It’s National Volunteer Week (21 – 27 May 2018), a time to give volunteers that extra bit of acknowledgment and appreciation for the generous contribution they make to Australian communities.  The theme for 2018 is ‘Give a Little. Change a Lot’ – even a small volunteer commitment can make a huge difference!

Volunteers are the backbone of IOE’s service provision.

Without volunteers we would not be able to run any of our recreation programs for children, the long running host program would not exist, our family camps and activities would not provide families with the support they currently do and all our adult services – recreation programs and post school options – would be considerably diminished.

Volunteers bring so much to IOE. Not just the immense amount of time they contribute, not just the cost savings they allow, but their diversity, their unique and individual personalities, outlooks on life, interests and skills all enrich our entire IOE family.

With the introduction of the NDIS there has been a degree of uncertainty in regard to the place of volunteers in future service provision. Following extensive lobbying by Volunteering Victoria and numerous volunteer organisations (IOE included), the NDIA has recognised that this is an area which needs to be addressed in some way.  HAAC which currently funds IOE’s volunteer program has given the undertaking that it will continue to do so. Volunteers have always played a valued part in many of our program areas and will continue to do so into the future.

IOE continues to work closely with volunteering organisations such as Volunteering Victoria to ensure we remain up to date with the latest news, methods and standards, ensuring we provide the best possible volunteer experience for the many people, young and older, who are a part of IOE. We pride ourselves in being leaders in volunteer initiatives, particularly in regard to youth volunteering, and constantly strive to let our volunteers know how much they are appreciated.

Read more about what’s happening during National Volunteer Week at https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw/

To find out more about the many volunteering opportunities at IOE visit our volunteering page https://www.ioe.org.au/get-involved/volunteers/   or contact our volunteer coordinators on 9758 5522 or volunteers@ioe.org.au

Happy Mothers Day to all our wonderful and caring Interchange Outer East mothers!

Cool mums, crazy mums, serious mums, ‘what happens happens’ mums … no matter what sort of a mum you are, always remember you are a valued part of your family and of our IOE family.

So to all our mothers – try to take some time out to look after yourself this Sunday – even if it is just to give yourself a hug and tell yourself what an amazing person you are!

At IOE we have always believed that looking after mums is a vital part of our service and our Mothers Support program has been a valued IOE service now for over 25 years.

The inaugural outing saw 14 mums taking the ferry (the little one that no longer operates!) from Sorrento to Queenscliffe on Sunday 28th March 1993. From the report and pics in the June ‘93 newsletter, what happened then is what happens now – lots of food, wine, non-stop laughter, conversation, plus a great reluctance to head home … the open expanse of the bay and the wind in our hair as we sailed back to Sorrento were  symbolic of the freedom those 14 ladies were feeling at the end of that day.

Since that first day we have been to more markets, restaurants, wineries and pubs than I can count. We’ve BBQd and picnicked on boats on the Yarra, by the river in Warburton, and down the Peninsula! We’ve relaxed in spas in Daylesford and the Peninsula Hot Springs, been to theatre shows, dinner shows, comedy shows, Moonlight Cinema and Zoo Twilights. We’ve visited just about every market in Melbourne and surrounds and no op shop is safe when we are out. Those ladies really love to shop!
Basically if it is there, food is involved and a chance to relax and have lots of fun, then we will do it! Just about the only planned activity that had very few replies was the indoor rock climbing and laser shoot day – planned in response to requests for ‘something more active’. That went down like the proverbial lead balloon – I suppose it’s too hard to talk when you’re climbing a wall!

Being a mother and, for the most part, a primary carer of someone with a disability, often limits opportunities for normal social interaction. Because of care demands, many mums have limited opportunity to hold down a job, or even get sufficient time off to socialise with friends, let alone make new friendships or have time away from home just for themselves. Statistics show that marriage breakdown is higher than the average in families where there is disability, which only adds to care responsibilities and social isolation.

The opportunity to have fun and enjoy the company of other women who understand is the main reason why Mothers’ Support is so important to so many mothers.

Mums say that organising for time out is like organising an army manoeuvre – so we take care of the outing details for them.. Yes, mothers still have to organise care or funding for support for their charge but then they can walk out the door and know that they can turn off from ’being responsible’. All details have been taken care of. The biggest decision becomes what to have for lunch!
Mums’ group also gives the ladies a chance to network, get helpful information, de-stress and, at times, offload – all essential for restoring balance in a demanding life. Maintaining sanity in fact.

The benefits of Mums’ Support cannot be over estimated and is summed up by Diane, one of our regular mums group attendees

‘IOE Mum’s group well what can I say? If you’ve got a sense of humour, love to laugh and have some fun with a wonderful group of caring, talkative and noisy women then this is just the ticket for you!
From the first activity I ever embarked on where I hardly knew anybody I’ve been made to feel welcome and formed many wonderful friendships over the past 15 years. It’s given me a chance to seek some much needed respite where I could escape all the problems, responsibilities and demands of being a carer, wife and mother to just be ME!!’

So Mums spoil yourself throughout the year, not just on Sunday, by finding out more about our Mums Social Group and Carers Group programs.

IOE’s Adult Services is making good community connections in the Yarra Valley through its Rural Intensive program!

The program has two main components, community inclusion and independent living skills.

The independent living skills are being learned and put into practice during regular two day intensives which includes an overnight stay at Britannia Park Guides Camp in Wesburn. Participants stay overnight in one of the cottages and while there practise independent living skills, including shopping; planning and cooking meals; doing general house hold chores like washing dishes, vacuuming floors and carpets, making beds and cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. As well they learn about personal care in regard to showering and general hygiene issues. Living and working in the house participants also learn to share a space with other people, to compromise, negotiate, communicate and be in each others company. This is when the good social interaction happens, people begin to build rapport, get to know each other and develop friendships.

We are building community connections in the Valley in a number of ways. At present participants are volunteering at Koha Community Café in Yarra Junction on a Thursday afternoon where they set up the dining room ready for the café to open to the public at 6pm. Every second week everyone stays on to join members of the community for dinner at the cafe and on the alternate week the group cooks dinner back at the cottage.

Participants also volunteer at Yarra Valley ECOSS, which is a sustainability and learning farm. The farm has many aspects to it such as bee keeping, tiny houses, an art gallery and pottery studio and a general area for communities to use called The Coop. Chickens run free and lay their eggs in the garden, there is a plant nursery and a large vegetable garden where the group mainly works clearing the vegetable beds and preparing for the next seasonal crops.

The Rural Program participants have finally started volunteering at Warburton Primary School, growing vegetables and herbs in their garden beds that will then be used for cooking meals at Koha Café. All in all there are a huge number of diverse skills that are being acquired through involvement in all these ventures, skills which can be put to good use when looking for work and moving to increased living independence.

These are just a few of the things that Rural Intensive participants are involved in. Our aim is to explore the Yarra Valley and all its resources and hopefully to become involved in many more community and private businesses so we can gain skills and build friendships in the Valley.

Theresa Vincenzini – Adult Services Support Worker