We aim to be a respected organisation, providing dynamic services, which enable our diverse community members to realise their potential and independence

Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services (HHRCS)

Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services is a not-for-profit community organisation established in 1966.We provide support and assistance to those who are elderly, frail, socially isolated, people with a disability or experiencing financial disadvantage in our community.The unique characteristic of our organisation is the people – our dedicated staff and the volunteers who freely give their time to assist and support our community.It is these people who have earned HHRCS the trust and confidence of the clients and the local community.

Our services are funded by:• The Department of Health and Ageing, (DoHA)• Commonwealth Home and Community Care, (HACC)• The Department of Family and Community Services, NSW• The Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care, NSW

We are supported by Hunters Hill and City of Ryde councils and sponsored by:• Bakers Delight• Ryde Hunter Holden• Gladesville Community & RSL Club• North Ryde RSL Community Club• Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club

Neighbourhood Centre

Funding, Support & Sponsorship

HHRCS is a local and accessible Neighbourhood Centre offering information, support and referrals. We are here to assist you. There are many opportunities to participate in activities and groups such as, Women’s Wellness and Learning for Leisure, or help strengthen your community through volunteering.

Social Support Gladesville Program

Social Support Gladesville is a caring, free and friendly service provided to younger people with a disability along with the frail aged residents at Blandville Court and Pittwater Road Public Housing Estates.Our main objective is to mitigate the life circumstances of our clients and enhance their quality of life. The programs are focused on strengthening the community and facilitating the client participation and inclusion through activities such as community BBQ’s, knitting circle, Men’s Shed, social bus outings, shopping shuttles and various physical exercise groups. Also, we provide individual support through referrals to other services.“For now, it is very helpful in a special way; it means we can see other people from our neighbourhood, go together somewhere by bus.”

“Before the program, we knew nothing of services we could have. There is a big difference.” – Client quotes

Transport

Elderly residents who live in the local areas of Hunters Hill, Gladesville and Ryde have the opportunity to participate in our many social bus outings. They provide an opportunity to visit new places and make new friends. They visit a different destination each Tuesday and always find a delightful spot for morning tea, followed by lunch at one of Sydney’s many clubs. Participants receive a bi-monthly program, which includes destinations such as Palm Beach, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Bowral for the tulips. Our friendly drivers pick people up in the morning and at the end of the trip they are returned to their homes.Our buses are also available for hire by the general community.

In-home Carers Respite Program

This is a flexible and responsive respite service for Carers, aimed at providing the Carer with a short break from their caring role. The service gives people who care for others on a regular basis a rest or the opportunity to attend to other day-to-day family responsibilities.Those who are eligible are carers of people who have dementia symptoms, are frail aged and/or have moderate to severe disabilities. Anyone is able to make a referral; most referrals come from friends, relatives, aged care assessment teams or community services.

Food Services

We deliver tasty nutritious meals to frail aged, people with a disability and their carers living in the Hunters Hill and part of Ryde local government areas. Our service is flexible, meals can be delivered daily, once a week or on the days that suit.Every Wednesday at the Community Centre there is a Luncheon Club where older people can enjoy a delicious hot meal in the company of others.

“I am very grateful to receive meals, as my health hasn’t been good. I started having Meals on Wheels after surgery six years ago and can’t speak highly enough of it. It’s a life saver for me. I particularly look forward to the desserts - they are wonderful.” – Client

Social Support Program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

This program is a caring, free and friendly service that aims to reduce social isolation of elderly people from CALD backgrounds living or meeting in the Northern Sydney area. Our clients come from many different cultural backgrounds, including Italian, Spanish, Iranian, Indian, Chinese and Afghan groups that are run by volunteer community leaders. In consultation with the community leaders we design and facilitate a range of social activities which aim to support, promote and enhance the independence, quality of life and wellbeing of our clients. We also provide referrals and liaison with other service providers to individual clients.The activities range from exercise classes, information sessions, and social bus outings to special culturally unique celebra-tion events.

“Our group is getting stronger and stronger since we are having support.” – Client

Seniors Day Centre

The Day Centre offers a range of social activities in a supportive and friendly environment for frail aged people living in the Hunters Hill and Ryde local government areas. The service provides people with an opportunity to socialise and be part of their community, while providing respite to Carers. The program includes BBQ’s, picnics, cooking, music, club outings and other interesting activities, The Centre is open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday and provides transport, lunch, and morning and afternoon tea. We have two specific days, Monday is for clients who speak Cantonese and Wednesday is for people with dementia symptoms.

“My week is complete when I have been to the Day Centre.” – Client

Social Support (ABI) Program

A recreational social support program for people 18+ years with an acquired or traumatic brain injury (ABI/TBI). The major focus of the program is for clients to have fun at various activities nominated by group members. The program provides an opportunity for members to develop new friendships, re-establish social skills and explore previously untapped creative talents. The group meets each Thursday evening to visit restaurants and cafes for dinner and on Saturdays for a variety of planned activities and events. The activities include sailing, tenpin bowling, picnics, lunch, art and music, visits to markets and galleries.

Emergency Relief Program

The objective of the Emergency Relief program is to “assist people in financial crisis to deal with their immediate crisis situation in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and encourages self reliance.Financial crisis includes the material, social and emotional effects of not having enough resources to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, essential services, clothing, transport etc.”HHRCS provides a safe and dignified environment for the provision of emergency relief, treating each client as an individual and giving them the opportunity to participate in making choices regarding their own needs within program and budget limitations.

Community Visitors Scheme

Community Visitors visit people living in aged care homes; they are matched with residents taking into account the Community Visitor’s interests, background and availability. The service aims to enrich the quality of life of residents of aged care homes who are socially isolated or lonely and would benefit from a friendly visitor.

“I encourage everyone who feels as though they are capable of being a good friend, to become a volunteer. No doubt that it requires the giving up of one’s time but a mere hour a fortnight to meet basic requirements pales in comparison to the benefits of doing so. Keep in mind that giving is often the most unselfish act of all, especially when you receive such unanticipated happiness in return.” – Visitor

Volunteer Visiting Service

Volunteer Visiting links a friendly visitor with a housebound, elderly person or one with a disability. The service aims to enhance the quality of life of the client and help him/her to enjoy life to its full potential. The visit will provide opportunities for the sharing of interests and support.

Client quotes: Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services and the Volunteer Visiting Service “is a wonderful organisation... the program has made a big difference, it’s stimulating with lovely caring people”, and “I would be lost without it.” Another client said of her visitor, “She is warm hearted, I like her very much, I respect her, I love her. All this is from my heart.”

Carer Support Service – Disability

The service provides assistance and support to Carers who care for children with a disability or special needs.The aim of this program is to raise awareness, improve the quality of life for Carers and their families and to increase their participation in community activities. This is done both individually and in groups.For those Carers unable to attend groups on a regular basis due to other commitments a visit or phone contact is maintained to provide them with information, referrals, and informal counselling and support. The benefit is a sense of belonging to a group who understands Carer issues, sharing information regarding services and building trust and friendships within the groups.

“It was a lovely day, thank you so much for organising it and making us feel so special. We are so very fortunate.” – Quote from a Carer upon returning returning from a bus outing to the Hunter Valley.

Carer Support Service – Aged

The service supports family and friends of a frail-aged person in the demanding role of ‘Carer’ – a role which is often unrecognised by the person, whose familiar relationship with a parent, spouse or relative may be gradually changing.Support is given on a one-on-one basis through regular contact, as needs arise and through twice-monthly Support Groups/Information Sessions.These meetings provide an entertaining and supportive framework within which knowledgeable guest speakers discuss ageing and health issues and provide insight into their causes and manage-ment. The interaction with like-minded ‘peers’ in this context can be of great help and comfort to participants.

One of our Carers expressed her appreciation for “all our hard work” and “all the information” which, “had helped her tremendously to cope a bit better with life than before.”

Map courtesy of Sydway. Cover photo lower right courtesy of TWT.

42–46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill, NSW 2110

Office Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Phone: 9817 0101 Fax: 9816 5462

Email: office1@hhrcs.org.au

Web: www.hhrcs.org.au

State and Federal Funding

OUR LOCATION