Day to Day Living
In 2007, the June O’Connor Centre gained funding to be a part of the Commonwealth’s new initiative Day to Day Living (D2DL) program. D2DL provides structured group activities for individuals who have experienced mental illness aiming to improve their quality of life, and assist with the recovery journey.
The D2DL is now well underway with regular group activities, covering the following five core areas:-
- Personal Growth
- Educational/Employment opportunities (skills building)
- Community Integration
- Socialisation
- Physical Health
Activities are needs-led based, with members identifying skills building and learning opportunities, allowing these individuals to become involved in the planning, and organising of the groups (if they like), or alternatively, they can just participate.
Each month, members are sent a copy of the D2DL timetable of activities for their perusal, and to keep informed of upcoming groups.
Participation of group activities commence on receiving completed application forms. These are completed by Health Care Professionals including GP’s, Psychiatrist.
The aims of the group activities are to support people who have experienced mental illness. These aims are delivered by:-
- Trying to improve the individual/s opportunities for participating in social, recreational and educational activities.
- Improve quality of life, minimising obstacles that may hamper their personal recovery journey, and allow each individual the opportunity to reach their potential for independence.
- Use these skills to identify when they become unwell, be able to utilise their own action plans and recognize the early warning signs to identify coping strategies to lessen the chance of re-admission to hospital.
- Encourage wider networking in the community and reduce social isolation.
- Continue, to increase community integration and knowledge of mental illness to address stigma and discrimination.
Members are encouraged to participate in current groups and are now better prepared to:
- Develop new skills and brush up on any skills
- Expand social networks within the community
- Participate more in society activities
- Develop personal skills, identify and work on personal goals and wishes for the future.
The June O’Connor centres and D2DL programs, PROMOTE RECOVERY AND MINIMISES RELAPSE in a non clinical setting by:
- Encouraging independence, resourcefulness and responsibility.
- Promoting dignity and respect, social wellbeing and community integration.
- Creating a confidential, safe and non judgemental learning environment.
- Increasing positive community awareness and minimises stigma of mental illness by advocacy and role modelling.
- Employing approachable, friendly caring and professional staff.
Fostering compassion and understanding and allowing for personal growth, involvement and choice.
