24/06/2018
Amanda Davis - Team Leader Family and Practical Support Services South West was our guest speaker for June and gave an overview of the Red Cross and its services in the South West. The Red Cross, and also known as Red Crescent in some other parts of the world is over 100 years old, having been formed from the work of Henri Dunant who witnessed huge numbers of casualties in Italy at the battle of Solferino in 1869.
Red Cross was instrumental in developing the rules of war and treatment of prisoners of war known as the Geneva Convention. It has a code neutrality, impartiality and unity to achieve it’s work worldwide.
Red Cross is known for its Blood Bank; Op Shop; Emergency Response; and Community programs, not all of which are run in all locations.
In the SW, Amanda is the Team Leader and point of contact for the many community programs coordinated by the Red Cross. There is a respite centre for carers who also have a support group. They also arrange emergency respite under the Commonwealth carers respite program. Also the housing and transfer program; Telecross program; Postnatal depression assistance to help new mothers cope with assistance to get to appointments and playgroups for up to 12 weeks. Involved in the visitors scheme and organising social visits.
Regarding assistance for the homeless and women's shelters. Amanda said these programs were available via Red Cross in Perth. Red Cross are funded mainly from the government, however, there have been massive changes from the Commonwealth towards consumer directed care, which means people have the choice of provider and control where their funding is spent. Red Cross is responding to these changes by fundraising requests and lobbying to corporations, philanthropists, street appeals, shops, etc.
Red Cross keep costs down by a network of volunteers, and by not employing any of its own workers, and using accredited private respite services.
Bill Cooper thanked Amanda for coming to Collie today and her interesting presentation. Amanda stayed for the remainder of the meeting and a cup of tea later. Also left a number of publications for members to read if they wished.
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