3 Bridges Community

Strategic Directions 2015-2018

3Bridges COMMUNITY

3Bridges

WE CONNECT

In a global world that’s always ‘online’, the relevance of local communities can sometimes get overlooked. But there’s never been a more important time for local communities to be connected, engaged and valued. Empowering communities is not only about services, it’s about belonging, self sufficiency, being equipped to take on life’s challenges and capitalising on life’s opportunities. That’s where 3Bridges comes in. We make a difference by building happier, healthier, connected and educated communities.

We deliver results. It takes more than providing services to make a difference to people’s lives and create long lasting change in communities. It takes strong partnerships and an intimate understanding of the community’s fast and forever changing needs.

We are trusted. While we are a new organisation, we draw on the strength and history of well-established and respected local community service organisations.


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OUR VALUES:

Giving the Community Voice, the Voice of Choice:

VIBRANT by being energetic and engaging.

• Seeking opportunities to do better.• Building inclusive relationships.• Learning and growing with our

community.

OPENNESS by being welcoming, honest and transparent.

• Open in sharing knowledge and information.

• Open to new ideas and ways of working.• Integrity in all we do.

INNOVATION in driving new ideas, opportunities to build a better community.

• Advocating for the community.• Leading change.• Continually improving.

COLLABORATION by embracing new ideas, teamwork and partnerships.

• Working as a team.• Delivering valued services for our

community.• Respecting differences.

EXCELLENCE through being recognised as leaders in the community.

• Striving to be the best we can.• Quality is a part of everything we do.• Professional performance

I am inspired by the energy that the team at 3Bridges share with the people and communities that they work alongside of through life’s joys and challenges.

Our strategic directions have grown from our conversations with our Board and our communities. We are aiming for the very best for our local communities and we hope that you will be inspired by our goals and support us on our way.

Rosemary Bishop

3Bridges COMMUNITY

Our Strategic GoalsGoal 1 - Leadership

We will build the capacity of local communities and increase the access to services and programs:1. Lead an organisational culture that listens so that the needs and hopes of people and

communities are always the centre of our service provision 2. Increase collaboration and trust so that the 3Bridges network connects members of the

community to a wider range of services3. Integrate privately purchased services with funded services4. Deliver innovative programs that result in measurable outcomes for people and

communities

Goal 2 - Service Innovation

We will show that we listen to the choices people make by delivering innovative solutions: 1. Design people centred services and programs that are recognised as good practice2. Develop the capacity for individualised service specification and service selection by the

customer 3. Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to evaluate services and measure social

return on investment 4. Advocate with the community to increase people’s ability to voice their needs and

aspirations

By 2018:• The Social Return on Investment, achieved through collaborative service delivery, is

measured and promoted • Innovative approaches deliver agreed outcomes and bring opportunities to local

communities• 3Bridges is recognised as an influential advocate for building community capacity

By 2018:3Bridges is the provider of choice for the community with comprehensive services across our region• A wide range of innovative local services are supported and delivered through the

3Bridges Network • 3Bridges delivers key programs nationally• 3Bridges is recognised for achieving significant community outcomes through

accessing private and public funds


“My name is Magdalene. I have been coming to the GT group for a very long time . I enjoy seeing my friends and doing all kinds of activities at 3Briges Penshurst. Mondays are my best day of the week ,because it is GT day at 3Bridges Community. I enjoy coming because I feel included, cared for, and part of a group”.

3Bridges COMMUNITY

By 2018: • High performing partners are attracted and retained• At least one partner in service delivery operates nationally for a specific client group• Our use of technology in service and program delivery supports uptake nationally

By 2018:• There are strong systems and resources in place to support organisational growth

with the capacity to easily integrate diverse services• Our systems promote transparent and strong relationships• Our level of income has grown significantly through private and public revenue

streams

By 2018:• A major proportion of gross revenue achieved from non traditional government

funding• Consistent improved financial performance enables investment in our services,

people, facilities and innovation

Goal 3 – Community Connections

We will develop strong partnerships supported by research and innovation:1. Develop and drive research and innovation through learning partnerships2. Guide and build the 3Bridges Network to provide sustainable services that meet the

needs of people and communities3. Integrate applications and smart technology into program design and delivery4. Identify gaps in services for people with a disability and offer innovative solutions to

meet emerging needs

Goal 4 – Sustainability

We will build revenue streams independent of traditional government funding and invest in meeting the needs of local communities: 1. Grow 3Bridges social enterprises to be profitable2. Diversify income generation and service models 3. Partner and invest in community infrastructure

Goal 5 – Organisational Excellence

We will apply strong systems and procedures to support organisational performance:1. Lead an open and innovative culture 2. Invest in our employees and volunteers 3. Improve efficiencies and front line service delivery.4. Develop a shared service model to enable the 3Bridges Network


Volunteers teach conversational English to new arrivals through Walk and Talk tours around Sydney.

3Bridges COMMUNITY

3Bridges builds bridges• between generations • for volunteers to connect with the community• by providing support for carers • by focusing on ability.

Bridges Between Generations

Mitchell’s Story“Arncliffe Men’s Shed helped me open up my mind and talk instead of just being focused on activities. It was my mental connection with the outside world, it helped me blend in.” Mitchell Kilduff3Bridges promotes the intergenerational support between seniors and disadvantaged young people including young people with disabilities.The story of Mitchell Kilduff is an inspiring example of how a young man from disadvantaged background was able to find his motivation to succeed and excel.Mitchell’s life as a child with autism was at a turning point when he was a 15 years old teenage boy, struggling to cope with the challenges of everyday school life. His swimming career was plateauing. He couldn’t establish effective communication and have meaningful relationships with other kids at school; going to school didn’t make much sense to him at that time.That’s when he found out about Arncliffe Men’s Shed. The Shed was a place where Mitchell found much needed company and support from other people. This was the environment where he could talk to people and learn. The warm reception and the non-judgemental environment of Arncliffe Men’s Shed helped him learn how to relate to people while working at the same time.Before Mitchell joined the Men’s Shed, he wasn’t talking much, he was always silent.The best thing of being with the Men’s Shed, according to Mitchell, was the opportunity to help around the shed or even just watching and learning and connecting with the people.Being different at the Men’s Shed was easier, people in the Shed are accepting, embracing and understanding. In a way, men at the Shed were Mitchell’s second family.Even though he is very busy preparing for the Paralympics in Rio 2016, Mitchell still finds a moment to visit Arncliffe Men’s Shed and have a chat with the men a about his swimming successes.Mitchell’s message to other young people with a disability is “Be strong and work your way through the challenges with the help of the people you can trust and you can connect with”.


Mitchell Kilduff

3Bridges COMMUNITY

Bridges for Volunteers to Connect with Community

Michael Poon’s StoryMichael has been a dedicated volunteer of 3Bridges for 3 years. He currently volunteers in the Community Care service delivering meals and also as a Broadband tutor teaching computers. We are very proud of him for becoming the ‘volunteer of the year’

Michael said “I find my volunteering experience at 3Bridges Community Services increasingly rewarding. There are numerous opportunities for me to participate. I am a Community Care Volunteer, delivering meals to clients on a weekly basis, a Broadband for Seniors Tutor and I also volunteer at events such as Harmony Day and the annual Volunteer Expo. Through these opportunities I have rediscovered the values that are so important to me. I recall one of my computer students saying that it wasn’t just the knowledge of learning how to use a computer that she had gained but also a newfound confidence that had enhanced her life. I feel inspired when I hear that kind of feedback and it gives new meaning to the work I do for 3Bridges.I thank the various coordinators I work with, who I find are very skilful and supportive. The whole volunteering experience is not just with that of the clients but it also allows me to get to know the staff and my fellow volunteers. I feel privileged to work at 3Bridges in a role I very much enjoy.”


Michael Poon

3Bridges COMMUNITY

Bridges that Support Carers

Genevieve’s StoryGenevieve Kavanagh has been a client of our Carer Support Service for twelve years. She cares for her son, who has a severe Aquired Brain Injury after a car accident which claimed the life of her other son. She attends the Special Needs Carers Support Group, the Carer Anxiety Management Group and receives counselling from a Carer Support team member. “I’ve found the Carer Support team to be very helpful & supportive to us over the many years we have been Carers.It is comforting to know that they are there. To be able to talk & share & to de-stress.Everyday you don’t know what is going to happen if you are in a caring 24/7 role, as things sometimes get out of hand.It’s important to keep yourself healthy in all ways & the support from Pole Depot/3Bridges Carer Support is very helpful.”


Genevieve Kavanagh

3Bridges COMMUNITY

Bridges for Ability

Mitchell’s StoryMitchell is an 11 year old boy with a busy social life and, according to his Mum, a great sense of humour. He also has cerebral palsy. Mitchell has two brothers – Andy 8 and Felix 9 months - and he loves playing with his broth-ers. Mitchell attends Bangor School where he is in Year 5. He loves riding his modified bike and racing it at Southern Cross Cycling Club.To enable Mitchell to be more independent the family home has recently undergone major modifications. Work was mainly to the bathroom and included widening the door, levelling the floor for easier access into the shower, installation of handrails and a shower chair. A highlight for Mitchell is the automatic soap dispenser which he now uses instead of juggling slippery soap. Additionally, a ramp has been installed so that Mitchell can access the backyard. Mitchell’s family has gone from having to assist him entirely in the bathroom to Mitchell now being able to shower himself. Mitchell is very happy with his new independence.Mitchell’s family reports that the experience was fantastic and they are very happy with the result. It took three weeks to complete, was ‘one of a kind’ but no problem along the way was too great for the workmen involved. They were ”innovative and very good at coming up with ideas and solutions while at the same time being very mindful of Mitchell and the family”. “Having a Project Manager was fantastic. Any concerns or questions were handled quickly and it gave us confidence to have someone monitoring the job from beginning to end.”

Mitchell’s Mum told this story.


Mitchell

Head Office P: 8558 4000F: 8558 4050

72 Carwar Avenue,Carss Park NSW 2221

[email protected]

Menai P: 9543 5115 34-40 Allison CrescentMenai NSW 2234

[email protected]

Penshurst P: 9580 0688 23 St Georges Road Penshurst NSW 2222

[email protected]

www.3bridges.org.au

3Bridges key servicesServices for Families and Children: • Before and after school care and holiday care• Conversational English improvement for new migrants • Calendar of community activities includes craft, art, sport and other fun activitiesServices for Youth: • Social support, family counselling, health and wellbeing programs and educational support. • Youth volunteering • Activity groups for people of all abilities • Young carer support.• Home modifications for people with a disability Services for Adults: • Group activities and social outings• Transport support• Respite and support services for carers• Parenting workshops• Educational, vocational and leisure courses • VolunteeringServices for Seniors : • Activity groups for people of all abilities • Shopping support • Cleaning• Meal services• Home modifications for the frail and elderlyFees • Many of our services are subsidised by the government.• Services can be accessed through person centred care directives

Design and production by Martin Lukersmith, Volunteer

1300 3BRIDGES

3 Bridges Community

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