It might be just having a chat and a cuppa, discovering the joy of art or taking time out to make new friends while the kids are enjoying safe, fun games.
East Gippsland Social Outreach Workers, Nina McDonough-Monahan and Amber Louise, have seen the big difference small things can make to communities.
Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN) funds the Outreach CARE Program, delivered by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Victoria in bushfire-affected areas of East Gippsland. Both Nina and Amber believe this low intensity support is mitigating referrals to clinical services.
“While there is always the option to access clinical support, we find the real need is to have those health and wellbeing conversations with people,” Nina said. “We have come up with different ways of engaging with the people who need it.”
According to Amber, other local organisations are keen to collaborate.
“We have art workshops for parents and carers in Orbost, many of them who felt isolated and disconnected,” Amber said.
Read the full story here Media release – Outreach service 10062022
