Your Side

National NAIDOC Week is upon us, and it's a brilliant time for us to come together to celebrate the rich history, culture, and incredible achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Running from the first Sunday to the following Sunday in July (7-14 July), NAIDOC Week is a vibrant and significant opportunity for all Australians to connect with and learn about the oldest continuous living cultures on earth.

This year’s theme, "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud, and Proud," honours the unyielding spirit and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The fire symbolises the strength, vitality, and enduring legacy of Indigenous cultures, passed down through countless generations despite the many challenges faced.

"Blak, Loud, and Proud" encourages us to amplify the voices that have been silenced and to celebrate our heritage with unapologetic pride. It’s a call to action for us to acknowledge, preserve, and share the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.

For NAIDOC Week at Your Side, we set up a special area and invited all staff to write on the whiteboard what the NAIDOC theme "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud" meant to them.

Art and storytelling are intrinsic to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and this activity helped us connect with their traditions in an engaging and meaningful way. Colleagues were encouraged to add their favourite musicians' names or songs they love from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists, draw pictures, share stories about places they've visited, or write quotes that help explain what the NAIDOC theme means to them or how they connect to Aboriginal peoples’ experience. Everyone was encouraged to add their own touches.

We received some amazing contributions, including Spotify playlists featuring favourite musicians and songs from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, insights into the significance of Dreamtime stories like the Emu and the Jibaru, inspirational quotes from Nova Peris OAM, examples of Bush tucker, insights on rock paintings, and information about the Pay The Rent program, which is a grassroots initiative led by First Nations and non-First Nations people, aimed at honouring Aboriginal sovereignty by transferring money directly to First Nations communities.

This collaborative effort brought us closer together and deepened our appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

From June 16th to 22nd, we celebrate Refugee Week to raise awareness about refugees, the challenges they face, and the valuable contributions they make to our community.

This year’s theme is "Finding Freedom: Family”, which highlights the incredible strength and resilience of refugee families and the bonds that provide them with solace during times of adversity. Refugee Week is a chance for all of us to unite, learn, and support those who have faced unimaginable challenges. It is a time to educate our community, celebrate the contributions of refugees, and foster a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Join us in commemorating Refugee Week by attending local events, sharing stories, and spreading awareness and creating spaces where everyone feels valued and included.

Learn more about Refugee Week and how you can get involved visit refugeeweek.org.au

Eid al-Adha Mubarak to all those celebrating! May your day be filled with peace, happiness, and mouth-watering feasts.

This week – 27 May to 3 June – is National Reconciliation Week (NRW). It is a time for all Australians to reflect on how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. It follows National Sorry Day - a day to confront racism and the historical injustices that created the Stolen Generations—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families. Recognising these past wrongs, the lasting trauma and intergenerational impact of them is essential to healing and building a just and inclusive society.

This year's Reconciliation Week theme, "Now More Than Ever," is a call to action noting that when reconciliation seems most distant, that is precisely when we must strive harder. As Reconciliation Australia emphasises, "the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will — and must — continue."

This Reconciliation Week and beyond, we commit to:

Listening and Learning: Engage with the stories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Understanding the past is crucial to shaping a better future.

Taking Action: Participate in local events, support Indigenous businesses, and advocate for policy changes. Every action counts towards reconciliation.

Building Relationships: Foster respectful relationships that value the histories, cultures, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Let’s move beyond words and take meaningful actions that reflect our commitment to reconciliation.

For more information on the Bringing Them Home Report and how you can get involved, visit Reconciliation Australia.

Today is a recognition of mothers and all of those who have played that incredibly important role of raising children with love. We honour and celebrate mums everywhere and anyone who has taken on the role of providing maternal support in someone’s life.

All families are different, and Mother’s Day may have a different meaning for you if have lost your mother or have a fraught relationship with your mother. Some people never realised their dreams of motherhood, due to miscarriage; infertility or the loss of a child.

For many people their relationship with their mother transforms as they grow older with the reversal of dependence and the shift in care-giving responsibilities. This can be one of the most beautiful and difficult transitions of life.

We share our love to anyone who feels a sense of sadness or loss today – we see you too.

Join this free Webinar hosted by Anglicare on "Physical Activity for Healthy Ageing and Falls Prevention," part of their Older Persons Mental Health Webinar Series.

🗓️ Date: 30 May 2024 🕛 Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm AEST

📌 Description: This presentation will provide practical advice about the importance of physical activity for promoting health and wellbeing and preventing falls in older age. It will provide examples of programs that are effective, tips on how to promote lasting behaviour change, and resources, programs and services that can support older people to be more active.

Click here to register:

Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Online Meetings, Screen Sharing - Zoom Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and cross platform group chat into one easy-to-use platform. Our solution offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience across Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.

Are you a parent or guardian of a young person and struggling to navigate services?

Join Carer Gateway, EPIC and Youth Up Front for a FREE Info Session on for adults on supporting young people to navigate adolescence and the support services available for them and their loved ones, hosted by the Northern Beaches Library Service.

🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, 15th May 2024, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm AEST
🏠 Location: Glen Street Library, Cnr Glen Street and Blackbutts Rd, Frenchs Forest NSW 2085, Australia

Learn about:

🌟 Government support services for young carers
🌟 Counselling, support groups, mentors, and networks
🌟 Managing stress and physical health
🌟 Navigating changes during adolescence
🌟 Engaging in mindfulness activities

Book your spot now! click here to register:

Info Session on Supporting Young People | Humanitix Get tickets on Humanitix - Info Session on Supporting Young People hosted by Northern Beaches Library Service. Glen Street Library, Cnr Glen Street and, Blackbutts Rd, Frenchs Forest NSW 2085, Australia. Wednesday 15th May 2024. Find event information.

We have so many gorgeous and inspiring role models among our clients, we don’t need to hire talent! The paparazzi recently captured these celebrities with their posters at Northbridge Plaza. 📸✨ Our clients, Cynthia, Patrick, and Mitos are helping us spread the message that, with the right support, you can live a vibrant life, no matter your age. Thank you, Mitos, Cynthia and Patrick for reminding us that life is for living!

It’s International Guide Dog Day! At Your Side, we love our furry friends. We have a pet-friendly office, and their presence helps bond our team members and lighten our moods. We are also aware of the vital role support animals play for people with a disability or special needs, particularly those with vision impairments. Under a Home Care Package, we can help you cover the costs of your guide dog’s vet care, food and grooming.

Our CEO, Danielle Ballantine is legally blind and a significant number of our clients also manage vision impairments, so we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate guide dogs as champions for support and accessibility.

To help guide dogs do their jobs well, and support people with vision impairment, you can learn more about their role here. International Guide Dog Day 2024 - Guide Dogs Australia

To learn more about Danielle and her journey with low vision restrictions, you can watch this video: https://youtu.be/Qw6SmBr6ty8?si=6H0CM1ufVTkQt3UW

(N.B. Your Side no longer provides NDIS services. Your Side is a registered aged care provider, and we support carers and many older and vulnerable people who live with disabilities.)

NDIS Ambassadors David and Sarah interview Your Side CEO Danielle Ballantine Our NDIS Ambassadors David and Sarah interview Your Side CEO Danielle Ballantine and ask her some curly questions about her own disability (low vision) and t...

We want to share our concern and support for anyone affected by the horrifying events at Bondi Junction on Saturday. It is a tragedy that will have a long and lasting impact for many in Sydney's community and our hearts go out to you all. If you are feeling distressed, please seek help and support from one of the many free mental health services:

Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Su***de Prevention

Kids Helpline Official Phone Counselling Service - 1800 55 1800

13 Yarn - 13 92 76 - Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Eid Mubarak! 🌙 Wishing you a wonderful celebration filled with happiness, peace, and the company of those you hold dear.

Happy Easter from Your Side! 🐰🌷 While we take a break over the long weekend (29th March to 1st April), we will be back on Tuesday 2nd April, ready to assist you. 🐣✨ We hope you can enjoy some time with your nearest and dearest and perhaps some chocolate too. Wishing you all a wonderful Easter. 🍫💐

🌟 We had a terrific turnout at the Carer Gateway Spotlight on Aged Care: Reaching Beyond event yesterday. 🌟

There was an engaging discussion among panellists Rosemary Chapman from Seniors Rights Service, Donna Sabine representing Home Care Packages and Therese Chan from care finder. We are very grateful to Annette for sharing her Carer Gateway experience, and to Carer Gateway representative, Kiersten guiding us through the referral process.

We had a great belly laugh in the energising Laughter Yoga workshop – what a fantastic way to uplift spirits and spread joy! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Club Parramatta, it was truly inspiring to see the community come together to shine a spotlight on seniors' wellbeing and support.

Keep an eye on our socials and website for more information on the next Carer Gateway Spotlight event.

And that's a wrap on Seniors Festival 2024! 🎉 We've thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and connecting with you. Our activities spread across Sydney, as we met with other community organisations and service providers and shared information about aged care and carer's support services.

Jeremy from our Carer Gateway team chatted with Natalie from 2RRR Radio on air, while Chloe presented the services offered by Carer Gateway at the Epping Senior Wellbeing Expo 2024. Johanna also represented Carer Gateway at a community event in Baulkham Hills before heading to The Ponds for the Preparing for Life Festival, Kiersten, Ying and Tanya made an impact at Forrestville and Nandy and Yvonne spread the word at the Turramurra Seniors' Expo event.

We're grateful for the opportunity to celebrate ageing – because we believe, it's not ageing, it's living. Our clients remind us every day how full and fulfilling their lives can be, with the right supports in place.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the festivities. We plan to "Reach Beyond" the Seniors Festival and take the spirit of celebration throughout the year, to continue to uplift and honour our seniors.

If you ever think you're too old for something, please, read this article. It's a wonderful celebration of people who have chosen to embrace their true selves or pursue a dream later in life. From taking up bodybuilding, weightlifting or graduating with a masters - all in their 90s! 💪🧑‍🎓

These inspirational older people prove it is never too late to make positive change.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/19/people-who-started-again-in-their-90s-nonagenarians?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2ZvNqblRaSuzvIaZ3_DuufvYdj9usI3bqxHg6GD0FuWDUbNoi_jPU8KQY =1710831701

The people who started again in their 90s: ‘I was in the closet for 95 years. Then that door blew open!’ It’s never too late and you’re never too old – at least according to the nonagenarians who are coming out, completing PhDs and publishing their first books in their 10th decade

At Your Side, we're incredibly proud of our multicultural workplace, where team members from all corners of the globe come together to collaborate towards one vision - to make every life a good one.

Did you know? Other than English, there are at least 21 languages spoken by Your Side team members, including Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Burmese, Armenian, Italian, Korean, Nepali, Norwegian, Farsi, Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and many more.

This vibrant cultural diversity adds depth and dimension to our interactions, fostering understanding and collaboration of each other and our clients and partners.

Harmony Week underscores the importance of inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians. Regardless of our cultural or linguistic backgrounds, we're united by the core Australian values that define us.

It's tomorrow! Tune into Koori Radio 93.7 FM’s program, 'Two Men In Your Head' at 8pm on Monday 18 March to hear members of our care finders team talking about the support on offer for elders. The care finder service is there to help older people who are vulnerable or at risk find the right supports to be safe and comfortable as they age.

Care finders Cass and Alicia will also be chatting with Damien and Grant about things you can do for your mental health and wellbeing to keep positive and healthy. .7

Listen to Koori Radio 93.7 FM’s program, 'Two Men In Your Head' at 8pm on Monday 18 March to hear Cass and Alicia from our care finders team talking about the support on offer for elders. The care finder service is there to help older people who are vulnerable or at risk find the right supports to be safe and comfortable as they age.

Our team will be discussing the different ways people might benefit from care finder support plus things you can do for your mental health and wellbeing to keep positive and healthy. Tune in to find out more. .7

The many highlights of the Seniors Festival include meeting some of our delightful clients, Barbara and Patrick and getting their pics in our very comfy lounge room setting! Plus, Tash from the Your Side team got to meet a doggy exhibitor from Assistance Dogs Australia. 🐶🦮 Lastly, our superstar Donna, who presented on the main stage this morning.

And that's a wrap on Day 1 of Seniors Expo! It was busy, busy, busy but so much fun! We look forward to seeing more of you tomorrow. Come early to hear our presentation on the main stage at 9am! ☕

And don't forget, we are giving away the beautiful lamp on display at our stand to one lucky person who signs up to receive a np-obligation, free follow-up call. So come and talk to us about Home Care Packages.

NSW Seniors Festival

The indefatigable Your Side team, Donna and Anna love talking to people about aged care and living active, happy lives well into the future. They are also experts on Home Care Packages and can answer all your questions on navigating the aged care system. Come and meet them at the NSW Seniors Expo today and tomorrow at Darling Harbour ICC. (We also have cookies 🍪😉)

NSW Seniors Festival

Your Side Your Side (previously Northside) is a network of innovative local community-based organisations offering you services to live your best life.

Broadscale change is coming for the aged care sector, and in the lead up to the release of the new Aged Care Act, we are pleased to see that the draft act has a human rights framework which empowers individuals with equitable access, independence and freedom of choice.

When we surveyed our clients to find out what they believe to be “good care”, they confirmed it is care with a personal touch and being treated like an individual.

Our Ambassador Tracey Spicer has experienced first-hand the challenges and worries of being unable to care for a vulnerable loved one and she has shared her thoughts on the future of aged care. Read her reflections here:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/11/australia-aged-care-royal-commission-findings-comment

Dad is known within our family as ‘the magic man’. But when it came to aged care, we faced an agonising choice | Tracey Spicer Australia must place a higher value on caring for its elders. We’re a society, not an economy, after all

It's tomorrow! Shimmy on down to Darling Harbour and take in some entertainment and get lots of tips and info on various services and offers for seniors in Sydney. Our team are so excited for you to see what we have in store there.

Come along and have a chat, ask us questions about aged care, Home Care Packages and carer support. We've got plenty of resources and some fun giveaways too.

Find out more here:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival/whats-on/expo



See you tomorrow! 🌞👋

Your Side Your Side (previously Northside) is a network of innovative local community-based organisations offering you services to live your best life.

NSW Seniors Festival Expo is on this Wednesday and Thursday at the Sydney International Convention Centre. If you're thinking about getting some support or aged care services for yourself or a loved one, this is the place to meet with and compare dozens of expert service providers.

The Your Side expert team will be there to present some information on Home Care Packages and explain some of the trickier parts of applying and making decisions about aged care. Come along and ask us any questions you have about the process of getting help at home.

Find out how you can live your best life with the right support, just like Your Side client, Patrick - pictured here looking very dapper!

There will also be entertainment and giveaways and lots of other things to do at the Expo. We can't wait to see you there!

Mitos is another strong, fabulous woman we are proud to be able to shine a spotlight on for International Women's Day. At 83 years old, Mitos goes to the gym most days of the week to do Pilates, weights and Zumba. She has a very full social life too, regularly hosting her family and friends from the Philippines.

We only get one life, and Mitos is certainly making every second count. For this photo shoot, Mitos happily demonstrated her Zumba moves and her impressive planking exercise for core body strength. 💪💃

Today, and every day, we celebrate all of the older women we support with aged care services to live their vibrant, active and bold lives.

On International Women's Day 2024 we are excited to showcase some of the beautiful, strong and vibrant women who we work with. Ageing doesn't have to mean fading, and the older women we meet every day prove that with their energy and zest for life. You might recognise these images of Cynthia, a client of Your Side, from bus stops around Sydney!

To get these photos of Cynthia we had to fit in around her busy schedule of table tennis, mahjong, social events and singing with the Chinese Choir! She makes a great role model for living the life you want to, by ensuring you have the support you need to feel safe and confident.

Your Side Your Side (previously Northside) is a network of innovative local community-based organisations offering you services to live your best life.

Come along to see us at the NSW Seniors Festival Expo and if you sign up to learn more about Home Care Packages, you could win this gorgeous handmade lamp – with the iconic William Morris "Strawberry Thief" print.

Wondering why we have a lamp to give away? Come and see at our stand!

We got lots of other goodies to give away too, and our friendly team have a wealth of knowledge about aged care and how to navigate the system. Ask us any questions you have and let's chat!

It's on Wednesday and Thursday next week at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour and entry is free.

Your Side Your Side (previously Northside) is a network of innovative local community-based organisations offering you services to live your best life.

NSW Seniors Festival begins next week, and we are very excited to be taking part in the Expo at the Sydney International Convention Centre. It's on Wednesday and Thursday, 13 - 14 March and entry is FREE.

Our expert team will be there to present some information on Home Care Packages and to answer your questions. We can explain some of the trickier parts of applying and making decisions about aged care. We have some fun surprises in store for visitors to our stand.

There will also be entertainment and giveaways and lots of other things to do at the Expo. We can't wait to see you there!

NSW Seniors Festival

Your Side Australia - Aged Care, Home & Carer Support Services Choose Your Side for Home Care Packages; a My Aged Care provider, NDIS and disability services, and support for carers through Carer Gateway.

Exciting news! Our first "Harmony in Care" choir session was a hit! 🎉

Carers came together, sharing their voices and stories, finding strength and support through music. The connections made were incredible. It's heartwarming to see caregivers supporting each other beyond their roles. 🎶🌟

A big thanks to and for such an amazing experience!

If you care for an older person or you work with the elderly, come along to our free Carer Gateway Spotlight event to explore the many free programs and services that are designed to help carers and older people live good lives.

You can meet other carers and get advice about Aged Care and Carer Support services from experts, all in one place. There is free parking on site and we will have a morning tea, plus a fun Laughter Yoga workshop activity.

It's free to attend – click here to register:

Carer Gateway Spotlight on Aged Care: Reaching Beyond | Humanitix Carer Gateway Spotlight on Aged Care - a community forum to learn about supports and services for older people and their carers