On Friday, 15 July 2022,  the Friday Sports Group joined the Friday Fun Group in creating merriment in the Cottage where both groups celebrated Christmas in July. A festive Christmas tree, sparkling garlands, and colourful bauble ornaments added a cheery seasonal backdrop.

The 17 participants from both groups enjoyed socializing. as they sampled a range of morning tea biscuits and slices while sipping cups of hot drinks.

Maestro John entertained with a round of ‘Jingle Bells’ accompanying his own singing on piano, just before the start of the Cottage ‘Christmas in July Mini-Golf Classic’. All who teed off showed commendable point scoring and flair.  Team rivalry between the Friday Fun and Friday Sports Groups was soon overridden by general comradery as noted by the numerous eruptions of cheers and applause from all players, when points were scored by members of either team.

Taking turns on the putting ‘green’ worked up appetites for the roast pork lunch served with crackling, apple sauce, roasted sweet and white potatoes, caramelised onion, peas and gravy. The clean plates were a testament to volunteer Trevor’s talents in the kitchen! Main course was followed by sweets of apple crumble with cream.  Delicious edible take home treats of beautifully wrapped Christmas shortbread baked by Amy were provided as delicious edible souvenirs of the event.

Maestro John continued his passion for live music as he led the group in a round of The Seeker’s ‘Morningtown Ride’ before the Friday Sports Group gathered on the patio with Support Workers Sophie and Maryann to play Uno while group participant Rae and Support Worker Gina engaged the Friday Fun Group in an Elvis Music fest and singalong.

At one point, foot tapping wasn’t enough for me and I was compelled to jive and twirl around group participant Ron as I took his hand. He responded with gleeful laughter that I could have mistaken for Santa’s ‘Ho, Ho, Ho!’

Lael – Community Support Worker

The post A Cosy Cottage Christmas in July appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The Expo will offer South East Queensland residents with a disability and their families the opportunity to:

• Find out about the latest products, services, technology, aids and equipment.
• Talk with Government, NDIS, advocacy and consumer rights organisations.
• Connect with charities and service providers covering specialist care and support.
• Listen to NDIS presentations and Q&A sessions from a range of local speakers and organisations.

Lifebridge Australia will be in attendance at the Expo, showcasing our range of Disability Programs. Our expert Team will be on site ready to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

Simply visit our stall and say ‘hello’ – we would love to meet you!

• When: Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June 2019
• Where: Gold Coast Event Centre, cnr Jim Griffiths Way and Racecourse Drive, Bundall QLD 4217
• Times: 9am – 3pm
• Cost: Free entry, which includes a free showbag
• Register: You can register your attendance at www.goldcoastdisabilityexpo.com.au

The post Gold Coast Disability Expo 2019 appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

The post Explore the Possibilities Expo appeared first on Lifebridge Australia.

And to this point, an additional 14,000 Home Care Packages would be released over a four-year period. The announcement of these additional Packages is very welcomed and at Lifebridge we are excited by the commitment given to in-home aged care. With an ageing population it is somewhat comforting to see focus being placed, where it is needed.

Australians are now expected to live almost ten years longer than they were 50 years ago. This move by the Government seeks to maximise the opportunities that a longer life brings.

What’s less than pleasing however, is that there are still are over 100,000 Australians in the queue to receive a Home Care Package. There is a real need to reduce the wait times for aged individuals, their family members and their carers, so that they can receive the services they need now and not at a time when it’s too late.

These services are fundamental for thousands of Australians who require additional support to remain in their homes.

Looking at Disability Services sector, the Government has committed $43 billion of Commonwealth money over the next four years for the NDIS. This is just over half the $83.2 billion cost of the scheme over this period, consistent with the Commonwealth’s share.

In a Government statement, “Funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme is in place and always will be, ensuring that Australians living with disability can access the lifetime care and support they need.”

In supporting the roll-out of the NDIS, the Government is also committing over $64 million over 3 years to establish an NDIS Jobs and Market Fund. The purpose of which is to raise awareness of NDIS Job opportunities, overcome market barriers, address service difficulties in rural and remote areas and help businesses build their capacity.

While its expected this fund will help, it will require additional support to more closely align growth with demand.

For those who receive supports but are ineligible for the NDIS, the Department of Social Services will establish additional continuity of support arrangements at a cost of $92 million over 5 years. The Budget says that “eligible recipients will receive a level of support that is consistent with that which they currently receive.”

There are five separate elements:

1. The programs Better Start, Helping Children with Autism, Work-Based Personal Assistance, Remote Hearing and Vision Services for Children, Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker Program, Australian Disability Enterprises, and Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers will cease mid-2019. People receiving support from these programs who are ineligible for the NDIS will have access to funding to enable them to continue to receive assistance.
2. People who are 65 years and over, not an NDIS participant and need access to Auslan will have continued access to the Auslan Booking Service.
3. The Mobility Allowance will cease in mid-2020. People receiving it at that time (who are not NDIS-eligible) will be grandfathered and continue to receive it but there will be no new entrants. The Government hopes that this change will enable parliament to approve a Bill that is encountering resistance.
4. People receiving assistance from Partners in Recovery, Personal Helpers and Mentors, and Day to Day Living support will continue to do so through arrangements being put in place with the Primary Health Networks.
5. Four carers programs will be incorporated into the Integrated Carer Support Services.

Some other key facts:

NDIS in states and territories – Over the coming year, state and territory governments will benefit from the transfer of almost $3.4 billion from the DisabilityCare Australia Fund – established in 2014 to assist governments to implement the NDIS.

Carers Allowance – The Carers Allowance will be means-tested for the first time, with the government setting a $250,000 income test threshold. The money saved will be directed to Integrated Carer Support Service consisting of early intervention for carers.

Mental health – There will be an increase of $338M over four years in mental health funding, which will focus on suicide prevention, research and older Australians.

NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission – $43M will establish the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This funding will establish the national office and a regional office for NSW and SA.

If you would like more information about what this budgetary announcement means or would like to speak about how this may impact you, please contact Lifebridge on 1800 043 186.

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