Transforming the lives of people living with a disability
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning has launched a video to help the community better understand what the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is, and how it’s transforming the lives of people living with a disability.
Love Child: It isn't like that anymore
Jackelyn Bassett spoke to Chloe Allsopp, CatholicCare’s psychologist working in the field of open adoption. Q What is your role in supporting the open adoption process? A I provide information and counselling to anyone affected by adoption, past or …
Maintaining sound professional relationships
Q I work in a small team and generally get along well with everyone. However, there is one person I find it difficult to speak up to, and I am often upset by how she speaks to me. Her sarcasm towards me can be tiring and often upsetting. How do I t…
Renewing pathways, growing hope
Towards the end of last year CatholicCare Hunter Manning took on a new project for women and children victims of Domestic Violence.
Knights kicking goals on and off the field
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning was proud to partner with the Newcastle Knights and Black Money Enterprises to deliver a once in a lifetime opportunity for people accessing their Young Adult Services and Disability Services.
CatholicCare’s offering services in Upper Hunter
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning is set to host its first Singleton Out of Home Care (foster care) Information Session tomorrow evening.
CatholicCare and WEA join forces for youth outcomes
Helping young people get a job and establish their own independence is behind a partnership between CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning and WEA Hunter.
GALLERY: NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Introducing the Development and Relief Agency
With established agencies offering education, social services, banking, early education and pastoral services to the local community; the diocese will expand further with the announcement of the new Development and Relief Agency (DARA).
A Different Approach with Therapeutic Parenting
We all know that foster carers do very special work. They provide a loving, supportive home for vulnerable children in our community. What many may not know is that most foster carers need to learn, and apply, parenting techniques different from the …
GALLERY: Art for more than art's sake
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning hosted its Annual Indigenous Art and Cultural Program on 11 and 18 June, with participants thrilled by the artworks they created with guidance from artist Lesley Salem, daughter of renowned artist Les Elvin…
Being mindful, thinking mindfully
Q I have friends who highly recommend mindfulness meditation as they say it quietens their minds and has done wonders for their worrying thoughts and mental health. However, I am not one for meditation and would like some ideas of how to incorporate …
CatholicCare’s serving the Muswellbrook community
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning opened the doors of its new office in Muswellbrook on Monday 5 June.
Supported Accommodation Superstar: Penny’s Story
With a beaming smile and confidence that any Hollywood actress would envy, Penny is a natural in front of the camera.
National Families Week
Each year, over a hundred thousand people and hundreds of organisations celebrate National Families Week (15-21 May), Australia’s annual celebration of families.
The Skye’s The Limit
Showing off her dreamcatcher craft project and newfound confidence, Skye Hudson has blossomed under mentoring received through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) facilitated by CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.
Caring for those in supported accommodation
In my role as NDIS Program Manager with CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, I have been fortunate enough to witness our clients in supported accommodation experience so many memorable times.
Out Of Home Care focus group feedback night
Last year CatholicCare foster carers were invited to attend CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning’s Out of Home Care Focus Group Discussion.
Taree Community Kitchen National Volunteer Week
It was smiles and scones all round at Taree Community Kitchen on Monday, with CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning hosting a special morning tea to celebrate volunteers ahead of National Volunteer Week.
Achieving goals, one step at a time
Troy is up early. He’s packed his bag with pen and note book and asks Hayley, his Care Team Co-ordinator, for the first but definitely not the last time “When are we going?”
What on earth is a silent disco?
Imagine walking into a room. The energy is electric. People are smiling and engaging with one another. Everyone around you is dancing. Dancing in rhythm to the music… but the only audible sounds are those of feet tapping on the timber floor.
Closing the gap
It is no secret that there is a significant gap between the outcomes across many different domains for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when compared with the non-Indigenous Australian population.
Two sessions announced for Dr Tony Attwood autism event
Last week we brought you news that world renowned Autism guru, Dr Tony Attwood, would be presenting in Taree on Friday 3 March. We’re pleased to report that in addition to a morning session, aimed at parents of children with Autism and adults who sus…
14 things you can do for your relationship
What a lovely reminder is St Valentine’s Day on 14th February for those in a relationship! The day’s a reminder that we should be thinking daily about what we should be doing for our partner.
Autism information session with Dr Tony Attwood
If you have ever questioned whether you, or someone close to you, may have Autism, then CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning invites you to attend its free information session with world renowned Autism expert, Dr Tony Attwood.
GALLERY: Newcastle Knights visit CatholicCare Disability Services
Newcastle Knights players Peter Mata'utia, Pat Mata'utia and Sione Mata'utia have recently formed the Mata'utia Brother's Foundation, promoting the #StrongerTogether initiative.
Family And Community Services high school scholarships
Family And Community Services (FACS) is offering High School Scholarships to help students enrolled in education or training to complete their studies. Successful applicants will receive $1,000 to help with school expenses.
Strong is your only choice
Some will recall the June Aurora cover depicting teacher Michael Eccleston and students from St Joseph’s Lochinvar participating in #3weeks2days, an imaginative honouring of John Sandy’s walk for three weeks and two days in order to make a phone call…
CatholicCare expands early intervention services
In 2016, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning commenced a range of new Early Intervention programs for vulnerable children and families.
Service with a smile
Serving wholesome meals to the public, with a smile, is what the Taree Community Kitchen is all about.
Executive report: CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning
The lifeblood of our service delivery is through the continued passion, dedication and hard work of all our CatholicCare staff and I thank everyone for their support in ‘making things happen’.
St Pius X Refugee Awareness Day
On Friday 25 November, the St Pius X High School, Adamstown Student Representative Council hosted a Refugee Awareness Day.
NDIS in the Manning
CatholicCare Social Services is now providing disability support services to participants who have NDIS packages in the Manning Region.
For this busy mum, 'something's gotta give'
Q As a parent of three children I feel I have lost who I am. I have put so much effort into what I perceived as being a great parent. I have always put my kids first and now they rule our house. I have done this out of love but now feel stuck and d…
GALLERY - Minister and MP visit our Taree office
We were honoured to have Minister Pru Goward and Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead visit our Taree office today.
GALLERY: Taree Community Kitchen officially opens
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning (CatholicCare) officially opened the Taree Community Kitchen on Wednesday 2 November 2016, seeing the people of Taree able to access fresh, home cooked meals five days a week.
Psychology Week 2016 – Ways to Thrive
Psychology Week is an annual initiative established by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) aimed at increasing awareness of how psychology can help people and communities lead healthier, happier and more meaningful lives.
Circle of security
Parenting can be one of life’s biggest joys, but that does not mean it is always easy.
Taree Children’s Week Art Exhibition
CatholicCare Brighter Futures participants took to the paint and brushes last week! All children on the Brighter Futures program were invited to take part in the 10th Children’s Week Art Exhibition held at Taree Manning Regional Art Gallery.
Have you considered becoming a foster carer?
Have you ever considered becoming a foster carer or are you curious to learn more about Out of Home Care? If so, CatholicCare invites you to attend one of its information sessions, to be held at various locations across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcas…
Having the Conversation
CatholicCare Family and Domestic Violence Case Manager, Stacey Northam, and Counsellor, Barbra Squire, were asked to present their ‘Having the Conversation, Notes from the Field’ model about utilising empowerment-oriented engagement strategies in sup…
Brighter Futures craft day
On Thursday 6 October CatholicCare staff in Taree are supporting families with young children to “Brighten their Futures” via a morning of glitter and glue, sparkles and snakes.
Mental Health Month 2016
October, Mental Health Month, is a timely reminder to take stock of our mental health and that of those around us.
Rage program teaches anger management
As a counsellor, I work with many clients battling with their anger or the effects of anger. Often, they have never learned to manage effectively this powerful emotion and so they represent a very vulnerable group.
Parliament right to ditch cuts to benefits for poor and disadvantaged communities
Plans to place the burden of budget repair on those who can least afford it were wrong morally and economically. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the Federal Parliament’s decision to change their plans to cut the energy supplem…
Foster care: A willingness to provide love and a nurturing environment
As I arrived at her home, Marg greeted me with a warm smile and an enthusiastic wave. Upon entering, I felt instantly at ease, despite only having met her once, very briefly.
Holiday of a lifetime for Donna
When you meet Donna Broadhead for the very first time, you are instantly put at ease by her warm smile and love for conversation. An avid artist and gardener, Donna’s home is filled with drawings she has etched of family and friends and the entry to …
What is it really like to be a foster carer?
It was a sunny autumn afternoon and my class of Year 2 students had just left for the day when I opened a newsletter in my emails. I was reading through it when an advertisement from CatholicCare, calling for foster carers, caught my eye. There was a…
Tuning into Teens
Tuning into Teens, a course designed for parents and carers to better understand their adolescent children and enhance their wellbeing, has commenced and is open for all to attend, free of charge.
“Men Talking Trauma” helps children in care
CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning recognises the importance of positive male role models in the lives of children and young people. Many who live in foster care (out of home care) have had limited positive relationships with men prior to co…
I think, or I know, my child has Autism. What now?
CatholicCare invites you to attend one of their information sessions about autism.
Troy's story
Troy moved into CatholicCare supported accommodation in 2015. Prior to this he had lived with his family his entire life.