UnitingCare Queensland

The BIGGEST book sale in the GALAXY* the Lifeline Brisbane Bookfest returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre January 18 - 27! *Ok, disclaimer: we aren't ‘sure’ it's the biggest book sale in the galaxy, but it is a GIGANTIC, an iconic Brisbane event that has delighted readers and literary explorers for over 30 years. If you've ever been to one, you'd know that feeling of ‘wow’ when you walk in and see ALL those books. But unlike popular fairytales, there's no Fairy Godmother or Wizard to wave a wand and magically sort, stack, pack and unpack these books, magazines, CDs and more. That's all done by hand by our incredible Lifeline Retail team and wonderful volunteers - and the whole purpose of the event is to raise funds for our vital crisis support services. Take a peek behind the cover and see how Bookfest comes together. Coming to our January Bookfest? Let us know! RSVP and find out all the details here: https://bit.ly/3DxImQI Lifeline Australia # support #lifeline #savinglives #teamwork #commitment

Have you heard about Seniors Enquiry Line's Snippets newsletter? Snippets is a free, quarterly newsletter that aims to make it easy and accessible for seniors to learn about services and what's happening in Queensland. You can find the current and previous issues of Snippets on the Seniors Enquiry Line website at https://lnkd.in/gnm36xx5 The Seniors Enquiry Line operates a free helpline that provides information and referral support to Queensland seniors. Call 1300 135 500 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Queensland and Brisbane public holidays) or email sel@uccommunity.org.au.

New Year's Day can feel lonely for many. Take a moment to reach out to loved ones and check in on your friends. A message can make a world of difference. If you or someone you know needs crisis support, please call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, or text on 0477 13 11 14. You can visit lifeline.org.au for our online chat service or lifeline.org.au/toolkit for resources to self-manage what you’re going through. AII crisis support services are available 24/7.

🎄 🎄 From all of us at UnitingCare Queensland, we wish you a day - and a year ahead - filled with love, joy, hope and kindness.

We understand that for many, the holiday season can bring up difficult feelings. While Christmas is often a time of celebration, it can also be a time when feelings of loneliness, grief, or stress become overwhelming. If you need someone to talk to, Lifeline is here for you. Lifeline's crisis supporters are available 24/7 to listen, support, and help you find a way forward. Reach out 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114 or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au. For self-led support, visit the Support Toolkit online at lifeline.org.au/toolkit

Introducing Martha Holden as a Keynote Speaker at the Building Caring Communities International Conference 2025! Martha is the Director of the Residential Child Care Project, Cornell University, is the author of the book, CARE: Creating Conditions for Change, a program model for residential child caring organizations and the lead developer of the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System (TCI). Ms. Holden provides technical assistance to agencies to implement CARE in residential child caring agencies, juvenile justice programs, schools, and child welfare organizations throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Spain, and Taiwan. Previously Ms. Holden served as an administrator overseeing the day-to-day operations of a residential treatment agency for adolescents. Ms. Holden has been studying how to improve the quality of care for children in out of home placements through training, technical assistance, writing, influencing organizational culture, and changing systems throughout her career. This event will bring together a diverse group of practitioners, people with lived experience, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who are all committed to promoting evidence-informed practices and improving client outcomes in the child and family sector. Follow this page and visit https://lnkd.in/e94vJn6r for more Keynote Speaker details and to subscribe for updates. Hosted by: Life Without Barriers, Residential Child Care Project, Cornell University, Allambi Care and UnitingCare Queensland #BuildingCaringCommunities2025 #ChildAndFamilySupport #ResidentialCare

Boredom busters! These boxes are filled with activities for young people recently gifted to children living in residential out-of-home care. The idea of the boredom-busting boxes came from our Youth Advisory Group, whose members lived in out-of-home care as teenagers. They recognised and highlighted the need for more to do while living out of home. So, they compiled and wrote various ideas and activities into a book, and the boxes became a reality. Living away from home is complex and challenging for young people, and it can be even harder at Christmas. For everyone experiencing hardship and challenges at this time of year, we send our hope and compassion to you along with our commitment that we will continue striving to provide support to all those who need it and find ways to enhance and develop them by listening and learning, through groups like our Youth Advisory Group.

The "Elder Abuse Statistics in QLD: Year in Review 2024" by the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit is released today. This comprehensive report sheds light on this critical issue and provides valuable insights and data to help us protect our seniors. 🔗 Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/4gII4Vr The EAPU Helpline is a confidential service that offers specialised advice, including information, support, and referrals, for older people who are experiencing abuse and for anyone who witnesses or suspects the abuse of an older person. For anyone needing advice or need to report abuse or suspected, please get in touch with the EAPU Helpline 1300 651 192. When you call the helpline, you may remain anonymous. Your call will be confidential, and staff will give you the time to talk things over at your own pace.

Introducing Professor Jorge Fernández del Valle as a Keynote Speaker at the Building Caring Communities International Conference 2025! Jorge Fernández del Valle is Full Professor of Psychosocial Intervention at the University of Oviedo (Spain) and he is the Director of the Child and Family Research Group (Grupo de Investigación en Familia e Infancia-GIFI). His research focuses on programme evaluation in residential and foster care and needs assessments of particular groups, such as unaccompanied migrant young people or children in residential care suffering from mental health problems. This event will bring together a diverse group of practitioners, people with lived experience, researchers, policymakers, and advocates who are all committed to promoting evidence-informed practices and improving client outcomes in the child and family sector. Follow this page and visit https://lnkd.in/e94vJn6r for more Keynote Speaker details and to subscribe for updates. Hosted by: Life Without Barriers, Residential Child Care Project, Cornell University, Allambi Care and UnitingCare Queensland #BuildingCaringCommunities2025 #ChildAndFamilySupport #Evaluation

The Christmas spirit is alive and well at The Wesley Hospital with this beautiful nativity scene created by former patient, Liv Hutley. Read more of this special story below.