Forum to examine gaps in disability services

SHORTFALLS in local disability services will be in the spotlight at a Bellarine community-led forum early next month.

Ocean Grove’s Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH) and Bellarine Community Health (BCH) have partnered to deliver the disabilities services forum.

The event aims to gather information about service and program needs across the Bellarine.

BTACH will provide a venue for the event, while BCH’s chief executive officer Garry Ellis will chair the forum.

BTACH manager Chris James said next month’s event followed an earlier forum that identified a need for greater provision of services and programs in the region.

“Bellarine Community Health recently hosted a community forum at the Bellarine Training and Community Hub with other local community groups and organisations to gather information about any unmet health and wellbeing needs of the community.

“One of the issues discussed at the forum was a shortage of local services and programs for people living with a disability.

“BTACH has also heard from its own clients that there is a lack of services in the area

“This event is to gather information from people living with a disability or their carers about where they see there are gaps in local services.”

Organisers say that anyone living with a disability who cares for someone is invited to attend and share their experiences.

Mr James said the event would be an information gathering exercise for the local organisations to get a better understanding of the issues in the community and how they can best be addressed.

“The forum is seeking information about what the local challenges are for people living with a disability.

“Once we have a better understanding of just what those challenges are, we can look at what potential there is for addressing those needs.

“Until we get a better understanding of what the needs are in the community, we can’t really know how those needs can be met.”

BTACH will host the disability services forum at its hub at 1 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove on September 6.

The event will run from 5.30-7pm.

Anyone interested in attending can RSVP to [email protected] or by phoning 5255 4294.