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BCR Communities in partnership with ExSitu are finalists in the ‘Improving Consumer Choice’ category for the 2022 innovAGEING National Awards. These awards showcase organisations increasing their client-focused initiatives and improving quality services to older Australians. It acknowledges the positive impact our new values-based care plans are having on our community members lives. We are one of only four finalists for this category from a very competitive pool of 45 applicants nationally. Our submission was in partnership with ExSitu, and acknowledges the work we are doing together rolling out the innovative ExSitu tool to our in-home clients. The tool captures the core values and lifestyle wishes of each person through an online card sorting process. Individual values-based Advanced Care Plans are then generated, which includes important information about what really matters to them, and how they want their care to proceed if their health deteriorates. Having a meaningful Advanced Care Plan is of particular comfort to 88-year-old Margaret Sharman who has lived alone in her own home for the last 35 years and has no immediate family. “I am totally alone, I don’t have children or brothers and sisters but I am fortunate to have very, very good friends,” Margaret said. “I love my home and I am a very independent person. I have had to look after myself and make all my own decisions for many, many years. “Being able to make my own Advanced Care Plan means I can continue to make my own decisions right up to the end. “ExSitu was easy to use and now I have a document that I can give to my GP, or the hospital or my friend which outlines how I want to be cared for if anything should happen to me.”

Packing up and moving to another country is a big upheaval at any age but can you imagine starting again at the age of 91? This is exactly what Audrie Lee did when she crossed the ditch with her two daughters moving from Auckland to Old Erowal Bay. Now 93, the intrepid Kiwi said she is very happy in her new life mainly because she found friendships and meaningful connections through the BCR social groups and activities. “It was a big move but joining in with activities at BCR made me feel part of the community straight away,” Audrie said. “I have always been a talker and I love meeting people but when I first moved here I didn’t really know anyone so I was finding myself sometimes talking to the dog!” Audrie is part of the BCR Communities Wednesday Social Group who get together every week for a day of activities which might include trivia, cards, games, craft, performances or just getting out and enjoying the community. “The bus picks me up and drops me home and we do a lot of activities but it’s talking and joking around I like the most.” “They are all just lovely people - making friends at my age is really special!” It is harder to keep socially connected as we age, friends and family move away or health problems make it more difficult to get out of the house. This is why BBCR currently runs four different social groups in the Bay & Basin. Depending on your eligibility, social outings and group activities can be included in both the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home Care Packages under My Aged Care. If you would like to find out more about our BCR Social Groups please phone 1300 222 748 or email info@bbcri.com.au

Where can you go to listen to live local community radio, find out about community events happening in and around the Bay & Basin and catch up on the latest national and local news? The new Bay & Basin Community Radio website www.927fm.com.au Station Manager Brad Slaughter said that the new website is a natural extension of the radio station and shares the same aim of keeping locals in the Bay & Basin informed, connected and entertained. “Some of the best features of the new website are the listen live option for our webstream and the program guide which clearly lays out content for every day of the week,” Brad said. “Being a community radio station we play music on 92.7FM that you may not hear on commercial radio in the area. We have programs to suit all ages, from specialist music shows and youth radio to a range of topics – sport, science, gardening, motoring, gaming and movies – there’s too many to name.” “We have an amazing team of over 35 volunteers that produce local content and programs that reflect their own personalities and passions.” “The weekly program guide lets you know exactly when to tune in for the content that interests you and you can also now listen to 92.7FM via the community radio app.” The website also includes a Sponsorship Directory of local businesses, national news stories from The Wire and a Community Events Directory which enables local community organisations to submit details of upcoming events. To make the new website truly local, each main page features stunning photography of the Bay & Basin region by talented photographer Russ Newman. “We think we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and Russ’s photos really highlight that and connect our website to the region.” Brad said.

When Michelle Riley signed up to be a volunteer with BCR Communities she did so for the sole purpose of giving back to her community and helping others. What she wasn’t expecting to find from the experience was a renewed sense of purpose, a boost to her self-confidence, the chance to learn new skills and real social connection. “I moved down here five years ago and when COVID-19 hit I found myself out of a paid job and that affected my self-esteem and mental health,” Michelle said. “I decided to volunteer not for my own self-gratification but because I really wanted to help other people and volunteering is something I have just always done.” “It has been such a great experience for me not only mentally but also socially because when I moved down here I didn’t really know anyone and now through BCR I have met lots of people and feel connected to the community.” One of Michelle’s favourite volunteering roles is providing social support to Sanctuary Point local Rell French. Rell, who herself has volunteered all her life, initially found it hard to be on the receiving end of social support but now can’t imagine life without her visits from Michelle. “Michelle is absolutely wonderful, I honestly don’t know what I would do without her,” Rell said. “She is kind and thoughtful and understanding and really listens to me.” If you are interested in joining the BBCR team as a volunteer call 1300 222 748 or email info@bbcri.com.au. We will take the time to get to know you and discover your interests, talents, skills and goals before finding the perfect role for you.

For Sanctuary Point resident Doreen Maurice, one of the greatest pleasures in her life is sitting out in her garden surrounded by her plants and flowers and the variety of birdlife they attract. With Doreen now 84-years-old and her husband Stuart 91-years-old maintaining their beautiful garden has become increasingly difficult and this year’s high volume of rain quickly turned their sanctuary into an overgrown jungle with slippery pathways making it difficult to access safely. Fortunately Doreen is part of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) which meant she could access the BCR Communities Home Maintenance Program. She was thrilled when a team of staff and volunteers turned up armed with gardening equipment and a power cleaner and got to work. “I was so happy when they came, my garden is very important to me, it is what I love most about my home,” Doreen said. “It’s a lovely feeling to have it looking nice again, before BCR came it was such a mess that it was starting to feel really depressing looking at it. I feel so much better mentally now.” For Doreen and Stuart, it is support like this that allows them to keep living happily and independently in the home they love. “I really, really want to stay living in my own home and so does Stuart, so that we continue to have autonomy over our lives” Doreen said. “It is reassuring knowing that BCR Communities has this service that can help with the garden and the house so we can keep living here.” If you would like to find out more about the BCR Home Maintenance Program or would like to join our team as a volunteer please phone 1300 222 748 or email info@bbcri.com.au

Dress for Success Sydney, the not-for-profit organisation that has been empowering women and transforming lives across New South Wales, is now offering free styling sessions in the Shoalhaven at the BCR Community Space. The Illawarra branch of Dress for Success Sydney is providing free clothing, accessories and styling and presentation advice to women who have been experiencing hardship and are wanting to enter or return to the workforce. One of the first women to be styled in the Shoalhaven was 37-year-old mother of two, Angela Benson. Arriving in her usual comfortable attire of jeans and sweatshirt, Angela left her session with two stylish outfits, a bag of accessories and a renewed sense of confidence. “I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was such a great experience, I loved it,” Angela said. “I’ve never really had clothes like this before, they are not something I would have bought for myself but now if I need to go for a job interview I will have something nice to wear.” “Because the clothes look good and I feel good in them, I feel more confident.” The driving force behind the Shoalhaven operation is Diane Lamb who has been collecting donations of quality corporate clothes for the last 18 months. The BCR Communities team has supported the initiative by providing the premises free of charge and sourcing donations of shoes, makeup and other accessories. “As soon as I heard about Dress for Success, I knew I wanted to be involved,” Diane said. “So many women go through hard times in their lives and they need to be lifted up and encouraged. Mothers especially will be so busy making sure their families have everything they need that they don’t think about themselves.” “It’s really special to see the change that comes over a woman when she sees herself dressed in lovely clothes, she will stand taller and you can immediately feel the change in her confidence.” Diane and volunteer stylist Rebecca Lazenby run sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from the BCR Community Space in the Sanctuary Point Youth & Community Centre . To book an appointment visit https://bit.ly/ShoalhavenPopup or email illawarra@dfssydney.org