Albany Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Foundation WA Inc- Albany

Provides Phone advisory service, publication resources, self help courses. Also can arrange hydrotherapy sessions at the hospital- require a referral note from GP or Physio, addressed to Arthritis Foundation. Albany group has meeting (mostly) on the 4th Thursday of every month at 1.00pm at Lotteries House

Albany Hospital

This is a public hospital covering the Lower and Central GS region. GPs in the Albany area are rostered for on call and emergency work. The WA Palliative Care Network, ACAT, HACC(MOW only) and MHS are also on this site. Dr Russell Harkman(MHS) has the psychosis program within the hospital in G- Ward. Services at this hospital are:- Emergency . Home and Community Care . Intensive Care . Maternity . Medical, General . Mental Health . Nursing Home . Occupational Therapy . Pathology . Pharmacy . Physiotherapy . Radiology . Social Work . Speech Therapy . Day Surgery. If non emergency transport to hospital is required, refer to Red Cross(9842 9095).Red Cross also provides hire of equipment e.g. shower chairs, wheel chair etc. Equipment hire has a small holding fee which is refunded once product is returned. Can be on hire for up to 3 months. Coordinator for this is Kate Green.

Albany Multiple Sclerosis Outreach Group

The Society facilitates the successful running of the Outreach Groups. The Outreach Groups exist as a method of providing the Society's services at a more local level. Each Outreach Group is run by the respective Outreach and Regional Advisory Committee with the advice and assistance of the Community Access Coordinators, and all are run slightly differently. All, however, provide the opportunity for Members to come together to support each other and to receive the Society's services. Services provided at most of the Outreach Groups include, rental assistance for the meeting area, physiotherapy, massage, transport and personal care for Members while they are at the group. Fortnightly meetings aimed to support the person with multiple Sclerosis and their families. Counselling by linking with the MS Society. Contact Coordinator for times. The role of the coordinator is to put the therapy services provided by the MS Society in place in the home of the client.

Alzheimer's Association (MDRT) - Carer Support Groups

The Albany MDRT services the Lower and Central Great Southern areas. Specialist staff visits the family home to assess and identify the individual care-needs of the carer and person with dementia. They will develop strategies and practical interventions to assist in the care of the person with dementia. Education, support and specialist information is also available and offered to families. Carer Support Groups :- These groups meet monthly and bring together carers, relatives and friends of people with dementia under the guidance of a group facilitator. Group members learn skills and strategies from each other and from guest speakers on topics such as behaviours of concern, communication, legal and financial matters and transitioning to residential care. Information is also available on local community resources. Contact Alzheimer's Australia WA on 1800 100 500 (during office hours).

Fellowship House

Fellowshop House provides a meeting place for companionship and support, has transport to and from the centre , a carers' support group plus tea and coffee making facilities. Information is provided through books and pamphlets, video and audio tapes. Advocacy and referral is offered in the areas of accommodation, income, legal and medical issues. Also, home visits offer emotional support, practical assistance and support for children and other family members. Activities at the centre include: " operate office and meeting place for sufferers and families " recreation for all members " produces literature and general information to help make the public more aware of mental illness " families and sufferers meet at Fellowship House at Alexander Street for support and for recreational activities " 24 hour telephone service " liaise with Mental Health and other community organisations " grief counselling

Parkinson's Support Group Albany

Support Groups A network of groups exists throughout the state. Meetings are attended by people with Parkinson's and their carers for social support and exchange of information. Support group leaders and members play an important part in education at the local level Meet first Tuesday of each month from 10.30am - 12pm at Lotteries House. Attendees usually take a plate of food for a shared morning tea. For people with Parkinson's disease, as well as families, friends and carers of those with Parkinson's.

Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre Inc.

Provides support, activities and courses for families and individuals. Creche provided to support activities, and there is a cost to using the creche.

Red Cross Carers Support / Telecross Service - Albany

Telecross recruits and trains volunteers to provide a daily telephone call to people who live alone and are at risk of sudden health deterioration. If the volunteers' call is not answered, a Red Cross staff member arranges for someone to visit the client's home and check on their well-being. The Home and Community Care program in WA provides funding to assist Red Cross in the operation of this service. Each morning between 7.30am and 9am, trained volunteers telephone clients at a predetermined time to check on their health and wellbeing. ( need to be assessed ). Should the telephone not be answered, emergency procedures are actioned to determine if the clients is safe and well. This statewide HACC service is based in Perth and the office at Lotteries House is used for Carer Support meetings.

Wanslea Family Services - Great Southern

Wanslea Family Services provides Family Day Care , In- Home Care, Vacation Care , After School Care Grandcare and My Time. Children's Services:- Family Day Care - quality childcare service delivered by licensed carers in approved homes. In Home Child Care - a flexible child care option which offers quality childcare in the child's own home. Family Services:- GrandCare - A combination of services that provide advice and support to grandparents who have been left to care for their grandchildren. In conjunction with Grandparent Support Groups. MyTime groups are run on a weekly basis and these groups provide local support for parents caring for a child under school age with a disability or chronic medical condition. A mobile Parenting Hub offers advise W/shops and Resources for parents from Albany to Katanning. Also provides - Aboriginal Early Years in Mt Barker and covers from Walpole, Mt Barker, Jerramungup, Katanning, Borden, Frankland, Kojonup(Lower Great Southern).

Grow - WA

GROW is a community of persons working towards sound mental health through mutual help and a 12-step program of recovery.Small groups of people who have experienced depression , anxiety and other mental or emotional distress, come together on a weekly basis to help each other deal with the challenges of life. GROW meetings are run by the members themselves, according to a well structured format. During the meeting, members can share their problems, learn how to rebuild their lives and report on their progress. A variety of training, community building activities(including residential weekends away) and activities backs up the essential group process. Ring 9315 1666 for venues and times of meetings.

GROW in WA

18 years and above. Support groups for rehabilitation of mentally ill persons and those suffering serious life problems. Updated July 2008.

Carers Haven

Website designed for 24 hour support and interaction for Carers

Armadale Community Family Centre

Social and recreational activities, different activities each term, a mixture of art and craft, and get together groups, writer's group. Education: computer classes

Waminda Aboriginal Corporation

Association Of Independent Retirees WA

Advocacy and Support group for self funded retirees. The group covers the Fremantle / Melville area and meets the first Thursday of each month except in January at 1.30 pm.The meetings are held at the Stock Rd Senior Citizen Centre.

Atwell Family Support Service

City of Cockburn has a Family Support Service that provides counselling, information, advocacy and referral services to residents of the southern suburbs of the City of Cockburn free of charge.They offer free short term counselling, information and referrals to support networks for anyone who has experienced: stress divorce/ separation depression relationship issues parenting personal development domestic violence other welfare related matters A variety of groups and activities are also available This service has an office at the Atwell Community Centre, but also runs groups and workshops in other centres including Yangebup and South Lake Family Centres. Family Support Services:- If you need help, advice or just someone to listen, Family Support Services may be able to meet your needs. A variety of groups and activities are also available at : Cockburn Family Support Services Coolbellup Community Centre Ph: 9331 3022 86 Cordelia Avenue COOLBELLUP, WA

Leukaemia Foundation in Western Australia

The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national not for profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. Services include Counselling, Advocacy, Information and Resources, Support Groups and home visits, Research. Assistance with, Transport and Accommodation. For Further information look on their website www.leukaemia.org.au or phone them directly on (08) 9272 9332. Update March 2008

Fragile X Association

Fragile X Sydrome Support Group in WA on 9439 1828 Azma Hosken. The association is a volunteer group of friends and families affected by people with the fragile X syndrome. The aims of the association are to help fragile X syndrome children and adults to realise their full potential, provide information and support to those people whose lives have been affected by fragile X, promote acceptance and integration of people with fragile X within the community and to raise public awareness of fragile X. Updated February 2008

Ballajura Senior Citzens Centre

Provides social recreational activities for people over 55 years who live in the City of Swan. The Citizens Centre offers services on 3 days. Tuesday morning is card morning, Tuesday afternoon is indoor bowls, and Thursday morning offers Fun Bingo in the Afternoon is indoors bowls. Friday consists of all day indoor bowls, also small groups sit and chat and do craft or knitting. In addition there is a pool table that is available for use. Once a month there is A social night. Transport is available only on Thursday this service is provided by Swan Community Transport. Updated April 2008.

Carer Support Bayswater

Carer Support Group for carers of people with Dementia. Meeting second Monday monthly 2-4pm.