Renter Activity
Inclusive Communities
Women’s Housing Ltd recognise that housing is only one part of the jigsaw in many tenants’ lives
Strong partnerships with support services is central to Women’s Housing Limited’s work practices. Partnerships can help to improve the sense of community and belonging for tenants.
Women’s Housing Ltd has a holistic approach to developing partnerships. Key areas of focus are personal support, local community, employment, training and development, education, health and financial management.
Our aim is to provide tenants with social, local and financial benefits, reducing those disadvantaged by low income, isolation, lack of education and poor health.
Community development has taken many forms. Rooming House residents have developed their own edible gardens, taken part in cooking classes, well-being sessions, art therapy, photography classes etc. The activities are determined by the residents.
Berwick Art Program
Tenants at the Berwick rooming house were lucky enough to have Hannah, a first year student from Latrobe University, provide weekly art classes.
Hannah worked with the tenants using an open studio approach. Tenants started a discussion, experimented with materials and used art find their voice.
Money for Jam Update
Women's Housing Ltd are participating with Per Capita to pilot a project with women over the age of 50 to develop skills to establish a small business. The participants met on the 27th June 2018 for their monthly "Jam Session".
A guest speaker, Jo Konstandinou provided the women with marketing tips. Jo is a marketing professional with many years of experience.
The women shared their business ideas with Jo and were provided with individual tips on how they could tap into their target audiences.
Thank you
Aware Health specialise in remedial massage, myotherapy and clinical pilates...but what you didn’t know was they also worked hard on a food and toy drive which greatly benefited our tenants. Thank you for your support!
Money For Jam
Money For Jam is a social innovation project specifically designed to address income poverty for older women. Older women are increasingly at risk of homelessness and unemployment. Money For Jam provides mentoring for women at risk of homelessness to turn their hobbies and passions into micro-enterprises.
Please join us on 18 August 2018 at Makers Market in Richmond to support these women and pick up a little treasure for yourself!
Thank-you!
On 3 July 2018 Easyrest Pillows donated and delivered 200 pillows to Women’s Housing Ltd tenants. Thank you for supporting our tenants by helping them build a comfortable home. Hopefully now they can rest easy!
Welcome Packs
ADRA have generously donated welcome packs full of essential items for our tenants.
What started out as a full van soon got emptied. Rebecca Aurient from ADRA assisted Jacqui to deliver the packs to our THM tenants.
Thank you ADRA for your continued and ongoing support!
“Start Small and Do It Well”
On Friday 25th May Money For Jam Participants were treated to a special guest presenter.
Prabin Guatam from VIS Network, a digital marketing consultancy, volunteered his time and expert knowledge to talk about marketing and how the women could use digital marketing to further their business ideas. Prabin encouraged all women to find their passion and belief in their ideas.
“Start small and do it well!”
The woman practiced their 30-second ‘elevator pitch’. The session was well attended and there was a buzz in the room.
What’s Happening at the Berwick Rooming House
Early May was a busy time at the rooming house with tenants benefiting from two different workshops.
On 4 May, Nigel Joseph from EACH attended the Berwick Rooming House to discuss the services EACH can offer regarding drug and alcohol use. EACH recognise that health and wellbeing is significantly and negatively affected by factors such as unemployment, homelessness, financial difficulties, social exclusion and addiction so they offer a wide range of supports to assist members of the community to lead happier, healthier lives.
On 11 May, Lisa Hansen from Casey North Community Information and Support Service attended the Berwick Rooming House to run a financial literacy workshop. Casey North CISS has a range of services and programs that have been developed to respond to the pressing needs of the local community.
The feedback from the tenants was very positive.
Thank you Nigel and Lisa for your time and support.
Bayswater
The gardens at Bayswater are having a makeover thanks to the wonderful volunteers from the Wantirna Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Women’s Housing Limited believes a home is not just a roof over your head. With the valuable support from Wantirna Seventh Day Adventist Church we are able to provide additional services to improve the lives of our tenants and help them to feel safe and secure. The project started on 15 April 2018 with volunteers redoing the watering system. Then on 22 April 2018 the gardens at Bayswater were active again with more than 20 people helping to weed, plant, dig, shovel and just simply work hard.
Remarkable before and after photos...
Stay tuned for the final stage in a couple of week the gardens will be finished with a teen area and a children’s playground.
Money For Jam Update
On 23rd January 2018 Per Capita, in partnership with Women’s Housing Ltd and Fitted for Work, launched the Money For Jam App and mentoring program. Over 30 women participated in the first workshop. There was a buzz of excitement in the room all day.
“I haven’t been in a classroom for ages; great to be making new friends”
Money For Jam is a social innovation project specifically designed to address income poverty for older women. The program is designed to help women over the age of 50 supplement their income. Older women are increasingly at risk of homelessness and unemployment. Money For Jamprovides mentoring for women at risk of homelessness to turn their hobbies and passions into micro-enterprises.
At the first workshop participants were introduced to the Money For Jam App. The aim of the App is to make the Money For Jam program more accessible to participants. The App allows participants to pace their learning, provides links to engage in further learning opportunities and offers a portal where the participants can support each other through the year long program.
“The app was fun and so easy to use”
Mentors have volunteered to support, guide and motivate participants during the year. Some of the mentors were present for the first workshop.
“I am really excited about 2018 – anything is possible”
Per Capita developed the App in consultation with En Masse. The Brotherhood of St Laurence will evaluate the project.
For more information about the App or the Money For Jam project please contact Myfan Jordan by email: m.jordan@percapita.org.au