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Are you curious about how the new Aged Care Reforms might affect you? Do you have questions around My Aged Care, or your rights as a senior? Join us for a free aged care information session for seniors by Deidre Baker from Seniors Rights Service. Gain valuable insights and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment. This informative session will cover: • Key updates to aged care policies and what they mean for seniors. • How to access services and support under the new reforms. • Your rights and options within the aged care system he seminar will be held at 21 Meriton Street, St Georges Basin. Please book your spot by calling 1300 222 748, emailing info@bcrcommunities.com or visiting our website www.bcrcommunities.com

Get creative this summer with BCR Art Sparks - a hands-on art and ceramics program for young people with an NDIS plan. Think art, clay, imagination and loads of fun! It will be on every Monday during the School Holidays from 10am to 2pm in the BCR Communities Creative Space at 18 Sanctuary Point Road. Make new friends, try a range of different art techniques and take home your amazing creations. Spaces are limited so make sure you book your spot by phoning 1300 222 748 or emailing info@BCRcommunities.com

Christmas cheer is arriving early for some Bay and Basin families, thanks to the generosity of Basin Shores Community Association residents. For the past three weeks, residents have been leaving donations at their community centre to create beautifully assembled Christmas hampers. These hampers, packed with festive goodies and essential items, will be distributed by BCR Communities, to families in need. The project reflects the power of community spirit and kindness. Resident and former florist Sue Irvine, who took the lead in assembling the hampers, described the experience as a "labour of love." “I put my hand up to create the hampers because I was a florist for 30 years, and I still have cellophane, ribbon, and all the bits and bobs to make them special,” Sue said. “I made up little stories for each one—there’s one that will be perfect for a single mum with a baby girl, and another for a family that includes breakfast items, snacks, sweet treats for the kids, meal ingredients, and even pampering goodies for mum and dad.” Chairperson of the Basin Shores Community Association Executive Committee, John Di-Masi, highlighted the significance of this year’s donation. “We support a different charity each year, and this year, we really wanted to give to a local organisation that makes a big impact in our area,” John said. “BCR Communities is a Bay and Basin not-for-profit, so it felt like the perfect choice.” “All these hampers show what we can achieve when we come together as a community,” he added. “We hope they bring a little extra joy and comfort to families this Christmas.” The donation comes at a critical time, as many families in the region are grappling with the pressures of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Heather Marciano, CEO of BCR Communities, emphasised just how vital this support is for struggling families. “We are thankful to the Basin Shores Community Association for choosing us as this year’s recipient,” Heather said. “The cost-of-living crisis has put many local families in stressful situations. Rising rents, increased grocery prices, and higher energy bills mean that for some, a joyful Christmas is looking very uncertain this year.” Heather also highlighted the emotional and practical value of the hampers. “These hampers aren’t just about providing food or essentials—they remind families that their community cares about them,” she said. “For some, receiving this kind of support at Christmas can take a real weight off their shoulders.” Heather encouraged others to consider how they can contribute during the festive season, highlighting the power of small acts of kindness. “Whether it’s a hamper, a donation, or simply checking in with a neighbour, every gesture strengthens our community,” she said. The hampers, along with other donations of presents, food, and essential items, will be distributed to families through the BCR Communities network.

Love Where You Live? Make a Donation! Since we began in 1991, BCR Communities has flourished because of the generosity and kindness of our communities in the Bay & Basin, Shoalhaven and Illawarra. MAKE A DONATION HISTORY Love where you live? Make a donation Since we began in 1991, BCR Communities has flourished because of the generosity and kindness of our community.Since we began in 1991, BCR Communities has flourished because of the generosity and kindness of our community. Your donation will support: Hundreds of seniors in our communities to remain living happy and healthy lives in their own homes. Our Community Services team to continue to respond to the needs of our communities by delivering emergency food relief, flexible programs, workshops, activities and events. Our Home Maintenance Program to keep ensuring seniors stay safe at home. Our fun and engaging social groups to continue combatting loneliness and fostering friendships Carers to have much needed respite with our carer support options Children and teens to learn, be creative, have fun and connect to culture People with disability to be supported to achieve their goals Our Community Radio station BBCR 92.7FM to keep playing great music and connecting the Bay & Basin Donate Now Help us make a difference First Name Last Name Email Donate in the name of Donate Thank you for your donation!

BCR Communities is a community-led, not for profit organisation which has been serving the Shoalhaven and Illawarra for over 30 years. Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers support our communities through our quality Aged Care, NDIS and Community Services including our Community Radio Station. BCR Communities Building Connected Resourceful Communities Explore our services COMMUNITY Chat Chat COMMUNITY AGED CARE NDIS Your community. BCR Communities is a community-led, not-for-profit organisation which has been serving the Shoalhaven and Illawarra for over 30 years. We believe in thriving communities living happy, healthy, meaningful and productive lives. Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers support our communities through our quality Aged Care, NDIS and Community Services including our Community Radio Station – Bay & Basin 92.7FM. To find a service, get involved or discover more, please get in touch here . ALL STAGES We are for all ages and stages From creative classes for kids through to social groups for seniors, we are supporting our communities through every life stage. PEOPLE FIRST We put people first As a community-led, not-for-profit organisation, our mission is to partner with our communities to provide person-centred services for all. TRUELY LOCAL We are truly local BCR Communities was created for locals by locals and nobody understands the communities of the Shoalhaven and Illawarra better than we do. RESPONSIVE We are responsive to the needs of our communities For over 30 years, we have been building brighter, more connected and resourceful communities through our services and supports. INCLUSIVE We are inclusive We welcome and celebrate every person. The diversity of our organisation reflects the diversity of our communities. LISTENING We listen to you Understanding your values and what’s important to you helps us to support you to live a happy and healthy life. Are you looking for rewarding work that makes a difference? Whether you have experience in a caring or support role or are looking for new and fulfilling work, if you share our core values of inclusion, integrity, empathy and encouraging wellness, get in touch here . Keep up to date with our latest news Free Aged Care Information Session for Seniors Get Creative with BCR Art Sparks Community Helping Community This Christmas “Working at BCR Communities is truly rewarding. I love connecting with people, supporting them, and knowing that the work I do is helping my community. The atmosphere here feels like family—everyone from the clients and participants to the staff and volunteers, is so friendly and welcoming. It’s actually a pleasure to come to work every day..” KENDALL 1/1 © 2023 by BCR Communities. Privacy Policy

Volunteer as a Driver Mentor with BCR Communities and help young learners gain the experience they need to get their P-plates. Just one hour a week can make a life-changing difference! We provide the car, training, and support—you provide your time and encouragement. Sign up today! VOLUNTEER TO BE A DRIVER MENTOR COMMUNITY SERVICES Are you ready to change a life? Are you an experienced driver with a little time to give? By volunteering just an hour or more a week, you can make a life-changing difference to a young person in your community. For many young people, getting a driver’s licence is the key to greater independence, employment opportunities, and access to education and social activities. However, not everyone has a vehicle or a licensed family member who can help them complete the 120 hours of supervised driving required to get their P-plates. That’s where you come in! What does a Driver Mentor do? As a volunteer Driver Mentor, you’ll provide supervised driving practice to young learners who have already received professional driving lessons. You’ll help them gain the on-road experience they need in different traffic conditions, improving their confidence and preparing them for their driving test. Where? We need volunteers in Nowra, the Bay & Basin, Sussex Inlet and Ulladulla. Who can volunteer? Anyone with a full licence, a good driving record, and a passion for helping others. Time commitment? Just one hour per week (or more if you can!). Do I need my own car? No! BCR Communities provides fully insured vehicles for all mentoring sessions. Why Volunteer? Make a real impact – Help a young person gain independence and access new opportunities. Give back to your community – Support local learners who may not have anyone else to help. No special qualifications needed – Just a safe driving record and a willingness to help. We provide the car, training, and support – You just provide your time and encouragement! Who can be a mentor? Mentors need to be fully-licensed, experienced drivers who are over the age of 21. To become a volunteer mentor you will also need a clean driving record for the last five years, a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check. The BCR Communities team will help you to obtain these. Who will I be mentoring? You’ll be supporting a young person who, for various reasons, doesn’t have access to a vehicle or a licensed family member or friend to help them complete their required hours of supervised driving. Your guidance will have a life-changing impact. Will my mentee have had previous driving experience? Yes, all our learner drivers receive up to five free lessons with a professional driving school to assess their skill level. They won’t be matched with a mentor until the professional instructor determines they are competent and ready to join our program, ensuring a safe and confident start for both of you. Will I need to use my own car? No, as a driver mentor you will use a clean, well-maintained BCR Communities automatic car with added safety features and a full tank of petrol. Will I need to pass a driving test? No, you won’t need to pass a driving test. Your valuable years of driving experience will make you well-equipped to guide a young person on the road. To help you feel confident and ensure you’re familiar with the latest road rules, we can provide access to online tutorials. What happens if I don’t feel comfortable with my mentee? The safety and comfort of our mentors and mentees is our highest priority. If you ever feel uncomfortable, we encourage you to let us know immediately. We’ll work with you to address the situation, whether it involves resolving concerns or reassigning you to a different mentee to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. Will I work with the same mentee/s each week? We’ll do our best to match you with the same mentee, as it’s incredibly rewarding to support them throughout their journey from Ls to Ps. However, there may be occasional scheduling changes that require some flexibility. How many hours a week will I need to volunteer? Just one hour per week, although more hours will always be welcome! If you become unwell or have travel plans, your volunteering can be paused to accommodate your circumstances. When will the mentoring sessions take place? Once we match you with a compatible mentee, you can work together to arrange mentoring times that suit both of your schedules. SUBMIT THANK YOU, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH. Register your interest to be a volunteer driver mentor “I’m really looking forward to starting as a Driver Mentor – I think it will be a great experience to go on this journey with a learner driver and see them walking away with their licence at the end of it.” Kristy Boardman - Driver Mentor