Drop in and talk to a Community Dreamweaver

Drop in and talk to a Community Dreamweaver

A new community shop front will be opening at 83B River Street in Ballina on 1^st October, and will provide members of the surrounding Northern Rivers communities with advice and information about accommodation services, aged and disability services, family services, and volunteering services in the region.

The shop front which will be managed by not for profit organisations FSG Australia (FSGA) and the Ballina District Community Services Association (BDCSA) will be opened by the Mayor of the Ballina Shire, and aims to make community services more accessible to those who are in need of support.

The shop front in the heart of Ballina will be open from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8:30 – 4:00 pm, to give members of the public the support and advice they need to access services that they may not already be aware of. The one-stop shop provides a relaxing environment where all of their questions can be answered confidentially, or referred to the appropriate organisation to ensure that nobody is left unsupported in the community.

Eligible members of the community can also meet with a Dreamweaver, who is there to help facilitate positive life choices. Experienced Dreamweavers will discuss the individuals’ life aspirations and then co-ordinate between the families and the services available, to help them achieve their goals or dreams. This may include addressing areas such as living a more independent life, being engaged in social activities, or looking at potential employment avenues.

Vicki Batten, CEO of FSGA said,

“Our shop front enables our qualified staff to welcome in members of the community who may need our services or support, and who are currently not getting the help or assistance they need or would like. We will walk alongside these people and encourage informed, safe and healthy choices, whilst understanding that people are the architect of their own lives. It is about establishing a mutual relationship where we offer options and opportunities to make their goals possible.”

The shop front will also provide information about its innovative accommodation models for people living with a disability. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme the future Hubs will provide residents with access to unlimited support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By combining modern accommodation and on site Hubs, FSGA will be able to facilitate social, educational, and recreational opportunities, whilst residents develop relationships and support networks of their own. Ultimately, assisting people to live independently at a level they feel comfortable with.

The shop front has been established after the recent announcement of the proposed merger between the two not for profit community organisations (FSGA and the BDCSA). It is the first time that FSGA who are already well established throughout Queensland will have an office in New South Wales.

The launch will be orange themed to represent the organisations’ support for social justice in the community.

The drop in service will be open from the 2^nd October and people can also contact the shop front on 02 6618 7400.

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INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: If you would like to arrange an interview with CEO, Vicki Batten, please contact Clare Southwell on 0448 720 549.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: The Shop Front will open on 1^st October (Orange Wednesday). To arrange a photo please call 0448 720 549.

 

 

NOTES TO MEDIA

About FSG Australia:

 

FSG Australia (FSGA) is a not-for-profit community organisation and centre for Social Enterprise, offering a wide range of innovative services in disability, mental health, aged care, family services and children’s services. FSGA also operates several retail social enterprise initiatives including an Op Shop, Cafe, Green Shop, Nursery, Coworking Space and Green Shop.

Today, FSGA is determined as ever to achieve our vision for a community that connects with all people and is free of social injustice.

FSGA is one of the largest community organisations in Queensland and operates from Maryborough on the Fraser Coast through to Byron Bay, with its head office based on the Gold Coast. FSGA now has presence and services operating in and around the Ballina Shire in NSW.

With over 640 staff and up to 300 volunteers between its 14 regional locations, FSGA provide a service to around 2,500 per month.

 

For more information visit www.fsg.org.au

 

 

Ballina District Community Services Association:

Ballina District Community Services Association Inc (BDCSA) was created in 1987 and provides services and support to people who are young, disadvantaged, with disabilities, frail aged or 

dementia, and their carers.

Functioning as a not-for-profit, community-based organisation, they manage 41 programs in the Northern Rivers including services for both the disadvantaged and the wider community.

For more information visit www.bdcsa.org