Advocacy and Wellbeing Support Services
While we have temporarily suspended our face-to-face services, we are continuing to provide online and telephone support to our veterans and their families. Veterans can still book appointments with our Advocates by phoning 0401 441 476 or email admin@crslsb.org.au or access our wellbeing services by phoning 0422 290 174. The shift in service delivery aligns with social distancing requirements due to COVID-19. Our number one priority remains the health and wellbeing of the Veteran community through providing essential services for veterans and their families. There are a number of additional support services available for emergency food, crisis support, free financial counselling and crisis funding that can be found on our Wellbeing Services page (or click here).
Supermarket priority assistance now open to Gold Card holders
Coles, FoodWorks, IGA, and Woolworths have signed up to help vulnerable veterans and their families during the coronavirus crisis. Gold Card holders can now take advantage of services such as priority online ordering, home delivery, in-store collection and access to a range of boxed basic grocery items delivered by Australia Post. For more information on what each supermarket offers, visit their website:
Coles offers home delivery or click&collect for online orders. They have also put together a Community Box of grocery and household items which can be delivered to your door by Australia Post.
The Community Box includes milk, juice, cereal, spread, cereal bars, pasta or rice, canned vegetables, canned soup, canned fish or meat, canned fruit, baked beans, tortilla wraps, tea or coffee, biscuits, toilet paper, soap and cleaning spray.
Foodworks offers home delivery of orders placed online, by phone or email.
IGA offers home delivery of four different package options:
Essentials – milk, bread, butter, eggs, cereal, fruit, vegetables, soup, toilet paper.
Pantry Plus – milk, bread, butter, eggs, cheese, juice, fresh meat, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, canned fish, soup, cereal, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tea, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, frozen meals, toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste, soap.
Dog or Cat – wet and dry pet food.
Woolworths offers home delivery or pick-up of online orders.
Upcoming Veterans Card Reissues
This year, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will undertake two major card reissues:
- the issue almost 102 000 Veteran Cards in June 2020 to replace existing DVA health cards (Gold, Orange and White) that are due to expire; and
- the issue of approximately 4000 new look Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards in October 2020 to be used throughout 2021.
The expiring DVA health cards will be replaced in June 2020. Due to the number of cards that need replacing, the process will extend for approximately four weeks throughout June. It has also been advised that it can take several weeks for some cards to be delivered. Therefore, it is expected the whole process to be complete by the end of July 2020. Communication with clients and providers will be carried out to help understand the process and timing of events. It is important to note many clients already have the new Veteran Card and this will not be replaced during the process. The process is to replace the old look DVA health cards.
Proactive steps we can take to manage mindset, stress and wellbeing as we continue to adapt to an evolving situation
Managing mindset
A positive mindset is essential to maintaining mental wellbeing, and like anything, requires practice.
This article from the Harvard Business Review outlines some helpful guidance on how we can build resilience, while this wellness checklist sets out the steps we can all take to create healthy habits to boost a positive mindset.
Managing stress
Navigating unfamiliar circumstances is often stressful, particularly as we continue to do our best to balance our work and personal lives. This article from Psychology Today outlines ten helpful strategies for effective stress management, ranging from drawing on your signature strengths to the power of positive self-affirmation.
Managing wellbeing
While our day-to-day routines may have changed, carving out time for the thing we enjoy most is more important than ever.
Whether it be enjoying a virtual tour of the British Museum, taking on a 30 day yoga challenge or trialling fun new activities with kids, now is the time to try something new to support your wellbeing.
You can also visit our Carers support resource for tips on home schooling and keeping children entertained while they are at home.
And remember…
Social distancing does not mean social disconnection.
