A fantastic community health initiative was started in Blayney early this year with the formation of the Blayney Interagency Group. Initiated by Sally Bembrick, Interagency provides networking opportunities for agencies, service providers, organisations and the community to access information in relation to local and regional community services.

The goals of the Interagency Group are:

Solving issues through integration and multi service cooperation. To avoid duplication of services & to reduce costs/resources associated with duplication. To increase service provider knowledge. Sharing of resources where possible. Promotion of services to community. Educate community regarding services and to facilitate access to services & guest speakers. To identify gaps in services. Identify possible lobbying opportunities and facilitate same.

 The initial response was tremendous from agencies and service providers in the region with the first meeting in February yielding over 40 service providers joining the group.

 The second meeting of the Interagency Group was recently held on Wednesday 13 August at Centrepoint in Blayney with over 50 attendees who networked as well taking part in a forum with guest speakers.

The guest speaker from the National Relay Service discussed the NRS’s phone solutions for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. The National Relay Service is an Australian Government initiative which uses specially trained staff to relay calls. The service is available 24 hours a day and provides free training and help with getting the equipment you need.

Centacare’s Drought Response Team discussed the far reaching impact of the drought on the community and what programs were available to provide assistance in many areas, including:

Personal Coping Skills Building Self Reliance Effective Communicaiton Building & Maintaining Stronger Relationsips Parenting Mental Health Awareness Anger Management & Domestic Violence Suicide Prevention Dealing with Depression

Interagency’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 12 November 2008 and will include a guest talk from Mark Brouggy of OurPatch.com.au who will discuss how the free OurPatch community website can assist individuals and groups within the community.

For further information in relation to the Blayney Interagency Meeting please contact Sally Bembrick at Blayney Community Health Service on 6368 9082, or Lynda Bowtell at CentrePoint on 63 682544.

Interagency can give you direct access to service providers that include:-

Aged Care Assessment Team, Community Transport, Blayney High School, Blayney Health Council, Blayney Health Service – Child & Family Health, Community Health, District Nurses & Psychology Services, Meals on Wheels, Carelink Carer Respite, Carer Respite/OCRO, Catholic Community Care, Centacare, Centrepoint Sport & Leisure, Centrelink – Multicultural Services & Customer Service officer, Child Support Agency, Compacks, Department of Aged, Disability & Home Care, Evans Community Options, Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre, Family Daycare Cabonne/Blayney, Families NSW, Greater Western Area Health – Mental Health Services, HACC, Cabonne Carer Support Group for Blayney, Hammond Care Group, Home Care, Homestart, Hospital Auxiliary, Lee Hostel, Legacy, Blayney Diabetes, RSL, Mission Australia, Orange Family Support Service, Reconnect, Red Cross, Regional Migrant Support Service, Royal Rehab Centre, South West Tenants Advice Service, Uralba Retirement Village, Anglican Church, Baptist Community Services, Blayney Ambulance, Blayney Catholic Church, Blayney Chronicle, Wangarang Industries & Lyndon Outreach.