News

Announcing Vista!

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:10:54 +1000

Victorian Person Centred Services – a partner of the EW Tipping Foundation – has announced a new name.

The organisation, which is not-for-profit, will now be known as Vista Community Support.

Chief Executive Officer Richard Dent says the reason for the change is simple. “We needed a name that was easier for people to say and remember!” he said.

“We consulted widely in our communities, and chose the name Vista because it suggests new horizons and a new approach.”

This new approach coincides with the State Government’s shift towards individualised funding and self-direction for people with a disability.

Vista now supports more than 800 people, and dozens more choose it as their service provider every month.

“Individualised funding presents a wonderful opportunity to anyone with a disability to make choices about their support, and how and when it will happen,” said Richard. “It gives people the power to make decisions about their own lives - their dreams and their goals.

“We are passionate about working with people to provide with them with the support they want – that’s why our motto is “live life your way!”. Vista, and our longstanding partner the EW Tipping Foundation, is here to help.”

Vista will continue to offer an expanding range of community support services, including:
• One-on-one support for people at home or out in the community
• Aged care, including support for activities and to maintain independence
• Children’s services, including out-of-home care and crisis support
• Recreational and leisure activities
• Flexible respite at home or in the community.

For more information about Vista, phone (03) 9564 1030 or visit www.vistasupport.org.au.

Earth for everyone.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:21:21 +1000

A group in Warragul is proving that a clean environment is a concern for everyone in the community – no matter what age or ability.

When 18-year-old Maggie Riddington established her own home-grown environmental movement, Earth to Earthlings, she had no idea it would grow so many partnerships.

Earth to Earthlings is a group of Warragul Regional College students who pick up rubbish every fortnight in public parks around the district. The group also has its own MySpace website addressing issues like climate change.

Maggie’s mother, Keryn, is a Team Leader with Victorian Person Centred Services, a partner organisation of the EW Tipping Foundation supporting people with disabilities, children, the aged and carers.

“We support a lady called Deb, who hates litter,” said Keryn. “I organized for Deb’s support worker to take her to a rubbish collection.

“Deb loved it, her support worker enjoyed it as well, and the kids all enjoyed meeting Deb. It was a real community effort.”

Keryn is looking at expanding the number of people with disabilities involved in the group. “Many of the people we support are interested in doing good things for the environment, and they also love getting out and meeting people,” she said.

For more information about Earth to Earthlings, contact Maggie on 0437 846 259.

Respite Rescue

Thu, 29 May 2008 09:06:16 +1000

A new program is offering hope to older parents looking after a son or daughter with a disability at home.

The “Respite for Older Carers” project, run by Victorian Person Centred Services, offers up to 24 hours of respite each month to give parents a much-needed break.

It operates in metropolitan Melbourne, Western Victoria and Gippsland.

Respite care can take place in the family home, or out and about in the community in the form of activities, recreation or even weekends away.

“Respite often provides a life-saving break for families,” said State Manager Faye Warren. “It gives parents time to do all those things they wouldn’t normally – spend time with other family members, spend time with friends, attend appointments.

“Respite is also great for the person with a disability. It gives them new experiences, skills and chances to meet different people.”

Parents need to be aged 60 and over (50 and over if they are indigenous Australians) and their son or daughter needs to be aged 25 years and over. Parents also need to be receiving the Carer Allowance and their child the Disability Support Pension.

The program co-ordinators are happy to assist families in applying for the Carer Allowance and Disability Support Pension if required.

For more information, contact VPCS on 9564 1030.

Victorian Person Centred Services is a not-for-profit organisation helping people to live life their way. It supports people with disabilities, children, older Victorians and carers.

Casual with meaning

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:22:09 +1000

“Make a difference” is becoming a cliché in not-for-profit jobs. Charles Warren from Victorian Person Centred Services says casual positions in disability support go way beyond making a difference.

The focus on disability support has shifted in recent years from doing things for people, to doing things with people. The industry calls it the “person centred” approach.

“It may sound over the top, but our support workers are part of a worldwide movement for human rights,” said Charles. “It’s all about equality, dignity and participation.”

For casual workers, it means there is now a vast range of tasks in disability support work. They can range from taking someone beach fishing for a few hours a week, to teaching independent living skills like cooking, to the more traditional personal attendant care.

Most employers, like Victorian Person Centred Services, offer the opportunity for training on the job. Certificate 3 in disability services is the next step for anyone wanting a qualification.

Charles says Disability Support Workers can expect to earn somewhere between $17 and $24 per hour, depending on the position and their experience, and there is usually work available close to home. “Right now we have vacancies throughout metropolitan Melbourne, with special programs in Forest Hill, Bayswater, Black Rock and Frankston,” he said.

“Skills are transportable and in high demand, which makes it easy to travel or move interstate or even overseas. And at the end of the day, you go home having contributed to another person living the life they want.”

Universal Disability Insurance

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:24:05 +1000

Amongst the list of big ideas of the 2020 summit was an inexpensive, far-reaching solution to the forthcoming crisis in disability support. The idea is as simple as it is big: a national, universal disability insurance system.

Universal insurance for disability support services (The Age, 12 April) will define Australia's fair-go culture for the 21st century. And it’s a concrete opportunity for Kevin Rudd to adopt a simple, low-cost big idea that will form part of his legacy for current and future generations.

Most Australians significantly underestimate their personal risk of needing disability support services. And most Australians think that somehow their government or their health insurance fund will look after them. However, this is often not the case.

Most Australians think disability is something that happens to other people. And yet every day, more people acquire - or are born with - a disability. Advances in medical technology do not mean a reduction in disability; in fact there is evidence that the reverse is true. Incurable medical conditions, accidental mishaps, unexpected food or drug reactions, or even – as in the case of James Macready-Bryan – criminal assault: we can start the day healthy and unimpaired, and by the end of the day we have been catapulted into a path that leads to isolation, poverty, and distress for ourselves and our families.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 1 in 5 Australians have some form of disability (intellectual, physical, sensory or other forms). The odds of having a "severe or profound" disability are around 1 in 16: almost 20 times more likely than having a fifth-division win in Tattslotto in any week.

And yet surely, in the 21st century, the risk is mitigated by health insurance and/or by Government? Think again. Health insurance will pay to patch you up, but if you need long term support, you'll have to pay for it yourself. Or join a waiting list for Government-funded services. And while you're on that waiting list, you could be unemployed, your partner could be forced to quit their job to look after you, the house payments could become a problem. Suddenly, life is very difficult indeed.

Of Australians with a disability, only around 15% receive professional (paid-for) disability services. As our population ages, so will the incidence of disability and our need to fix the disability crisis before it swamps us. Many need very little support. But there are thousands of people whose experience of societal reaction and government support is tragic.

The type of universal disability insurance scheme being proposed would cost a very small amount. Around $40 per person per year would raise more than $100M in Victoria alone, slashing waiting lists, strengthening families, and allowing countless thousands of family members to make other community contributions: increasing their skills or joining the paid workforce. Having carers back in the workforce increases their wellbeing, reduces the benefits that governments pay, increases taxes paid, increases national productivity, and helps reduce the workforce crisis.

In the 19th century we accepted that universal education defined our progress. In the 20th century we accepted that universal health care defined our progress. Now, in the opening years of the 21st century, let's accept that universal access to disability services defines our progress.

After all, it could be any one of us who find ourselves in need.

And it's well worth a few dollars per year to make this Australian fair go a reality.

Richard Dent is the CEO of the EW Tipping Foundation and Victorian Person Centred Services, community development organisations with a focus on services and inclusion for people with a disability.

Golf time for Terry

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:07:40 +1000

Terry Meade of Ballarat looks forward to Tuesdays with a passion.

It’s the day he gets out to play several hours of golf with his EW Tipping Foundation staff member, James.

Terry receives five hours of support every week from the EW Tipping Foundation as part of its dementia support program.

Terry, 83, was diagnosed with dementia after suffering a stroke nearly two years ago which affected his memory.

Until then, he had been very active, particularly looking after the acreage property that was home for him and his wife Jill.

Jill cannot remember who referred them to the Foundation but blesses the day Terry became involved in its program.

“When Denise Loveless from the Foundation came out here, she told Terry the support hours were for whatever he wanted to do,” she said. “I knew that he really wanted to try and continue to play golf.”

Every Tuesday, Terry and James head out for a round on the golf course, often playing up to 18 holes.

“Being able to continue playing golf gives Terry a sense of normalcy in his daily life; a sense of purpose and meaning, and achievement in completing a round of golf,” said Jill. “It also keeps him physically and mentally alert and provides motivation in his daily life.”

For Terry, it’s also a chance for some male company. “James is very attuned to my way of thinking,” said Terry. “We suit each other really well.”

The golf sessions also gives Jill a break from caring. “I was just beginning to feel like I never had a break,” she said. “The program has been great for both of us.”

The dementia program is funded by the Federal Government’s National Respite for Carers Program and is free of charge.

Having your own housewarming

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:16:38 +1000

A housewarming wasn’t even on the horizon for 36-year-old Kien – until very recently.

But Kien has joined the growing number of people with disabilities making a successful transition from a home shared with other people with disabilities, to living in his own home.

With support from his family, who have purchased a unit, and with funding from a Support and Choice package, Kien has been able to move out of the shared home he has lived in for the past 15 years.

Victorian Person Centred Services staff visit him every morning to help him get up and running for the day. When he returns home after work, we help him prepare meals, shop, pay bills and attend medical appointments – not to mention going off to the occasional footy match!

Now he has his own space and can make his own decisions about how his life is going to work . Kien is living life his way – and he loves it!

Respite for us, fun for him

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:15:31 +1000

When a member of the VPCS team arrives every Saturday and Wednesday afternoon to take Michael out, it’s good for everyone.

The rest of the family gets a break, and Michael, who is 16 and has autism spectrum disorder, has a great time out and about.

“He really is a social butterfly,” said his mum Bonnie. “He really loves having that one-on-one attention.”

Andrew and Sam take Michael out swimming and for lunch. Occasionally they also go out on a day trip – to Puffing Billy, for instance, or the Melbourne Zoo.

“It’s a chance for Michael to develop his social skills and independence, and it encourages him to do something physical,” said Bonnie.

The excursions give the family some respite from caring for Michael. It means Bonnie can work on weekends, and it means dad Tom and sister Kate can have some quality time together. The family can live life their way.

“VPCS have done their best to accommodate our needs and they are very approachable – I know I can always phone them to discuss things.”

Mum's Treasures

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:14:15 +1000

Once a fortnight, a group of children in Swan Hill know they’re in for a treat.

They belong to VPCS’s “Mum’s Treasures” group, run by our Swan Hill team.

The group was formed after discussions between the VPCS team and parents in a local support group about how we could help them live life their way. Not surprisingly, it was named by the mums!

Children between 5 and 12 participate, enjoying everything from ten pin bowls to picnics in the park.

In school holidays, the group has traveled as far as Mildura for a day the Park for Play (an All Abilities park) and the Orange Farm, and to Echuca for a ride on a paddle steamer.

“We want to involve the children in the community, as well as providing parents with a few hours’ respite,” said Team Leader Mary Uebergang. “Mum’s Treasures has been a great success and we’ve had some very positive feedback from parents.”

Into the real world

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:12:54 +1000

Because of illness, Julanne world had shrunk to her one bedroom unit, with the company of her two beautiful cats Jessie and Fanny.

A few months ago, with the help of a friend, she was referred to Victorian Person Centred Services – and she began to live life her way.

Her staff member Moisei Furman visits Julanne every week, taking her out to go shopping. “He takes me out into the real world!” said Julanne.

It’s not just the trips that Julanne appreciates, but also the attitude of VPCS staff.

“They are enormously patient and totally capable of seeing if I need anything extra,” said Julanne.

“I am able to negotiate my service and communication is always open rather than closed, which is lovely.

“That negotiation with the organisation allows me to be confident – I know I can ring VPCS if anything was worrying me.”