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The VIEWPOINTS exhibition showcases stunning art from alternative perspectives by emerging and established artists. VIEWPOINTS is on shown for a limited time throughout October at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham 3810, or online at Arts Access Victoria’s new virtual gallery @ http://heistegallery.com.au or at  from 12th October to 31st October.

Champion Geelong footballer Cameron Ling and MadCap Geelong employee Milly Jacobs with a giant jar of coffee beans. The winner of the “Guess how many beans in the jar” competition won a coffee a day for a year at MadCap Geelong.

The July opening of a new MadCap Cafe at Westfield Geelong marked [...]]]>

Champion Geelong footballer Cameron Ling and MadCap Geelong employee Milly Jacobs with a giant jar of coffee beans. The winner of the “Guess how many beans in the jar” competition won a coffee a day for a year at MadCap Geelong.

The July opening of a new MadCap Cafe at Westfield Geelong marked a new stage in the development of MadCap Enterprises when Geelong’s local PDRS service, Pathways, became MadCap’s first franchisee. Now with three busy locations, MadCap Cafe is able to offer more trainees the opportunity to gain workplace skills and confidence that can lead to jobs in the open marketplace.

Christine Thornton-Gaylard gets her service development message across and some humour never hurts.

Over many months Ermha’s people – clients, staff, and board – worked on the organisation’s strategic plan and communications materials. In mid June we gathered at Akoona Park Centre to see all pieces of the puzzle put together. Norma Seip, [...]]]>

Christine Thornton-Gaylard gets her service development message across and some humour never hurts.

Over many months Ermha’s people – clients, staff, and board – worked on the organisation’s strategic plan and communications materials. In mid June we gathered at Akoona Park Centre to see all pieces of the puzzle put together. Norma Seip, an Ermha board member, welcomed the crowd and Christine Thornton-Gaylard, Ermha’s Director of Service Development, put the plan in perspective. (To see the plan follow the link on thispage.) The strategic plan sets Ermha’s course for the next two years. It charts the goals we have identified and the specific results we want to achieve.

Keeping up with coffee orders kept MadCap’s baristas hopping. Over 2000 coffees were made during the three day show.

Over three days in early June more than 30,000 people crowded into the Melbourne Convention Centre and MadCap Cafe was there to greet them. With a short 10 days to prepare for the show, [...]]]>

Keeping up with coffee orders kept MadCap’s baristas hopping. Over 2000 coffees were made during the three day show.

Over three days in early June more than 30,000 people crowded into the Melbourne Convention Centre and MadCap Cafe was there to greet them. With a short 10 days to prepare for the show, Ermha and MadCap staff scrambled to pull it all together. Artwork, uniforms, water supplies, espresso machines, publicity materials and rosters were just some of the elements that kept our people on the go.

But when the doors opened to the public there was no evidence of the previous week’s mayhem. Our baristas made seemingly endless coffees as Ermha staff talked to all who cared to listen about social inclusion, the MadCap model and Ermha’s role in the mental health of the community.

Now with three cafes in bright, modern commercial centres, MadCap helps to bring mental illness out of the shadows and our exhibit at the Good Food and Wine Show shouted the message even louder – mental health is about all of us.

John Spencer, MadCap staff member (left) and MadCap Cafe chef-ambassador Matteo Pignatelli at the official of MadCap Cafe Fountain Gate

In October, 2010, Mark Butler, the federal Minister for Mental Health and aging joined MadCap staff and trainees for the official opening of MadCap Cafe fountain Gate.

The MadCap Cafe Venture represents a [...]]]>

John Spencer, MadCap staff member (left) and MadCap Cafe chef-ambassador Matteo Pignatelli at the official of MadCap Cafe Fountain Gate

In October, 2010, Mark Butler, the federal Minister for Mental Health and aging joined MadCap staff and trainees for the official opening of MadCap Cafe fountain Gate.

The MadCap Cafe Venture represents a sea change for people with a mental illness who want job training opportunities so they can find, and keep, the jobs they want.

Each traineeship begins at Ermha’s Aspirations program where trainees are paired with a mentor (an Ermha support worker). Each training package is tailored to the individual and trainees decide if and when to progress to the next stage of training.

Also on Ermha’s staff is a MadCap Employment Transition Support (METS) worker. The METS worker supports trainees as they prepare to join the job market following their training.

Victorian Mental Health minister Mary Wooldridge, Melissa Lowndes, Victorian state representative Inga Peulich, Southern Health CEO Shelly Parks and Ermha’s CEO Peter Waters plant a tree to commemorate the official opening of PARCS Clayton

After two years of planning and building, Ermha’s new PARC facility was opened by the Victorian Minister for Mental [...]]]>

Victorian Mental Health minister Mary Wooldridge, Melissa Lowndes, Victorian state representative Inga Peulich, Southern Health CEO Shelly Parks and Ermha’s CEO Peter Waters plant a tree to commemorate the official opening of PARCS Clayton

After two years of planning and building, Ermha’s new PARC facility was opened by the Victorian Minister for Mental Health in February, 2011. Ermha now partners with Southern Health to provide short stay support (up to 28 days) in two 10-bed facilities. Each PARC provides 24/7 support for up to 10 people.

State-wide the number of PARC facilities continues to grow. For people with a mental illness PARC services fill the huge gap between home and hospital.