The Polish Welfare Office (Tasmania)
The Polish Welfare Office works under the auspices of the Polish Association in Hobart Inc. Home and Community Care (HACC) funding was first received by the Polish Community in 1985. Prior to that community and welfare work was performed on a voluntary basis.
The Polish Welfare Office currently manages 5 HACC programs:
- The Polish Welfare Worker Program funds a bilingual welfare worker to provide information, language assistance, advocacy, assessment and referrals, as well as assistance with appointments, communication, financial transactions and transport.
- The Polish Outreach Program funds two Polish nuns as full time workers providing regular home visiting and befriending services, delivering social and spiritual support, as well as assistance with practical tasks of every day living.
- The Polish Day Centre Program operates twice a month, providing activities to maintain culture and friendship, improve health and wellbeing, as well as break down social isolation. A traditional Polish meal is served.
- The Polish Statewide Telephone Information and Referral Service funds a Freecall 1800 number enabling those members of the Polish Community living in Tasmania but outside the Greater Hobart area to contact the Polish Welfare Office for information about HACC services.
- The Polish Seniors Liaison Officer Program funds a worker to provide administrative support to Polish seniors groups in Hobart.
Volunteers play an important role in supporting the programs managed by the Polish Welfare Office. This includes providing a regular transport service to church, to the cemetery, to the Day Centre, as well as assistance at the Day Centre, and through the Polish Welfare Office's Advisory Committee.
The Polish Welfare Office works closely with other service providers through joint programs and initiatives, such as health information sessions, and activities for community members and Polish residents in aged care facilities.
Read more about the Polish Welfare Office here