Our Vision. Our Mission. Our Beliefs

Transcription

1 INTERCHANGE ANNUAL REPORT / 2015

2 Our Vision Great Friendships, Great Relationships, Great Life! Our Mission Interchange works with volunteers to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to share in community life, fun and friendships. Our Beliefs Relationships sustain us - Successful communities are built on inclusion - Learning occurs best in real life - Choice is a vital part of our learning.

3 Message from the Board 2 Strategic Plan 3 Message from the CEO 4-6 Our People 7 Individual Programs 8-11 Host Families Teen Companions Group Programs 13 Kids Connect Friends Connect Teen Connect 18 Breakaway Holidays 19 Same Waves 20 Audit Report 21 Volunteer Reflections Community Engagement 12

4 Message from the Board Geoff Blackwood Chairman of the Board Well what a busy time it has been for Interchange Incorporated. Interchange like so many other service providers in Australia has been very busy as we progress toward the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Board is very focused on navigating our way through the challenges associated with the transition. Some of which include ensuring appropriate quality services, pathways that will enable growth and strength for service participants and Interchange. We must confidently understand what we do well and provide this information to participants to support their decision making when choosing appropriate service supports. We would like participants to choose Interchange. The way Disability Services is on offer is changing and the Board have been keen (with the assistance of Carol Hammond) to understand the key elements of Person Centered Thinking, Strategic Planning, user friendly policies & procedures and having a process in place that will assist us in making good decisions i.e. Good Governance. Person Centered Thinking will help us look at the way we do things; it considers the goals and aspirations of individuals and how collectively we can achieve these goals inline with our Strategic Plan. Interchange has been focusing on heightening our awareness, knowledge and skills to ensure we govern well. We have been keen to search for Board members who have the right skills and knowledge to take Interchange successfully into the future. Good Governance is about making ethical, lawful and appropriate decisions that fit with our organisation s values and beliefs. Interchange is financially viable and how we report this now and into the future is another way we ensure good economic management for Interchange Thank you to Karen Renton Chair Finance Sub Committee and Maggie Ghion who ensure the finances are presented and reported on in a timely manner. Like so many of our Board Members I have volunteered for Interchange for some time now. Whilst my energy levels certainly fluctuate, our commitment to Interchange doesn t. Volunteering for Interchange is great, it makes me feel good, keeps me grounded, gives me a sense of achievement and a chance to work with great people and learn new skills. There are exciting times ahead for all and I m feeling a new sense of life in our Board. Many thanks go out to our Board Members who volunteer their services and support to Interchange and who are dedicated to ensuring Interchange is supported now and into the future. We welcomed Bianca Lewis to our Board this year; Bianca has a good knowledge of Policy Development and Governance. We also said farewell to Cheryl Poeze and Ken Daniel from our Board. A good organisation like Interchange is dependent on its Management, Leadership and staff involvement. All of our staff go beyond their job descriptions and this is why Interchange is always value added. They are dedicated, ethical and value each other, they don t just provide good work they are great skilled professionals. I end my report by acknowledging the leadership that our Chief Executive Officer Marianne Collins provides. It is important that the CEO has integrity and a good honest relationship with the Board, being able to openly discuss matters that are in the best interest of the Organisation. Marianne is no exception to this and has kept the Board well informed. I confidently have faith and trust in Marianne and her staff. Marianne s leadership makes the life and the responsibility of the Chair and the Board easier and enjoyable.

5 Our Goals Increase the number of people participating in our services Increase the amount of volunteer support we provide Have developed strong community profile and networks Provide choice through personalised service delivery Build a support team focussed on excellent client service We aim to build meaningful relationships and connections for people with disabilities. Have an effective quality management system Have an advanced governance system Have the financial capacity to delivery great service We aim to be an o r g a n i s a t i o n t h a t people with disabilities can trust. By 2018 We aim to deliver great We will services for people with disabilities.

6 Message from the CEO Marianne Collins Chief Executive Officer This year has been dominated by our preparations to move into to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We have been busy examining all aspects of the organisation, from service delivery to business systems to ensure we can continue to provide flexible and innovative services. Overall, we are really looking forward to the introduction of the NDIS and working in an environment in which individuals with disabilities and their families have much greater choice and control. However, it has been challenging to find the best fit for our volunteer programs within the scheme. Volunteer programs offer a very unique and individually tailored service by providing a natural and safe environment for children to take part in extended family experiences and real friendships. Along with a regular break for the child s family. The nature and voluntary basis of the program is inherently different to a paid service. Ultimately, it is very difficult to put a price on a friendship without destroying it. We are currently working with the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion and the National Disability Insurance Agency to find a place for our volunteer programs within the scheme. It seems the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Framework, which is currently being developed, might be an option. Currently our Host and Peer Mentor programs are out of scope for the scheme until July In contrast, our group programs fit nicely within the scheme as they currently operate on a fee for service basis and support is provided by paid staff. These programs are community based and focus on providing small group environments for children, young people and adults to learn skills, make friends and develop independence. Feedback from participants and families is very positive and we look forward to growth across these programs in the coming years. 18,250 Volunteer Hours provided this year

7 I would like to congratulate the staff team on their tenacity and ability to cope with a great deal of uncertainty and a very busy year. Everyone has worked very hard to ensure our services have not been negatively impacted as we move through the transition. In fact, we have seen an increase in volunteer recruitment, new group programs and an increase in overall service delivery. I am very proud to be part of a team so dedicated to supporting children and adults with disabilities to take part in community life in such positive and meaningful ways. Of course our work here at Interchange could not be successful without the support and participation of individuals and organisations within the community. Most of our programs are reliant upon volunteers, individuals and families who generously open their hearts and homes. On behalf of the Board and Staff of Interchange I would like to thank these wonderful individuals who make such a positive impact in our community. Volunteer Programs Service Delivery Volunteers provided 18,250 hours of support for children and young people and their families. Peer Mentor Support 36 children and young people matched with a peer mentor. Approximately 720 community based recreational activities. The average length of matches is 4.2 years. The longest match is 14 years! Host Families 29 Children and young people spending weekends with Host families. Families received approximately 320 weekends of respite. The average length of a match is 7.64 Years. The longest match is 22 years! Group Programs 4,310 Hours of Support provided in Group Programs 4,310 hours of support provided. 75 children and young people participated in group activities. 25 Adults participated in 13 weekends away.

8 Our People Board of Directors Geoff Blackwood Chair Diane Pearce Deputy Chair Richard Bruggemann Cheryl Poeze - Retired Ken Daniel Retired Karen Renton Bianca Lewis Staff Members Marianne Collins CEO Megan Lynch Mirtha Ascencio Gail Rossini Jessica Arthur Demi Giakoumis Maggie Ghion Daniel Gobbett William Zhao Kristi Faber Sarah Fenwick Jessica Westlund - Resigned Lindy Allchurch Tyla Cousins Debi Carr - Resigned Brittany Daly

9 Our Supporters Interchange would like to thank the organisations who support our mission and the outcomes we are achieving and who help sustain us through funding, grants, donations and sponsorships. Helen Neale - Parent

10 Individual Programs In the Community In Host Families In Home

11 Gail Rossini Senior Social Worker Our Programs The Host Program and Peer Support/Mentoring Program make up the Individual Program whereby Interchange works in partnership with its volunteers to provide safe, friendly and individually tailored activities for a child/young person to experience and enjoy. Peer Support / Mentoring Program This program matches a child/ young person with a suitable volunteer. The goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for a child/young person to participate in the wider community and feel a sense of belonging. There is strong focus on fun and friendship and learning new things with the volunteer. The volunteer usually shares 4-6 hours a fortnight with the child/young person, either in the child s home or in the community. Host Program Our host program is our flagship program where a child is matched with a family for hours a month (including an overnight stay). This is a very flexible program open to all families and it has an emphasis on younger children, respite and the ability to give the child an extended family experience. As with our mentoring program, the Host Program hopes to give children a sense of community, fun and friendship. For many of our volunteers what starts out for them as giving back to the community, turns into a mutual friendship. We all know how important it is to feel connected and to have friends. These are the aims of our Individual Programs. Our Highlights Highlights for this year are many, with the best ones always being the phone call from someone saying I d like to volunteer with your program. As a worker you know that here is someone who possibly wants to share their time with a young person and get to know them through developing a relationship, based upon friendship and fun. We have had two major volunteer recruitment campaigns this year, resulting in 8 new matches. Our volunteers are generous spirited people who offer and share their time with a young person through supportive friendship. Our volunteers are in-turn supported by a qualified and trained staff member, who catches up regularly to provide support and any further training if requested. Volunteers often comment on the great feeling in getting to know the young person and sharing enjoyable activity with them. During we plan to increase our volunteering numbers through further recruitment campaigns as there is always a shortfall, which means, there are children and young people who would love to be matched. Interchange thanks all of our volunteers for the truly committed, caring and generous time they share with the children and young people in our programs. It is the volunteering spirit which enables Interchange to make a difference in young person s life. Thank you all! We have so much fun together and I m finding as we get to know one another, we share many interests its great!

12 1:1 Mentor Helen and I have spent time together at her home playing board games, Frisbee, watching Alvin and the Chipmunks, which she loves, and listening to music. We have also been bowling, spent time drawing, been to parks, gone out for lunch, and spent time at my home playing games and swimming. Helen and I are now good friends, and I really enjoy being her Mentor.

13 Host Family Adam and his Family came into our lives about three years ago - even though it feels like he s always been a part of our family. Everyone in our home has found some kind of game or fun thing to do with Adam. He loves to join in all our activities of which include taking our dog Tilly for walks, baking and eating yummy treats, gardening and shopping trips. We feel very fortunate to be a part of Adams life and we are greatful for the love and happiness he has brought to our family.

14 Community Engagement The Community Engagement position was created to raise Interchange s profile within the wider community and seek out new volunteers and families to join our programs. One of the biggest challenges this year, was getting the new website up and running. This was launched early 2015 and has been instrumental in increasing volunteer enquiry numbers. We also created a whole host of new promotional material which has been highly regarded by volunteers, including a new brochure, key rings, pens and bumper stickers. These promotional items go hand in hand with the website helping to brand Interchange and raise our profile. Two major press campaigns were run; July to September 2014 and January to February The campaigns were in the Messenger Press and the Herald Weekender and were a combination of paid advertisements and editorial articles. A Radio campaign with Nova 91.9 was held in January and February 2015 along with a regular talking spot on Hills Radio. New Volunteers This year we saw an increase in enquiries with 107 people interested in volunteering approach Interchange. The graph below shows this year s enquiries against the 5 year average. New Referrals This year we had an increase in referrals with 61 new families contacting Interchange. The graph shows this year s referrals against the 5 year average.

15 Group Programs Friendship Freedom Fun

16 Kids Connect - Hills Age Range: 5-10years Program Focus: Fun, making friends, sharing & turn taking, trying new things. Outcomes: Learning and development through play, enhanced social skills. 192 Hours of Service 8 this year Participants received a service

17 Kids Connect - North Age Range: 5-10years Program Focus: Fun, making friends, sharing & turn taking, trying new things. Outcomes: Learning and development through play, enhanced social skills. 52 Hours of Service this year 3 Participants received a service

18 Friends Connect - Central Age Range: 10-14years Program Focus: Fun, peer interaction, taking part in community based activities and new experiences. Outcomes: Learning and development through play, social skills, independent living skills, community participation skills Hours of Service this year Participants received a service New service this year!

19 Friends Connect - Hills Age Range: 10-14years Program Focus: Fun, peer interaction, taking part in community based activities and new experiences. Outcomes: Learning and development through play, social skills, independent living skills, community participation skills. 378 Hours of Service 11 this year Participants received a service

20 Teen Connect Age Range: 14-17years Program Focus: Fun, peer interaction, making choices, taking part in community based activities and new experiences Outcomes: Social skills, i n d e p e n d e n t l i vi n g s k i l l s, community participation skills, increased independence, confidence and self-esteem. 364 Hours of Service 31 this year Participants received a service

21 Breakaway Holidays Age Range: 18+years Program Focus: Fun, friendship, making choices, participating in community events a n d a c t i v i t i e s, n e w experiences. 22 Participants received a service Outcomes: Spending time with f r i e n d s, s o c i a l i n c l u s i o n, i n d e p e n d e n t l i v i n g s k i l l s, community participation skills, i n c r e a s e d I n d e p e n d e n c e, confidence and self-esteem Hours of Service this year

22 Same Waves Age Range: All Ages Program Focus: Fun, peer interaction, taking part in water based activities. Outcomes: Learning and development through physical activity. 68 Hours of Service this year 13 Participants received a service