Walkabout Barber and Walkabout Beautiful

Community members across South Eastern NSW connected with culturally safe care through the Walkabout Barber and Walkabout Beautiful mobile service, delivered in partnership with COORDINARE and local providers. Led by Brian Dowd, the initiative combines free hair and beauty services with trauma‑informed mental health support, creating welcoming spaces for wellbeing conversations.

COPD Action Plan reduces anxiety and potential hospital visits for Brian

Brian learnt of the benefits of a COPD Action Plan through LinkMyCare - COPD, a program that is being rolled out in South Eastern NSW over the next 18 months.  

LinkMyCare – COPD provides resources for GPs to support patients to manage their condition in the community and access the services they need without travelling far from home or paying out-of-pocket costs.  

COPD Action Plan reduces fear and hospital visits

Yvonne Kelly says she has managed to avoid ED four times since her COPD Action Plan was developed. 

A COPD Action Plan is a simple guide that helps people manage symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including flare ups. Yvonne learnt of the benefits of a COPD Action Plan through LinkMyCare - COPD.

New campaign highlights impact of alcohol on developing brain

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation launched a new campaign, encouraging parents not to supply alcohol to their children to help keep them and their developing brains healthy and safe from harm.

Bega resident and father of three, Dennis Scott, said his parents were positive role models around alcohol, and now he has open conversations around alcohol with his children.

Locals yarn about NAIDOC theme 'For our Elders'

This year's national NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to reflect on the theme For Our Elders and the important role and prominent place Elders hold in our communities and families.

Staff from COORDINARE and Beyond Empathy yarned with Aboriginal Elders and young people across South Eastern NSW to capture their voices, stories and perspectives on video.

Digital health literacy support for people living with COPD

People living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can receive support to use technology to better manage their condition through an innovative pilot project in that aims to build confidence and improve online and digital skills.

Living Connected is offering digital health literacy ‘clinics’ along with one-to-one support for some people to improve their digital health literacy.

Raising awareness of COVID-19 antiviral treatments

A new campaign encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to check in with their doctor or AMS about their eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

Terry Hill, Aboriginal Health Community Engagement Consultant with COORDINARE said the organisation recently met with local Elders to yarn about prevention and treatment options for COVID-19.

Local Elders respond to reconciliation week theme

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

We recently had a yarn with Aboriginal Elders from communities across our region to listen to their stories and perspectives and to record on video their responses to this year’s theme.

Weavers: a revolutionary support program easing the strain on carers

To support long-term carer wellbeing, the Australian Centre for Social Innovation created a peer-to-peer mentor program.

The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, and Mission Australia are being funded by COORDINARE to set up the Weavers program in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.

Manh and Quan's story - Talking about advance care planning (Vietnamese)

Over the past three years, we have been supporting Multicultural Community Council Illawarra (MCCI) with funding to raise awareness amongst multicultural advance care planning. 

Manh and Quantalk about their experience with advance care planning, sharing how important it is to talk with your loved ones about your future health care.

Hilda's story: Talking about advance care planning

Over the past three years, we have been supporting Multicultural Community Council Illawarra (MCCI) with funding to raise awareness amongst multicultural communities about the importance of advance care planning.

Hilda and Leila talk about how Hilda's experiences with her parents have persuaded her to share her treatment preferences with her children.

Kane's story: Accessing mental health support

Natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have created an environment of increased stress. In June 2020, we partnered with Wellways to deliver NewAccess, a no-cost mental health coaching service developed by Beyond Blue, across South Eastern NSW.

Kane’s story highlights the importance of enhancing access to mental health support for people living in regional and rural communities.

Ana's story: Culturally inclusive supports during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact upon the mental health and wellbeing of many people in South Eastern NSW, and especially older people from multicultural and diverse backgrounds.

Ana’s story highlights the importance of bilingual and culturally inclusive supports to help reduce people’s anxiety, social isolation, and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Melehat and Funda: Advance care planning together

Over the past three years, we have been supporting Multicultural Community Council Illawarra (MCCI) with funding to raise awareness amongst multicultural communities about the importance of advance care planning.

Melehat and Funda, who now live in Wollongong, share their journey of having a conversation about advance care planning and how it brought them closer.