News
.............................................................
Disability Self Help Grants 2011
The Office for Disability (OfD) administers the DSHG program. Due to Machinery of Government changes in January 2011, the OfD transferred from the Department of Planning and Community Development to the Department of Human Services. Apart from some delays there is no impact or change to the administration of the DSHG.
The format of the DSHG 2011 guidelines and application form has been
simplified for ease of use. The guidelines and application forms are available to download from www.officefordisability.vic.gov.au/advocacy_and_self_help.htm
If you would like further information about these grants, or would like the guidelines in an alternative format, please contact Shirana Nash on 9208 3516 or via email: shirana.nash@dhs.vic.gov.au
Disability Self Help Grant applications close Friday 18 November 2011. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Please note: This year’s Health Self Help Group Funding Program is still to be announced. We will include the dates and details on this page when we receive notification from the Health Department.
.............................................................
2011 Events Calendar
Please let us know about your group's event so we can list it on the calendar. We are interested to hear about all events no matter how high or low key. Just click here to find out how to submit your group's event details.
To view events go to the National Self Help and Support Groups Awareness Week Calendar
The Collective of Self Help Groups Inc. (COSHG)
Invites Self Help and Support Groups to participate in
National Self Help and Support Groups Awareness Week
Monday 5 to Sunday 11 September 2011
‘Helping each other to help ourselves’
This is an opportunity for all self help groups and support groups to celebrate their group, their achievements and the self help group movement.
Groups are invited to join in this national celebration by holding an activity that celebrates their group and the work it does. Activities may include for example, an afternoon tea, information stall, or an interview in a local paper.
Let us know if you are holding an activity and we will include it on our dedicated webpage at www.coshg.org.au
National Self Help and Support Groups Awareness Day – All welcome
When: Thursday 8 September, 11.30am to 2.00pm (COSHG AGM 2.00 to 2.30pm)
Where: Hayden Raysmith Room, 4th Floor Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
COSHG will be holding a day of information and activities featuring:
- A fascinating collection of 1980 / 90’s campaign posters from a variety of groups and organisations
- Information stalls
- Speakers
- Lotus performance
- Second hand books to buy from the COSHG library collection
For more information or to register your event please
Phone: 03 9650 2005 Email: info@coshg.org.au
Website: www.coshg.org.au
.............................................................
COSHG Annual General Meeting 2010 – 2011
The AGM will be held on National Self Help and Support Groups Awareness Day
Thursday 8 September 2.00pm
All members and interested people are invited to attend the Collective of Self Help Groups (COSHG) AGM
4th Floor Hayden Raysmith Meeting Room,
Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
(The venue is accessible)
All current, full members of COSHG are eligible to nominate to be a member of the COSHG Management Collective.
Please contact COSHG if unsure of current membership status or wishing to nominate for the Management Collective. Nominations for the Management Collective must be received by 1st September 2011.
RSVP for AGM attendance by Thursday 1st September 2011
Phone: 9650 2005 or email: info@coshg.org.au
Post: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
How to get there - (Melways reference 1B, M8)
Public Transport - Ross House is easily accessed via Swanston, Elizabeth and Flinders Street trams and is situated close to Flinders Street Station.
By car - Flinders Lane is one-way (access via Swanston Street) and has 2 accessible parking spaces outside Ross House.
Public car park available 202 - 208 Flinders Lane (near Swanston Street)
.............................................................
To View COSHG Member Groups' Upcoming Events click here
.............................................................
Recent COSHG events
The Collective of Self Help Groups (COSHG)
Presents
Facilitation and Communication Workshops for Self Help Groups
Facilitated by Spencer Brennan
Self-Help Resource Centre Ontario, Canada
Thursday 15 July
Introducing Spencer Brennan
Over the past 25 years Spencer Brennan has worked as an addiction therapist, life skills coach and adult educator and has managed volunteer programs in a variety of settings. In his capacity as the provincial outreach coordinator for the Self-Help Resource Centre, Spencer supports the development of both local and regional peer support initiatives by providing consultation, networking support, resource materials and fee-for-service training workshops. Spencer holds a diploma in human services counselling, a degree in adult education and has presented workshops on a variety of topics in Canada, the U.S. and Australia.
Spencer Brennan first visited Melbourne in 2007 and facilitated two sessions for COSHG. Feedback from participants was very enthusiastic. “Sessions with Spencer…Brilliant” - “all of his presentations, his style of honesty made him very enjoyable to listen to.”
COSHG is delighted to once again have the opportunity to host the following workshops to be facilitated by Spencer.
The day will also include a FREE information session on the Disability and Health Self Help Grants to coincide with the announcement of this year's grants. (Presented by the Office for Disability and Department of Health.)
Session A. ‘So you want to be a facilitator'
An informal information session for new facilitators and those interested in becoming one. Topics include guidelines, feedback, and several conflict resolution approaches.
This is primarily an information session, with some experiential work around the conflict models. We examine the definition of peer support groups, the meaning of facilitation, adult learning principles, listening skills, the importance of guidelines, reasons for conflict including inappropriate feedback, and several approaches to conflict resolution.
Session B. ‘What do you mean I'm not clear?'
Communication means "to give a share of, to share in and to have a common channel of passage." The difficulty is that as human beings we don't all have the same way of communicating.
This communications workshop will look at: understanding the difference between listening and hearing; separating process and content; examining some elements of Emotional Intelligence (EQ); mediating simple misunderstandings; and recognising that all conversations are about relationship. If you've ever been tired of explaining yourself or clarifying one more time, this is the workshop for you.
When: Thursday 15 July
Where: Arts House, (Meat Market) 5 Blackwood Street North Melbourne
This accessible venue has been sponsored by City of Melbourne
