b'Providinglocal supportWe have worked alongside local communities across Victoria and Tasmania for over 100 years. We continue to provide support for individuals, families and communities in metropolitan, and ruraland remote areas in both states.BendigoGoulburn Our Kangaroo Flat team in Bendigo securedFollowing COVID-19 lockdowns, Food Without the use of a van to trial an emergency reliefBarriers is running again. This two-dish, pop-up outreach program in local areas. This enablesrestaurant in Wodonga is a partnership between people who are doing it tough to access freshWodonga TAFE and Uniting. The initiative is fruit, vegetables and non-perishable foodteaching TAFE students, Indie School students and without having to travel to Bendigo for support.Job Centre participants what its like to work in a This was trialled in Dunolly during the year withreal restaurant setting. The students are mentored support from Dunolly District Uniting Churchby experienced employees and can expand their members, who provided Church grounds toskills to further their education or employment establish this service. opportunities. The restaurant is open each Tuesday.GippslandMelbourne The Family Services Specialist DisabilityOur team from Fire & Clay ran a stall at the Practitioner role has been a valuable additionMelbourne International Flower and Garden to the family services team in Gippsland. ThisShow in March 2022 after missing the last two position has enabled more families in the region years because of the pandemic. Fire & Clay is a to access the National Disability Insuranceregistered Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) Scheme (NDIS) and for those packages to employing nearly 30 people living with a disability. better support the needs of local families.The talented team in Lilydale produced an array of Better access to the NDIS is now helping handcrafted pottery and ceramic garden products many individuals and their families to thrivethat were available for sale at the show. Everyone without the need for ongoing support from was delighted with the success of the event.our family services team. The role has receivedan additional two years of funding. Tasmania WimmeraBased in northern Tasmania, Unitings newest program, CRIB supports families struggling with Each year our team in Wimmera run an artfamily violence. CRIB is the only wrap-around exhibition during Mental Health Week in October.support service for families experiencing family The 2021 theme was Set Yourself Free, with 25violence that does not require the family to participants entering their work. Unitings foyerseparate. The program seeks to educate families in Wimmera was full of art pieces includingabout the effects of family violence before the paintings, sculptures, poems, terrariums and artviolence causes family breakdown. This model on furniture. The exhibition was an opportunitysupports current research and best practice for people to express themselves and help raisearound maintaining attachment for youngawareness of mental health issues.children while keeping them safe. 14 Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2021-2022'