Community Services
Respite Services
Respite Services aims to support carers and assist eligible community members to maintain their independence and continue living safely within the community. Eligibility is assessed based on individual needs.
The Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre staff will:
- Provide a point of contact and advice to support carers
- Assess the individual needs of both the carer and client
- Network with a broad range of service providers
- Assist with referrals to appropriate specialist services
- Provide or arrange transport to appointments where possible
- Support clients to maintain independence
- Facilitate access to relevant funding streams and services
- Maintain client confidentiality and privacy at all times
Social Support Group (SSG)
The Social Support Group (SSG) is open to older adults aged 65 years and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over. The group welcomes anyone meeting these criteria who is interested in participating. The group meets weekly on Mondays and offers a range of activities, outlined in a monthly program. A small fee applies to assist with covering activity-related costs.
The program aims to promote healthy ageing, enhance wellbeing, and support participants to remain socially connected and engaged within the community.
The Social Support Group aims to:
- Promote healthy ageing and wellbeing
- Enhance self-esteem and confidence
- Increase social connection and reduce isolation
- Encourage a sense of belonging within the community
The Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre staff will:
- Plan and coordinate a variety of activities in consultation with participants
- Arrange transport to and from group activities where required
- Create opportunities to build new friendships and maintain existing social connections
- Provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment
- Facilitate access to activities beyond the immediate Balmoral community
- Seek and apply funding opportunities to help reduce participant costs
Community Transport Services
The Community Transport Services program provides affordable transport options for community members within the Balmoral area.
The program aims to:
- Provide affordable and accessible transport options for residents of the Balmoral area
- Enable access to services and supports not available locally within Balmoral
- Broaden educational and social opportunities for young people in the community
Through this program, the Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre provides a community bus service for:
- Monthly trips to Horsham
- Regular transport for the Social Support Group
- Community transport supporting people with disability to access specialist services and appointments
Disability Services
The Disability Services program aims to support residents to remain living in their own home for as long as possible during periods of temporary or permanent disability.
The Disability Services program aims to:
- Support individuals to remain living independently in their own home where possible
- Assist carers and clients in addressing individual needs and care requirements
The Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre staff will:
- Undertake assessments and provide referral advice
- Support access to specialist care services
- Assist clients in accessing appropriate funding and support programs
- Provide regular routine health monitoring in the home
- Offer practical and emotional support to reduce the burden on carers
- Facilitate opportunities for social connection and improved quality of life for both clients and carers
The Men’s Shed
The Balmoral Men’s Shed is a welcoming community program where men and women from across the district come together to socialise, build, upholster, paint, repair, and work on a variety of practical projects.
Operating since 2006, the Balmoral Men’s Shed was one of the first community sheds established in Western Victoria and continues to provide a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages social connection, skill sharing, and community participation.
The group is involved in a range of community and private commissioned projects, giving members the opportunity to stay active, work collaboratively, and contribute to the local community.
The Men’s Shed offers:
- A welcoming and supportive environment for all community members
- Opportunities to build, repair, create, and restore items
- Practical hands-on activities and community projects
- Skill sharing and learning opportunities
- Regular social connection and conversation over a cuppa
- A chance to contribute to meaningful local projects and assist others in the community
The Balmoral Men’s Shed is coordinated and administered through the Balmoral Bush Nursing Centre. The program is self-funded through the sale of products and generous community donations.
The group meets every Thursday morning from 9.30am at the Angling Club building on Coleraine Road, Balmoral.
If you would like to join the Men’s Shed, or if you have a project you would like the group to assist with, please contact the Community Services Coordinator, Rebecca Kearns, on 5542 6222.
Live Active Program
The Live Active program provides community members access to a wide range of fitness activities delivered by our qualified fitness instructor.
BBNC Live Active program provides individual and group classes in strength and balance, step aerobics chair exercises and water aerobics at the Balmoral and District Swimming pool.
This year due to interest from the community we have also commenced a weekly bus to Hamilton Indoor Leisure Centre to participate in their water aerobics program. This has been very beneficial to our community as we are able to access HILACS heated pool during the winter months.
Physical activity can improve your overall health, boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and enhance wellbeing often leading to better health outcomes.
