Planned Respite, Socialisation and Recreation
Your donations at work (mid year update 2014)
The past 6 months have seen approximately 40 participants attending 9 different activities including a week in Warrnambool and a Food Handlers course. A testament to the success of the program – several participants have gained the confidence and gone on to study and some have taken up volunteer roles.
“Miss A is a 54 year old woman with a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder. Miss A lives in a supported residential setting in Bacchus Marsh. Miss A has limited social/community engagements which has resulted in boredom, frustration and can predispose deterioration in her mental state. Miss A attended her first Socialisation Program activity in February. She caught the train from Bacchus Marsh which was a huge achievement. Miss A was invited to attend a holiday in Warrnambool to which she was apprehensive but after some support and encouragement from her key support worker, she committed to go. Miss A reported that she had the best time and made friends with a group of ladies with similar interests. Miss A has maintained these friendships and is even looking into moving to Ballarat to be closer to her friends. Miss A’s psychiatrist has noted the improvement in her mental state and has accredited this to her participation the Socialisation Program.”
Reducing the social isolation of people with a psychiatric illness through specifically tailored activities while allowing some respite for their carer.
Adults living with a psychiatric illness are often isolated due to limited social skills or little self confidence along with a low income.
A simple trip to the football or movies for most, poses an impossible hurdle for many of these people.
The socialisation program aims to provide Centacare’s clients living with psychiatric illness an opportunity to attend social activities, in a supported situation, and in a safe group with people in a similar situation to themselves.
Every six months participants are involved directly in planning the activities they would like to do and then sorting out how and when they will occur.
The fantastic team who facilitate this program tell of the amazing turn around of clients simply because they have been supported to get out and mix in the community; the increase in confidence in their own ability has lead them to a much more self sufficient and rewarding life.
The funding we provide for this program is generated from Workplace Giving programs.
This organisation has received funding from United Way Ballarat for the following years:
1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
