Community Services

Neighbourhood House - The MDHSS Neighbourhood House within the structure of MDHSS has a community development role within the community. Its aims are to:

• reduce the isolation of individuals and groups within the community
• increase life opportunities for people who are disadvantaged by encouraging self help and mutual support groups, social interaction and participation
• provide skills development opportunities for people who are disadvantaged to improve their capacity for independence, social interaction and income generation
• increase social capital within the community.

These aims involve broad action, provide for innovation and a degree of flexibility, and can accommodate aspects of other government programs and responsibility.

The Neighbourhood House provides information referral and support to the community and coordinates various programs operated by MDHSS, including Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) programs, My Connected Community, Occasional Childcare Centre, Telecentre and Centrelink Agency.

The Neighbourhood House conducts a number of support groups:

• Playgroup (weekly)
• Tai Chi (weekly)
• Yoga Support Group (weekly)
• Scrapbookers Group (every first and third Wednesday)

The Neighbourhood House ACFE program provides valuable short courses to the community. These short courses have been provided in computer technology, personal development, fine arts, literacy and numeracy. The current Neighbourhod House Activities brochure is available now.

Occasional Childcare - Occasional care is provided to all families in the community with children under the age of six. Occasional care is conducted every Monday and Friday morning from 9 am to 12 noon at the Mallacoota Preschool, Allan Drive, Mallacoota.

The latest Occasional Child Care newsletter is available here.

Telecentre - The MDHSS Telecentre provides Internet access, computer use, printing, scanning and computer training to the community. The Telecentre is a non-funded program and MDHSS relies on assistance from volunteers and fees for service to remain operational.

Centrelink Agency - MDHSS provides a Centrelink agency to the community. Information, forms and simple processing of documents are all part of the service.

Men's Shed - was established in 2004, through a grant from the Rural Health Strategies Branch, Department of Health and Ageing. The Men's Shed is both a community building project and a project that focuses on the health and wellbeing of men in the community. The project is aimed at men of all ages and provides a centralised meeting space where men have an opportunity to socialise with other men, engage in structured activities, share and gain skills and knowledge, and gain access to relevant services and information available to them within the community.

Every Wednesday night a 'Trading Table' is conducted in the Men's Shed. This group makes items that can be sold to raise money to purchase materials and equipment to be used for ongoing projects, as well as making repairs to community-based toys and equipment. The Men's shed has seen the expansion of the range of equipment on offer to those participating in woodworking and building projects in the shed, with ongoing community donations.

Independent Living Units - MDHSS manages five independent living units. The units, four one-bedroom and one two-bedroom, are located within MDHSS grounds. Features include:

• security of tenure
• delightful garden setting
• realistic entry contributions
• low weekly rental charge
• washing machine
• parking facilities
• verandah at the rear of each unit

The MHDSS Units are located within easy walking distance of MDHSS facilities and the local Medical Practice. Access to on-site health and support services is available. The units offer a flexible and comfortable lifestyle for people who wish to live without problems associated with maintaining a home.

Residents who live in the MDHSS Units are fully independent and responsible for their own cooking and cleaning. Residents are welcome to enjoy the activities and programs offered through MDHSS, for example: regular lunches, craft activities, gentle exercise classes and bus trips. Residents enjoy friendship, independence, security and quality of life in comfortable surrounds.

The double unit consists of a living room, kitchen, purpose-built bathroom, laundry and two bedrooms. There is plenty of wardrobe space and a patio area. The single units consist of a living room, one bedroom, kitchen and a bathroom which incorporates a laundry. A carport area is available. Residents who enjoy gardening may wish to take responsibility for their garden but there is not the obligation to do so.

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