Keeping the community connected

Love and positivity were in the air at Namoi Care Connect on Valentine’s Day when some Wee Waa residents gathered for their weekly Day Activities session.

As well as playing bingo, attendees created cute Valentine gnome faux cupcakes and enjoyed catching up on each other’s news over morning tea and lunch.

NCC executive officer Alana Galagher said social interaction was vital to nurturing positive mental health and wellbeing.

“Getting people out of their house and adding a bit of fun and enjoyment to their day is what we try to do,” said Mrs Galagher.

“And, assisting people so they can remain active, healthy and independent in their own homes for as long as possible is one of our main aims with our older clients.”

As well as fun gatherings, NCC services include garden maintenance, individual assistance at home and in the community, transport services for essential tasks, Meals on Wheels – delivering hot meals in Wee Waa and frozen meals to other areas such as Pilliga and Gwabegar.

There’s never a dull moment at the not-for-profit organisation with a variety of activities and outings listed on the Namoi Care Connect social calendar, and new attendees are always given a warm welcome.

Older clients will need to be registered with My Aged Care to be eligible for services, the friendly staff can assist to make the process easier.

The sessions are a great way to meet new people, learn a different skill, stay active, and they are considered a highlight for many NCC clients and staff, especially older members of our community.

From monthly social outings in the local area to gentle exercise classes held on Mondays, social Day Activities gatherings on Tuesdays, and a men’s group meeting on Wednesdays – there is something for everyone.

“The exercise classes are about social connection too,” explained Mrs Galagher.

Support workers Jo Macklin-Shaw and Kate Dixon organising activities for the weekly social catch-up gathering.

“While people might come for the exercise, which does help with stability and with preventing falls, there’s also a benefit for their mental health too – just seeing someone, having a cup of tea and a chat, there’s a dual purpose.

“It’s the same as with delivering meals; it’s not just about bringing the meal to the client, it’s a friendly face to chat to and having someone eyeball that client to make sure they’re physically okay.

“Also, spending that extra time with them on social outings gives us a better understanding over a couple of hours rather than just a short period of time.

“It’s a really good check-in on how they are going both physically and mentally.”

Based in Wee Waa, Namoi Care Connect provides a unique service, and has been supporting the Wee Waa, Pilliga and Gwabegar communities since 1988. In 2006, it expanded to include transport services for the whole Narrabri Shire stretching out to parts of Burren Junction too. Without Namoi Care Connect, there would be many people – both younger and older – who would struggle to attend appointments.

For example, there’s a fortnightly bus NCC runs to both Narrabri and Tamworth to assist people in the district who don’t have any other means of transports, and its offered to residents of all ages.

There are clients who don’t have family or close friends living nearby, so NCC and its dedicated volunteers create a connection that not only offers assistance but also a friendly and familiar face to help people along the way.

Namoi Care Connect is supported by a group of committed volunteers who make up the board of management. The Board meets bi-monthly and are always on the lookout for more
members.

Members are a mix of clients, volunteers and people from the local community, who are interested in supporting and enhancing local services for local people.

Volunteers remain a vital and much needed part of Namoi Care Connect, helping to provide a high level of service to clients and ongoing wellbeing of our local community.

NCC’s local and experienced team members understand the needs of the wonderful people who make up our country community and so they are able to deliver an empathetic and practical service that allows many residents to stay in the comfort of their own homes rather than moving to a larger centre.

“Potentially, if some of our clients didn’t receive this service, their only option would be to move somewhere else, but a lot of them just don’t want to live anywhere else,” said Mrs Galagher. “A lot of our clients were once active members of this community; they’re the people who made it the great place it is today, so it’s nice to be able to give back to them.”