A FRIDGE magnet is being used to let vulnerable people and families know where to get help.
The magnets being distributed to all households in Capel Sound are designed for those “struggling with social isolation, ageing, mental health issues and economic concerns”.
A small sub-group within the Capel Sound Community Group identified people facing those issues as being the most vulnerable and also the most likely to not know where to find help.
“Our local community centres can help with that, but people needed support to even find who to ask,” group secretary Bettyanne Foster said.
“We had lots of ideas, but it boiled down to linking people to their community, and Seawinds Community Hub is at the heart of Capel Sound.”
The magnet being distributed throughout Capel Sound identifies key areas of support needed: food, shelter, community advice and family support, and gives Seawinds Community Hub’s phone number.
Staff and volunteers at the hub will know which agencies can provide the required support.
Foster said a public information session would be held at Seawinds Community Hub at 10.30am on Thursday 19 October 19 at 10.30am “on what support is available for people doing it tough in the community”.
“All residents of Capel Sound are welcome to come join us for a delicious morning tea, to look around the Seawinds Community Hub and see what is on offer,” community group member Juanita Aitkin said.
She said recent statistics showed that global events had left people in the community “even more vulnerable to disconnection and the movement of economic conditions”.
“Many people are not aware of what help is available, so much information is online, but there are many who either cannot access the internet either by lack of facilities or lack of knowledge,” Aitkin said.
Agencies offering support to the community include Southern Peninsula Community Support, Family Life, Anglicare Victoria, Vinnies, Good Shepherd and Orange Door.
Seawinds Community Hub is at 11A Allambi Avenue, Capel Sound.
For more information call Bettyanne Foster on 0438 911 131 or visit capelsoundcommunitygroup@gmail.com
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 3 October 2023
