The WinnySTAFF NEWSLETTER

Hi everyone,

It is great to see the COVID-19 statistics moving in the right direction at last; it gives us all hope that the hard work and strict safety measures are paying off.

Across the organisation, Wintringham staff and volunteers have responded magnificently to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented and while things have certainly improved over the last couple of months, there is still a long way to go. As the numbers go down and restrictions start to ease across the community, it is essential that we maintain our vigilance and continue to follow the policies and procedures that have stood us in such good stead so far. Equally, it is important that we look after our mental health and wellbeing and remember to take time out to take for ourselves.

Over the last month we’ve seen the opening of the much anticipated Specialist Dementia Care Unit and a new temporary accommodation and support service (The

Base) established in St Kilda to support residents who were displaced from an SRS following a COVID-19 outbreak.

Both are wonderful achievements – congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.

With only a couple of months until Christmas, preparations are starting in earnest. COVID-19 will again impact on our ability to enjoy many of the usual celebrations and activities, so this year things will look a little different. We’ll update you more in the next edition.

Take care, stay well and keep safe.

Update from Jane – Chief of Staff

In the News

OCT

2020

Jane Barnes

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INTRODUCING THE TOM FITZGERALD AND PATRICIA LARKIN SITESContinuing Wintringham’s tradition of naming buildings after people, two of Wintringham’s newest developments will be named after a couple of our much-loved residents.

Our first residential aged care home in regional Victoria will be named after Tom Fitzgerald, who was a resident at Atkins Terrace before moving to McLean Lodge, where he now resides. Tom and his family grew up in Shepparton on a dairy farm, where he still has family.

The development of the former Golden Square Motel in Bendigo Tom is a much-loved resident at McLean

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

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In the News

WINTRINGHAM’S NEW EMPLOYEE SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM IS LIVE!The Employee Self-Service System (ESS) is a secure online portal where employees can access their HR-related information anywhere, anytime. Employees can update their information, emergency contacts, addresses and phone numbers, as well as check their entitlements, view and download old pay slips, and manage their superannuation contributions.

ESS will save paper, streamline processes and reduce error, resulting in increased efficiencies for all staff members, managers and the Payroll Team.

The system has been rolled out to 80% of staff, with remaining staff to be added in November.

If you are new to the system and need assistance, please refer to the Employee Self Service (ESS) guide on Sharepoint: http://wspf2013/sites/Quality/Quality%20Test%20Evironment/ESS%20Employee%20Guide.pdf

Alternatively, you can contact Payroll on payroll@wintringham.org.au.

(thanks to a generous grant from the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation) will be named after the late Patricia Larkin. Pat was a court stenographer in her earlier years before coming to live at Port Melbourne as one of its first residents. Pat enjoyed helping out with the cooking at Port Melbourne and made a special tradition of putting on a Sunday roast, something all her friends in the hostel looked forward to.

The development in Shepparton will consist of a 20-bed residential aged care home, along with 28 affordable housing units on the same site, while the Bendigo development will consist of 17 affordable housing units.

We look forward to seeing the Tom Fitzgerald and Patricia Larkin sites come to life.

Pat was a key figure at Port Melbourne

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY – MAKE A PROMISEDid you know that 20 per cent of all adults in Australia are affected by some form of mental disorder every year?

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the mental health of many Australians, so now is the time to take extra care of yourself. World Mental Health Day took place on 10 October, and this year Mental Health Australia asked Australians to make a mental health promise.

This could be to seek treatment for your mental health (if needed), eat more healthy foods, take time outside to enjoy nature, make exercise a part of your routine, stay connected with your friends and family, or anything else that you can think of that could promote your mental wellbeing.

Although a lot of Australians experience mental health issues each year, many don’t seek help because of stigma. If you’re struggling and need someone to speak to, you can contact Lifeworks on 1300 361 008. Alternatively, you can speak to your GP.

To find out more about the campaign, you can visit www.lookafteryourmentalhealthaustralia.org.au/

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

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In the News

FROM ADVERSITY COMES HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY – THE BASEWintringham has been hard at work on a new project in St Kilda, known as The Base or the Hambleton House Repatriation Program. The program is scheduled to run for three months, providing support and housing in the short-term, while working to place residents into suitable long-term accommodation.

Humble beginnings

Hambleton House, a Supported Residential Service in South Melbourne, recently closed after an outbreak of COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services relocated the residents and asked The Base Backpackers and Wintringham to assist. The Base is contracted to provide “hotel” type services, including meals, cleaning and 24-hour concierge/reception, while Wintringham is contracted to provide support, case management, and recreation services. Kate Rice who usually manages our Gilgunya home, is leading the Wintringham response at the site.

“Kate has been absolutely wonderful in her leadership and willingness to step into this important project at such short notice. Thanks to Kate and our dedicated team there. They have truly been making a difference in the lives of these people who are in such desperate need,” says CEO/Founder Bryan Lipmann AM.

Staff from different sites and offices around Wintringham have been relocated to assist with the program, including Dave Wilton, who transferred from his role in community recreation to be The Base’s Recreation Coordinator.

“It’s quite a unique situation because we’re trying to build this as quickly as we can in terms of the care and recreation around the residents,” says Dave.

“It’s really been about getting to know the individuals and figuring out what the best place for them to go long term is; what their needs and wants are, and making sure we give them options.”

Currently, seven participants have been placed into long-term accommodation, leaving the program with 13 current residents, some of who are well underway to being placed in long term accommodation.

Recreation and activities

As part of the program, residents receive recreation support from a team of four recreation staff. The team started with running a general program of daily and weekly activities, ranging from pool competitions to beach walks, board games, and movies. As staff get to know residents more, individualised programs will be put in place.

“It’s been really rewarding to get to know the residents and to be able to break down some of those barriers to understand them and their needs,” says Dave.

Teamwork makes the dreamwork

Staff from The Base and Wintringham, as well as the local community have all been very generous in contributing to the project.

“There’s very much a one-team approach here, we’re all just working as one team to do what needs to be done for the sake of the residents.”

Vijay has been placed in long-term accommodation and has settled in well

Resident Juan and PCA David played pool together

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Resident Tony pitched in to help staff build clothes racks

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

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In the News“The local community have been really supportive as well, they’ve donated clothing and books and food and puzzles and things like that. Some of the kids even made pictures for them and it’s been really nice.”

“This was a backpacker’s hostel, and they’ve been really brave in supporting the whole process and getting us set up as quickly as possible.”

“Two Melbourne University Masters of Social Work students, Kathleen and Jessica have also been supporting the case managers and have done an amazing job engaging with the residents and understanding their needs.”

Thank you to Kate for leading the project, Alex and his team at The Base, Kathleen and Jessica, the Wintringham staff who have transferred to work at The Base, and to the community members who donated various goods to the residents – you are all very appreciated!

Meet the Base Staff!

Staff at The Base come from different backgrounds and locations, but are all working hard as a team to achieve the best outcome possible for residents. We’ve asked three staff members to tell us a bit about themselves and what the highlight of working at The Base has been for them.

Dave Wilton – Recreation Coordinator, Wintringham

Dave joined Wintringham in August 2020 and worked in community recreation before moving to the Base. Dave spent the past 20 years working in the corporate travel industry so this has been quite a change for him. Dave is really excited to be working in a field of his university study (many years ago!) and loves being able to do some meaningful work.

“We have such an amazing team here and under the leadership of Kate Rice, I feel this project is really coming together. It’s been a challenge as we have all had to hit the ground running, but everyone is working together for the benefit of the residents.”

David Milne – Personal Care Assistant, Wintringham

David has worked for Wintringham for 18 years, starting in community care back when there were only two or three Wintringham sites. David’s most recent role was as a PCA at Gilgunya. David saw the Base project as an exciting opportunity and was happy to bring his experience to the team.

David sees one challenge being the fact the team had no history of the Hambleton House residents: “We have had to start from zero which has been hard but also very rewarding and we are seeing residents starting to open up.”

Isaac Gatsios – Assistant Manager, Base Backpackers

Isaac has worked at Base Backpackers for five years, where the team are used to young, adventurous backpackers partying till late. Things have changed!

Base staff have always followed values of being open, caring, and inviting and Isaac says nothing has changed in their approach. Whilst the clientele is different, their core values and approach are unchanged – they want to get people involved and make them feel comfortable.

The main challenge for the team was dealing with different physical and mental health issues. However, the team have adapted well and are treating residents with patience, respect and kindness.

“We are not just housing these people, we are giving them a home, even if it is just short term.”

Dave Wilton

David Milne

Isaac Gatsios

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

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In the News

POLICY OF THE MONTH: HEAT HAZARDSSummer is just around the corner, and although it can be a lovely time of year, the heat that comes with it can also be dangerous. Many of us are likely aware of the risk that heat can bring to our clients, but it can also pose a risk to workers.

The Heat Hazards policy outlines the steps that should be taken to protect workers who are working in the heat, both indoors and outdoors.

There are multiple things that can be done to protect from heat stress:

• Wear adequate protection: wearing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, long sleeved shirt with a collar and long pants provides protection from the sun.

• Reorganise work: where reasonably practical and where schedules permit, Wintringham managers will organise rosters to avoid workers being outside in the middle of the day for long periods.

• Engineering: using fans, shade cloths, evaporative coolers, local exhaust, and locate hot processes away from people

• Provide cool drinking water: employees should be encouraged to drink a cup of water every 15–20 minutes.

To help prepare for summer, Wintringham maintenance conducts a heat environmental audit at each residential care facility every October. The audit helps prepare residential sites for summer and makes sure that all windows throughout the facility open, air conditioners work efficiently, fans have had their annual test and tag completed, and that fridges and freezers are working well.

Please take care and stay safe in the heat this summer!

Take care to stay safe in the heat!

SPOONVILLE SPROUTS AT GILGUNYAThroughout lockdown, groups of decorated spoons known as “Spoonville” have been popping up in gardens across Victoria. St Bernard’s Primary School asked The Grove Children’s Centre and our Gilgunya to work together to create their very own Spoonville to bust the lockdown boredom.

Students, children and Gilgunya residents each made their own spoon character for the garden, which is located in the gardenbed outside the Peter White Centre.

Cheryl says her favourite part was putting the hair on the stick, while Lynette modelled a spoon after her sister, Lesley’s hair.

The end result has been very popular, with members of the community stopping to see the garden and add their own spoons.

“Our recreation staff members Karen, Bernie, Sapana and Paul have done an amazing job inspiring the residents to create their own spoon characters,” says Recreation Coordinator Alby Brown.

“It really is nice to see the community working together to try and lift the spirits of our residents in these difficult circumstances.”

Lesley kept the spoon Lynette made in her own garden bed

Spoonville is in front of the Peter White CentreThe spoons are all different

shapes and sizes!

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

COMPULSORY TRAINING SCHEDULE

Please remember some training modules are to be completed by 30 October. Please logon and complete the modules as soon as possible.

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Reminders

HIGHLIGHTS AHEAD

Here’s what’s happening this month – please help people who use our services to observe these dates if they wish.

3 NOVEMBER – Melbourne Cup

The 160th Melbourne Cup will take place on 3 November this year. The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse race.

8–15 NOVEMBER – NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2020 week was postponed to November due to COVID-19.

10 NOVEMBER – Ebsworth House’s 23rd Birthday

Residents moved in on 10 November 1997.

11 NOVEMBER – Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). Each year Australians observe one minute silence at 11 am on 11 November, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

18 NOVEMBER – Guildford Lane’s 21st Birthday

Residents move in on 18 November 1999.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s second richest horse race

Complete by 30 October 2020

All Staff

Elder abuse (30 minutes)

Diversity (20 minutes)

Dignity of risk (20 minutes)

Aggressive behaviours (30 minutes)

Residential Care

Emergency response (60 minutes)

CPR (30 minutes)

One topic from each Standard 2, 4, 5 and 6

Care and Recreation Staff

Medication Management (20 minutes)

Patient Handling (11 minutes)

Community Care

Emergency response (60 minutes)

CPR (30 minutes)

Food safety (30 minutes)

Manual handling (25 minutes)

One topic from each Standard 2, 5 and 6

Other Staff

Any additional training assigned to you or agreed with your manager/supervisor

One topic from Standard 6, 7 and 8

Click the link to start learning https://wintringhamspecialistagedcare.mygo1.com

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!Summer is almost here, and while that means we’ve got some beautiful weather ahead of us, it also brings an increased risk of heat stress for our clients. Please take care to keep clients cool and hydrated and encourage them to avoid going out when it is very hot.

Red poppies were one of the first plants to spring up in the battlkefields of France and Belgium after WW1

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

Federal Government warned about rising risk of homelessness from COVID-19

More than 300 community groups have warned tens of thousands of Australian families could be left homeless as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic if the Federal Government does not boost support for social housing projects in this year’s Budget.

More: https://ab.co/33C4IfB

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In the Media

REALITY CHECK

What’s in the news that’s relevant to all the work we’re doing at Wintringham?

Morrison government to spend $1.6bn funding at-home care for older Australians

The Morrison government says it will fund 23,000 new packages for older Australians waiting to receive at-home care, at a cost of $1.6bn.

For the past two years, more than 100,000 Australians have been on wait lists for approved home care packages.

More: https://bit.ly/2HpEWCJ

The Everybody’s Home campaign was advocating for the inclusion of 30,000 affordable homes in the budget

Many Australians prefer to receive support in their own homes, rather than move to a residential facility

Social housing left high and dry in 2020 Budget

Dreams of a social housing-led economy recovery have been dashed in this year’s federal budget, with the government favouring tax cuts to middle-income workers and big infrastructure spending as a way to reboot the economy.

Community housing and homelessness advocates have said that investment in social housing would create 60,000 jobs over four years, building 30,000 properties and renovating 100,000.

More: https://bit.ly/3dNDV3p

Housing and homelessness advocates say this year’s budget was a “missed opportunity”.

More Australian social housing is the obvious answer to more than one question

The latest building activity data highlights that the construction sector was falling well before the coronavirus hit and that the government is failing to respond as occurred during the GFC, when massive stimulus both sustained employment and also provided much needed social housing.

More: https://bit.ly/34hgPPi

Economists are calling for more social housing to be built in the current recession.

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

What do you do at Wintringham?

I work as a Home Care Packages Case Manager at Western/Seddon. I assess new clients for a Home Care Package with the aim to support them to maintain their independence for as long as possible, as opposed to placing them into residential care.

What do you enjoy most about your job

Meeting new and interesting people from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles.

I also love the fact that Wintringham stands for all human rights, that we are all born free and equal and that this is carried through to the service we provide clients and residents. This is the soul of Wintringham and has kept me here for 17 years.

I am extremely lucky to work with a fabulous, fantastic team at the Seddon office, which makes it even more special and fulfilling.

What are some of your career highlights?

In a way, working for Wintringham is like giving back. I never forget that I am who I am because somebody cared for and helped me, and I’m proud to be have a role in providing that for others. It’s satisfying to have a part in the social responsibility towards a vulnerable community.

Tell us three things that people may not know about you.

1. I lived in a refugee camp for two years as a child.

2. I once sold one of my paintings at an exhibition.

3. I was the executioner in a ‘Joan of Arc’ play, and as I couldn’t speak English all I had to say was “away with her”!

Staff Spotlight

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MEET NEVIA KALCIC, HOME CARE PACKAGES CASE MANAGERStarting at Seddon as a Case Manager in 2003, Nevia has been at Wintringham for 17 years. Throughout those years, her passion for human rights and helping others has not waned.

Nevia Kalcic

MEET THE NORTHERN ASSISTANCE WITH CARE AND HOUSING TEAMThe Assistance with Care and Housing team (ACH) are passionate about helping those in need. The team assists people over the age of 50 (or over 45 for Indigenous Australians) who are homeless, and help to link them to long-term housing and services. The team is made up of Lolita Heiniger and Nicola Liebler.

What can you tell us about your team?

We assist homeless people (they could be sleeping in their cars, rough sleeping, couch surfing or living in unsuitable housing) get through the Victorian Housing Register. From there we liaise with the Office of Housing to help get their application processed. We’re also able to appeal their case if we think their assessment is unfair.

What is the best part of being in your team?

Nicola: I enjoy getting to know the client and having an understanding of how they are feeling and what their needs are. I also like listening to their stories and see them as gifts.

Lolita: I enjoy the challenges in finding permanent housing for the clients and linking them to other services, especially getting them through the ACAS and into Home Care Packages or the NDIS.

What is the team most passionate about?

We’re passionate about clients’ rights to appropriate housing that suits their needs and provides them with the dignity that they deserve, as well as the opportunity to choose where and how they want to live.

What are some of your teams highlight’s over the past 12 months?

In the past year, ACH had the mammoth job of housing the Lionsville clients in Essendon. Working as a team and helping so many clients find secure housing in a short period of time was extremely rewarding.

Nicola Liebler Lolita Heiniger

OCTOBER 2020The Winny

Let’s Celebrate

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WELCOME

The BaseCarlie DavenportKevin TeStephanie MorganViolet WolffsManmeet SandhuGreg Cunnington

FAREWELL

Vanessa received a beautiful bouquet of flowers!

STAFF AWARDS

Congratulations to the following staff who received service awards this month:

10 YEARS

Aya Otsuki – Ron Conn

Archara Rowley – Northern

Paola Ravanal – Northern

Gayle Reeve – Geelong

15 YEARS

Leslie Eccles – Ron Conn

Vanessa Stojcevski – Head Office

Louis Couseriny – Ron Conn

Maria Harrington – Ron Conn

Van Loc Tran – Ron Conn

WilliamstownMillie Barnes Emily McIver

KeysboroughThalia CoosnapaTamara Paver

RecreationKatelyn CleghornJasmine GriffithsShari HandsJessica Smith Lisa SmithJordana HeadberryJade Olliver

Lyndell White HouseHarijah Dalwai Al Wardighi

Ron ConnKatherine Garrido Cabrera

Angus Martin HouseKoni JohnsonLaila Bakhshi

Port MelbourneJyoty SharmaEleisha Wilton

Head OfficeDolly Tiscia

Eunice SeddonJessica ElginHelen TangAnoma Delkaduru ArchchigeSeneca PethiyagodaFreya CrossleyAnita Suri

Port MelbourneMandeep Gill Rhiannon Gatenby

SheppartonYvonne Manuel

Eunice SeddonJulie Ward

GilgunyaAntoinette Simpson

McLean LodgeHilda Mendoza

Thank you for working with us, and all the best!

Welcome to Wintringham, we’re excited to have you on board!

Property ServicesKevin Yarbrough

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OCTOBER 2020The Winny

The WinnySTAFF NEWSLETTER

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#HumansofWintringhamArts and crafts, armchair travel, animals, some friendly competition and a birthday – what more could you want? Our clients and staff certainly had a busy month, even with the ongoing COVID restrictions.

Paolo enjoyed some gelato on Eunice Seddon’s Italian

weekend!Happy 60th birthday to Rose

from our Creswick office! Staff bought her flowers and a cake

to celebrate.

Peter loved spending some time with Peppa the dog on her

visit to Gilgunya

Jean painted a flower for Ron Conn’s spring collages.

Dane won first place in Delahey’s Footy Tipping

Competition!

Gilgunya resident Kevin made a spoon character for the site’s Spoonville garden.