Areti
It’S ON aGAIN-Outward Bound
STEPS Program Newsletter
From the Manager,
This edition is chock‐full of STEPS Program news and activities. Happy reading!
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Special points of interest: ☺ Potential Unlimited program ☺ Judith Nance bio ☺ Central QLD Xmas Party
Issue 37 March 2015
Inside this Issue:
Message from the Manager 1
Outward Bound 1
Judith Nance Bio 2
STEPS Skills Program Reports 2‐3
• Caboolture
• Townsville
• Telehealth
• Woolloongabba
STEPS Program Network Group Reports 4‐5
• Yarraman
• Bundaberg
• Toowoomba
• Cairns
• Centenary
• Central QLD
STEPS Program Leader Network 6
STEPS Program Leader Training 6
Spotlight On…. Gold Coast 6
Central Queensland Christmas photos 7
Greater Brisbane Christmas photos 7
STEPS Program Facebook page 8
STEPS Skills Programs in QLD Map 8
The Potential Unlimited Program is a 7‐day outdoor education & adventure program run by Outward Bound Australia. The pro‐gram has been specifically designed for adults with brain injury & combines challenging outdoor adventure activities (e.g, camping, hiking, abseiling, caving, etc.) with personal goal setting & group
support to help people discover, develop &achieve their potential.
The first group of STEPS Program peer leaders who completed the Potential Unlimited Program in 2013 had an amazing experience which has had a significant impact in their personal lives and beyond. They have also used the lessons learned throughout the journey to further develop their skills as STEPS Program leaders and thereby better support their local STEPS Network Group members. In 2015, our peer leaders will be from regional and rural areas of Qld, which is very exciting.
Important Details:
• The program will be held at the national base of Outward Bound in Canberra from 21‐27 October 2015.
• The cost of the course is being funded by a charitable donation from "The Friendly Ride", which covers meals, accommodation & all adventure activities during the trip.
• Because the course is in Canberra, peer leaders who attend will be expected to cover their travel costs to/from Canberra, plus some equipment, e.g. hiking boots.
• The STEPS Program has a partnership with the PA Research Foundation to fundraise for the event.
How can I help with fundraising?:
1. Make an online donation at http://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/steps2015 You can also share the link with your family/colleagues/other people via email or social media. Many people will be happy to give a small donation and every little bit counts! Online donations can be made using a credit card. Donors can post a message of support and will be issued with a receipt for their donation. 2. Organise a fundraising event at your workplace/other community setting, e.g. placing a “Small Change for Big Change” donation box at your workplace/local club. Or host a fundraising morning tea or sausage sizzle. 3. Talk with your local STEPS Network Group about organising a fundraising event in your local area.
If you would like to organise a fundraising event, please discuss your plans with the STEPS Program. We have many resources we can send you, e.g. posters, receipt books, etc.
Page 2 STEPS program Newsletter
TOWNSVILLE student were also involved and enjoyed assisting with leading the activities and facilitating discussion. This student‐participant interaction is using for both the students and the group participants. The 6 participants were of different ages and cultural backgrounds but all interacted very well throughout the 6 weeks, learning and discussing the various weekly topics covered in the program . In week 6 the group decided to meet at the local RSL club for lunch for the
The Townsville STEPS Skills Program was held at Community rehabilitation nQ (CRnQ) over 6 weeks between the dates of the 7th of November till the 12th of December 2014. This was the third STEPS Skills Program run at the CRnQ, a centre for neurological rehabilitation. Tanya Ashton (Social worker) and Kate Contos (Occupational therapist) were the leaders and a social work student and an occupational therapy
Morayfield. Members were invited to
join the Caboolture “Brainiacs”
Group and some have attended
meetings so far in 2015.
Our experienced team of Kerry and
Veronica again co‐led a program at
the rooms of Anglicare Caboolture in
November 2014. The group found it
interesting discussing the various
topics, including the changes that
have occurred for both the person
with brain injury but also their family
and wider social and community
networks. As a peer leader and wife
of a person with brain injury,
Veronica was able to really engage
with group participants about family
changes. Kerry’s sunny personality
also meant there were quite a few
light‐hearted moments during the
program! The group enjoyed lunch
together at Hog’s Breath Café at
CABOOLTURE
break up activity. Some of the members have gone on to join the Townsville STEPS Program Network Group, which meets monthly in Townsville. We are already looking forward to our next STEPS Skills Program here at CRnQ here in Townsville in 2015.
Greeting STEPS Program participants! My name is Judith Nance, and some of you may be aware that I am taking
Rehabilitation Coordinator, and have been with ABIOS ever since.
I hope over the years that I have a deve loped a rea sonab l e understanding of the complexities of life after ABI, and I look forward to meeting and working with many of you in the STEPS community around the state in the coming months. It’s a steep learning curve, and I have Ben’s big shoes to fill, so I hope you will all be patient with me as I get into the swing of things.
on Ben Turner’s role in the STEPS Program, just until the end of June 2015 while he is doing some project work elsewhere.
I have worked in the area of acquired brain injury (ABI) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital for many years, first as a physiotherapist in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit and then in the Day Hospital. When the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service (ABIOS) began way back in the early 1990s, I started working there as a
Page 3 Issue 37
The Telehealth STEPS Skills Program started on the 4th of November 2014. The distances between participants in the group were very vast! People from Mt Isa, Collinsville, Miles, Gooniwindi and Warwick all participated in the group via a combination of both teleconferenc‐ing and videoconferencing connections. The leaders for the group were Bobbie D’Arcy (Service Provider Leader – Kingaroy) and Peter McLean (Peer Leader – Yarraman). Collectively, the participants and leaders covered the majority part of the state!
While it was initially planned that videoconferencing technology would enable participants to both hear and see each other as they worked together to complete the program,
TELEHEALTH brain injury. The group had some great ideas of the week 6 activity (e.g., lunch at the pub – but they couldn’t decide on which pub and the cost of travel was a bit too much!). In the end, the group settled with a group discussion about their local community (i.e., fun facts about their local town) and they also sat down to a cuppa over the phone! The Telehealth group has met 3 times since the completion of the 6‐week STEPS Skills Program. While they are small in numbers, there is a definite commitment to keep the group going so that others in rural and remote locations can benefit from the connections formed in the group.
the group quickly discovered that connectivity issues limited the success of the technology and therefore they had to turn to the humble telephone to link up with each other. Despite this, all in the group agreed that videoconferencing would be a great way to run future groups for people in rural and remote areas if the technology can be improved over time. Those in the group commented that it was great to be able to connect with other people in a rural or remote location to share experiences, feelings, thoughts and ideas. Many said that they felt quite isolated in their local area and the group was a great source of support as they continued on their journey of recovery after
WOOLLOONGABBA This program was actually held across two locations, Woolloongabba and nearby Stones Corner, due to room availability. At the end of each session, we had to double‐check exactly where the program would be the following week and make sure everyone had a reliable way of remembering it. This brought to the fore the various methods people use to assist their memory. Diaries and mobile phones were popular, as were associations of one sort or another. They worked well, as nobody forgot which location we were at and everybody turned up at the right place each week.
There were a couple of delayed starts due to some wet weather, but we managed to finish all the sessions on time.
Our group break‐up activity was held at Captain Burke Park, under the Story Bridge…a stunning little oasis right in the middle of the city. Our well‐planned BBQ was enjoyed by all. We had music and wore some funny, theatrical hats which let themselves to a bit of impromptu singing along to some golden oldie songs!
Page 4 STEPS Program Newsletter
was present when this photo was taken at the February bowling day, but here is a pic anyway.
The Toowoomba STEPS Network Group finally received their long‐anticipated tenpin bowling shirts. The group meets fortnightly, regularly alternating tenpin bowling on the second Monday of the month with various community outings on the fourth Monday of the month. The shirts are a huge hit with group members, who wear them proudly and enjoy explaining the shirts and what the group is all
about to other curious bowlers and community members. Even our little group ’mascot’ had one made for him! Unfortunately not everyone
TOOWOOMBA
The first Yarraman Network group meeting was held recently in Black‐butt. The group alternates where it meets in the region, as this suits group members. There were a couple of new members too, who are always welcome at our group. It is good we can provide people with some local information and support each other. We were also privileged to view one of our member’s vast collection of hand‐carved walking sticks, all crafted by him after he had had a
stroke. Very impressive!
PS look carefully in the photos‐ the walking sticks, made of many
YARRAMAN
different types of wood, are suspended from the roof and along the walls of the garage!
BUNDABERG
It was off to a new place for our Christmas Party last November. We tried Across the Waves Sports Club for morning tea and then lingered together for lunch. The room was spacious and air‐conditioned, which
was a welcome relief from the heat outside.
The whole event was one of celebration combined with reflection. While we celebrated another year of getting out into the community together and supporting each other, the day was also tinged with some sadness as one of our long‐term, wonderful, stalwart members, Garry, had just been transferred to palliative care and was unable to make it to the party. He passed away a few days later.
Again we experienced the power of sharing the good times and the bad with each other… something we really value in the Bundaberg Brain Injury Friends group.
Garry was an amazing man with strength and courage. He had been stalwart of our group and had helped many, many people here in Bundaberg in many, many ways and a determination to use his charity to help others even in his last days.
Bundaberg Christmas Party break up
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The Cairns Wet STEPS group headed to the Cairns RSL once again in early December for our Christmas Party. It is hard to beat the stunning location of the RSL, right on the Esplanade foreshore. We enjoyed ordering a‐la‐carte from the menu. The table was decorated with Christmas crackers. We shared our reflections
of the year, some bad jokes from our crackers and, of course, wore the Christmas hats from the crackers too‐ well, most of us did anyway! We are looking forward to continuing our fishing‐based connections with each other in 2015.
CAIRNS
that their STEPS Network Group’s had been up to over the past few years. Leaders from the various groups gave a brief presentation about their local group and a photo slide show was also played on the day. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing as they viewed the photo presentation together.
The event was such a success that the groups all agreed that they need to find opportunities for combined meetings more regularly (at least annually would be great!). The various groups are now vying to see which location will host the next combined STEPS Program gathering for the Central Queensland region!
See photos on the top of page 7
The STEPS Program has continued to build its presence in the Central Queensland region over the past 5 years. Approximately 120 people have completed the 6‐week STEPS Skills Program in the region since 2010. STEPS Network Groups (ongoing support‐style groups) have also been established in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone and Biloela. The STEPS Program is well supported by a team of locally trained peer and service provider leaders in each of these locations. The 4 STEPS Network Groups each meet on a monthly basis in their local community. While each group is different and has evolved to meet the needs of participants, they all share a common vision of providing a local source of support for people with ABI and their families.
In December 2014, the 4 STEPS Network Groups came together for the first time for the Central Queensland STEPS Program Christmas Party. The event was held on the 8th of December 2014 at the Frenchville Sports Club in Rocky. Over 50 people attended on the day, with participants from all 4 groups making the journey to celebrate their achievements and enjoy the festive season together. The group’s choose to do a ‘secret Santa’ gift swap on the day – Tegan Eiby (Rocky STEPS Program Peer Leader) donned a Santa suit (as she usually does for the Rocky STEPS Network Group each year) to hand out the presents! There was a great sense of support and community as group members shared their experiences of life after brain injury and the various activities
The Centenary STEPS Network Group had its first meeting of 2015 at the Jindalee Hotel, a favourite haunt. Our usual restaurant was being renovated, so we tried out the Sports Bar instead. The food was pretty good and there was plenty of it. We didn’t think Scott would be able to finish his pizza, but as you can see from the photo, he was determined to give it his best shot, and we are pleased to report that he did manage to eat the lot!
There was a bit of a glitch with our mail‐out for February’s meeting, so sincere apologies to those who missed out on hearing about it. It was all sorted for the March Network Group meeting, which was at the newly refurbished Roadhouse Grill, Jindalee Hotel. We had a good turnout, including three very special little guests, Elaine’s grandchildren who enjoyed their Kids’ Meals, and behaved magnificently.
CENTENARY
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cairns Christmas Party 2014
STEPS program Newsletter Page 6
We already have two STEPS Program Leader training programs scheduled for 2015:
Gold Coast– Thursday 26/ Friday 27 March at Headway Gold Coast, Arundel
Brisbane– Monday 30/ Tuesday 31 March at ABIOS office, Buranda.
If you are interested in STEPS Program leader training for your local community, please contact us
Teleconferences are held on the SECOND Thursday of every alternate month, from 10‐11am. See proposed schedule for 2015 below. We are looking forward to another year of stimulating information and discussions.
DATE MAJOR TOPICS FOR 2015 TELECONFERENCES
6 February Business Planning: STEPS program review—2014 activity, 2015 plans; 2015 Leader Network teleconference schedule, 2015 Potential Unlimited program, STEPS Program Facebook trial
13 March Educational Topic: Grief, loss and anger in the journey of recovery after ABI: practical tools and strategies for group leaders
8 May
Meet the Leaders: Discussion about Grief, loss and anger in the journey of recovery after ABI: practical tools and strategies for group leaders
10 July Business Planning: Update: Service and Funding Opportunities for Brain Injury
11 September Educational Topic: Communication issues after ABI in Network Groups after the more structured STEPS Skills Program
13 November Meet the Leaders: Discussion about leaders’ experiences with communication issues in Network Groups
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations.
The area was largely uninhabited by Europeans until explorer John Oxley landed on Mermaid Beach in 1823. Previously the land was occupied by the Yugambeh people who were hunters, gatherers and fishers and legend tells that they trained dingoes and dolphins to aid them in their hunting and fishing.
The Gold Coast became a holiday retreat for Brisbane’s wealthy and influential in the late 1800s, however it wasn’t until the mid‐1920s that the population really
started to increase. In 1925 Jim Cavill built the original Surfers Paradise Hotel and the tourism boom began.
The Gold Coast was initial called South Coast, however due to the inflated prices of real estate and other goods and services after World War II it gained the nick names ‘Gold Coast’, the name was officially changed to Gold Coast in 1958.
These days the Gold Coast’s main industry is tourism and there certainly is plenty to see
and do to suit the tastes of most people! There are beautiful beaches with perfect waves for surfing; 5 big theme parks to explore; a very active night life; diverse shopping district; and of course the gorgeous rainforest hinterland to discover.
The Gold Coast has also been chosen to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games!
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Check out the photos for a glimpse of the party at Roma Street Parklands on December 3. The weather turned on a beautiful sunny day as we shared good food, great company, laughter and well wishes for the year that was and the year ahead.
Page 8 STEPS Program Newsletter
Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS)
PO Box 6053, Buranda 4102
Ph: (07) 3406 2311 Fax: (07) 3406 2399
Email: [email protected]
THE STEPS PROGRAM
2014‐ Bundaberg, Cairns North, Centenary, Chermside, Coopers Plains, Cooroy, Edmonton, Emerald, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Logan North, Mackay (2), Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Townsville, Toowoomba, Yeppoon, Young ABI
2013‐ Atherton, Beenleigh, Browns Plains, Bundaberg, Buranda‐Young ABI(2), Caboolture, Cairns (Edmonton), Cairns (North), Caloundra, Capalaba, Centenary, Chermside, Coopers Plains, Gladstone, Gold Coast (Headway), Ipswich, Logan North, Mackay, Maroochydore, North Lakes, Robina(2), Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville (CRNQ), Wynnum
2012‐ Bundaberg, Cairns(2), Gladstone(2), Gold Coast, Brisbane(10), Kingaroy, Maroochydore, Redcliffe, Rockhampton, Toowoomba(2), Yeppoon
2006‐ 2011‐ Beaudesert, Biloela, Brisbane (average 8.5/yr), Bundaberg(3), Cairns(7), Caloundra, Charleville(2), Cunnamulla, Far South West Qld, Gold Coast(5), Gordonvale, Innisfail, Ipswich, Kingaroy, Mackay(3), Maroochydore(3), Maryborough, Mt Isa(2), Noosaville, Redcliffe, Rockhampton(8), Roma, Toowoomba(2), Townsville(4), Warwick(3), Yarraman, Yeppoon.
Many thanks to everyone who completed our online survey about social media. We have gained some very useful feedback about the sort of information you would like to see posted there.
We have collated the information so that it can inform the way we design the page. We plan to launch the STEPS Program Facebook page in the near future, ini‐tially for a trail period of 6 months. We’ll then review how the site is being used, including another online survey, and we’ll then be in a better position to make a decision about whether to keep it going permanently.
Here are a few key points about the Facebook page:
1. Any postings will first go through STEPS Program as the site administrator. All postings onto the page will need to use this process
2. There will be important rules about what will be posted on the page. These will be clearly listed on the page itself for easy reference
3. While the Facebook page is an open forum, it's also important that any comments are respectful and polite, and allow for information exchange by all members
4. There will also be some rules about what WILL NOT be allowed to be posted on the page, either by the STEPS Program or as Comments from members, e.g. hate speech; profanity, obscenity or vulgarity; name calling and/or personal attacks
We are very excited to be continuing to develop the STEPS Program page, and will keep you informed about our progress.
