Grants funding to revitalise seriously injured Victorians’ lives

10 May 2016

A Transport Accident Commission program is helping Victorians recovering from major injuries get their lives back on track faster.

The Small Grants program aims to improve the lives of people with an acquired brain injury or a spinal cord injury, through projects that increase opportunities for people to participate in their local community.

TAC chief executive officer Joe Calafiore said more than 1,000 people received spinal or acquired brain injuries each year from transport accidents.

“Many people are aware of the TAC’s road safety work, but the TAC’s other major role can get overlooked - helping people who are injured in transport accidents,” Mr Calafiore said.

“By supporting these programs, the TAC gives Victorians a better chance of leading happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”

Headlining the latest grants round is an app that not-for-profit company arbias has developed to help people with acquired brain injuries gain greater independence.

The app, which received $25,000 of funding, will be available on smartphones and tablets, catering for individual differences, planning requirements and goals.

Jimmy Baker, a 33-year-old who lives in TAC-supported accommodation in Glenroy, said the app has been pivotal in planning his week, following crash in 2002 that almost took his life.

“The arbias app helps me to be organised, but in particular, more mindful of my weekly spend,” Mr Baker said.

“It’s really useful for setting goals, like buying a TV. If I do this, an arbias facilitator can see I’m saving for one and upon request, join me at the store in making the purchase.

“This is really helpful for someone who’s suffered a traumatic head injury and has real trouble organising their life,” Mr Baker said.

More than $100,000 will be shared between an additional six organisations to set up programs and workshops. These are:

• ABI Leadership Team (Heads Together for ABI): A new team will be set up to mentor and develop meaningful life goals for people with an acquired brain injury. ($18,361)
• Spinal Cord Injury peer support networks (AQA Spire): New networks to be set up in Shepparton and Bendigo, where people who’ve suffered spinal cord injuries are brought together to reduce isolation. ($26,844)
• Visiting volunteer support peer support program (Austin Health): A support service designed to reduce loneliness and isolation for inpatients with a new acquired brain injury by receiving visits from those in the community who’ve recovered from similar setbacks. ($9,800)
• Speaking your mind program evaluation (Deakin University and VALID): Evaluation of a self-advocacy training program for people with an ABI to address the issues they face in knowing, understanding and exercising their rights. ($24,992)
• Service providers workshop (Barwon Health): This workshop brings together service providers to explore and improve health care services for people affected by acquired and traumatic brain injuries and their families. ($6,450)
• Exploring a new return–to-work model of care (Alfred Health): This program explores how to integrate a new model where patients undergo return-to-work rehabilitation before they leave hospital. Based on recent research from the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research: More here. ($24,013)

Not-for-profit community groups, local government authorities and state government departments are eligible to apply for grants of up to $25,000 under the TAC small grants program. Applications for the next round are scheduled to open late in 2016. To find out more, visit the TAC small grants website page.

Jimmy Baker is finding it easier to organise his life thanks to an innovative new app funded by the TAC small grants program.

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