Keeping busy at home

KEEPING BUSY IDEAS – COVID-19 RESOURCES

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We have entered a new world! How long will we be here and when can we go back? When we go back, will some things stay the same? Can we ever really go all the way back?

One thing is for certain, we are staying home as much as possible. It’s not advice anymore; it’s the law. Whether it’s a blessing or an extra challenge (most likely both!) we have been forced to unschedule our lives, to appreciate the little things, and to create some sense of normality, routine and fun within the four walls of our homes (or our fences – fresh air for the win!).

The best thing about going through challenges together is seeing the way that people come together to share ideas, pool resources, innovate and adapt. Social media is absolutely full to the brim of great ideas to get creative, get outside, make, build, play, connect and more – so that’s why we’ve created this page. This is a resource for you; kids, parents, carers, support workers, to find some ideas to not only pass time, but to make memories and develop skills and knowledge. Together, we can make lemonade from the proverbial lemons barricading our front doors!

This page will be updated regularly with new links and ideas, so make sure you bookmark it and keep coming back!

If you have any resources to add, shoot an email through to Faye – faye.lougheed@ioe.org.au

SOCIAL STORIES

  1. Printable one page social story – click here
  2. Free downloadable social story for adults – click here
  3. Free self isolation social story – click here
  4. My Coronavirus story online flip book – click here
  5. Printable social story booklet – click here

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

  1. Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
  2. BBC – Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health
  3. 10 way to help others during the Coronavirus outbreak – click here
  4. Managing Your Mental Health Online During COVID-19 – click here

MINDFUL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  1. 75 calm down activities for kids – click here
  2. Open Heart Studio kind home family activity pack – click here
  3. Favourite kids books read by famous people – click here
  4. Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts – click here
  5. Free at-home kids yoga – click here
  6. Free Isolation Journal or My Lockdown Journey (print at home or free shipping) – click here
  7. Eastern Regional Library live story times or catch ups – click here

ACTIVITY IDEAS

  1. 100 activities to do at home during school closures – click here
  2. The Growing Space – Top thirty ways to use support workers creatively while avoiding COVID-19
  3. 60+ activity ideas to do with kids at home – click here
  4. Illustrated fun kids recipes – click here
  5. Kid-friendly workouts – click here
  6. Indoor and outdoor scavenger hunt inspiration – click here
  7. Write letters to friends or family. Make activities for them to do such as word searches and puzzles.
  8. Nature Play Week – top 10 list of fun things to do in your own back yard
  9. Over 200 free colouring pages and activities – click here

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

  1. Australian Special Education Principals Association – Online resources for students and families
  2. One million free printable worksheets from toddlers to teens – click here
  3. Learn the valuable skill of touch typing for free
  4. Learn a language for free
  5. Dive into the world of weather for kids

SCREEN TIME ACTIVITIES

  1. Go on a virtual tour of some of the most famous places in the world
  2. Online photograph jigsaw puzzles from six to 1000+ pieces
  3. Coding with Star Wars
  4. Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover
  5. Get answers to your worldy wonders via short videos
  6. Educational games for all ages
  7. ABC ME TV channel 23 – Educational curriculum based programming
  8. Accessible Apps – 10 fun game and activity apps for people with disabilities
  9. Air BnB Online Experiences – ‘unique activities we can do together, led by a world of hosts’
  10. Online board games – every game you can imagine from Boggle to One Night Werewolf- click here

MOVEMENT AND GETTING ACTIVE

  1. Pegasus Project – Catching made easy for all abilities
  2. Dance & Roll virtual dance sessions covering a range of dance styles
  3. Living Room Sports on Facebook Live
  4. SPROUT – The Special Olympics app, for home based inclusive fitness for any ability
  5. PE with Joe 30 minute body weight fitness sessions for all levels
  6. Build an obstacle course, or a chalk or tape course, in your house or in your yard
  7. Cosmic Kids free yoga on YouTube
  8. Gymnastics Victoria Aerobase program – online free videos
what-on-earth-are-we-doing

WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?

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Hi, I’m Faye. I’m the Marketing Coordinator at Interchange Outer East. You might know me from such things like IOE Facebook page, monthly newsletter, program flyers, annual reports, events and posters. Thanks to COVID-19, I, like many of us at IOE and all over the state, country and world, am preparing to work from home from next week. I’m feeling lonely just thinking about it.

I’m no doctor, immunologist, politician or anthropologist. In fact, anyone with those titles is no doubt far too busy earning their pay cheques these days to read this. I’m not even a parent of someone with a disability. Although I can only imagine the kind of added stress and uncertainty that some parents may be feeling at the moment. Despite our differences, for everyone who reads this, whether it’s five people or 5000, we have one thing in common:

We are all citizens of planet earth.

We are all unsure. There’s a feeling of disbelief; are we in a sci-fi movie? We all wonder what the next few days, weeks, months have in store for us and our families. Most, if not all of us are preparing to spend a lot more time at home, riding out the wave and practicing social distancing to do our bit to protect the vulnerable.

And the question remains; what on earth are we doing?

We have a choice to make. We can let this virus kill us. Not literally (god willing!), but morally. Metaphorically. We can allow it to do damage that will linger on far longer than the microscopic contagion that may only give most of us mild symptoms or none at all. Or we can look back in a year and feel a sense of pride, of solidarity. Social media is a mix of judgement and misinformation, with the odd glimpse of kindness and compassion. Elderly people can’t buy bread for their toast. People are brawling at supermarkets! There’s no meat on the shelves.

What if I told you that the human body doesn’t need meat to thrive, let alone survive? Nor does it need pasta. Or rice. It’s hard to move away from the norm; I have a four year old whose standard dinner request is ‘pasta with nothing’, but challenges create opportunities.

I often tell my eldest daughter that if we spend our time worrying about something, we live that moment, that thing we are worrying about, over and over, and for what? It might not even eventuate! We can live it once (or not at all), or we can live it continuously until D-day. Worrying about something doesn’t affect the result, or the likelihood of it occurring.

‘Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.’

During my trips to the supermarket, I notice forlorn faces in every direction looking at empty shelves. Pasta, meat, flour, noodles, beans. You know what’s fully stocked, like a rainbow of breakfasts, lunches and dinners? The fresh fruit and vegetables! Instead of letting sausages and mince add to your stress, fill your trolley and take the opportunity. When else will it be acceptable to have fruit salad for dinner!? Or carrots and dip for breakfast!

Like I said, I’m no doctor, but if you’ve been cooped up at home for a week, two weeks … a month(!), you’re feeling lethargic, your mental health has taken a nose dive. It’s not sausages and mince that will put a sparkle in your eye or a spring in your step. It’ll be dragging chairs up to the kitchen bench, getting the kids involved and making a huge bowl of fruit salad together. Dollop some yoghurt on top for a protein hit and sit on the front step in your PJs! Wave to the neighbour as they walk past with their dog.

When our kids look back on this time, while we remember the bills piling up, the supermarket anxiety and the social media mayhem, they’ll remember that time they had fruit salad for dinner. They’ll remember the absence of rushing. Mud pies in the backyard on a Tuesday and extra family time.

I’ll say it again; I’m not a doctor. I don’t know where you’re most likely to catch the dreaded COVID-19. I do know one place you certainly can’t catch it: on the internet! We are facing social isolation like we’ve never experienced before, yet we are more connected than ever. Did you know that you can visit almost every major museum or national park in the world on your computer? You can visit a theme park or a zoo. Your front door is closed but the world is at your fingertips. Technology is our friend. Everyone you know and everything you’ve ever wanted to learn about, or teach about, is on the other side of a screen.

Isolation doesn’t have to mean the death of connection.

The disruption of routine is going to pose a huge challenge for many families. The anticipation of what’s to come is interrupting your sleep and putting you on edge. I see you. I feel for you. I hope that in between meltdowns, tears or withdrawal, you are able to find moments of magic; moments of peace in the absence of scheduling. Maybe you’ve got home life down to a fine art and it’s about to be thrown into chaos. Maybe you feel like chaos is your baseline and the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is barely visible. We’re staring down the barrel of down time – family time – we didn’t necessarily ask for. It’s a tough ask, for some families more than others.

I don’t know what the future holds. The uncertainty is overwhelming. I’m nervous. But I know one thing. We’re all in this together. Because if we’re not, we’re all alone. If we tell ourselves and each other that we’re all in this together, it feels like a challenge; something we can overcome; something we can look back on and feel proud of for our resilience, the way we helped each other and the things we learned. If we go down the alternative path; if it’s every man for himself, the outlook seems much more dire. It feels more like a war.

We’re all in this together. Kindness is king; bend the knee.

UPDATED – IOE AND COVID-19

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION for the IOE community. Interchange Outer East has been monitoring the situation with COVID 19. A state of emergency has been declared in Victoria. This enables the state government to have additional powers to reduce the impact of the spread of the virus. You can access the advice here.

In response to the COVID 19 situation, Interchange Outer East has decided:

Group based services to close from Friday 20 March at 3.30pm until Tuesday 14 April 2020:

  • No recreation programs will be operating. This includes all camps, day activities and group based after hours activities.
  • No day services, SLES or intensive programs will be operating. No group based services – Boys to Men, carer activities, mums, dads, etc. will be operating.
  • In addition, the Family Camp planned for 17 April will not go ahead due to the number of people expected to attend and the risk associated with this.

Services Continuing:

  • 1:1 support will continue to operate for participants who do not have symptoms of the virus or are not living within a household where someone is in isolation.
  • Where someone has cold-like symptoms, advice should be obtained from the COVID-19 hotline 1800 020 080 before support goes ahead. Where there is any doubt, support should not occur. The IOE cancellation policy will apply in these cases.
  • Where possible, 1:1 support will be extended to people affected by the closures to group based programs particularly day services, SLES, intensives and camps

Support Workers:

Support staff have been advised on precautions and hygiene guidelines required to minimise risk. There are a number of support workers who have travelled overseas and are now doing the compulsory 14 day self isolation which may affect some families.

  • Where staff have any symptoms they are also required to seek advice before supporting participants on shifts. This may result in late notice cancellations.
  • If staff are put in a situation where they arrive on shift and find a participant or anyone they reside with presenting with symptoms they have been advised to leave. The IOE cancellation policy will apply in this case.

These are difficult decisions that have not been taken lightly. They have been made due to the capacity of Interchange Outer East to:

  1.  Practice social distancing;
  2. Limited access to facilities capable of maximising social distancing and good hygiene practices; and
  3. Lack of supplies to maintain good hygiene practices.

I understand this decision will cause difficulties and concerns for many people. We have provided notice of the closure to enable people to put other plans in place as best as possible.

Regards,

Fred Brumhead
CEO, Interchange Outer East

IOE is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and closely follow updates provided by DHHS and the Victorian Chief Medical Officer.

As you may be aware, over the weekend, the Prime Minister issued a directive that ALL people entering Australia from overseas must now self-isolate for 14 days. This is not an advisory measure, it is now law. If you have returned from overseas, or will be in the near future, you must stay home for 14 days. If you are an IOE staff member, participant, family and/or volunteer, please let us know as soon as possible if you are self isolating.

The Prime Minister has also banned all overseas travel from Australia. Non-essential indoor gatherings of people over 100 people have also been banned. Outdoor gatherings remain at 500 people.

It is essential to get your Coronavirus updates and information from a reputable source. Do not believe everything you read on social media or from media sources. For the latest COVID-19 updates, head to www.health.vic.gov.au

FAMILY CAMP IS …

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IOE’s annual March long weekend family camp held at Coonawarra Farm resort was once again a resounding success. This year approximately 180 people (families, volunteers and staff)  enjoyed the fun, fantastic activities and beautiful surrounds that make Coonawarra our favourite destination.  Each year we receive such positive feedback that, we decided to let the families’ comments tell the story of what family camp 2020 meant to them.

Family camp is:

‘A brilliant opportunity to meet, mingle and socialise with people in similar situations in an environment that is positive. It allows us to see and share our daughter’s camp experiences. Family camp is fun, supportive, empowering, enriching and emotionally fulfilling. Thanks so much for enabling and supporting this great event.’

‘Best time ever. I love being with my family on camp. I love family camp’

‘Incredibly well organised, very friendly and welcoming and amazing fun! Thank you so much’

‘I  love family camp. I like  the horses, the giant swing and the horses. I liked singing Drops of Jupiter in the talent show’

‘Seeing old friends and watching kids have fun. New friendships made and seeing our children being themselves. Watching the children’s faces as they interact with staff and volunteers. Staff and volunteers make the camp run so smoothly’

‘Includes everyone. It is where families on all different journeys get together in a relaxed and friendly environment, doing activities that they normally wouldn’t do and where you make new friends. …where you find you are not alone. Fun and awesome!’

‘Awesome, great, fun lots of fun, lovely, fantastic!!’

‘An inclusive, fun, bonding experience amongst and with like minded families. A place to relax, belong and not feel judged. A place to make new friends and laugh. A place where I saw my little girl’s anxieties slip away and saw her beautiful self shine through.’

Interchange Outer East continues to provide a range of programs which support every family member – a practical testimony to our belief that supported families become stronger, more resilient, less stressed  and better able to continue in their caring role.

Family camps are just one of these support programs. They have become such a calendar highlight for so many families, that IOE’s Family Camp Program has been extended and now consists of four camps each  year.

 

 

GIRLS2WOMEN NEW IOE PROGRAM

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Following the success of the Boys2Men program, which began in 2019, IOE is now planning to start up a similar program for girls and young women with a disability aged 14 – 24, aptly named Girls2Women. The program is ready to commence and IOE is calling for more applications.

The Girls2Women program provides a safe and supported space for young females (including anyone who identifies as female) to discuss and gain confidence in what it means to be a woman in today’s society. The program aims to equip participants with the tools to make informed and safe decisions within their personal lives and in the community.

This will be achieved through open discussions, activities and nights away combined with informative and interactive facilitated workshops. The program will include discussion of the many issues faced by young women today, challenge stereotypes, teach skills and strategies and help participants identify what inspires them.

Girls2Women is a 6month program with 3 – 5 sessions per month – weeknight workshops, weekend outings for health, fitness and education and weekend overnight adventures. All sessions are planned and facilitated by experienced staff who are excellent role models with input from external facilitators for training and education components.

The small group format and consistency of staffing encourages development of trust, confidence and friendships.  Staff are able to tailor sessions and discussion to the needs of the group to ensure that each individual can get as much as possible from the program.

Interchange Outer East supports the LGBTIQ community and encourages people to be involved with programs and groups where they feel safe and are most comfortable.

To register or for more information please contact erin.weegberg@ioe.org.au  All enquiries are welcome!

Click button to download (and share) flyer – please note the advertised initial starting date has been amended.

Girls2Women

IOE RECEIVES FUNDING TO EXPAND PATHWAYS

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Interchange Outer East was a successful recipient in the Victorian Government’s recent massive funding boost for the support of carers.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan, announced the release of $3.9 million for four new state-wide partnership projects and more than 90 local community projects to benefit carers.

Interchange Outer East, in partnership with Access Health and Community, will set up a project to expand statewide the already successful Pathways Program– regular monthly walks for carers that connect them to other carers and to the natural environment. Currently Pathways walks operates in seven different local government areas.

IOE’s project outline is to expand the program of walks throughout Victoria. By utilising the experience of current Pathways walks, the project will identify success factors and provide information and resources to support and enable new Pathways programs to be initiated in other Victorian communities. The project will develop an information kit and training program that identifies the critical aspects for success and sets out positive outcomes for a Pathways project. The outcomes of the project will be then evaluated.

The Pathways Program is an innovative approach to Carer Support that is built on a partnership approach. The group walks are led by carers and community members and are supported by organisational partners offering resources and networks which underpin the program’s success. As well as walking, guest walkers/speakers from a range of services and networks attend each session.

Pathways aims to:
• Provide opportunities for all carers to access a walk
• Provide peer based support and build stronger connections with other carers
• Provide information and access to services and resources for carers
• Enable opportunities for carers to be active, with a flow on effect of improved physical and mental health
• Connect carers with nature
• Empower carers by providing opportunities for development of skills and confidence and encouraging them to take on responsibilities for Pathways walks

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan, commented “We want carers in all parts of Victoria to access support in their community and have the opportunity to connect with others and improve their health and well-being”

“Our hard-working carers deserve our support, which is why we’ve invested almost $50 million for extra respite, transport concessions and grants for local carer groups across Victoria.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Anthony Carbines added “We’re making it easier for carers to access the services they need to look after themselves and make sure they’re supported in their care role.”

For up to date news about current Pathways walks visit www.pathwaysforcarers.com.au

LEARNING SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

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The 2020 Wallaby Run House Intensive group has had an amazing start to the year. The group leader, Louise, commented, ‘Already I am seeing real connections and friendships being made, along with support for each other, cooperation, determination, persistence, enthusiasm and resilience. It’s so exciting to see!’

The group, Jaymee, Briony, Simon and Chelsea, together with Louise, attend the Wallaby Run rental home in Chirnside Park for two days and one overnight per week. To kick off the program for the year, they have spent a little bit of time getting to know one another’s likes, dislikes and senses of humour, similarities and sharing differences with respect and interest. They have had a discussion about how they would like the house to feel and have worked together to make up a list of house rules for everyone to follow and help them work through those minor disputes that are part of living in a share house. An important focus of IOE House Intensive Programs is helping participants develop their interpersonal skills as well as their independence, and to provide a real life experience of living outside of the family home with their peers.

The group also worked together to create roster sheets for participants to take home and to become familiar with the common household tasks that need to be completed regularly to keep a clean, healthy and comfortable environment. Participants work together to plan and shop for meals, do laundry and housework, prepare meals and clean up, make the beds and plan their days. The tasks are shared around from week to week between the group and provide a great learning experience and an opportunity to consolidate their skills each time their turn comes around. Families are asked to support participants at home to continue their learning and contribute at home as they would during the program. This ensures that skills are developed throughout the week in different settings. It also gives the participants a chance to proudly show off their new skills at home!

The Wallaby Run group has also started off 2020 using Wednesday mornings to practice using public transport, which has resulted in some great outings exploring the wider region, from Federation Square to the Dandenong Ranges.

This sort of activity builds skills and capacity on multiple levels from encouraging communication and sharing stories, navigating the public transport network, moving around in crowds, handling money and myki cards and operating within a budget, to interacting with members of the public, problem solving, road and personal safety, finding ways to reduce anxiety in unfamiliar settings, and so much more! Learning isn’t focused around talking in a class room; it’s about having experiences together and developing skills in real world situations.

As well as travel training, the group has decided to spend some time each week doing some form of volunteer work as a way to get work experience and also give back to the community. They have been in contact with Eastern Volunteers and are waiting to attend a group interview to share their interests and find out where they may be able to contribute.

Interchange Outer East currently runs ten House Intensive programs at four locations; three in Melbourne’s outer east and one in Myrtleford in rural Victoria. If you have a young adult living at home who has a disability and would like to enquire about House Intensive, contact the program coordinator, Linda Hull on 9758 5522 or linda.hull@ioe.org.au

IOE NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2020

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Keep up-to-date. Read the latest news from IOE with the February edition of our monthly enewsletter.

Read IOE enews