COVID 19 is throwing quite a challenge to us. You can help the Community by helping each other. Sutherland Shire have produced the attached postcode to encourage a connected and supportive community.

Take part by downloading the postcard here.

Our office and Centre have been closed from 25th March 2020 due to the COVID 19 crisis. This does not mean our business is closed and we continue to offer our advertised services  to over 65s for:
– Individual Social Support
– Assisted Shopping
– Pet Owner’s Network

Leave us a voicemail on 02 95249559 or send an email to Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au and we’ll respond to you during normal working hours of Mon-Fri 9:30am to 4:00pm

Hear from our General Manager, Joanne Cracknell

Well, things are moving very fast in regards to the COVID – 19 situation. It is fair to say, we are all learning as we go and are staying close to information and instructions as shared by the Department of Health and other trusted resources. The care of our workers, clients and community members are top of mind and I wanted to share with you what we are doing here at GCAIS to help stop the spread:

• We have suspended all groups and activities until 17th April with the exception of Shopping Assistance and existing clients included in the Pet Owner’s Network. We have removed the shopping fee ($20) to 17th April 2020 for those utilising the service.
• We have reduced the number of workers present in our Centre whilst still keeping the doors open for our normal business hours being 9:30am to 4:00pm.
• We are well prepared with our systems for workers to work offsite or from home so staff can work on their projects and tasks and continue to be paid
• Our workers are all briefed on increased hygiene standards being hand sanitiser and soaps throughout the centre including toilets and offices; each office has anti bacterial surface spray which is used at regular intervals throughout the day and numbers in the centre at any one time are monitored
• Policies have been created to list expectations of those in the workplace including the need to attend a testing unit if symptoms appear

We understand this situation will impact on those feeling isolated and lonely. If you would like to receive our updates, please subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au and/or liking us on Facebook https://business.facebook.com/gymeacommunityaid/

Resources to understand COVID 19
Sutherland Shire Support Services

We would like to confirm that whilst the COVID – 19 virus situation is evolving by the minute, our Centre remains open until further notice. The following precautions are in practice:

• Hand sanitisers, soap and paper towels are available throughout the Centre. Gloves are also available at our front desk
• Social distancing is practiced
• Groups and activities have been suspended from 18th March – 1st April due to low participation numbers and minimal available volunteers and workers
• Clients and workers displaying any symptoms as related to the virus are asked not to enter the premises and to seek medical advise

We are currently following the advice of Department of Health and governing bodies and will keep our clients and community updated if and as the situation changes. We understand this situation is challenging and impacts those feeling socially isolated and lonely. We ask that individuals take responsibility for their own health and well being and stay isolated if displaying any signs of the virus.

Alternatively, those clear of infection are welcome to come and visit us, grab a book from the Street Library and join us for a cuppa!

For more information, contact us on 02 95249559 or email Frontdesk.volunteer@gcais.ngo.org.au

GCAIS are pleased to advise we are able to extend our shopping assistance. Here’s how it works:

• The service is available to clients registered with MyAgedCare or who are 65 years and over
• Given the COVID 19 virus and the need for social distancing, your shopping list will be taken by the support worker to complete the order and drop it back you.
• 2 hours is allocated per client per fortnight
• Costs and fees related to this service are suspended through to 17th April 2020
• All workers and volunteers have completed a police check

We ask that Clients take responsibility for their health and avoid contact with our workers if feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms related to the virus. In this situation, we will work with you to keep personal contact minimal.

For more information and to reserve a date and time, contact Rita or Rowena on 95249559 or email Aged@gcais.ngo.org.au

With the well-being of our Clients and Workers in mind, the following changes have been implemented affecting GCAIS Groups and Activities. These changes are based on:

• Client concerns
• Low participant  numbers
• Minimal staffing numbers
• Challenges regarding “social distancing”,

All groups and activities will cease from 18th March 2020 – 1st April 2020. Only shopping assistance and the operation of the Gymea Community Centre are exempt. Group leaders will be in contact in regards to next steps for each of the groups.
At this stage, we have NOT been instructed by the authorities to completely shutdown. Our reasons are based on what we have listed above. Further communications will be shared as advise and direction are provided to us.
We are conscious this situation will have an impact on those feeling isolated and vulnerable. As such, we have extended our assisted shopping service and doing all possible to keep our Centre open during it’s normal hours of Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:00pm.

We ask that each visitor to the Centre take responsibility for their health and avoid entering the Centre if feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms related to the virus.

See information on our Assisted Shopping

For further information contact us on 02 95249559 or email Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au

Due to client concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak, the following group outings have been cancelled. Alternatively, we have increased our shopping assistance service to clients who are registered with MyAgedCare. Shopping assistance is a cost of $20 for 2 hours and we can assist you in doing your shopping with a carer and/or, give us your list and we’ll get it done for you!

Contact us on 95249559 or, Aged@gcais.ngo.org.au to book a time slot.

Cancelled social groups are:
– Monday Social Group: 23rd March 2020
– Multicultural Women’s Group: 17th March 2020
– Wednesday Social Group: 18th March 2020
– Tuesday Indian Social Group: 24th March 2020

Our walking groups are set up and awaiting your registration. In conjunction with Heart Foundation Walking, we have formed 5 groups to meet the needs of all ages and fitness levels. What’s even better, we have placed as much attention on the “after walk” social for those with the time to stay with the group just that little bit longer. Think cafes, smoothies, great conversation. Today it’s Gymea/Cronulla-tomorrow, Kokoda!!!

• HOW TO REGISTER
  To learn more, go to Heart Foundation Walking. By entering 2227 into the postcode field, the Gymea Easy Pacers; Gymea Afternoon Pacers, Gymea Summer Walkers, Gymea Nature Walk and Gymea Finally Friday will appear. Follow the prompts and enrol directly through the site. Or, download the registration form HERE.
  If you’d like to get more information from our walk coordinators, contact Rowena Condon, rowena.condon@gcais.ngo.org.au or Lou Mitchell, marie-lou.mitchell@gcais.ngo.org.au.
• COST
  It’s Free to join the walk!!!! Additional costs to purchase the GCAIS walking t-shirt, water bottle and “after walk” activity.
• WHERE
  Our groups leave from a variety of locations. Go to What’s On for a full list of our groups
• DAYS and TIMES
  The What’s On will list all details. In summary:
  – Tuesdays     9:30am from Zimzalas
  – Thursdays   4:00pm from the Gymea Community Centre or 6:00pm from Zimzalas
  – Fridays        9:00am from the Gymea Community Centre or 9:00am from the Sutherland Tennis Courts, 112 The Grande Parade Sutherland .
  So, if you’ve been thinking about getting active and joining a group that focuses on health, well-being and socialisation, contact us today. Email either Rowena or Lou, visit our Centre at 39 Gymea Bay Rd Gymea or call us 0295249559To find out more about Go to Heart Foundation Walking for full details of this initiative.

CommUNITY 2019:  Awareness:Advocacy:Action

Led and inspired by young people CommUNITY 2019 raises awareness of the challenges faced by migrants and refugees. Youth leaders bought together young people within the Sutherland Shire, Illawarra and St George communities, and through a program of interactive activities motivated them to act to reduce social exclusion, bullying, harassment and racism.

WATCH THEIR EXPERIENCES GAINED AT THE 2019 CAMP

We understand that many of our workers and clients have been affected by the recent bush fire crisis. Many of you are engaged in fighting the fires and participating in  community activities positioned to provide help and support to the victims. At the very least, many of us continue to feel the affects of the poor air quality which is expected to continue for some time.
We will continue to share any resources or information we receive. Alternatively, if there is any information you would like us to share through our network then send through to us.
Stay safe, look out for each other, and please reach out if we can help in any way.

GO HERE to find out how you can help

We are closed for the Christmas holidays from 24th December to 6th January. Due to renovations, the Centre remains closed until 13th January 2020.

From 6th January, we will be responding to voicemail and email messages. Please leave us a message on the following:

• Phone: 02 9524 9559
• Email Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au

Alternatively, look in our What’s On section for outings, groups and activities scheduled for 2020.

We are pleased to announce we are partnering with Debbie Charlwood’s Organised Occasions to provide interesting, fun and social weekend 1 and 2 day events. Go to our What’s On page to find out more:

“Weekend in the Southern Highlands”  13th-15th March 2020

” The Lights Water Fest” 1st February 2020

“Bundanoon is Brigadoon” 4th April 2020

Some of our walking groups are taking a well-earned break over the Christmas period. below is a list of when they return in 2020. This information is also available in What’s On.

• Gymea Easy Pacers  Tuesdays from 9:30am at Zimzala. No break taken
• Gymea Afternoon Pacers  Thursdays from 4:00pm at GCAIS. Returning on 16th January 2020
• Gymea Summer Walkers Thursdays from 6:00pm at Zimzala. Returning on 9th January 2020
• Gymea Finally Friday  Fridays from 9:00am at GCAIS. Returning on 17th January 2020
• Gymea Nature Walk  Fridays from 9:00am at Sutherland Tennis Courts. Returning on 3rd January 2020.

For more information, contact us at Reception@gcais.ngo.org.au or call on 02 9524 9559.

This program is now full. We will keep you up to date with future programs as they are scheduled

The active and social program offers anybody 65 years young and over an opportunity to stay active, maintain mobility and develop friendships in the new year.

This tailored program consists of health assessments from accredited physiologists at Peak Health, supervised gym sessions once a week, 5 nutrition sessions and additional activity sessions (e.g, aqua aerobics, dancing, singing, swimming, gardening, fishing, walking, Tai Chi, Zumba, lawn bowls etc)

This program has been designed to consider individual needs and requirements, and helps those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritic pain or at risk of falls. 

WHEN:                 28^th January – 26^TH June 2020 (Includes weekly activities)
WHERE:               Gymea and various locations (dependent on activity)
COST:                    $80 (covers all assessments, gym and nutrition sessions and additional activities)    

Registrations close 21st January 2020 with limited spaces available. For further information and to register:

Telephone:         Jenny K. or Kalpna on 9524 9559
Email:                  jenny.k@gcais.ngo.org.au     kalpna.patel@gcais.ngo.org.au               

Additional information
This program is split into 2 terms of 9 weeks to coincide with the school academic terms:
Term 1 (January 27^th– March 27^th 2020) consists of:

• Project launch on the 28^th January 2020, where you will be introduced to all the partners on the project, get an overview of the program and hear from health professionals on the benefits of keeping active and social
• Individual health assessments with Peak Health Physiologists
• Introduction to online apps- to help you track your own progress.
• Tailored gym sessions once a week for 8 weeks, under the supervision of Peak Health Physiologists to build strength and get active.
• 5 nutrition sessions delivered by Sutherland Food Services
• 4 Additional taster activities – you help us decide what you would like to do
• Mid program assessment to check how you are tracking

Term 2 (27^th April – 26^th June 2020) consists of:

• Tailored gym sessions once a week for 9 weeks, under the supervision of Peak health Physiologists to build strength and get active.
• Additional nutrition sessions
• Regular activity sessions
• Final program assessment
• Program graduation celebration.

Read about how GCAIS partners with TAFENSW for a program aimed to provide employment and/or training opportunities, with a focus on developing English language skills at the same time as knowledge and skills in the vocational area of hospitality.

READ MORE

Sutherland Shire Council is looking for 6 motivated people aged 60 years or over who are interested in joining a group of active, engaged and enthusiastic older people to provide valuable input for Council.

The role of the Seniors Reference Group is to provide a forum for engagement between older residents and to address and advance issues for older people within the Sutherland Shire.

For more information, contact Jayne Gan, jgan@ssc.nsw.gov.au  or 02 9710 0333. Expressions of Interest close on 20th December.

DOWNLOAD Reference Group Guidelines

DOWNLOAD Expression of Interest Form

WE are now 5 walking groups, helping the Shire stay active and social. Our latest group, Gymea Nature Walk, commencing on 29th November from 9:00am will meet at Sutherland Tennis Courts, enjoying bushland whilst on downhill pathways, then stairs to the Woronora River. Strolling along the river’s edge to reserved seating at The Boatshed, a Creekside Café. Working off the coffee with an uphill incline along pathways & stairs back to the Tennis Courts. Approx 20 mins there, 20 mins coffee & then 20 mins back.

Registrations can be completed directly with Heart Foundation Walking, https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au/walking/#map or downloading the registration form. Alternatively, go to our What’s On page or, call us on 02 9524 9559 for more information.