Report to COuncil on Community Development Strategies to ......To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors • Jun 2010 YAA commence activation engaging young people

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

PROGRESS REPORTS TO JUNE 2011

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Glossary of Acronyms

NYW National Youth Week

YOP Youth Opportunity Program

AIFF Armadale Independent Film Festival

MK Millennium Kids

SERYIA South East Region Youth Inter Agency Forum

PTA Passenger Transport Authority

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YOUTH STRATEGY 2010 – 2012

PROGRESS REPORT TO JUNE 2011

Who better to identify root causes of behaviour, solutions, the best way of communicating with young people and the likely responses by young people than young people themselves. Empowering young people and giving them ownership of solutions is the best means of maintaining their participation and cooperation in programs and enhancing or restoring their connection with community.

Judge Denis Reynolds President, Children’s Court of Western Australia Judge of the District Court of Western Australia

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PROGRESS REPORT

Focus Area 1 – INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE

Aim The input of Young People is heard, valued and acted on when developing and managing relevant projects

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors Strategies • Work with schools and youth

organisations to identify opportunities to gain feedback on important issues using their existing programs.

• Engage with young people on ‘their turf’ such as skateparks, schools and sporting organisations to gather feedback on relevant issues.

• Develop consultative processes as part of youth-based initiatives such as school holiday programs, community art projects or through the young women’s group operating from the Champion Centre.

• Convene special issues or project-based forums with young people that have a clear purpose and develop clear and achievable goals.

Jun

2010

• Engaged Murdoch University to make Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) film and Millennium Kids(MK) to support and to enter into Armadale Independent Film Festival (AIFF)

• Youth to Identify, explore, choose, visit and promote local opportunities and devise questions on local area around issue of concern to youth

• Consultative process in film making strategy including local groups and organisations and utilise as a platform for youth to provide feedback

• Schools engaged to promote and participate in Midnight Basketball tournament

• Young people direct and lead all aspects of YOP film

• Young people engaged after Midnight Basketball first tournament in detailed consultation includes informing workshops for following tournaments and provide feedback on positive aspects and improvements

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• Form a working group that includes young people to advise on the development and management of the Youth Activity Area.

Key Success Factors

• A broad range of young people engage in dialogue with the City.

• Direct and positive feedback is received from young people who have participated in consultative initiatives.

• Projects identified by young people are undertaken in a timely manner.

• Consultative initiatives have a clear purpose, develop specific objectives and have successful outcomes.

Dec 2010

• Engaged Polytechnic West students in designing National Youth Week poster and South East Region Youth Inter Agency (SERYIA) logo

• Youth engaged to submit names for new Youth Activity Area with voucher prize for winning name chosen

• Outside Frame art award • 4 Skate workshops Jull Street

December • Off Beatz music Program Jull street

running 10 weeks from November engaging wide and diverse range of youth and stakeholders

• Carey Baptist Youth engaged in Banner in the terrace

• Local Schools performed at Champion Centre Expo

• Roleystone District High School engaged in Community Art project as part of Highland gathering

• School expo attended Armadale Senior High School and youth engaged/ showcase City of Armadale award presented to city for support

• Broad range of young people engaged in filming and in direct consultative process

• YOP screened at Champion Centre Expo and Murdoch Law Centre November direct positive feedback received by participants

• 3 tournaments concluded for MB engaging wide range of youth from diverse backgrounds and majority from at risk target group

• Outside the Frame art award conducted August

• Community Art Project completed with Roleystone District High School as a part of Highland gathering

• Summer Cinema films screened • Banners in the terrace with Carey

Baptist College completed and displayed in local government week

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• Youth engaged in-depth Binge drinking consultation through Midnight Basketball.

• Detailed consultation undertaken at the end of each Midnight Basketball tournament outcomes directly informing further project development

Jun

2011

• SERYIA meetings attended and chaired by CDO – Youth (consisting of non-government agencies, government departments, including schools)

• Comprehensive consultation with young people through the SERYIA network regarding the naming of the Youth Activity Area (YAA). Process of naming the space ongoing.

• Youth issues raised and discussed on the basis of feedback from young people linked to the agencies

• Young people actively involved in choosing a name for the YAA

Dec 2011

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Jun

2012

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 2 – STRENGTHENING NETWORKS

Aim Free flowing communications between youth-focused organisations and agencies to ensure a shared understanding of issues; indentify opportunities for collaboration and advocate key messages to decision makers. Strategies

• Maintain an active involvement in sector forums such as SERYIA (South East Regional Inter Agency network), LYGON (Local Government Youth Officers Network) and YACWA (Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia).

• Convene regular management group forums of agencies operating from the Champion Centre.

• Maintain strong links with schools through joint development of initiatives such as breakfast clubs, community art projects and the Outside the Frame art award, and ensure that school chaplains are engaged in consultative processes.

• Ensure youth-focused organisations have a profile at the regular contact lunches held for community groups, agencies and service providers.

• Liaise regularly with junior sporting

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors

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Aim Free flowing communications between youth-focused organisations and agencies to ensure a shared understanding of issues; indentify opportunities for collaboration and advocate key messages to decision makers.

clubs through the City’s Club Development Officer.

• Maintain an active involvement in SERRAG (South Eastern Regional Recreational Advisory Group)

• Develop and maintain strong links with Polytechnic West (previously Swan TAFE) and the Australian Technical College.

• Develop and maintain strong links with service clubs and the business sector to identify opportunities for their involvement in training, leadership development and employment opportunities for young people.

• Convene special forums to discuss and workshop specific issues.

Key Success Factors

Jun

2010

• Developed strong link with local Armadale Redevelopment Business Association to support local youth through providing the old Post Office as venue for YOP

• Broad consultation with Youth organisations to identify aspirations for SERYIA meetings to increase organisations attending

• Support SERYIA to develop effective networking and information sharing to strengthen strategies and achieve KPI’s

• Engaged local service providers in YOP film making including Armadale Youth Resources, Schools, Drug Arm, job network providers

• Youth agencies meetings amalgamated into SERYIA. Information sharing website Stakeholder participation increase 400%

• Closer links with schools through SERYIA/ MB/ YOP

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• High attendance at forums indicating interest, relevance and motivation.

• Partnerships and joint initiatives are developed as a result of the networking effort.

• The main focus of the City’s role in youth development is in facilitating outcomes rather than directly coordinating projects.

Dec 2010

• Promote programs through club development officer

• Developed closer links with schools, through chaplains, Aboriginal Liaison Officer’s and nurses particularly

• Developed closer links with other councils. 4 new south East corridor councils SERYIA members

• Close working with Poly West engaging students in MB/ SERYIA/ YOP/ NYW

• Working with local businesses to support youth programs

• Close work with local service providers in particular Centrelink

• Working with Birtwistle history library, champion centre, and range of community service officers to develop activities for YAA. Birtwistle library included YOP film in collection

• Club development officer promoting Midnight Basketball for volunteers

• SERYIA site live November. Membership over 40 including diverse range of schools, youth service providers and councils. Members starting to actively engage with site posting information and news

• Joint initiative with library for NYW ‘loud in library’.

• Developing joint initiatives with AYR, Drug Arm, Juvenile Justice, Centrelink and Centrecare to provide staffing and workshops for Midnight Basketball

• Strong partnership with PCYC and • Midnight Basketball with PCYC

taking lead role

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Jun

2011

• Community Development Officer – Youth facilitates SERYIA on an ongoing basis – meetings include dissemination of information about youth programs and events and guest speakers showcasing their initiatives. Development of SERYIA website.

• Champion Centre Management Group (DIA, WA Police, Dept of Health, Dept of Education, Department for Child Protection, Dept of Housing) meets regularly to discuss issues arising within the Champion Centre.

• Red Cross Cadets from Armadale Christian College recruited in volunteer capacity to assist with various events including Minnawarra Festival.

• Breakfast Clubs at local schools have been supported by the City on an ongoing basis via the Nutrition in Schools program

• 5 x meetings held from January – June with partnerships facilitated resulting in joint programs and events such as with Armadale Youth Resources and the Battle of the Bands.

• Majority of agencies involved in Champion Centre Management group involved in events held at the Champion Centre including NAIDOC celebrations.

• Red Cross Cadets retained as long standing volunteers at the City’s events

• 7 x local high-needs schools are supported through the City’s Nutrition in Schools program with over 500 children being served breakfast weekly. Gwynne Park Primary School has been adopted by the Rotary Club of Armadale and benefits from ongoing financial support.

• Contact lunches well attended by various agencies and service providers with discussion revolving around youth services.

• Junior Clubs have a point of contact

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involving a direct contribution to the school P & C. Facilitated by the City, the Rotary Club of Armadale is assisting one school on a long term basis.

• Drug Arm and Communicare have hosted the City-supported contact lunches during April and June.

• Junior Sporting Clubs number over 32 with regular correspondence facilitated by the Club Development Officer.

• Polytechnic West has continued to offer support to the City through graphic design work for flyers for Midnight Basketball and National Youth Week events in Armadale.

within the City which assists them to meet the increased demand for places in the various clubs, indicating that young people are benefiting by the partnership between the City and the local Clubs.

Dec 2011

Jun 2012

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 3 – IDENTIFYING PRIORITY ISSUES

Aim The community-wide effort on youth development is being directed where it is needed most.


Jun

2010

• YAA commence activation engaging young people in making skate park film including new YAA area through YOP

• Greater youth participation in sport through MB

• First MB tournament staged May running for 8 weeks

• YOP to included work with PTA Northbridge youth engagement project and close work between youth and transit guards

Strategies In addition to ongoing programs and activities, a strong community-wide focus is required on the following priority issues during the life of the Youth Strategy:

• Construction of the Youth Activity Area and development of related management plans, activities and outreach programs, educational strategies and design changes to skater ‘hotspots’ in the CBD.

• Encourage greater participation by young people in sport and recreational activities.

• Work with stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that encourage responsible use of public transport.

• Develop further, initiatives that engender community participation, support civic development and the leadership aspirations of young people.

• Engage with agencies and other levels of government to ensure that emerging and future trends in the

Dec 2010

• Linking with all service providers to promote use of YAA including outreach programs, educational strategies

• YOP film showcasing many activities to be shown at YAA and promote local sport and recreation

• PTA directly involved in YOP and MB to encourage responsible use of public transport including transit guard attending YOP and MB

• Developing new initiative with Library and variety of stakeholders to engage community and provide mentoring and educational

• Participation in MB doubled since commencement

• YOP area filming complete engaging local skate young people and commencing activation and awareness of YAA

• MB linked to crime reduction of 30% and greater engagement of PPO’s in the community. Older players in MB supported to take leadership roles

• MB to continue in 2011 funding secured and continued improvements to include promotion of older youth into leadership positions

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opportunities to youth • Engagement with government

agencies to follow trends and changes in demographics and collate statistics

• •

profile of the youth demographic are indentified in order to anticipate appropriate service delivery and support options.

Key Success Factors

• Effective management plans, outreach services and educational initiatives are implemented for the Youth Activity Area.

• Activities at the Youth Activity Area include elements of broader community events which attract a wide range of community members.

• Greater numbers of young people participate in sporting and recreational activities, particularly young people from groups who are less inclined to be involved in physical activity.

• •

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Jun

2011

• Youth Activity Area construction in progress, preparation for official Launch of space in progress.

• Junior Clubs continue to experience demand for places; increase supported by the City’s Club Development Officer through advice and facilitating training workshops.

• Midnight Basketball program – fourth tournament held. A wide number of agencies involved.

• Greater youth participation and support from external agencies – Armadale Midnight Basketball program noted as one of the nation’s most successful MB programs.

Dec 2011

Jun

2012

Key Success Factors • Young people engage in initiatives

that encourage community participation, support civic development and leadership aspirations.

• Programs and support services relevant to specific demographic groups are anticipated and implemented in a timely manner.

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 4 – THE CITY’S ROLE

Aim The best community outcomes are achieved with minimal intervention by the City.


Jun

2010

• Develop YOP initiative and act as lead agency in absence of other options

• Support PCYC to implement MB and build partnerships with committee members to take active roles

• Support develop and set up information sharing site for SERYIA group to assist in information management and networking and support partnerships, consultation, identification of gaps and project development

• 3 Community grants funding to Sporting and youth focused groups

• Identified key areas to improve partnerships, develop initiatives and improve interagency collaboration

•

Strategies As one of many stakeholders with a focus on youth development the City can:

• help build capacity in local service providers and youth-focused organisations to develop and implement programs.

• facilitate partnerships between external organisations to develop initiatives.

• provide support to youth-focused organisations commensurate with their capacities to enable outcomes to be achieved.

• enter partnerships with community groups to jointly develop initiatives.

• where no other options exist, consider the role of lead agency, particularly in relation to initiatives addressing priority issues.

• take a leading role in developing partnerships that support the activation of the Youth Activity Area.

• facilitate a stakeholder group that includes young people to develop management plans and advise on

Dec 2010

• Armadale Youth Resources engaged over duration of YOP and now active as lead agency with Binge drinking project

• Working through SERYIA to provide effective grant information, reduce duplication, facilitate interagency partnerships and build youth

• SERYIA group actively engaged • SERYIA website live November • 3 successful MB tournaments resulting

in reduction in crime figures and Northbridge curfew figures

• PCYC taking greater role as lead agency for MB

• Youth agencies engaging in discussion

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activities and services associated with the Youth Activity Area.

• work with the Public Transport Authority, Department of Sport and Recreation, and local youth organisations to develop initiatives that encourage more responsible use of the public transport system by young people.

• continue the development of the Champion Centre as a ‘one stop shop’ for the effective delivery of services to Aboriginal people including young Aboriginal people.

• continue its ongoing youth-focused initiatives including: o direct funding to youth-focused

organisations and projects through the community grants and

service capacity including Schools, job networks, Non Government Organisation’s

• Utilise SERYIA to engage partnerships in activation of YAA and MB

• Strong interagency partnerships developed through MB including Passenger Transport Authority, Department of Sport and Recreation, Police, DCP, Office of Crime Prevention, PTA.

• Acting as lead agency for MB working to build community capacity for effective transfer

• Promote changes in demographics to stakeholders for forward planning

to activate YAA and Midnight Basketball

• Stakeholder’s actively engaging city to attend meetings and discuss partnerships including jobs networks

• Ongoing work with Champion Centre to promote involvement of Aboriginal youth in programs and promotion of centre as ‘One Stop Shop’

• 4 Community grants funding to Sporting and youth focused groups

• YAA building commenced • Support provided through SERYIA for

youth organisations to promote events by providing targeted advertising for events such as NYW, SHP

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annual contributions programs.

o individual financial support for young people representing the State or country and financial support for young people from Armadale who are studying at the Australian Technical College.

o continued support for junior sporting activity including planning for adequate quality open space for organised sport in the City’s growth areas.

o coordinate youth-focused events such as elements of festivals, art awards, banners in the Terrace, school holiday programs, community art projects and Armadale/Gosnells Landcare group activities.

o youth-focussed activities and programs at the Armadale Arena, Aquatic Centre and the City’s libraries.

o coordinating the annual Richard Sheppard Memorial Student awards for year 11 and 12 Aboriginal Students.

Jun

2011

• Continue to support PCYC to implement Midnight Basketball and facilitate partnerships with committee members to take active roles

• Support continued implementation of the Indigenous Driver Training Program at the Champion Centre, a partnership between the WA Police and the City.

• Continue to work with and through SERYIA to build partnerships, disseminate information and to consult with young people.

• Support Armadale Youth Resources to implement the Activate Armadale program

• ‘Loud in Library’ initiative for National Youth Week successful – two workshops held.

• Discussion with Polytechnic West regarding partnership with them to develop content for the Youth Activity Area’s media screens.

• Increasing numbers attending the Indigenous Driver Training Program

• National Youth Week Loud in Library workshops well attended and young people requested to attend workshops weekly.

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Dec 2011

o support for externally coordinated youth-focused activities such as the Slingshot event held at the Aquatic Centre and the Head of the River at Champion Lakes.

o Assisting external youth-based organisations to promote their services, programs and events to young people and in the broader community.

Key Success Factors • Significant progress is made towards

the objectives of the Youth Activity Area.

• Development of the Champion Centre as a one-stop shop for the delivery of services for Aboriginal people.

• The City takes a leading role in bringing stakeholders together to address specific issues as they arise.

• The City proactively engages with agencies and other levels of government to forecast potential

Jun

2012

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changes to the demographics of young people and related services.

• The City’s program of ongoing youth initiatives is successfully implemented.

Dec 2012

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Children and Families Strategy 2010 – 2013


Children are precious and need to be nurtured; they have a right to contribute to the present and of course are our future.

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1. PROGRESS REPORTING

Focus Area 1 – PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Aim To promote quality childhood nutrition, physical activity and access to health services to the community

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors Strategies • Promote and support Nutrition in

Schools programs: work with primary schools and the Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Community Health to identify priority areas and develop initiatives to address these

• Promote and support Nutrition and Physical Activity Education: work with local community organisations to identify priority target groups and develop appropriate programs

• Promote physical activity programs to parents/carers in the community via events such as Children’s Week and through staff working with the community directly such as Child Health Nurses

• Liaise regularly with junior sporting clubs through the City’s Club Development Officer

Key Success Factors

Jun

2010

• Nutrition in Schools grant, the City of Armadale provides funding to six high need schools; these schools are Willandra, Challis, Gwynne Park, Groveland’s, Kelmscott and Neerigen Brook Primary school. The schools P&C can apply once every 12 months for the funding of $580 to assist nutrition programs.

• Fruit in Schools Program in

partnership with the City and Hills Orchard Improvement group. The City of Armadale approached the Hills Orchard Improvement Group (HOIG) to supply the six high need schools with surplus fruit from the orchardists, that belonged to the (HOIG) So now the fruit is being delivered to a central orchardist

• Four of the six high need schools applied for the funding of $580. (Only the P&C could apply). The schools are using these funds to support breakfast clubs and nutrition programs at school.

• Six of the high need schools are

receiving fruit on a weekly basis, the fruit in being collected by a volunteer from the school

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• Higher number of schools including nutrition programs in their daily curriculum

• Ongoing attendance of community members at Nutrition programs

• Wide distribution of health promotion materials at events and through agencies

in Roleystone where schools can collect the fruit once a week.

• The Rotary Club of Armadale

was approached by the City of Armadale to adopt a school and the Rotary Club offered $1000 to the school. Gwynne Park Primary was the only school to apply

• Red Cross Food cents Program.

The City has partnered with Red Cross for the past few years to run the Food Cents program, at community centres (Armadale Community Family Centre and Minnawarra House) and the Armadale Arena by paying for the food, venue and a crèche. The Red Cross is funded through the department of Health to deliver the 4-6 week program to community groups. The program is focused on educating people about healthy meals, budgeting and physical activity.

• The Rotary Club has adopted Gwynne

Park Primary School and will work directly with Gwynne Park Primary.

• The parents from the school have

formed an ongoing healthy eating program and community awareness about nutrition has increased

.

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• The City has also funded a separate Food cents program at Challis Primary school for parents.

.

Dec 2010

• Nutrition in Schools grant

• The Fruit in Schools Program in

partnership with the City of

• Westfield Park, Gwynne Park and Groveland’s Primary have applied for the $580 nutrition grant to assist with nutrition and breakfast programs. Challis, Willandra and Neerigen Brook Primary Schools are yet to apply for the 2010/11 grant but will be encouraged to do so in February 2011.

• The program is running very well with

very positive feedback from the six

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Armadale and the Hills Orchard Improvement Group.

schools involved and also from the orchardist. (Steven Rainoldi). Clifton Hills Primary School is now involved in the program; children are writing letters of thanks to the Hills Orchardists and advertising their business at their school.

Jun 2011

• Annual Nutrition in Schools grant available - designed to assist schools to run breakfast clubs and other nutrition programs

• Ongoing Fruit in Schools

Program in partnership with the City of Armadale, the Hills Orchard Improvement Group (HOIG) and local primary schools.

• Children’s term-based activity

programs delivered at the Arena Recreation Centre:

- Monkey Play for children 2 - 5 - Junior netball and soccer

• 6 high needs schools in Armadale advised of commencement of $580 grant. Gwynne Park Primary School has applied. Of note is that Neerigen Brook Primary School has also implemented a breakfast club.

• Ongoing initiative with HOIG. Seven

schools receiving fruit on a regular basis. The City facilitates the partnership in terms of liaising with the schools on behalf of HOIG and promoting HOIG to the wider community.

• Increased demand for places within

Junior Sports Clubs

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Dec 2011

• The City’s participation in the South East Food Coalition (SEFC). One of the objectives is to engage with parents at schools to ascertain what nutrition programs would suit them best.

• Dream Your Future Careers Expo for primary school children was held by Communicare. The City distributed information on activity programs at the Arena to up to 200 children.

Jun 2012

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 2 – LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (AEDI Domain) And COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (AEDI Domain) Aim To promote and support childhood literacy and language development in a community context

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors Strategies

• Support and promote literacy, language and learning programs at the City’s libraries for children aged 0 -12

• Coordinate drama based programs to

encourage language and communication skills for children aged 8 -12

• Support community-supported

playgroups (including the intergenerational playgroup supported by the City and Dale Cottages) to encourage language development communication skills in the 0 -5 age group

• Facilitate Community Forums about early brain development and the

Jun 2010

• The City’s three libraries offer a range of activities for children designed to encourage early literacy. With numerous holiday activities.

• The Seville Grove library also hosts series of Better Beginnings Parent Workshops through out the year on a range of topics including brain development, speech, play and nutrition.

• Baby Rhyme time sessions aimed at encouraging babies and toddlers to develop an early love of language and songs are held monthly at Seville Grove and Armadale libraries.

• The Seville Grove library also has a family reading centre.

. • Stargate Drama Program was

initially implemented with a

• Over 20,000 people visit one of the City’s Libraries’ each month with thousands of books, CDs DVDs and magazines are on offer.

• Gwynne Park, Willandra and Challis

Primary schools, have participated in the program which was delivered at

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importance of communicating with and reading to children from birth

• Incorporate literacy and reading

activities and distribution of resources at community events

Key Success Factors

• Attendance numbers of children and parents/carers at Library programs, drama programs and playgroup

• Community interest and attendance at Community Forums and reading activities at events

grant from the Office of Crime Prevention. Facilitated by Stargate Actors Academy, the program comprised of two twelve week workshops with three schools, aimed at the children who would benefit most from learning about team work, communication skills, using their creativity and their imaginations and having fun and whose families would not be in a position to send their children to private drama lessons

• The Intergenerational playgroup

at Dale Cottages was established by the City of Armadale in 2007 at Dale Cottages for the purpose of facilitating beneficial interaction between senior community members and families with children aged 0-5. Dale Cottages has partnered with the City of Armadale in

the Armadale Arena and the Champion Centre. The program has received positive feedback, from students, parents and teachers. The next three schools to participate are Groveland and Westfield Park Primary Schools. Gwynne Park was also invited to participate, due to the close proximity to the Arena.

• Currently looking at options towards a

sustainable playgroup.

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providing a venue and consumables(i.e. tea and coffee kitchen needs etc) The playgroup has been managed by volunteer co-ordinaters but membership has dropped recently due to children going to kindy or school

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Dec 2010

• The City of Armadale’s Children’s and Families Officer and Seniors Access & Inclusion Officer facilitated a shift of the Intergenerational playgroup to the Champion Lakes Christian Centre due to there being the Southside senior’s day centre on the site.

• Children’s Week- this year the theme for Children’s Week was a Caring World Shares. A toddler’s morning event was

• The playgroup recommenced in October with the previous playgroup co-ordinator returning to run the group, with another of the mums. This stopped in December due to family commitments. A new co-ordinator who is linked in with the centre volunteered to take over until the end of December. The group is currently recruiting more members and interacting with the Southside Seniors Day Centre group once a week. The playgroup is now joining the seniors for morning-tea and an organised activity. The Children’s and Families Officer and the Senior’s, Access & Inclusion Officer from the City of Armadale are supporting the playgroup along with Playgroup WA. The playgroup will break over the school holidays and recommence in February 2011.

• The attendance to this event was good

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held in Memorial Park with Communicare, Armadale Family Centre, the Champion Centre, Therapy Focus, the City of Armadale and the Disability Services Commission. We also had story teller Glen Swift attend to promote literacy and reading activities to children and parents. Resources and fun activities were provided to parents and children by all the service providers.

• Communicare Parent Expo. The City of Armadale participated in the Parent Expo held at Rushton Park with approximately 40 other service providers.

• The City’s three libraries offer a

range of activities for children designed to encourage early

with approximately 200 children and parents attending. Glen Swift also attended three schools for half day story telling sessions. The schools he attended were Gwynne Park, Neerigen Brook and Grovelands Primary school, where he presented to over 400 children over a two day period. The feedback from Principals was very positive, they commented that children that would not normally participate or talk in front of a group, felt confident enough to do so with Glenn facilitating and that they would love to have him come back again at any time.

• The expo provided an opportunity to

distribute information and promote services to the public and network with other agencies within the Armadale area.

• The City’s libraries have received

further funding for the Better

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literacy including school holiday activities.

• The Better Beginnings Outreach

Story boxes-plastic tubs filled with storytelling resources such as books, puppets and musical instruments.

• Family Reading Centre- at

Seville Grove Library is a special family friendly, welcoming area filled with early literacy resources to promote reading and play. Parenting resources are also housed here.

• Chatter books- available at all 3

libraries, 3 titles are available with accompanying activity sheets for parents to do at home with their child. The sheets have been made up by a Speech

Beginnings program aimed at children 0-5 years.

• The number of children in year one

involved in the Ripper Reading Club has increased, along with an increase with the number of children becoming members of the library.

• The City of Armadale library has also extended its opening hours to include Sundays.

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Therapist and are aimed at 2-4 year olds.

• The Seville Grove library hosts a

series of Better Beginnings Parent Workshops through out the year on a range of topics including brain development, speech, play and nutrition.

• Baby Rhyme time sessions aimed at encouraging babies and toddlers to develop an early love of language and songs are held bi-monthly at Seville Grove and Kelmscott libraries.

• The Star-gate drama program ran

its twelve week program again from September to December with Westfield Primary school, Grovelands Primary school and

• The program was very successful, with

28 students graduating and performing for parents and families at the Arena. There were approximately 50-60 family members that attended the graduation and then, the afternoon tea

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Gwynne Park Primary participating. Forty students aged from 8-12 years of age participated in the program.

was provided by the City of Armadale.

Jun 2011

• The various library programs as noted above

• Stargate Drama Program completed it’s series of workshops involving Westfield Park and Grovelands Primary Schools

• The coordination of Generations Connect Intergenerational playgroup is currently being considered by the Champion Lakes Christian Church.

• In March the pilot project ‘Creating Books in Communities’ to produce and publish a book by and about local children. Armadale is one of six WA communities selected

• The Stargate Drama program was successful with 16 children graduating and performing for parents and families at the Champion Lakes Christian Church.

• A range of organisations have partnered with the ‘Creating Books in Communities’including Department for Communities, the Complete Advantage, Challis Early Childhood Education Centre, Polytechnic West and Full of Beanz. Weekly workshops are held at the Champion Centre with up to seventeen children to create the book.

.

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to participate in this project in 2011.

Dec 2011

• Stargate Drama Program • ‘We Are Champion Children’

book completed and launched

• Seventeen local children along with their families participated in activities that feature in the book.

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Jun 2012

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 3 – Strengthening Networks

Aim Free flowing communications between organisations concerned with children and families and agencies to ensure a shared understanding of issues; indentify opportunities for collaboration, funding opportunities and advocate key messages to decision makers.


• Maintain an active involvement in sector forums such as the Armadale Early Years Network

• Maintain strong links with schools through joint development of initiatives such as nutrition programs and community art projects

• Ensure children and families organisations have a profile at the regular contact lunches held for community groups, agencies and service providers.

• Develop and maintain strong links with the business sector to identify opportunities for their involvement in providing a family friendly environment for children and parents

• Convene special forums to discuss and workshop specific issues, such as

Jun 2010

• The Children and Families Officer attended the Early Years Network meetings, contact lunches and regularly liaised with service providers. Early Years network meetings are held at the City of Armadale’s Seville Grove Library on the last Wednesday of every month at 12.30-2pm. Specific issues are considered (i.e. the latest AEDI results) and information sharing is also a important part of these meetings

• Attended Early Years Forums to

discuss the annual results from the Australian Early Development Index Results.

• Armadale has a strong Early Years Network with good communication between agencies.

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Dec 2010

• The City of Armadale obtained funding for the Australian Early Developmental Index Local Champions Project to employ an Indigenous person approx 0.25 FTE to conduct ongoing information sessions for Aboriginal parents, service providers and a community as a whole.

• The Service Agreement has been signed and the project plan will be submitted in January 2011. Appointment to position to occur in January 2011.

the annual results of Australian Early Development Index for Armadale.

Factors • High attendance at forums indicating

interest, relevance and motivation. • Partnerships and joint initiatives are

developed as a result of the networking effort.

• The main focus of the City’s role in children and families initiatives is in facilitating outcomes rather than directly coordinating projects.

Jun 2011

• City of Armadale Community Development staff continue to be involved with the Armadale Early Years Network through attending meetings and joint projects

• The Children and Families officer regularly communicates with primary schools with regards to nutrition and other projects and to keep updated on latest trends/issues in schools.

• The Local Champions AEDI Forum for Service Providers was held on June 15 to promote

• 6 x Early Years meetings attended • The ‘Thanks Dad’ Photo Competition

project commenced with Early Years Network members as a joint initiative to encourage fathers’ involvement with their children.

• AEDI Forum attended by service providers and provided the opportunity to showcase the Local Champions ‘Creating Books in Communities’ project.

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understanding of local results, awareness of successful early childhood development initiatives and identify how we can improve engagement with families.

Dec 2011

• An Armadale Early Years Children and Families Day on the 4th August to coincide with National Aboriginal and Islander Day Children’s Day celebrations – 3 schools attended.

• An asset mapping exercise to

identify the service providers, programs and activities which support early childhood development, including universal and targeted initiatives for Aboriginal families.

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Jun 2012

Dec 2012

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Jun 2010

• The City of Armadale hosted a presentation of the 2009 results of the Australian Developmental Early Index.

• Organisations have a better understanding of how to provide programs and allocate resources to best suit and achieve optimum outcomes for children.

Dec 2010

• Identify existing early childhood service providers.

• Help build capacity and partnerships with local service providers.

Strategies As one of many stakeholders with a focus on children and families the City can:

• help build capacity in local service providers and children-focused organisations to develop and implement programs.

• facilitate partnerships between external organisations to develop initiatives.

• where no other options exist, consider the role of lead agency, particularly in relation to initiatives addressing priority issues.

• continue the development of the Champion Centre as a ‘one stop shop’ for the effective delivery of services to Aboriginal people including Aboriginal children and their families

• continue its ongoing family-focused initiatives including:

o direct funding to children-focused organisations and projects through the community grants and annual

Jun 2011

• The City has facilitated the implementation of a trial program for 8 – 12 year old children to be held concurrently with Midnight Basketball in response to a need for age appropriate activities at that time. Save the Children responded to a proposal by the City to conduct the program.

• Trial 7 week program for 8 – 12 year olds commences on August 20

• Stargate Drama Program has continued with support and participation from the 6 schools.

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• Stargate Drama Program held through the City facilitating a partnership between schools and the Stargate Actor’s Academy

• 2 x school P & Cs and 1 x Junior Athletics Club received a Community Grant

• Forrestdale Community Kindergarten supported to refurbish the building and address safety issues through interdepartmental liaison – Technical Services and Community Development

contributions programs. o continued support for junior

sporting activity including planning for adequate quality open space for organised sport in the City’s growth areas.

o develop partnerships to coordinate children-focused events such as elements of festivals, school holiday programs, community art projects, drama programs and literacy programs.

o develop partnerships to coordinate children-focussed activities and programs at the Armadale Arena, Aquatic Centre and the City’s libraries.

o Assisting external children-based organisations to promote their services, programs and events to families and in the broader community.

Dec 2011

• City of Armadale staff supported Communicare with the Dream Your Future Careers Expo – 340 12 year old students attended.

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Jun 2012

Key Success Factors

Development of the Champion Centre as a one-stop shop for the delivery of services for Aboriginal people.

The City takes a leading role in bringing stakeholders together to address specific issues as they arise.

The City proactively engages with agencies and other levels of government to forecast potential changes to the demographics of families and related services.

The City’s program of ongoing initiatives for children and families is successfully implemented.

•

Dec 2012

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VOLUNTEER STRATEGY 2010 – 2013


Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. ~Sherry Anderson

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PROGRESS REPORTING – ARMADALE VOLUNTEER SERVICES (AVS)

Focus Area 1 – VOLUNTEER PROMOTION AND RECOGNITION

Aim Increase the level of volunteering in the community and ensure the efforts of volunteers are valued and recognised.


• Undertake guest speaker roles at community events and meetings.

• Distribute a newsletter three times a year to strategic positions across The City and to registered agencies and volunteers.

• Work closely with Public Relations to ensure appropriate media releases and editorials are sent to local community newspapers.

• Celebrate the role of volunteers in our community.

Key Success Factors

• Opportunities to conduct presentations on volunteering.

• Volunteering is promoted and recognised by local publications.

June 2010

• AVS conducted 3 presentations during this period.

• Newsletters have been

distributed in March and May during this reporting period. Newsletters are currently distributed to the libraries, the Arena, the Champion Centre, the Visitors Centre and front counters. There are presently 392 individual subscribers and 116 agencies receiving our newsletters.

• Public Relations has assisted

AVS with media releases for the Services Valentine Volunteer Function in February and promoting the Service during

• AVS conducted presentations at Polytechnic West – Armadale campus, Langford Aboriginal Association and the Christian Outreach centre during this period.

• The Valley Reporter, Comment News,

City Views and The Examiner all printed articles about AVS.

The West Australian Newspaper also had a lift out in May focusing on volunteering. This lift out made reference to AVS and other volunteer centres in the State.

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National Volunteer Week in May.

• AVS held a celebration for

volunteers living or volunteering in the City of Armadale in February in Memorial Park.

AVS also celebrated volunteering with a series of displays, editorials and advertising campaign during National Volunteer Week in May.

Dec 2010

• AVS conducted 1 presentation during this period.

• Newsletters have been

distributed in September and November. Newsletters continue to be distributed to the same areas as above. There are currently 316 individual subscribers and 120 agencies receiving our newsletter.

• Public Relations continue to

• AVS conducted a presentation at Polytechnic West in Armadale during this period.

• AVS had articles and advertisements

in City Views, Comment News and The Examiner during this period.

AVS has begun advertising in the Armadale Visitor Guide during this period. AVS is currently in discussions with the Visitor Centre Association of WA to get free

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support AVS by providing media releases as required and promote AVS in City Views.

• AVS obtained a $1000 grant from

the Department for Communities during this period to celebrate Thank a Volunteer Day.

Thank a Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5 and this year was promoted at the City of Armadale’s Carols evening. AVS had a display marquee and also purchased gifts for volunteers living and volunteering in the City of Armadale.

• AVS also held displays at the

City of Armadale’s “Stay on Your Feet” presentation and the Djeerdalak Bendigo Bank Seniors Event.

AVS also continues to distribute promotional material across key

advertising for all Volunteer Resource Centres in Visitors Guides across the whole of WA.

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locations across the City.

June 2011

• Newsletters were distributed in February and May. Newsletters are currently distributed to the libraries, the Arena, the Champion Centre, the Visitors Centre and the front counter. There are 319 subscribers receiving copies by post. 297 subscribers receiving electronic copies and 122 agencies receiving our newsletters.

• Public Relations distributed one

media release directly to AVS and the National Volunteer Week celebration held at the Armadale Town hall. However, 20 media releases were released during this period relating to volunteering in general. This

• AVS worked with agencies and The Examiner to arrange for a series of feature articles to be run during May celebrating National Volunteer Week. The Valley Reporter reported on AVS National Volunteer Week celebration. Public Relations also ran article in City Views about career changes through volunteering – promoting AVS. Volunteering WA organised for an article in the “Epoch Times”, a Chinese newspaper distributed in WA promoting volunteer resource centres. The libraries “schools newsletter” distributed at the beginning of the year

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included the amazing feats of volunteers after the Kelmscott bushfires.

• The National Volunteer Week

“High Tea” celebration hosted by AVS in partnership with Active Clubs in May 2011 attracted approximately 140 guests. The guest speaker Phoebe McIndoe – 2010 Telethon Child proved very popular.

Displays were held in the Armadale Centrelink offices and Armadale Central during National Volunteer Week. Displays were also held at the Armadale Kelmscott hospital during National Reconciliation Week. Promotional material has also been distributed at Community Engagement Reserve Upgrades days and included in the

also included a piece on AVS.

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Community Development’s street Meet and Greet Residential packages.

Dec 2011

June 2012

Dec 2012

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Focus Area 2 – VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Aim To ensure effective and respectful volunteer management throughout the city and to ensure good community outcomes are achieved.

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors Strategies • Facilitate volunteer management

networks and training opportunities for local volunteer coordinators.

• Respond to individual requests for support and advice.

• Inform agencies of upcoming grant opportunities, trends, research and pertinent information to coordinating volunteers.

Key Success Factors • High levels of participation in

volunteer management networks. • Positive feedback from

organisations about improved volunteer management.

June 2010

• AVS facilitated two volunteer management networks during this period.

The first network was in March and focussed on the City of Armadale’s Informed Decisions Portal with the City of Armadale’s Community Planning Coordinator attending as the guest speaker. The second network was in June. In partnership with WACOSS; AVS presented “Time and Stress Management for volunteer coordinators.

• AVS has received enquiries from 79 potential volunteers during this reporting period.

• Both volunteer management networks were extremely well received with a total of 32 participants attending.

• Positive feedback was received about volunteering in general at the Valentine Function.

Positive feedback was also received about volunteer recognition at the Australian Masters Rowing Games.

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• During this period agencies have been informed about grants, training opportunities and also the opportunity to comment on State and Federal volunteering strategies.

Dec 2010

• AVS facilitated two volunteer management networks during this period. The first network was in September and focussed on recruiting volunteers. The second network was in November and focussed on concerns and questions from agencies engaging volunteers.

• In August AVS uploaded all registered volunteer roles on www.seek.com.au and www.govolunteer.com.au. Uploading this data has seen

• Both volunteer management networks were extremely well received with a total of 39 participants attending.

• Although there has been no direct

feed back about improved volunteer management during this period the following email was received from the Department for Communities:

“I have taken over revision of the new WA Volunteering Strategy from Ardien and have just come across City of Armadale's Volunteer Strategy in the file of responses to the draft plan.

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a large increase in enquiries to the service during this period. 151 enquiries were received up to 30/11/10. This is an increase of almost 100 % on the previous reporting period.

What a wonderful document! It truly lifted my spirits to read such a clearly written, well constructed plan. It shows great leadership and commitment to volunteering. “

Congratulations

Further congratulations were received from the A/Director Policy at the State Conference on Volunteering held in November.

June 2011


• AVS has received enquiries from 184 potential volunteers during this reporting period.

AVS has also assisted agencies with one to one volunteer management advice

• The first Volunteer Management network was in March and focussed on the “Barriers to newcomers – in volunteering roles.” This network was presented by Dr Megan Paull a leading researcher in volunteering. This network was extremely well attended with 32 attendees.

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during this period in relation to recruiting volunteers and also insurance for volunteers. AVS has also assisted agencies with advertising their one off events by forwarding information to potential volunteers on AVS’s one off events database.

• AVS continues to forward pertinent information regarding grant and training information. Most notable on the calendar for this period was Volunteering WA’s State Symposium.

The second network was held in May and although we received 15 RSVPS only 8 people attended.

• Although there has been no direct feedback about improved volunteer management further congratulations have been received from the Department for Communities.

Just read your Strategic Report and the City's commitment to Volunteering. LOVE IT. Really good stuff. Thank you so much for my copy - sorry it's taken so long to get to it. •

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Dec 2011

June 2012

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Dec 2012

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Focus Area 3 – STRENGHTHENING NETWORKS

Aim Free flowing communications between volunteer-focused organisations and agencies to ensure a shared understanding of issues; indentify opportunities for collaboration and advocate key messages to decision makers.

To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors Strategies • Maintain close relationships with all

stake holders. • Retain an active membership in the

Volunteer Resource Centre Alliance. • Facilitate volunteer management

networks and training opportunities for local volunteer coordinators.

Key Success Factors

• Development of Armadale Volunteer Services as a one-stop shop for the delivery of services to agencies seeking volunteers and potential volunteers seeking volunteering opportunities.

• Ideas and resources shared through community groups.

June 2010

• AVS continues to build strong relationships with registered agencies, prospective agencies and other volunteer resource centres.

• During this period AVS has participated in two volunteer resource centre alliance teleconferences.

AVS is also a member of the steering committee for the Volunteer Resource Centre Alliance and has participated in two teleconferences for this group.


• AVS was able to assist Midnight Basketball by providing volunteer management and recruitment advice and at the same time referred two very well regarded volunteers to the program.

AVS was able to recruit 6 volunteers for the Australian Masters Rowing Championships at very short notice.

• AVS continues to forward pertinent information electronically to registered agencies.

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Dec 2010

• During this period AVS assisted 7 agencies with one to one volunteer management as well as provide 2 volunteer managers’ networks.

AVS continues to assist local job service providers’ clients to locate appropriate volunteer roles. The Coordinator has also attended workshops and training sessions involving volunteer management. These sessions are attended by Volunteer Managers across a range of not-for-profit organisations across the State.

• The Coordinator attended the State Conference in Volunteering in November and this was attended by VRC’s from across the State.

• AVS continues to forward pertinent information regarding training and grant opportunities to registered agencies.

• AVS is developing relationships with

neighbouring councils to provide training opportunities to build capacity in like minded organisations and individuals.

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The Coordinator also remains an active member on the steering committee for the alliance and has participated in teleconferences for both the steering committee and for the alliance.

• Along with its regular volunteer management networks AVS is also looking at developing a Community Capacity Building Training Calendar in conjunction with other City of Armadale staff and staff from the City of Gosnells and Shire of Serpentine/ Jarrahdale.

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June 2011

• During this period AVS hosted 2 Volunteer Manager’s Networks for registered agencies.

The Coordinator also attended a Volunteer Manager’s Network meeting hosted by the City of Gosnells and participated in a Volunteering WA teleconference. After the Kelmscott fires in February Armadale Volunteer Services assisted with the coordination of group volunteering projects in the affected areas.

• The Coordinator remains an active member of the Steering Committee and was also member of the committee responsible for creating the program for the State Symposium.

• 40 Community members have attended Volunteer Management Networks.

• Armadale Volunteer Services currently has 122 agencies registered with 319 positions.

• AVS assisted with the coordination of volunteer projects after the Kelmscott bushfires.

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Subsequently the Coordinator attended the State Symposium in June in Perth. The Coordinator attended a teleconference for Volunteer Resource Centres.


Dec 2011

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June 2012

Dec 2012

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• Provide a reliable, confidential referral service.

• Assist agencies with volunteer management issues.

• Recognise and promote volunteering in the community.

• Continue the development of Armadale Volunteer Services as a ‘one stop shop’ for the effective delivery of services to agencies seeking volunteers and potential volunteers seeking volunteering opportunities.

• Provide opportunities for people to volunteer within The City’s programs.

Key Success Factors

• Develop and implement appropriate policies and management practices.

• Positive feedback received from

June 2010

• 79 potential volunteers have contacted AVS during this period.

• AVS has started to assist registered volunteer programs at the City of Armadale to improve their volunteer management.

• AVS has been promoting volunteering in local publications throughout this period. We have also advertised in the Australian Seniors publication. AVS also commenced a shop-a-docket promotion during this period and has held displays in prominent positions across the City of Armadale.

• The City’s programs are promoted at every available opportunity.

• During this period the Volunteer Strategy was endorsed by Council.

• During this period AVS assisted History House, Birtwistle Local Studies Library, The Visitors Centre and RoadWise with developing procedures for managing volunteers.

• There was no increase reported in participation by volunteers during this period.

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volunteers at the City of Armadale.

• Increased participation in local volunteering activities.

Dec 2010

• To reach a wider audience AVS has uploaded all of registered positions to www.seek.com.au and www.govolunteer.com.au

151 potential volunteers have contacted AVS during this period.

• During this period AVS assisted

7 agencies with one to one volunteer management as well as provide 2 volunteer managers’ networks. AVS has also assisted new coordinators at other VRC’s with issues relating to the day to day issues of running a VRC.

• AVS held displays at various

events including a marquee for Thank A Volunteer Celebrations in December.

• AVS continues to promote

volunteer positions within the City of Armadale.

• AVS continues to assist organisations to develop appropriate procedures.

• There has been no feed back from

volunteers at the City of Armadale during this period.

• Although there is no evidence to

suggest an increase in participation in volunteering there is definitely been a large increase in enquiries about volunteering.

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June 2011

• 184 potential volunteers have contacted AVS during this period.

• 40 people attended Volunteer Management Networks during this period.

3 agencies received one to one volunteer management advice.

• Displays were held in National Volunteer Week and National Reconciliation Week.

AVS worked with The Examiner to run feature articles during National Volunteer Week.

• Volunteer enquiries and subsequent referrals to AVS have remained constant during this period. A large number of enquiries about volunteering were made to The City immediately after the Kelmscott- Roleystone bushfires. 11 prospective agencies enquired about volunteering during this period. This is up from 6 agencies in the previous period.

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Documents

Report to COuncil on Community Development Strategies to ......To: Progress to Strategies Progress to Key Success Factors • Jun 2010 YAA commence activation engaging young people