Community self-help health groups in the South West will share in a $158,700 Brumby Government funding boost to help them with their important tasks, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced today.
Ms Tierney said more than 190 groups across Victoria would benefit from these grants. Many of the groups involve people with a chronic health condition or mental illness and their families, and the one-off grants are recognition of the key volunteer role they played in helping others.
In the South West, a number of groups will receive a total of $5,270 to support their ongoing work including:
– Western Region Laryngectomee Head & Neck Cancer Support Group – $320 for stationery, postage, administration costs – Killarney
– Colac Branch Diabetes Australia -Victoria – $700 for postage, stationery, member resources. Pirron Yallock
– Portland Diabetes Support Group $500 for postage, printing, stationery & room hire. Portland
– Heart Support-Australia, Warrnambool Branch – $700 for stationery, rent, internet & speakers. Warrnambool
– Warrnambool & District Diabetes Support Group – $500 for postage, stationery & administration.
– Warrnambool Arthritis Support Group – $700 for postage, stationery, exercise leader training & member resource materials.
– Warrnambool Cancer Support Self Help Group – $250 for stationery & administration costs.
– Warrnambool Polio Support Group $600 for stationery, newsletters & administration costs.
– Warrnambool Stroke Support group – $1000 for postage, stationery & resource materials.
“People who are helping themselves and their families play an important role in the healthcare system, and often need a bit of support in their role,” Ms Tierney said.
“These health self-help groups are composed of and managed by people who share a common chronic health condition, either themselves or as part of their family.
“They include groups to support people affected by specific illnesses and conditions, including arthritis, strokes, a range of different cancers, mental illness, diabetes and fibromyalgia, and others which provide support to family and friends of people with a range of illnesses.”
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the grants were provided to the groups for general running expenses and minor equipment.
Mr Andrews said local self-help groups were receiving $107,940 of the funds, and the other $50,850 was going to groups which provided support and services throughout Victoria.