen learner.
Focus Connect’s HIPPY Program (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) is a two year home-based learning and parenting program for families with young children who live in the Campbelltown area . To find our more visit HIPPY Australia.
SBS Arabic Radio Interview - Empowering Women Program
POSTED: 11th February 2020 SOURCE: SBS Arabic Radio 05th February 2020
Sana Al-Ahmar discussses Focus Connects services and programs, including the Butterfly Program.
(This audio is copyright to SBS)
Program: SBS Arabic Radio Interviewer: Manal Al - Ani Interviewee: Sana Al-Ahmar Duration: 6:57
