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Welcome to Term 3 – Yarra Junction Community Hub

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Welcome to issue #8 of OurHub term 3 Guide. As you can see we’ve moved to an online version for Term 3. Don’t worry the much loved printed version will be back for Term 4, and we will also continue to deliver this online for those of you who prefer to check out what’s on offer on your phone or tablet (it’s even better for our beloved planet).

What a whirlwind the last three months have been for not only for our community but for all communities worldwide. We have had to learn to adapt to many changes in our day-to-day routines with everything but essential services closed. For me, these changes meant that I had to adapt to working from home, homeschooling four children and being thrown into the world of virtual meetings and catch-ups. Reflecting on the past few months, I am really grateful for the experience as it has given me the opportunity to spend quality time with my family, enjoy a slower pace of life and gain the confidence that I can adapt to any situation and come out stronger.

We closed the Hubs on 23rd March and I was very unsure of how I was going to support the community and provide courses and programs, without being able to deliver them in the centre. I am very grateful for my amazing team and together we kept coming up with innovative ideas to support the community. Our Fit 4 Life program was the first to be delivered via Zoom and with the members that did not have access to technology, we sent them an exercise DVD and exercise information sheets. We connected our Wednesday morning craft group together on Zoom, and despite some technical challenges, with patience and persistence, we got there in the end. The weekly catch-ups have kept the ladies feeling connected during this isolating time.

We launched Friday Night Live, a program created by our placement students from Box Hill Institute of TAFE, welcomed guest speakers each week and incorporated a question and answer section at the end. Guest speakers included Patrick Boucher and Danny Field from Yarra Ranges TV, David Shepard a Tai Chi instructor, and Emily Webbers, an Indigenous educator.

Two weeks before closed our Hubs, we welcomed Naomi to our team as the Chirnside Park Community Hub Coordinator (pictured above left). You may have already seen her on our weekly Cuppa and Chat sessions on our Facebook page, where she has kept us updated with what is going on at the Hubs. Naomi started the hugely successful Lock Down Lego Challenge on Facebook, reaching around 800 members. The group was created and new challenges were set up daily to engage families to get creative and build Lego. Due to the success of this group we are excited to be launching our Lego Group at both our hubs.

Level Up is unlikely to return to the Hubs in Term 3, or while limits on social gatherings are still in place. Level Up is extremely important for our young people however, we do not want to create a situation where some young people may need to be excluded from our programs. We are eager for Level Up to return as soon as we are able to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. Gamers Lounge transitioned to an online format in May and will continue to do so for Term 3. Those interested in becoming involved can do so by joining our Facebook group.

We have our Centre link access point for the community to use during our operating hours. You can access the following services to use the internet, get brochures and fact sheets, use the phone claiming service, reply paid Medicare envelopes, scan, copy, print and upload documents and verify identity documents.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our Hub and as always, please feel free to stop in for a cuppa and chat and let us know what you would like to see in our programming.

If you would like to subscribe simply click the Sign Up! button above.

Enjoy OurHubs online
Jenelle Strachan – Manager – Cire Community Hubs

 

Stay Fit 4 Life with Cire Services!

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Did you know that regular exercise is more important to the health of seniors than a healthy diet?

Participating in regular moderate-intensity physical activity lowers the risk of depression, improves the ability to perform daily activities and can slow the development of disability or disease. Seniors who participate in group physical activity report higher overall activity and are more likely to continue with a regular fitness regimen, due to the support they receive from each other. In addition to the benefits of regular group exercise, the act of social engagement itself is associated with a lower risk of mortality.

With this in mind, Cire Services have partnered with Fitness Success to deliver a specialised fitness program for over-65s called Fit 4 Life. Thanks to funding secured by Musculoskeletal Australia through a Sports Australia grant initiative, we are able to offer two classes per week by a qualified exercise physiologist experienced in working with seniors.

Exercises are tailored to each participant’s level of fitness, providing individualized support in a friendly, fun group environment. In addition to their in-class activities, Fit 4 Life attendees are provided with print-outs detailing exercises they can do at home to support their daily living.

Sessions include tasty refreshments post-exercise, allowing time for our participants to ask questions or speak with the physiologist regarding their fitness goals. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to catch up for a chat over tea and biscuits!

Fit 4 Life attendees agree that they feel welcome at our Cire Chirnside Park Community Hub, highlighting the warm environment, helpful information and friendly staff. One of our participants, Linda, said that her favourite part about attending Fit 4 Life is “meeting new people”. Roy mentioned that he greatly enjoys learning new exercises in addition to the “good atmosphere” of the sessions.

In 2018, the Australian Government committed over $150 million dollars to fund physical health and sporting initiatives. Sport Australia’s “Move It AUS” grant programs were intended to drive participation in sport and physical activity by building active environments, targeting communities with high levels of inactivity and working to improve the health of older Australians.

Musculoskeletal Australia was successful in securing a “Move It AUS- Better Ageing” grant, working in conjunction with the University of Sydney to implement a project enabling neighbourhood houses to offer physical activity programs to people 65 years and above.
This funding has allowed Cire Services and Fitness Success to offer our Fit 4 Life sessions for $5 per participant. A similar session with an exercise physiologist would generally come at a cost of approximately $120.

The Fit4Life team are taking a break over Christmas but will be returning to the Cire Chirnside Park Community Hub early next year! There’s no ongoing commitment, sessions are casual and pay-as-you-go, with no bookings required. Just arrive on the day and speak with a member of our friendly Cire Hubs team!

Date: Every Monday and Wednesday, as of February 3 2020
Time: 11.00am
Location: Cire Chirnside Park Community Hub, 33 Kimberly Drive Chirnside Park.
Cost: $5.00 per person, per session. Cash and EFTPOS accepted.
Includes: A group fitness session facilitated by a qualified Fitness Success exercise physiologist, refreshments and a print-out of take-home exercises.

For more information, feel free to give us a call on 1300 835 235.