Multicultural service operates here

The Multicultural Social Support Service is looking for Peninsula residents to join its team of clients and volunteers.

Team leader Ms Sandra Wingrave said the service already had eight clients from the Peninsula who regularly received assistance.

"Many older residents living on the Peninsula may be socially isolated," Ms Wingrave said.

"Perhaps their families live away from them, and they may no longer drive, so do not have the opportunities to socialise as much as they once were able.

"Being socially involved and participating in leisure and other activities with people helps maintain a healthy brain.

"If you have a neighbour or friend or family member who has a non-English speaking background and is over 65 years of age, or younger and with a disability, or who is a carer for someone, they may like to receive assistance from the Multicultural Social Support Service."

Ms Wingrave said clients received help with shopping and medical appointments, while also being treated to social home visits and the opportunity to attend regular client days.

"Our next Client Day is June 10, and we will have a speaker from the Council of the Ageing to speak about quality use of medicines," Ms Wingrave said.

"On June 30, we have also planned a bus trip to Terrigal for fish and chips by the sea for our clients to enjoy.

"Because of language difficulties, often people from non-English speaking backgrounds are hesitant to join groups and socialise outside their own language group.

"Our clients always enjoy spending time with one another.

"Although they may have come from different countries and speak different languages, the one thing they all have in common is that they have all been migrants."

Ms Wingrave said the social support service was always looking for volunteers to lend a hand.

"We currently have six volunteers from the Peninsula who visit clients, assist them and help out at our client days," Ms Wingrave said.

"Our clients come from all four corners of the globe, and have the most interesting life stories to share.

"We are always in need of volunteers who speak languages other than English, but that is not a prerequisite for volunteering with us."

For further information, contact the Multicultural Social Support Service on 4334 3877.

Press release, 27 May 2009 Sandra Wingrave, Multicultural Social Support Service