Headstart NewsLink June 2023

The Headstart Acquired Brain Injury Services commenced in 1987 and is recognised as a premier provider of specialist services for people with an ABI in the Hunter and Central Coast region. Headstart provides individually tailored services across community access, in home support, life skills, social, leisure and recreational services, case co-ordination, and community information and education.

95 Turnbull Street, Hamilton NSW 2303

P 02 4965 4420

F 02 4965 4424

E info@headstart-abi.com.au

W www.headstart-abi.com.au

ABN 75057986026 I CFN 13046

Headstart ABI Services is a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Our Vision

For people living with brain injury to have opportunities that strengthen and enrich their lives.

Our Purpose

To make a difference in the lives of people touched by brain injury by providing opportunities and inspiring hope.

Leadership

Executive Director: Sue McHattie

Manager Service and Supports: Kesley Skippen

Finance Manager: Therese Paksi

HR Lead: Katherine Fitzgerald

Office Administration: Kathy Provost

Marketing Lead: Andy Meier

Now you can read NewsLink online with Issuu! If you aren’t on our email list then let us know. What kind of stories or information would you like to see in NewsLink? Do you have some great stories or photos? We’d love to hear from you! Email Andy at our office: comms@headstart-abi.com.au

Nominate a staff member for outstanding achievement

We continue to recognise the work of our staff who have gone above and beyond in any capacity to support our consumers in their daily lives. Please help us thank and encourage our workers!

To make a nomination please contact us or email: info@headstart.com.au

Have you checked us out on Facebook recently? Catch all the latest news, stories and rec activities.

From the ED’s Desk

As we know sustaining a brain injury can have devastating effects for the person and their family. Many times we talk of the resilience of the person who has had the injury and their determination and perseverance in getting back on track. That journey is made less rocky when there are people around who go the extra mile. In this issue you will meet an amazing person Tahan, who is Neil’s son, and remains deeply involved in supporting his dad to keep on improving every day. A positive and supportive family, or friends can do so much that has a massive impact for the person with an ABI. This is a touching story about Neil, Tahan and terrific support worker Louis (p 10). Tahan is a very humble young man… this story is about love. Sadly we lost both Bradley Smith and Russell Smith in May and many of you will remember both young men. Our thoughts and love go out to their respective families as they deal with the loss of a son, brother and partner. We have finalised our transition to a company limited by guarantee (CLG) which during covid proved to be a long process. Thanks to our solicitor Reidlaw specifically Jonathon who made the process all the simpler. We also welcome Janeanne Hardie to our Board. Janeanne has the day to day experience of supporting her husband Gary for some years and we look forward to her contributions after many years working in the education sector (more p 7).

Hearty thanks to CSW Greg Meyer of Coastal Photography for the gift of seven canvas prints to adorn the walls of our new office space (p 18). These are bright, wonderful and welcome additions to Greg’s beautiful Bogey Hole photo that’s been on our board room wall for many years now and captures the eye of all!

Someone who makes the most out of every situation despite life not always being a breeze is Joy, who we feature on p14. Joy’s name is so very akin to her energy and enthusiasm - her appetite for life is well complemented by Katja along with our many other amazing support workers. As we push through the freeze of these winter months we know that spring is around the corner. Stay warm. Till next time!

- Sue

You are invited to participate in a 15-20 minute survey to identify the types of physical activity people living with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury like to do.

The survey is part of a research project being conducted by Associate Professor Leanne Hassett from the University of Sydney in collaboration with other researchers, clinicians, consumer representatives and brain injury organisations across Australia. For more info email: leanne.hassett@sydney.edu.au or phone (02) 9351 9549.

Research survey website: http://tiny.cc/bridges_survey or scan QR code with your phone

This program aims to build resilience in families while building upon pre-existing skills and strengths. This online group caters to family members who are unable to attend face to face events.

Over 5 weeks you will be offered:

• A space to share lived experiences and stories with others

• Explore ways others have managed and coped with the challenges of traumatic injury

• Facilitates collaborative relationships

• Explores strategies for restoring balance and 'recharging the batteries'

• Offers information on social and economic resources available

A study conducted by

Meet ‘n greet Ravensfield Farm Respite Renee

Our newest team members

Reception

Weds - Fri

Joanne

I’m married with 2 kids. We recently moved to Lake Mac after 17 years in Sydney. We love it up here, wish we had moved years ago. I’m a blow-in who came travelling 20 years ago and never went “home”. I’m originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, a Geordie, it was like the Mothership was calling me home. I love Reformer Pilates and Newcastle United. Can’t wait for the new EPL season and 2am starts. Champions League here we come!

My background is in recruitment, the NGO sector is all new to me. Headstart is all about community and giving back, which was a huge attraction.

Get to know Joanne

Favourite food: Indian

Favourite movie: Tough to pick! The Counsellor, Gladiator or It’s a Wonderful Life (a must see every Christmas)

Favourite music: George Michael

Favourite sport/team: Newcastle United

Favourite hobby: Reformer Pilates

Favourite place on earth: Greece

If you could be any animal? Giraffe –they look cool

If you could meet someone famous? Again, George Michael

Craziest thing you’ve done: Swimming in waterholes in the NT (I thought I was invincible!)

Three words to describe you: Loyal, Stubborn, Compassionate

Describe your first week at Headstart: It’s been great to get to know everyone and I already feel at home.

CoWorker

I have spent the last 10 years working in the disability sector and love seeing people achieve their goals and live their best life.

I am a proud Mum of 3 kids including a set of identical twin girls and one of my daughters has just given me my first grandchild a beautiful little girl named Luca which means “bringer of light” and she certainly is the light of my life!

Get to know Renee

Favourite food: Thai

Favourite movie: The Shawshank Redemption

Favourite band/music: So many! I love music especially songs with great lyrics hmmmm lets say Regina Spektor

Favourite sport/team: The Lady Knights

Favourite hobby: My new grand daughter

Favourite place on earth: Bali and home

If you could be any animal? My cat because he is so spoilt and lives a charmed life

If you could meet someone famous?

Dolly Parton

Craziest/silliest thing you’ve done: Decided to take up playing squash again forgetting I wasn’t in my twenties anymore and crashed into the wall resulting in stitches in my forehead

Three words to describe you: I hope people would say I’m kind, caring and fun

Describe your first week at Headstart: Its been great because the people are so lovely and welcoming, thanks everyone!

Ravensfield Respite is located at Farley, close to Maitland. Besides providing respite (short term accommodation/STA) and supported assisted living (SIL), the farm offers community access and farm animal bonding experiences. Studies have show that interacting with animals can lower the heart-rate, adding to a sense of calm on the farm. Ravensfield’s primary focus has always been to provide compassionate care and engaging experiences, catered to participants of all abilities.

The friendly team, headed up by Tina and Tim are able to tailor your experience and will have accessibility and high-quality care in mind. Feeding the cattle, horses and goats; walk or buggy ride around the farm, plant some trees, help in the veggie garden or have a BBQ for lunch.

www.ravensfieldrespite.com.au

If you go down to the woods today you’re in for a treat!

In memory of Russell John Smith

13 Sept 1983 - 27 May 2023

Russell, or Russ as he was known to his loved ones, was a selfprofessed Country Bogan who loved the outdoors, animals and a Bundy Rum.He was a jack of many trades and had a heart of gold. Russell had been working towards his goals consistently, since sustaining a brain injury 18yrs ago and was just about to start a new job he was so excited about when his life was tragically cut short due to a

It is hard to put into a few small, short paragraphs, my thoughts about Russ – as I could just rave about him. I have supported Russ for the past two years as Co Worker at Headstart, and it has been an absolute pleasure. Russ always managed to make me belly laugh over the phone, and to look at the bright side of life. He would crack jokes about Chuck Norris and was just so funny. He told me how I needed to refer to him as “Lord Smith” because he had bought a Scottish coat of arms over the internet which left me in stitches. He’s truly one of the funniest people I’ve ever met and I am so heartbroken he has been taken so suddenly.

Russ had worked hard over the past

Remembering Bradley Smith

heart attack. Russell selflessly donated his organs and has given a new lease of life to many others including a young child. A beautiful legacy.

Russell’s mum Margo kindly organised a Headstart donation box at his funeral to raise funds for our organisation to help others. Russell will be remembered and loved by many, including the team here at Headstart.

- Kate, CoWorker

two years with his support workers to tick off a hefty task sheet he had written. One of his goals was to obtain employment, which he did. I was so impressed by his courage and commitment to improving his way of life all whilst trying to navigate his ABI. Most recently his CSW Ryan made huge headway with Russ – helping with the training required for Russ’ job. I know Russ appreciated Ryan very much.

It is with a heavy heart that I write these words, but I’ll try to keep smiling and laughing at the memories – because that’s what Russ would want.

My prayers go out to Pesh, Margo and Russ’ family.

- Beth, CoWorker

Brad

was determined to live his life how he wanted. Brad had very supportive family and friends around him and it was great to be able to find support workers that could connect with Brad and help him maintain connection with his community and retain his choice, control and dignity. Brad was known as a very generous man, who had grit throughout his battle and always said it like it was.... He was far too young and will be missed by all that knew him.

- Jon

When you met Brad he was a bit of a hard guy, but once you cracked the ice with him it was like hanging with a good mate. He was a bit of a speed freak and loved anything fast: boats, bikes, cars. We had a great relationship and had lots in commonmovies, cars and so on.

Brad absolutely adored his daughter. He lived independently but had good support from his family - his mother, father and his sister.

Once I got Brad a signed copy of Graham ‘Abo’ Henry’s book, a story of the underworld figure, and Brad was so chuffed with that.

Underneath the tough exterior Brad had a good heart. I don’t mind a bit of banter and we had plenty of that! I’m just glad I could give him the best I could at the time.

- Mark (CSW)

“Russ”

Pop that cork, whip out your bouquet of flowers and prepare to blush, because the anxiety of a first date - or knowing what to say - can get overwhelming unless you’re prepared. Let this article from Disability Support Guide be your wingman or wingwoman for entering into the dating scene whilst living with a disability.

Unexpected love or the online hunt?

Whether you’re in school, university, work or just doing day-to-day tasks as a single person out in public, you’ll pass by other people constantly and for many, it happens when it happens… The glint in someone’s smile, something you overheard them saying or meeting their eyes across the room and thinking to yourself, “wow!”

However, when you meet someone out in public or throughout the course of your life, you never know whether they’re looking for a relationship, whether they’re looking for a relationship with you or whether you would enjoy the company of that person at all. Meeting people in person and trying to build up the confidence to talk to them and build that relationship to take it to the next level or ask the necessary questions may be a recipe for disaster. People may still express disinterest online, but you might be able to save yourself the hassle of finding out if someone is interested in a relationship by going somewhere you know people want to meet a romantic or sexual partner. This is why many people are now looking at online dating as a viable dating option, through apps such as Tinder and Bumble (all preferences) or Grindr (for specifically the LGBTQ+ community).

The positives of mobile dating apps

• There are a lot of people on these platforms, so you’ll have many potential opportunities to meet someone

• Rather than trying to come up with a response to “tell me about yourself” on the spot, you can take your time to come up with something clever

• You can choose your photos and get creative with sharing your best styles, moments and pictures

• Some apps give you opportunity to put forth your preferences and deal breakers (smoking, drinking, children or pets)

• You can get to know a person a bit and build up a bond comfortably before meeting them and feel secure in yourself

• Some apps let you pay to see people that have expressed interest in you, to cut down on rejection and see your options

• You can include your disability in your profile or tell potential partners about it, so that they know what they’re in for.

The negatives of mobile dating apps

• The rate of rejection is very high due to the number of people on these platforms (don’t worry — that’s across the board, don’t take it personally)

• There’s an increased likelihood for scams and you may find people who don’t use the platform to find love (often called ‘catfishing’ or used to take advantage of a naive person)

• People tend to be nastier online, so you may encounter unwelcome comments

• Meeting someone in real life after only knowing them online can be particularly awkward, especially if you’ve discussed anything intimate

• You have to wait to hear back from the other person, which can take far longer than a call or in-person meeting

• People tend to lie about things online, like their age, profession or even their past.

Break the ice and express yourself

True love isn’t based on false beginnings, so be open and upfront with people about your disability. One of the easiest ways to get off on the right foot is to show a sense of confidence and some wit or humour to your date if you feel comfortable doing so. Although not all disabilities are visual, if your profile only includes pictures of yourself which are deceptive in order to avoid any discrimination, you may only be prolonging disappointment when you eventually have to meet up with someone. Keep in mind that you’re not a disabled person, you’re a person who happens to have a disability. This means that whether it’s your fashion, your interests, hairstyle, job, or even the perfume you use — be your best self and don’t be ashamed of that.

When it comes to dating, one of the most important things to keep in mind is how you present yourself. It helps to make a good first impression. This can involve dressing well, coming up with interesting date ideas and being your true self.

Expressing yourself also means knowing how, why and when you don’t feel up to doing something, whether it’s telling someone you love them in the early stages or sharing intimate secrets — knowing how to say “no” takes just as much effort and tells the other person a bit about how they can make you happy, so it’s important.

How do I get someone to like me?

The honest truth is that you can never force people to like you, but you can force yourself to be a version of you that you’re happy with and happiness naturally attracts other people. It gives people confidence, makes a room light up and brings smiles to a situation. People will admire you for this. Show an interest in the lives of others and their problems, because listening is twice as important as speaking. If you can open yourself up to others, make sure that they can open themselves up to you.

If you ever find yourself frustrated or feel like you’re not being listened to, consider asking people questions and using their experiences as points of conversation to bounce off of. Start off with a dialogue rather than a monologue.

Welcome Janeanne

Headstart’s Board of Management recently welcomed Janeanne Hardie to their team of Directors. Janeanne has been part of the Headstart community since 2005 and she welcomes the opportunity to “give back” to the organisation that has been so valuable in helping her husband live his best life since sustaining an ABI in 2004.

Janeanne’s education and career background includes a degree in Special Education and many years of teaching and supporting students with disabilities and their families.

Janeanne was able to draw on this knowledge and her skills to face the challenges of her husband’s brain injury journey.

“Gary’s brain injury happened in 2004 when he got out of the ocean and was walking up the sand when he collapsed. He had what is called a post exercise arrhythmia and suffered a heart attack. Gary did actually drop dead and it took about six or seven minutes for the surf club to get the oxygen and a defibrillator down. After being without oxygen for a period of time Gary was diagnosed with a hypoxic brain injury.”

“We started with Headstart in 2005 and today Gary is doing fine and he still participates really well in life. His recent hip fracture and hip replacement mean that his limitations are probably more impacted by age than anything else. I don’t believe that Gary’s brain injury has deteriorated though he still has a lot of therapy and we do quite a bit to keep him moving and enjoying life.”

By joining the Board, Janeanne is gaining an insight into Headstart’s operations through the wealth of information that is presented in meetings. Janeanne feels privileged to be able to contribute to Headstart’s ongoing growth in her new Director role.

“I am pleased to be on the Board. It’s a bit of a learning curve because the organisation has grown significantly since the early days and is now a company limited by guarantee. I still want get my mind around the range of consumers and diversity of needs and the level of support that consumers have. Headstart’s current marketing in the media is successfully increasing community awareness of brain injury. It conveys such a positive message

about supporting loved ones who have acquired a brain injury through Headstart’s services. Being an ambassador for this positive message is a priority for me both as a carer and now as a member of the Headstart Board.”

“I want to promote the Headstart organisation especially to families who have loved ones affected by stroke.”

“The brain injury journey is a challenging one and families need a huge amount of support to navigate their changed lives. Fortunately Headstart services were introduced to us through the brain injury outpatient service and our family was able to plan for Gary’s future and resuming life as we knew it. I am aware that many other families, especially those impacted by stroke, sometimes don’t have the range of services introduced to them during their recovery and rehabilitation journey.”

“My desire to give back to Headstart is because it’s been so good to us and using my knowledge and interest to help expand the access available in availability of this organisation to other people.”

Family is a huge part of Janeanne’s life, with a new grandson arriving last week. Gary and Janeanne feel truly blessed to now have 7 grandchildren aged under 6 years of age. The strength and love of family underpins their daily life.

“Life can be busy, sometimes chaotic, but still joyous,” says Janeanne who still finds time for physical exercise and enjoys going to the gym and water sports. Volunteering is also a priority for Janeanne and this year she is passionate about helping out at the Newcastle Dog Rescue shelter each week.

It’s wonderful to have Janeanne ‘on Board’! - Ed

National Stroke Week: 7-13 Aug

National Stroke Week 2023 encourages the community to fight stroke together so that you or your loved one's can continue to enjoy life during and after recovery.

Fighting stroke together with the Stroke Foundation aims to bring people together to share knowledge, support and resources to help prevent strokes from occurring and to aid in the recovery process for those who have experienced a stroke.

You can help by sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) signs of stroke with your family and friends. If you or someone you know experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately.

At Headstart we support many people who have had a stroke. In fact 20% (or one in five) of our consumers are recovering from stroke.

The Stroke Foundation states that:

• Every 19 minutes an Australian will have a stroke

• One in four people will have a stroke in their lifetime

• More than 445,000 Australians are living with the effects of stroke

• Stroke costs the Australian economy $6.2 billion a year. In 2023 you can get involved and raise awareness. For more info visit: www.strokefoundation.org.au

Rob’s road trip adventures

Rob always liked finding new places to visit out in nature. This hasn’t changed since his stroke. Rob loves to get out in his power wheelchair (PWC) whenever he can. Every week Rob has the benefit of a Headstart modified vehicle so that he can use his PWC to enjoy the world and stay safe.

In early April, Rob visited Cellito Beach with his CSW Emma on the north edge of Smith Lake. There’s a boardwalk through a stunning “littoral” (not literal) rainforest to get to the beach. Unfortunately, it had rained and so the power wheelchair wasn’t an option. The boardwalk had handrails so instead he and Emma walked slowly along the 200 metres to a viewing area overlooking the beach.

Rob has had many adventures that access to a modified vehicle enables. His adventures include: The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Fernleigh Track, The Entrance, Newcastle beaches, Maitland Riverside Walk and many other places.

It’sgreattoseeyouenjoyingnatureRob!

Chris loves his archery and has some talent too, with a bull's eye from 20 metres! Chris was understandably very proud and recently received his probational archery club membership card.

Ken’s green thumb

Ken planted some cherry tomatoes in Headstart’s garden and regularly pops round to keep an eye on them.

“I haven’t really got a green thumb,” says Ken. “Cherry tomatoes are easy to grow. Just wash ‘em and eat ‘em I say. They go well in salads!”

Beanies for brain cancer

A crisp, cold winters day means busting out the beanies! “Wendy’s aged care facility had a fundraiser at the front desk, selling Mark Hughes Foundation beanies,” says CSW Deb. “We thought it a great thing to do as it’s a fantastic charity, so we each got one.”

“I love getting out of my facility and have different scenery,” says Wendy as they visit the banks of the Hunter River together after visiting their favourite local cafe. “We can’t go far without our coffee!” The colourful pair sometimes attend Headstart’s Rec group activities and are often out and about.

Rod’s heart for art

“Ido my Aboriginal artwork and I love dolphins as well. So what I’ve tried to do here is combine the two together into a new form of art. I’ve done a painting on canvas of dolphins coming out of the water, with two outside the sun and two inside the sun.

I got plaster dolphins and painted them the colour of dolphins from my imagination, along with the colours of coral and water. We then put it in a kiln and baked the figurine.

Dolphins just seem so natural. There’s nothing bad to say about dolphins. They’re just a beautiful, natural animal.

“I had some plants at home and when they were around six inches tall I replanted them at Headstart. They’re going quite well at the moment and have some flowers growing. I water them if it hasn’t rained and I use a little tomato dust to keep the bugs away.”

“Everybody likes cherry tomatoes!” - Ken

I’ve done a fair bit of research into dolphins and how they’re the only animal that can attack sharks and shark’s don’t like them.

Art gives me something do to on weekends and it’s my passion to do more Aboriginal art.” - Rod

The pool is Neil’s happy place. His son Tahan - with Headstart’s support - ensure that weekly hydrotherapy remains an important part of Neil’s life.

A deep connection

“Dad’s stroke was a stage five cerebral haemorrhage in August 2016, which is one of the worst aneurysms you can have. He was airlifted from Gresford to John Hunter Hospital where he spent three months. Dad then had a stroke while in an induced coma and was in and out of surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.

I was up at the hospital every day in those months because I wanted to just check how Dad was going with the doctors and give an update to the family each day. I was 20 at the time so it was a weird experience for me.

I decided to take on what I could as I was the closest one to Dad in proximity. Dad likes to have family close by and has a daughter and two other sons all in the Hunter Region. He sees them all fairly often. It was just easiest for me to keep check ups on him and be there day to day. I always had a good relationship with Dad too. But regardless of that, when it’s family you do what you’ve got to do for them.

At the end of the day parents look after you for so much of your life. It goes both ways. It’s a two way street. Sometimes that happens sooner than you think and you end up looking after them.

When Dad initially came out of hospital we didn’t know what the future was going to hold, so he went into aged care because it was close by to his parents and they could come and see him regularly. That was for four years, but four years too long if I’m honest. They had no idea how to deal with brain injury. It was just the wrong place and he wasn’t happy at all.

Dad moved from aged care to a SIL house two years ago. It was a huge step up and he has his own little flat at the SIL, but the other residents are non verbal so he misses the social interaction. Thankfully all of Dads care needs are being met. He also has his own space to have family around for birthdays and things. It’s also just down the road from my place which is convenient for me.

Long-term Dad would still rather be somewhere else living with family, but just at this point in time none of us has capacity to be able to do it properly. Something I want to consider in the future is in-home care, or just figuring out my own career, finances and the timing to be able to do it. Ideally I’ll have a house of my own with proper accessibility. It’s all possible for the future, and it’s one of Dad’s long-term goals.

I work for Big W now and juggle seeing Dad around my shifts. On another note I previously I worked at Boolaroo Sports Club at The Blind Chef with Ian who is

legally blind. I was his first employee as a cook and I also did front of house. It was around 2020 or 2021 that The Living Room (TV show) did a story and they renovated the dining room at the club over a week of filming.”

Neil is proud of his son Tahan who is closely involved in his care and concerned about his father’s daily wellbeing.

“I just see it as normal,” says Tahan, “It’s what you do. I think that our situation is much better when compared to a lot of people. Dad’s four children are still all around him. His own mum is going strong at 94 years of age and still lives on her own in Maitland. We go and see her every two weeks. Dad has a sister too, so a lot of family close by. He is a real family man.”

Dad wanted to swim again, and so we got help from the physio who gave us pool recommendations and helped us with the equipment we needed.

“I used to be a diver” says Neil, who was springboard diving State champion at age 18. A man of many talents and varied experiences, Neil has worked as a plumber (so naturally a lot of experience with water!) been a security guard, a private detective and even had a goat farm. Neil’s creative talents include painting, drawing, and wood carving. There’s clearly a lot below the surface with soft spoken Neil.

Watch a short video of father and son in the pool. Scan QR code with your smartphone or go to www.vimeo.

Dad’s physical ability has improved as a result of his swimming. There’s still a lot of improvement that can be done, but generally speaking he is much more active than he was.

Tenfold in fact. Plus his happiness levels have increased so much since leaving the nursing home.

“Coming to the pool twice a week is definitely a two person operation, so Headstart’s support is important. The hydrotherapy sessions have really helped in so many ways and it’s something he really enjoys. I have been swimming with him for the past two years now.

We do 45 minutes of laps, pushing off the wall, then adjust his float so that he can walk a bit in the water. Being in the water takes the weight and pressure off his body so that he’s not in the chair all the time. I see his body relax so much and I know that he appreciates having me close by.

Otherwise Dad likes go out for lunch and have a beer and we do other exercises which we are given by physios throughout the week too which. Recovery Station help us with OT and speech pathologists and dieticians, all supported by Headstart support workers throughout the week. So we’re quite flexible, and it depends on how much Dad feels like doing on any particular day. Some days he just feels like more of a chill out.”

CSW Louis helps in the pool

Neil is an accomplished diver and swimmer

“Hard work and rehab have helped a great deal, but on the flipside not everything has been successful. At one stage we went back to Rankin Park to try steroids to attempt to loosen Dad’s leg constriction, but that didn’t work out. We’ve tried other things too. Dad has feeling and can move his limbs, but can’t bear weight. His core and centre is what needs more

strengthening and so we’re working on it. We’ve got good NDIS funding now and get Headstart support five days a week, plus one Saturday a fortnight. We do the rehab exercises across that time with the help of support workers. We’re very lucky to have had Headstart as our agency since the nursing home. We’ve relied on the support workers to interact with Dad

during the week, especially when I’m working, which has been great.

As an agency which directly focuses on people with, ABI Headstart has been a perfect fit with regards to the type of care and the type of understanding we receive. They have transport with wheelchair vehicles so Dad and we can go out and do things like the swimming.

Across the week we’ve got Georgia, Chris, Keryn, Ashton, Louis and Brad and they’re all really great.

It’s been very interesting seeing all these different people from different backgrounds and careers who choose to do support work for Headstart. Such a variety of people with lots of knowledge that they each bring.

On Mondays Headstart help to take Neil to the movies or social outings. They take him to go and see to Mum which he wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. We go out to do wheelchair practice to get more confident in skills. Together with the workers we go out and do some exercises to work on flexibility and movement. Occasionally some of the support workers will just go and have a good chat with Dad. They talk about things they used to do back in the day, which is nice. Then of course twice a week we go swimming for exercise, which Dad so enjoys in a place that he feels comfortable.”

A pub lunch always goes down well!

Neil is proud of his son Tahan who is closely involved in his care and concerned about his father’s daily wellbeing.

A taste for travel

Darren has broadened his horizons recently and hopes to expand them even more in the year ahead.

“Iwent to the Blue Mountains to see me cousin who lives in Hazelbrook, near Katoomba. I caught a train down and they picked me up from Hornsby Station. We attended a concert of 80’s music up there which I enjoyed as the last concert I went to was when I was about 17 or 18! I think it was The Angels I saw at a pub. The Blue Mountains themselves were pretty good.

Earlier this year I went to Queensland with my best friend Craig, his wife and their son and daughter. We stayed at Ashmore Palms Holiday Village on the Gold Coast near the fun parks. I went to all of the parks - it’s hard to pick a favourite, they were all a lot of fun!

We went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not and plenty of other theme parks. I enjoyed Wahlburgers at Surfers Paradise (Mark Wahlberg’s restaurant) which was good. I’d never been past Taree until this trip!

Next year Craig and his family are planning on taking me to New Zealand, and I will have to get my first passport for that. But I don’t get excited about things in life until they happen. I didn’t want to get excited about the Queensland trip until it actually happened. That’s my approach to life because it could backfire.

I like going for walks, playing on my PS4, and watching YouTube. Apart from these I enjoy the Rec group BBQ’s. I like it when my support workers come take me out on a drive around Newcastle. I have support four times a week and it’s a time that I really look forward to. Headstart gives me friends and people I can talk to, I ring them up and they help me with things I don’t understand. My time with Headstart is whatever I choose, sometimes we might just go to the movies.

I live with my Mum and I’ve got another cousin who lives up the road from me. I’ve never had a Dad, and my Mum moved up here from Sydney where I grew up.

I was hit by a car when I was nine. I walked out of the school gate on Great Western Highway and it happened right in front of my mate who I went to Queensland with. Craig said I flew through the air. I don’t remember anything about the accident, but ever since then I’ve had a brain injury and epilepsy. I went back to school after the accident but never finished as I couldn’t handle high school because of all the teasing about my epilepsy.

My goals for the future are to get my drivers license and I want to try and get a job.”

We wish you all the best and every success Darren! - Ed

I like rollercoasters and rides. I’m not scared of rollercoasters, I do them all!

- Darren

If anyone had an appropriate name, it’s Joy who takes on each new day with a laugh and a zest for life!

Pure Joy

“My middle daughter turned 40 recently. It was a 1940’s theme party and I thought ‘Ican’tfindany outfits!’ so I decided to do something different. Katja (regular support worker) and I went as Apache Indians,” says Joy. “I called myself Sitting Bull and Katja came as Doing Bull. Everyone else was dressed to the nines and here we came as the Indians!”

Not one to blend in with the crowd, Joy’s wicked sense of humour brings a laugh a minute, especially when teamed up with quirky CSW Katja.

“Joy has always been an alternative thinker,” says Katja. “Having been a naturopath Joy eats very healthily. The other support workers are always talking about Joy’s alternative cooking - like fish head soup for breakfast. That freaked them out!”

“Fish eye balls too,” says Joy. “They’re quite sweet actually! But seriously, I like to eat well, it’s just that I’m not able to cook myself so I do need help in the kitchen. I say I’m a vegetarian, but I eat fish and occasionally flip into chicken.”

“I was born in Melbourne and grew up in Victoria. I moved to Wollongong and then lived in the Blue Mountains area for about ten years at Katoomba and

Wentworth Falls. I have to say I didn’t enjoy the aged care places there as I don’t like the system very much. After my best friend from the Blue Mountains died my daughter suggested I move to Newcastle to be closer to her.”

“I live in a SIL home in Hamilton. I don’t have anything in common with the woman I live with, but it’s better than many other places I’ve lived. My house mate watches TV from morning to night, whereas I like to go out and make the most of life.”

“My brain injury came from a large noncancerous brain tumour in 2000. I was living alone in Wollongong and my children were overseas at that stage. It was a horrendous time. I had no support and one of my daughters friends offered to be my carer so that worked beautifully, but was only for a short time.

I’d had a stroke on the operating table, but a separate incident resulted in me ending up in a wheelchair. I was at an aged care place and a power wheelchair reversed into me and broke my hip. That was a terrible experience.”

“I was with another company before when my daughter suggested Headstart would be better for me. I am so fortunate that I now get support seven days a week. Several days are with Katja.”

“Joy actually had her first shift when I had mine!” says Katja. “It was 28 April, two years ago. We were both nervous beforehand and we were both so relieved when we met. We just clicked straight away, from day one!”

“Recently Joy’s hours increased, and I’ve noticed how much she improved since then. On Sundays Joy would just sit at home or be in bed without visitors. Joy is a fiercely intelligent woman, interested in life and it’s just lovely. I think that when her sharp, active mind isn’t stimulated she can get depressed.”

“My two daughters live in Newcastle but always have something on with their kids and are incredibly busy”, says Joy. “They both live in Mayfield but I’m not able to access their house because of the stairs, so we meet them in other ways.”

“My role has partly become to help Joy with access to her family”, adds Katja. “We quite often arrange to see all of them together. We meet out somewhere or if we’re in the car they come out and we’ll gather some chairs round. It’s great for Joy to see her grandchildren and her daughters are incredibly grateful. We just have to be creative in making it happen.”

Joy with CSW Katja

“I do physio every Friday. It involves pilates, the bike and even some boxing gloves, which I rather like!” says Joy. “Today I’m going to be joining a gym.”

Katja adds “After this interview we’re going to Breaking Boundaries for the exercise physiologist to create a program, and then next week we’ll go to the gym and carry that out. The idea is then Joy can go exercise any day she feels like.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” says Joy. “I love to get out of the house. Headstart’s a wonderful company with such good people. I do art therapy every Tuesday. My eldest daughter is a brilliant artist! She is amazing so I shouldn’t compare myself. I tried singing class for a while but that’s not my thing, even though one of my other daughters can sing and has even made her own CD. I realised that I can’t sing so I moved on to art instead. I go to Newcastle Music and Art Therapy in Warners Bay every week and Miriam is my art therapist. She says I’ve got a good way of combining colour. Miriam and I get on really well.

We use paint pens and paper. The one I’m working on now is called ‘The High Tea.’ I just tell Miriam the ideas that come to me, and then she does the sketches of the shapes and people and I do the colour.”

My art therapy is one on one, which is good for me. I’m not really a group person. The hour does go pretty quickly, I keep telling Miriam to set the clock longer!

“We’ve started to think about getting a little exhibition happening for Joy at some point,” says Katja. “Maybe in a café where they display art.”

“Visually my right eye is brilliant, but my stroke caused the peripheral vision on my left side to be non existent,” says Joy. “My long-term memory is a bit fractured as a result of my brain injury, while my short term is OK. If I’m watching a movie and it’s too complicated I have no idea what’s going on.”

Katja adds “But having said that, Joy basically gave up on going to the movies for many years. I think once you get to aged care facilities, activities like going to the cinema dwindle away. But we’ve actually started to go to the movies again which has been great.”

“Joy wanted to do more day trips like getting out to see different things. We’ve been going to the country for outings and this Sunday we’ll go to Shoal Bay. We visit art galleries and we’ve also been going to the theatre to see comedy. We went to see Kitty Flanagan and the dance show Burn the Floor. All things that Joy was just not doing at all.”

“Don’t forget John Cleese,” says Joy. We’re going to see him when he comes. I’d love to see Carl Barron when he’s back next year. Carl’s my favourite!“

“Recently Joy had a night away with her whole family in the Hunter Valley. It was the first time she’s been away in years.” says Katja. “I can see how Headstart’s support has really has made a huge difference for Joy with things like this. We laugh a lot. Joy has such a wicked sense of humour and when we’re out together we literally laugh all the time!”

Of course, with Joy there’s a funny story for every situation. Sitting in a café for this interview, Joy enjoys a glass of iced water alongside her cup of coffee.

“I have this water with ice regularly because ever since my brain injury it’s like having the desert in my mouth,” explains Joy. “Once I was in this aged care facility which had an ice machine. The usual staff person who got me the ice wasn’t on duty that day, so I asked the new person to please go and get me some ice. She just stared at me surprised. I said, “Well, go on!” She said “Well, I’ll have to ask someone about that.”

Then I realised she thought I meant illegal ice! So from then on I mention legal ice. I’ve got to make light of things.

“I’ve never thought I was that funny. When I was married fun was not part of my life but thankfully that’s changed.”

“I’ve always been curious, so I might spend hours on YouTube researching the latest on health. This morning I was looking up breathing techniques. I like to keep learning.”

“I love languages. I’d still like to learn another language. I speak French and German though not fluently. I was always good at languages at school. For some reason my brain has kept that side of things intact.”

Katja concludes, “Interestingly, my mum was a language teacher. She taught English, French and German. I can remember a little bit of German so sometimes we’ll have a few sentences of various languages. But she’s far better than me! Joy’s curiosity about life and sense of humour are so inspiring to me and everyone she meets.”

Joy with art therapist Miriam at Newcastle Music and Art Therapy in Warners Bay

“My firstborn son, Bradley, was born in 1999 and diagnosed with severe autism at around 12-18 months. Then in 2002 Christopher was born also with severe autism and he struggled with speech. The next 17 years was spent looking after my sons, together with my wife who I’ve since separated from. My stroke happened in July 2019. At the time my girlfriend and I were living at my Aunty’s place just up the road from Maitland hospital. They called an ambulance and I can only just remember being at the emergency department and next thing I knew I woke up a few weeks later at John Hunter intensive care. I’ve only got flashes of memory from those weeks. I was then transferred over to Rankin Park for around six months.

By then I only had part of my skull and what they call sunken skull syndrome. It was strange looking in the mirror because my head wasn’t round on the one side. After discharge I was supposed to wear a bike helmet around but I was silly and only wore a cap. It’s only now that I realize how dangerous that was.

I was out for five or six weeks when I fell

really crook with an infection and had to be readmitted to Rankin Park. They put a plate back in my skull and it took another three months to recover as best I could.

I couldn’t even get out of bed at the start. Then we got to the point where the nurses were getting me up and I was getting around in an electric wheelchair. A couple of weeks later I started getting around with a push chair. A few weeks after that I was in a walking frame for two or three weeks. HBIS looked after me straight out of Rankin Park where I had speech therapy and physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and they’re really good.

I used a walking stick when I actually moved into this house. I also had a commode chair and some things that I really didn’t need. I’m happy that I made good progress fairly quickly.

My stroke was a big change but it probably saved my life considering the things I had been involved with back then.

My SIL accommodation is great and serviced 24 hours a day. They say you should keep it professional, but you can’t help becoming mates when you’re with someone for so long. That’s just the way it

is. You become friends with your house workers. They drive me to Headstart the days I need to be there.

I don’t get support from family and friends. My only soul friend is my housemate here, and it’s more like a father son relationship as he’s younger than my own firstborn son. I’ve been intent on reaching my goals and started the process of trying to get my license back. My house leader helped a lot with organising the car and the driving lessons. I got my L plate license and they said that I needed ten driving lessons. We were up near Raymond Terrace and the instructor said “Pull up on the shoulder please.” I thought “Oh no. What have I done?” The instructor says “Listen, Jay, there’s no way I can rip you off by making you do another six lessons because you can drive just as well as I can!”

Next the OT driving assessor came for a drive and she shook my hand and congratulated me for doing so well. That surprised me and made me very happy!

I got my unrestricted, manual drivers license about four months ago. That was my big goal achieved after leaving hospital. My next big goal is to purchase a car. I’m just waiting for money to be released before I spent time looking for a car.

I manage epilepsy with medication though it’s been over 12 months since I had an issue. To be able to get a drivers license there needed to be a long time since any seizures. I have been doing physio and gym but my funding was cut so I just walk a lot more these days.

I still have speech therapy every couple of weeks. Kate my OT recommended I attend Headstart’s Recreation group two years ago. I’d be lost without Headstart. I’m not being dramatic but I think it’s the reason for me to get out of bed. They’re all good people and Nikki’s brilliant too.

I can relate to many of the people. Some are just like me and don’t always want to be talking flat out the whole time.

Ten pin bowling, the Army Museum at Singleton, the Fernleigh Track, there are so many things I’ve done. I love it all. I’ve especially enjoyed Headstart’s photography class. Each month when I get the Rec calendar I grab a highlighter and

every day there’s something I want to go to. I really enjoy the social aspect and just getting out of the house.

It’s going to be awesome when I get my car because I can get out without having to walk to the bus stop. I’m looking forward to being independent and not have to look at bus timetables every day.

It was very isolating after my stroke, when you were in a certain crew and then that group just leaves you in the lurch. It’s very lonely so I’m thankful for my SIL house and Rec group.

I have Community Access to ten pin bowling at Charlestown. It only costs me 8 bucks and my carer gets in for free. This is my main game and I prefer to be indoors because I get a bit hot out in the sun.

After getting a car I’m aiming to find some light work. I’m a qualified Pest Controller, but I really don’t like the job of getting into roofs all the time and it’s too bloody hot! Maybe shelf packing or something that doesn’t get my heart rate up too much or hurt my head. Lately I’ve been getting these throbbing headaches for the last six

or eight months. That’s something I’ve got to get on top of so that I can work easier. Post stroke the headaches are the main thing affecting me. My right arm and leg’s probably not as strong as it should be, but it’s strong enough to get my license.

At home I watch a lot of YouTube and also real crime documentaries, like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. I don’t watch many movies or going to the cinemas as I like to be able to pause it or walk away and take a break. I also like NRL, watch a bit of cricket, not much other than that really.

I enjoy Guns and Roses, Pink Floyd and The Highway Men. They’ve got Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. I saw them in 1992 in Sydney and they were so good. You had Willie Nelson up there like smoking a joint on the stage in front of everyone. Willie is such a character!

My message to people is to never give up. It can always get better. Just keep on going and reach for the stars.

When I first met Jay he could hardly walk. He had no endurance and his balance was really poor. I look at him now and I can’t keep up with him. Jay has come a long, long way!

- Nikki,

Rec Coordinator

Jay enjoys Headstart’s photography class

Picture perfect

CSW Greg Meyer of Coastal Photography has generously donated 8 wonderful canvas photographs to Headstart. Thank you Greg - these are amazing! They will certainly brighten our offices and feature in the new office building.

The mind is a incredible thing, and at Headstart I have become so aware of its functions with the clients that I have assisted over the past years.

Photography is the only means where I switch off from all the stresses of life, and it offers me a form of great relaxation.

It was only twenty years ago when you would take photos and wonder what they would look like until the roll of film was developed, and I enjoyed getting a coffee and waiting in anticipation to get the prints in your hand to see what you had captured. How times have changed! Now you can see straight away what the photo looks like on the back of the camera and delete it on the spot if it is no good. You can download the images straight onto your computer, edit them and put them into a album on your computer. Thats todays technology.

Memory is bought to equation when looking at photos, as it was in the past, and when viewing them your mind remembers the

“So much talent and skill has gone into these, so many different compositions and they are wonderful,” says CEO Sue McHattie. “The Susan Gilmore Beach one I especially love! The place is one of Newcastle’s best kept secrets.”

occasion ,in most cases it creates joyful thoughts of the past. In 1991 I drove from the top of Africa to the bottom passing through twenty six different countries and it was the most incredible experience of my life. The camera I used was a small film hand held outfit that was designed just to take basic photos. During the adventure I went through thirty six rolls of film and every time I look at the images it brings back fantastic memories , from the Moroccan markets, Sahara desert, the gorillas in the jungle and Congo river. The list goes on and on.

Now days its beautiful sunrises at Bar or Nobbys beaches and surfing, abstract and sports pictures. In saying that it gets back to the point I referred to and that is your memory and mind being used to create a form of art.

To me taking photos is a form of medicine that has a profound positive affect on you as a person, and an appreciation of life and the wonders its has to offer by simply looking for something that appeals to you and taking a photo.

- Greg Meyer, CSW (Coastal Photography)

Several years ago Greg donated the beautiful Bogey Hole photo that features in Headstart’s Board room.

Wisemans Ferry watercolour

“It was Lawren’s idea to do some painting. She saw the artist in me and decided it would be a good idea. I have done quite a bit of drawing in my life: landscapes, cartoons, all sorts of drawings in pencil and charcoal. It’s been enjoyable. Painting is very therapeutic and helps me to switch off my racing brain. I think we painted for about two hours and at the end I thought ‘what happened to those two hours?!’ It makes a nice change when you’ve usually got a thousand thoughts in your head all the time. My brain gets hijacked by all sorts of emotions, ups and downs. It’s the leftovers from the brain injury.

I live on my own even though sometimes I annoy myself. Otherwise I’m living the dream in my retirement: collecting firewood and fishing. Just not much luck fishing at the moment. I’m still working towards having a boat and put an offer in for one which I’m waiting on.”

- Daniel

I pitched a really nice idea to Dan which he absolutely loved for our rock painting journey over the next few months. We will use our Wednesdays to work on this project.

Dan and I will collect and paint palm size rocks with designs and affirmations to support self love, mental health and all round happiness. Once we have done a nice collection our plan is to have a basket at the Headstart office for staff and consumers to take a rock if they would like to as we spread, love and kindness and bring a little bit of joy to anyone's day who may need it.

Mental health is hard, and so is life in general. So little kind gestures like this may be what we all need in our days! We would continue to add to the basket when it needs topping up.

- Lawren (support worker)

A rock solid idea!

Art by Lawren

Dan’s work in progress

A bookworm and John Wayne fan, Tom is fond of the American Wild West. His cat was also keen on the wild and had a knack of disappearing for days on end.

Now the proud owner of a new fish tank, Tom can be confident that his new house mates aren’t going walkabout anytime soon!

A cowboy at heart

“I

got my fish tank a few weeks ago,” says Tom, who’s wry sense of humour shines through. ”I had a cat but it kept on running away although he used to come back. He comes and goes. But he’s been gone for a few weeks now. Fish are easier to look after.”

Tom’s working life started off at a local glassworks. “I was a blower for a couple of years from age 15. I was a young boy of 17 when I had my accident. I was speeding and drove into a pole. They thought I was going to die, but here I am. Unfortunately I couldn’t do my job anymore after my accident.”

“I don’t have a good memory”, shares Tom. “I managed on my own for many years but now I’m glad I’ve got Headstart. I used to go to Rec group but these days I mainly go out shopping or for something to eat. I never forget to buy ice cream. I go with my support workers to appointments or we visit Lambton Park. I need help daily with my medications, including insulin for my diabetes.

Joseph has been supporting Tom for two years. “We’re helping him now with the Sara Stedy so that he can move about safely. It helps a lot. Tom had some falls in the house some years back.”

A Sara Stedy enables a single caregiver to assist patients or residents perform sit to stand transfers throughout the day.

“I haven’t had a fall in a while now,” says Tom. “We’ve also got a new wheelchair so I can get a ride to places.”

“We help Tom to get up out of bed, shower, dress, have breakfast and take medication and then he goes out in the wheelchair,” says Joe.

“Every Wednesday I go out for cake and coffee,” shares Tom. “ I enjoy going to play poker machines once a week too.”

Tom gets regular frozen meals delivered for convenience. “We bought a small oven a few months ago,” says Joe, “It’s good for Tom to have something besides frozen meals all the time. We make pizza and

other things for a bit of variety.”

“Tom has exercises pinned on the wall and we do those every day. We do regular standing and others kinds of exercise to strengthen his legs.”

Sports that Tom enjoys watching are NRL (a Knights fan) and cricket.

“I like reading cowboy books and watching cowboy moves. Anything with cowboys. I order books from the library and they drop them off in bags every two weeks.”

With Tom being such a regular reader of westerns and war novels the library staff know which books he likes and so he doesn’t even have to pick them himself anymore.

Tom never married. “I’ve got three sisters. One in Queensland and the others are nearby. I’d still like to get married though!” shares Tom. “One day I’d also like to go visit my nephew Steven in Tasmania.”

Tom is his happy to own his home and his goal is to maintain his independence for as long as possible.

Support worker Joseph helps Tom with a Sara Stedy

Rec group highlights

Headstart’s social activities keep consumers busy every week. There isn’t enough space in this newsletter to feature all of them, so be sure to check out Facebook for daily updates of what’s going on. If you’re interested in attending any events get in touch with our office or talk to your CoWorker. Here’s a little snapshot of some of the recent Rec outings.

Have you checked us out on Facebook recently? Catch all the latest news, stories and rec activities.

Regular golf... or maybe not (where’s the ball, Ken?)

Swansea boardwalk

Nathaniel revs it up

Nostalgia Festival

Pizza cooking class

Ten pin bowling

Romeo’s first time at lawn bowls

Lake Mac Art Museum

BBQ with the horses

Robert and

(Leah’s parents) where kind enough to host us. A gorgeous property and magical day feeding and patting the horses.

- Nikki (Rec Coordinator)

We had a big group from Headstart around, and it was a good day! A support worker took over the cooking and so I didn’t have to do too much.

It turned out one of the fellas who came worked at Comsteel with me. He had a motorbike accident on the way to work and he had a head injury. He’s doing ok and enjoying himself, so it was good to meet up with him.

People went up and patted the horses and fed them carrots and they enjoyed that. They’re already planning another one, so I guess they must have liked it!

- Robert (Leah’s Dad)

Leah is a former show jumping champion. Leah no longer rides the family horses as she attends Riding for the Disabled.

Leah was so excited and proud to be able to show off her horses to her Rec friends and enjoy a BBQ together at their beautiful family home.

- Kate (CoWorker)

Lesley

Robert, Leah and CSW Taylah with Leah’s horse Bo, short for Bodacious

Rec photography class Edward Cross with

Besides being a great photographer Eddie is probably one of the best teachers of a subject I’ve ever seen, considering the different disabilities of his students. -

Alan (consumer)

Headstart photography class have been out and about with professional photographer Eddie Cross.

King Edward Park provided a wonderful shoot location for our intrepid photographers. From here it’s on to the edit studio.

We run this six week class (one morning a week) several times a year. The next one is October, if you’re interested get in touch!

Fishing competition winners

I fished every day for about three hours. I caught plenty of small ones that were undersized, but my winner was 30cm. - Romeo

What’s better than one winner?

Three!

The winners were:

Romeo and James (tied first place) Andy took away the smallest fish prize and came back with his thoughts on his catch. Funny man! We awarded 3 x $20 vouchers for our 2023 fishing competition which was held across a week in April.

It’s not how big it is, it’s how you use it! - Andy

Easter BBQ

Headstart’s Christmas BBQ’s are always popular, and this year we thought why not have another at Easter! Minus Santa Claus of course, but still plenty of fun, games and good food. Many thanks to Trae for serenading us with some originals and classics. Coworkers Lauren and Brandi have some skill in face painting too!

A huge thank you to Gary!

We appreciate the efforts of our consumer Gary who volunteers his time to take great photos at many of Headstart’s celebration events, including these 2 pages of photos. Gary attended the recent Hunter Disability Expo and helped document the event photographically.

Once I get over the nerves I really enjoy it! It’s good to see the crowd enjoying themselves. I’d definitely do it again. Lately I’ve been doing music therapy at The Vibe which is great for me. - Trae

Thumbs up for the Expo

Another year, another great Hunter Disability Expo. With thousands of visitors across 12/13 May, the 2023 Expo was another opportunity to meet new people, some of who hadn’t yet heard about Headstart. We continued to spread the news about our Community Eduction Team (CET). Thank you to consumers David and Romeo for their help to make it a big success.

Thanks to all who helped at our stand this year. The Expo is a reminder that we have a unique part to play in the Hunter when it comes to helping people with ABI to live their best lives. So many new connections made and great seeing so many familiar faces!

- Andy, Marketing & Communications Lead

Making a Complaint

If you would like to continue receiving NewsLink, become a member by contacting us on 4965 4420 for a membership application.

Our membership year starts from the 1st July. Your contributions to the newsletter are welcomed, and we will keep you up to date on all the issues, activities and the developments in services.

You have the right to complain under the Community Services (Complaints, review and monitoring) Act 1993. If you have a complaint there are steps to take. At each step, every effort will be made to resolve your complaint before going to the next step.

Step 1. Talk with the person concerned

Step 2: Talk with Co-worker/staff member

Step 3: Talk with Director

Step 4: Talk with Chairperson

Step 5: Talk with Committee

Step 6: Talk with an outside service

Traditional Owners

At each step you have the right to have someone else present if you wish. This person is called an advocate and may be your friend, family member, staff member, paid advocate or someone else. If you wish Headstart can help you locate an independent advocate.

We recognise, respect and embrace the Aboriginal elders and people of this region as the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders if this land. We further acknowledge the cultural contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with disability and reaffirm our vision of a world where every person is welcomed.

NewsLink is produced by many people at Headstart ABI Services. We welcome contributions from everyone: an article, letter, photograph, poetry, etc. We also welcome suggestions as to articles that we could write about for future issues - so please get on touch!

We appreciate feedback on things like the kind of stories, size of our typeface, layout and general appearance of our newsletter.

HAVE YOUR SAY on these, or any other issues by writing to us at:

Headstart ABI Services

95 Turnbull Street HAMILTON NSW 2303 or email: comms@headstart-abi.com.au

When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.

- Carol Burnett