Training Opportunities & Information Sessions

The Polish Way

APCS has been delivering a training package on Polish culture for some time now. This package has now been reviewed and updated to provide valuable information about Polish culture and working with older members of the Polish community for service providers. The session includes an interactive case study component to assist with a better understanding of working with older Polish people. A fee of approximately $100 will apply for the training session and includes copies of The Polish Way Information Kit.

For further information contact Patrycja Toczek on (03) 8371 2308 or e-mail: cegs@apcs.org.au

The Way We Are – Mental Health & the Polish Community

This three hour session involves gaining an understanding of the experiences of the Polish community and how this impacts on their mental health. The session includes:

• mental health issues in the Polish community
• attitudes towards mental illness & access to services
• guidelines and principles for workers
• cultural factors influencing help seeking and support

A cost of $95 per session applies and can be delivered on your premises to enable maximum staff attendance.

For further information or to book a session contact Wendy Bennett on (03) 8371 2310 or e-mail: spo@apcs.org.au.

Dementia & the Polish Community Cultural Awareness Package

APCS has developed a cultural awareness package for service providers working with people with dementia from a Polish background. The package will explore some culture specific issues that are arising for people with dementia, along with attitudes towards dementia and offers strategies for providing culturally appropriate responses.

Sessions can be delivered at your organisation. Until 30^th June 2007 there will be no cost for the session for aged care service providers (due to funding for the project from the Department of Health & Ageing Dementia Initiative.) For other interested organisations and beyond 30^th June a fee of $95 will apply.

For more information contact Magdalena Wyrwicz on (03) 8371 2312 (Monday and Wednesday) or via email: magdaw@apcs.org.au.

Community Building Hubs

In the second half of 2004, APCS obtained funding from Adult, Community & Further Education (ACFE) to conduct governance training, mentoring and peer support. The project was a success and further sessions and support can be provided to interested community groups for $60 - $100 per session (cost determined on a sliding scale).

For further information contact Elizabeth Drozd on (03) 9689 9170 or via e-mail: info@apcs.org.au

Diverse Communities Working Together Workshop

APCS can run interactive workshops for small, emerging and newly arrived communities. The Diverse Communities Working Together workshops are suitable for funded and unfunded staff in ethnic community groups, Committee of Management members and volunteers who are supporting the development of services and will explore options for:

• Promoting your community & its needs to governments & other key bodies
• Identifying community needs
• Developing strategies for meeting needs
• Exploration of funding options
• Identifying support for your objectives
• Establishing services including incorporation, auspicing, partnerships.

The workshops can be held during business hours or after hours to enable volunteer members to participate.

A sliding scale fee applies for workshops and can be negotiated. For workshop information click here.

Copies of Making It Happen: a resource kit to assist in developing services for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities are included in the workshop.

For further information on the Workshops or Resource Kit contact Wendy Bennett on (03) 8371 2310 or e-mail: spo@apcs.org.au.