Projects designed to tackle social isolation in the community have been given funds to make their vision a reality.
A total of 20 new projects will address the risk of lonliness in St George thanks to the ‘Doing it Differently’ (DID) grant.
The program is a joint initiative between South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and Bayside Council.
Recipients gathered at Rockdale Library this month to share their vision for change in the region.
Community projects rewarded are:
Advance Diversity Services (ADS): Indonesian Arts and Culture Club
Aims to increase social cohesion among diverse Indonesian groups through arts and culture, break down barriers across faith and ethnic divides, pass on cultural pride to the younger generation, increase self-confidence and self-worth through cultural performance, provide a place to meet regularly to build friendships, and promote small Indonesian businesses.
Advance Diversity Services (ADS): Positive Parenting Program for Nepalese Families in Bayside
Aims to support transition from maternity to community Child and Family Health Services, increase social participation, access and uptake of services and social networking for families, improve partnerships and referral pathways with community and mainstream services including, community health centres, libraries, playgroups, mothers groups, multicultural men’s well-being groups, grandparents groups, men’s shed and gyms.
GLISTEN – Connect Youth and Community (previously St George Youth Services)
Targets young people aged under 25 years who identify as same sex attracted, gender diverse and those questioning their identity. It aims to change and improve Bayside’s capacity as a community to respond to LGBTI young people. It’s goal is to strengthen support systems, and increase awareness about diverse sexualities, sexes, genders and related issues.
Autism Community Network: Parent support group
Aims to provide a support group for parents and carers of children affected by autism, and create a relaxed, welcoming environment where parents and carers can connect with others who understand them and share information and ideas for mutual support.
Autism Community Network: Monthly social events for young adults
Aims to reduce social isolation for children with autism who have grown into young adults. It conducts a monthly social event for young adults to develop friendships and community social skills.
St Matthews Anglican Church Botany: Community Garden St
Aims connect the diverse groups of people in the community by inviting apartment-dwellers, older people, families and migrants to participate together in gardening activities together. The garden will provide opportunities for connections across generations and cultures, access to fresh food and recipes for cooking.
The Deli Women and Children’s Centre: Eastern Sydney Family Harmony project
Aims to break down barriers for families affected by domestic and family violence. It seeks to work with the community to develop a mentoring program of community leaders to deliver community based activities. It offers informal opportunities to increase awareness of domestic violence and engagement with relevant services.
South Eastern Community Connect (SECC): Park Fitness Park Fitness
Supports the community to increase health, well-being, fitness and access and usage of public parks and spaces by supporting esidents to use newly installed fitness equipment in the Eastlakes reserve through park fitness classes. It is hoped by providing community education it will support and encourage independent use of the park.
Windgap and Young Men’s Group: Mosaic Project Windgap
Gives young men an opportunity to give back to their community. The project focuses on inspiring young men to be their best through empowering them with the practical tools, developing a community service project and connecting the younger men with older adults with disabilities to help them gain an understanding of the community and its minorities.
Windgap: Community Garden Windgap Community Garden
Aims to diversify the use of open space and create a place where people can come together to meet and interact with a common purpose. The garden will assist with building community engagement, increase community awareness of people with a disability and forge long term friendships within the area. The garden also provides an opportunity to learn about sustainable gardening.
3Bridges Community: Fix it Sister Shed
Aims to a set up the equivalent of a ‘Men’s Shed’ that is safe and supportive for women and girls from 12 years old to become self-reliant, skilled and confident by teaching them DIY skills. It aims to build social connection with a diverse range of women in the community with a particular focus on more vulnerable groups including new migrants, refugees, and women who suffer from domestic violence.
3Bridges Community: Equipping Fix It Sister Shed
Offers services to organisations and community groups to help them refurbish or update their sites, teach their clients basic DIY skills and host workshops to rebuild their confidence when moving out on their own. It also aims to encourage young women to consider employment opportunities in trade and change community attitudes towards women using machinery and hand tools.
Sing Your Heart Out Choir: Bound for Botany Bay
This project is about identity, place and music. It aims to improve the community’s sense of self-knowledge and belonging by engaging with each other and physical surrounds. The project also aims to tackle boredom for older people in the community by enabling people to make connections, friends and participate in cultural life. As a choir, they will sing songs about the period of early colonial history, and visit La Perouse and museum with an Aboriginal teacher to gain knowledge about the local Aboriginal community and create opportunities to create a more connected community.
The Rockdale Flock The Rockdale Flock
Aims to encourage residents to meet socially once a month to enjoy bird watching, not only to make cultural and social connections in the community, but also to learn about bird identification, behaviour and develop an appreciation for the bush, shore and wetland habitats.
Australia Chinese New Arts Society: Life living in art project
Aims to enable novice artists to improve their skills and establish artists in different languages and different genres. The project aims to engage locals of all cultural backgrounds with each other (Chinese and other communities) to integrate ideas and skills about literature and art by sharing and learning from each other. This project aims to encourage more cross-cultural communications and connections in the multicultural community of Bayside, for the purpose of living a healthy life, both mentally and physically.
Project Youth Inc: Muscle Up project
Aims to work in partnership to provide assistance and support to young people at risk of disengaging from school and having contact with the criminal justice system. The project aims to increase positive relationships between young people and available support services, increase positive behaviours and increase school attendance. The program has a strong focus on fitness and encouraging the boys to actively participate in their community through the help of support agencies and positive community mentors.
Botany Family & Children’s Centre Incorporated: Tuning in to Dads – Father Support project
Aims to change community perception of mothers being the primary care givers in the family by recognising the positive contribution that fathers can make to the child’s development and to family cohesion. The project aims to resource men with the skills and knowledge required to navigate their parenting role and provide a support network for fathers where men gain a comprehensive understanding of their children’s emotional needs, as well as strategies to increase parental attachment/connection and parental confidence. The provision of this support aims to significantly improve family relationships and outcomes for children.
Australia Nepal Public Link (ANPL) Incorporated: Mental health support for Nepali community members project
Aims to improve the mental health of Nepali community members. The project aims to establish a father’s support group for young and first-time fathers who feel isolated, that lack support from family living in Nepal, and are unsure how to receive support through the health system in Australia. The project also aims to organise a men’s health forum to encourage regular health check-ups and educate men about how to navigate health services to aid early intervention.
Light and Love Home Incorporated: Community Sunday Afternoon Activities and Kids and Youth Club project
Aims to provide a safe community hub for children, young adults and adults (including new migrants) to attend on a weekly basis and develop social connections and friendships. Community members have the opportunity to participate in engaging activities using the site facilities. Volunteers provide education and referral to relevant services for attendees to improve their health and well-being.
PCYC Eastern Suburbs: Youth Water Safety project
Aims to encourage young people in Bayside Council region to take part in healthier activities, grow their confidence and support them in becoming leaders in their community. This project will be driven by what the young people think are worthwhile activities, one of which is learning to surf and understanding water safety.