FINCHLEY SUPPORT SERVICE: Provides individual and group activities to people between 16 and 65 years who experiance psychiatric disability. Our program's are designed to meet the needs stated by participants. Our aim is to support and encourage participants to achieve and maintain their optimum quality of life.

Through social involvement, recreation and information provision, Finchley Support Service aims to provide
Programs in which participants are supported and encouraged to:

Improve their social functioning and life skills

Improve their self-esteem and self-confidence

Improve skills in dealing with stress and illness

Broaden their support networks

Finchley Support Service is situated at 393 Camp Rd Broadmeadows (3047)

Ph 9309 8784
Fax 9309 8976
Email finchley@hotkey.net.au

Opening Times

Social time Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9.30AM - 4.00PM,

Thursday, 1.30PM - 4.00PM

Office Hours are; Monday - Friday from 8.45AM - 5.15PM. Thursday morning's are reserved for Staff meeting's and office activities.

Finchley Support Service is currently funded to provide three services these are:

* DAY PROGRAM

Activities include:
* Day outings
* Women's and men's groups
* Social, recreational and leisure
* Craft activities
* Participant groups
* Community lunch
* Computer and Internet
* Informal social times
* Special activities eg Dinner Dance, Movies and Camps.

The contribution of participants and their involvement in the planning of programs is integral to the success of the service.

Participants are encouraged to attend weekly meetings to discuss and make decisions about activities and the service generally.

Participants are also encouraged to participate in producing and compiling the monthly newsletter "In the Know".

* SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM

The Supported Housing Program aims to provide appropriate long-term, safe, secure and affordable housing options as well as on-going individual support, education and encouragement which enables participants to:

Develop and maintain daily living skills

Engage in social and recreational activities, which will enhance their quality of life and reduce social isolation

Maintain links with other health and welfare service providers

Reduce the incidence of hospital admission and increase security of tenure.

* OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Outreach Program aims to improve the quality of life for participants and their carers.

Support workers aim:

To enable and assist carers to develop aspects of their lives.

To work with individual Participants to strengthen daily living skills, maximise Independent living ability, improve skills in dealing with stress and illness and to broaden social and support networks.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUPPORT

A Family and Friends Support Group meets monthly for social and educational sessions. This is a self-managed group; run with support from Finchley staff. Family and friends of Finchley participants are welcome.
 
 

People can apply for membership to FSS by asking FSS or a Mental Health Service staff member for a Referal form. Membership is free. This form is to be completed by:

(a) your Case Manager at your local Mental Health Service

(b) your treating Doctor or Psychiatrists.

For eligibility to use any part of Finchley Support Service, people must have a

Psychiatric disability
Be referred
Have a case manager
Agree to abide by the rules and conditions of participation.

Some usefull local Internet links are:

Vicserve This organisation is the peak body for all Non Government Organisations in the Mental Health arene.

Vicnet A Victorian Governemnt initiative. Vicnet is a fantastic resourse and a link to many good sites relevent to the Mental Health and alied Health field. Vicnet has excellant links to just about all areas of interest to Victorians. It is also a valuable first acess point for anyone outside of Victoria who may want to know more about our great state.

Netnation This is a project established by Vicserve and funded by the Victorian Government. Netnation enables Mental health Non Government Organisations (NGO's) access to the internet. The Netnation project provided funds for NGO's to purchase computers, access an Internet service provider and provide internet and computer training. This project is open to both consumers and workers and has proved to be a valuable resourse. Netnation provides the facilities for people who may not normally able to access the internet.

Public Transport Acess to local Train, Bus and Tram timetables.

VLine Trains Intra State and Interstate.

Weather Victorian and National weather.

Movies Whats on at Hoyts.

Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission.Usefull information for people regarding discrimination issues.

Telstra Yellow Pages Business Telephone numbers Australian wide.

Telstra White Pages Private Telephone numbers Australian wide.

Australia's Internet Television Guide Television Guide.