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Everyone has that one piece of clothing they can’t quite let go of. For 16-year-old Sol, it was her favourite pair of jeans - comfortable, familiar and worn constantly. When a hole appeared, Sol was ready to say goodbye, until a needle, some thread and a dash of creative inspiration changed their future. Sol was one of a group of young people who recently took part in a Youth Collective Textile Art Workshop at the BCR Youth and Community Centre in Sanctuary Point. Rather than discarding damaged or forgotten clothing, participants were invited to bring items from home and learn how to transform them through fabric printing and embroidery. The workshop was facilitated by BCR Community Program Officer Cita Daidone, who brings decades of experience as an art teacher and a strong belief in creativity as a tool for confidence and self-expression. “What we wear often tells a story about who we are,” Cita said. “This workshop was about giving young people the chance to explore their identity, build confidence and realise they can re-imagine something instead of throwing it away.” Through guided activities, participants learned how to embellish, repair and restore clothing - turning holes, stains and worn patches into creative features. For Sol, a simple embroidery flourish meant her much-loved jeans could be worn again. “I’m excited to wear them again,” Sol said. “I haven’t really done printing on fabric or embroidery before, and I’ve liked it a lot because it’s really creative.” Funded by the Office of Regional Youth, the workshop reflects a growing focus on providing young people in regional areas with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, skills and employment pathways close to home. “A spark of an idea can turn into something much bigger,” Cita said. “It might lead to selling handmade pieces at a market stall or online but just as importantly, it creates that moment of realising, ‘I can actually do this’ which is priceless.” Beyond the creative process, the workshop also opened conversations about sustainability. With thousands of clothing items discarded each year, participants were encouraged to think differently about fashion, consumption and waste. The workshop reflects BCR Communities’ ongoing commitment to creativity, sustainability and empowering young people to see new possibilities – not just in their clothing, but in their skills and confidence.

When 20-year-old NDIS participant Bailey Van Den Hooven invites friends into his home, one feature always stands out - a handcrafted bar made from recycled blackwood. What makes it special is that Bailey designed and built it himself through the BCR Communities NDIS Work, Life & Training (WLT) program. After a serious road accident at 15 changed his life, Bailey faced years of rehabilitation and learning new ways to live independently. Through WLT, he was able to reconnect with a lifelong passion for woodworking and turn it into practical, real-world skills. Working alongside BCR staff at the Activities Hub, Bailey developed his craftsmanship, problem-solving and planning skills while bringing his ambitious vision - Bailey’s Bar - to life. Week by week, he built confidence, learned to use tools and materials safely, and saw what was possible when given the right support. Since completing the bar, Bailey has continued to attend the BCR Activities Hub - he has refined his techniques, worked with different timbers and tools, and grown more confident in his craftsmanship. In 2025, Bailey began creating handmade charcuterie boards - carefully designed, beautifully finished and made with the same attention to detail that defined his bar project. Then came a major milestone. On Christmas Eve, Bailey delivered five handcrafted charcuterie boards to his very first customer. It was a proud and meaningful milestone - not just because he had completed a sale, but because it marked a step towards something bigger. Bailey is now working steadily towards his dream of running his own online business, where he hopes to sell his handcrafted charcuterie boards and other woodworking creations. Supported by the team at BCR Communities, Bailey continues to refine his craft, explore new designs and learn what it takes to turn his passion into a small business.

From the stench of boiling whale blubber on the wind to the quiet of a sailor’s grave overlooking Jervis Bay, Uncovering the Bay and Basin  brings to life the stories that have shaped this remarkable stretch of the New South Wales South Coast. Produced in the studios of Bay & Basin 92.7 FM, this locally made history podcast tells big stories in small doses - each episode running under five minutes, perfect for a coffee break, morning walk or drive along the bay. A Local Lens on Local History Every episode blends research, storytelling and sound design to uncover the events and characters that still echo through the Shoalhaven. Written and researched by Wendy Hamlin and hosted by Stephen Brown, Uncovering the Bay and Basin  shines a light on the people, industries and natural forces that helped shape the region we call home. This short-form podcast was created to help listeners reconnect with the landscapes and landmarks they see every day revealing the fascinating stories hidden within the coves, headlands and country towns of the Bay & Basin. Historic Stories of Jervis Bay and the South Coast NSW Across its growing collection of bite-sized episodes, the series spans centuries of local history from the whaling boom and bust to colonial ambition, natural disasters and unexpected links to the nation’s capital. In Whalers of Jervis Bay: Boom, Bust and Legacy , listeners are transported to the early 1900s when shore-based and later Norwegian industrial whaling defined coastal life. The story captures how this once-profitable trade polluted the bay and divided the community before its dramatic collapse paving the way for the whale-watching culture that thrives today. The Wool Road Story  follows convicts and colonists carving a 60-kilometre track from Nerriga to the coast in 1841, an ambitious attempt to turn Jervis Bay into a major wool port. Though the plan failed, its legacy lives on in road names like Larmer Avenue  and Wool Lane  and in the optimism that characterised early colonial Australia. The Sailor’s Grave at Huskisson  explores the poignant resting place of 19-year-old seaman Robert Johnson, whose 1892 drowning forever tied his name to a popular surf break known simply as Sailor’s . The episode connects past and present, reminding listeners how stories of loss and remembrance still shape local identity. In Canberra’s Coastal Cousin – The Jervis Bay Territory , the series uncovers the curious political arrangement that gave land-locked Canberra its own seaside territory. While Discovering Jervis Bay’s Tsunami Past  reveals geological evidence that waves up to 80 metres high once crashed into the cliffs of Beecroft Peninsula, reshaping the coastline thousands of years ago. Listening to the Past More than a history lesson, Uncovering the Bay and Basin  is an invitation to rediscover the region through sound. Drawing on archival research, oral histories and local insight, Wendy Hamlin and Stephen Brown craft engaging snapshots of Shoalhaven life that build pride, connection and curiosity. Each short episode proves that history doesn’t have to be long or dusty - it can be vivid, accessible and right on your doorstep. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a visitor exploring the South Coast NSW, these stories invite you to see the familiar through new eyes. Listen to Uncovering the Bay and Basin  - short, local and unforgettable stories - on the 92.7FM podcast page. https://www.927fm.com.au/uncovering-the-bay-and-basin/

BCR JOB BOARD Can’t find what you’re looking for today? FILL IN THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM BELOW AND WE WILL INFORM YOU OF FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES! Preferred general location What type of work are you looking for? SUBMIT Thank you, we'll be in touch.

Whether your goal is getting a job, living independently, learning new skills, socialising and making friends or just having fun, BCR Communities is your local NDIS provider. We take the time to really understand your interests, dreams and goals before tailoring a support plan that is just for you. NDIS SUPPORTS HISTORY Do you have an NDIS plan? BCR COMMUNITIES IS YOUR LOCAL NDIS PROVIDER Whether your goal is working towards getting a job, living independently, learning new skills, socialising and making friends or just having fun, BCR Communities can support you to achieve it. We take the time to really understand your interests, dreams and goals before tailoring a support plan that is just for you. Here are just some examples of how we can support you to achieve your goals JOIN THE WORKFORCE Goal: Join the workforce We can give you the support you need to learn specific employment skills like time-management, working safely (WHS), travel training and communication skills. IMPROVE HEALTH & WELLBEING Goal: Improve my health and wellbeing We can help you discover activities which will improve your fitness and have you feeling fantastic. It might be bushwalking, dancing, bowling or swimming.. GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY Goal: Give back to my community At the BCR Activities Hub you can work with our volunteers and staff on many projects that give back to our community. MAKE NEW FRIENDS Goal: Make new friends You will meet lots of new people at the BCR Activities Hub and we can also support you to join fun activities, social groups and events in the community. INCREASE INDEPENDENCE Goal: Increase my independence BCR can support you to build the skills you need for daily living. Learn how to cook, mow the lawn, stick to a budget or use public transport. LEARN A NEW SKILL Goal: Learn a new skill From getting your L plates to playing music or hosting your own radio show, if there is a skill you want to learn, we can support you to master it. "I am learning to play the guitar, plant in the garden, make things with wood, catch a fish and cook my own lunch on the BBQ. Next I want to learn the drums!" JESSE Contact BCR today to find out more about our Youth Employment Assistance SUBMIT THANK YOU, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.

A BCR Communities Home Care Package (HCP) will give you the support you need to keep living independently in your own home and socially connected to your local community. We work with you and your support network to create a personalised program based on your lifestyle, needs, values and goals. AGEING WELL HISTORY Home Care Packages STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY AT HOME A BCR Communities Home Care Package (HCP) will give you the support you need to keep living independently in your own home and socially connected to your local community. Home Care Packages are designed for those with more complex or intensive care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) can provide. Once you have been assigned your government-subsidised Home Care Package through My Aged Care, your experienced BCR Communities care team will work with you and your support network to create a personalised program based on your values, lifestyle, needs and goals. A BCR Home Care Package can support you with: Individualised supports: based around your interests and preferred activities Personal services: aimed to assist you with any personal care needs you may have Shopping: making sure you have all you need to generate healthy meals at home Meal preparation: assisting you to prepare or have delivered fresh and nutritious meals Transport: helping you get to medical or other essential appointments Declutter and packing: helping keep your house safe, tidy and organised In-home respite: keeping you company when your carer has other commitments Minor home modifications and equipment: so you can stay independent in your home Allied Health support: to assist with maintaining independence in your home Why Choose BCR Communities for In-Home Support? COMMUNITY Personalised Care Our team takes the time to understand your goals, lifestyle and values so that we can create a personalised plan that is just for you. COMMUNITY Consistent quality care You will be supported by a team of people from your local community who are experienced, caring and committed to providing the best quality support. COMMUNITY We are truly local BCR Communities was created for locals by locals and nobody understands the communities of the Shoalhaven and Illawarra better than we do. COMMUNITY We are flexible and responsive We understand that your needs and goals may change over time so we will regularly review your plan to ensure you are always living the best life possible. COMMUNITY We put people first As a community-led, not-for-profit organisation, our mission is to partner with our communities to provide person-centred services for all. COMMUNITY We are inclusive We welcome people from across our communities and celebrate the diversity they bring to our organisation. SUBMIT THANK YOU, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH. Contact BCR today to find out more about how we can support you at home Values Based Care Plans The BCR Communities difference is that we really get to know you before creating a plan of support. We use ExSitu , an innovative and award-winning app designed to provide the highest level of values-based care. We are moving from filling in complicated or confusing forms so you can sit in the comfort or your own home with a BCR care staff member and answer ExSitu’s simple card-based questions. The app will help you to identify what is important to you, what gives you joy, and how we might support you to live your best possible life. By establishing your core values and lifestyle desires, ExSitu can generate a values-based care plan that is truly personalised for you. Find out more Steps to getting a Home Care Package STEP 1 The first step in accessing a government-subsidised Home Care Package is to contact My Aged Care to check your eligibility. You can call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au My Aged Care STEP 2 If you are eligible, a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will visit your home to provide a free home support assessment. During this meeting they will identify what your home care needs are and confirm your eligibility to receive government-subsidised support. STEP 3 My Aged Care will write to you to let you know the outcome of your assessment and the level of care you are eligible for and approved to receive. There is a waiting list for HCP funding to be assigned. My Aged Care will notify you in writing once you have been assigned a package. Am I eligible for a Home Care Package? Eligibility for a government-subsidised Home Care Package is based on your age and your support needs. A Home Care Package could be what you need if you are: need support with everyday activities need support to continue to living independently in your own home and your community 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) OR 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless. Support at Home Price List “I can’t fault them in any way and I appreciate everything they do for me because they are lovely girls and I would be lost without them.” ELAINE