Leading the way

Intereach is seeking expressions of interest from website designers to develop a new, modern, and feature-rich website to be used as the primary source of information for community members.

If you are a great web design agency and are interested in this exciting new project, please find our Expression of Interest attached below.

For more information please call 1300 488 226

Intereach staff in NSW are starting to gradually transition back into the office after several months of working from home.

The human and community services organisation continues to update its COVID-19 Safe Plan, reflecting changing situations across its broad footprint.

CEO Keryn Fox said at the NSW locations the Intereach Community Linkers – those who ‘link’ participants with the various services they need – were back in their office environment from Monday this week. Staff working in areas to assist families and children and those who provide mental health support returned to the office on Wednesday.

Ms Fox said due to the ongoing lockdown situation in Victoria, the majority of Intereach staff in that state remain working from home. Offices in both states remain closed, however, services are still available by calling 1300 488 226. At this stage there are plans to reopen NSW offices to the public sometime in August, once staff have settled back into the office environment and the necessary COVID protocols are in place, Ms Fox added.

“We have a different situation in Victoria compared to New South Wales, so it is appropriate that we have the flexibility to deal with this,” Ms Fox said.

“We are confident we can safely and more effectively serve the needs of our communities in New South Wales with a gradual transition back to working from our offices.

“This has been a challenging time for our staff, participants, and communities and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and understanding. Our team members have done an outstanding job over recent months, sometimes in difficult circumstances. They need to be commended for their effort and commitment.”

In keeping with state border closures, NSW Intereach staff are presently unable to travel into Victoria. This includes staff and volunteers who provide Community Transport services. However, transport services within NSW are continuing but are being assessed on a “case by case” basis, Ms Fox added.

The Intereach COVID-19 Safe Plan continues to be flexible, adjusting to changing regulations across the two states in which the organisation operates.

Ms Fox said it was imperative that everyone remains vigilant and follows the Government’s COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing and wearing masks where necessary.

Anyone with queries should visit the Intereach website, www.intereach.com.au, or phone the toll-free number on 1300 488 226.

Intereach operates from 17 offices across the NSW Riverina, northern and central Victoria, and the Mallee region.

A collaboration between Intereach and Transport for NSW (TNSW) is providing a valuable Aboriginal community transport service in Deniliquin and Griffith.

Drivers have been employed under the 12-month program, transporting participants to various destinations and activities, including vital medical appointments.

The program was initiated with Intereach by TNSW under its Aboriginal Driver Project, which encompasses goals in the Intereach Reconciliation Action Plan.

Intereach CEO Keryn Fox explained they “gladly accepted the project” when it was offered by TNSW. It was originally for one full-time position over 12 months, however, they decided it would be best split over two locations – Deniliquin and Griffith – with two permanent part-time positions at 15 hours a week each.

“Our Community Transport team met community groups in both sites to discuss the best ways to utilise our drivers under the program, and schedules were developed,” Ms Fox said.

In Deniliquin, Jaimarlee Atkinson has been employed and has transported clients to medical appointments in Melbourne and various regional centres across Victoria and NSW, as well as trips to and from Moonacullah Mission for shopping and family visits.

In Griffith, Robert Monaghan is the driver, transporting to Wagga and Albury for medical appointments after a schedule was compiled in conjunction with the local Aboriginal Medical Centre, plus local shopping and personal trips.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the number of Community Transport trips being booked in both Griffith and Deniliquin, however, the foundations have been laid for what is expected to be a successful project in the future.

Both drivers are highly regarded, with one client advising Intereach that Jaimarlee was “very polite and helpful” and that she “felt comfortable, as he drove in a sensible manner, to the conditions” when they were driving back from Albury through a storm.

Jaimarlee said the Aboriginal Driver Project had provided the opportunity to work consistently in a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment.

“I enjoy travelling to different locations with different people and supporting them to attend their appointments,” he said.

Robert said he enjoys travelling around the Griffith area, as well as further afield to places such as Wagga and Albury.

“I have met some lovely people and have benefited from the employment and the support provided by Intereach. This is an important service for the Aboriginal community and I hope it can continue. I have been telling people about my job and how they can use the transport service.

“I have been getting excellent feedback, which is appreciated,” Robert said.

While the original funding is for 12 months Robert and others involved, especially those taking advantage of the transport, would like to see it extended.

To speak to the Community Transport team, you can call Intereach on 1300 488 226.

The outstanding success of a program designed to link community members with various support services that are available is being celebrated by the team at Intereach.

The community and human services provider is justifiably proud of its new Community Links program, which started in October 2019. As its name suggests, the program’s staff are trained to ‘link’ people with the supports that can enhance their everyday lives.

In each of its 17 offices, there are now ‘Community Linkers’, playing a vital role that is providing a valuable service to those who seek assistance from Intereach.

CEO Keryn Fox explained that the Intereach Community Links team provides a ‘no wrong door’ approach for community members to be able to access services that they are entitled to.

“Our thorough understanding of the communities in which we operate enables us to support linkages to local and outreach community and mainstream supports provided by a range of organisations.

“Since October, Community Links has doubled in size and continues to grow as it meets the needs of our participants, communities and the organisation,” Ms Fox said.

Although the Intereach offices are presently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, in ‘normal times’ every office operates from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, with Community Linkers available to discuss services with anyone seeking information or support.

Statistics compiled by Senior Managers Mardi Chartres and Erin Smith highlight the level of assistance that has been provided. For example, in the nine months to June 30 ‘linkers’ represented Intereach at 586 Community Engagement and Capacity Development (CECD) activities and were involved with a further 727 conversations with community groups and organisations.

‘Linkers’ welcomed and supported 1,124 new participants to ‘link’ with their community via intake forms, with more than 1,000 referrals made to community organisations. After the initial intake, they had nearly 4,000 additional conversations to ensure appropriate support services were being delivered. On top of this, one-off support for simple requests was provided to more than 7,000 new participants.

A further 26,000 calls were answered and triaged across the Intereach footprint, more than 1,900 entities were added to the Asset Map, there has been growth in the Intereach Reference Groups, and seven Observance Days have been celebrated and recognised. A successful artwork campaign has also made offices more welcoming and inclusive for participants and communities.

Additionally, staff have been trained and practices modified, all while dealing with the challenges of bushfires and COVID-19.

“It has been a fantastic effort by our team to transition to Community Links in such a successful way, despite the challenges that have been faced,” Ms Fox said.

“I have no doubt that the first nine months of the program has laid the foundation for future growth. Community Links is the way forward, and at Intereach we are proud to be leaders in developing this program,” she added.

Intereach provides support for children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers. It has 17 offices and employs over 400 staff across a footprint that covers the Riverina and western NSW, north and central Victoria and the Mallee.

If you, or someone you know, needs support you can contact the team at Intereach by phoning 1300 488 226 or go to www.intereach.com.au