Have you ever wondered what a community legal and social justice centre does and how they help the communities they work in?
TASC’s 2021-22 Annual Report has just been released and provides a more in depth look at what we do and how we have helped the communities we live and work in by standing up for everyone’s human rights both for individuals and at the wider level with our systemic advocacy and law reform submissions.
If you would like to find out more about TASC and our achievements and challenges from last year, the report is available here.
TASC’s Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) were excited to participate once again at the Ipswich and Toowoomba Senior’s Expo this year.
Our team were able to speak to many seniors and retirees on the days, to spread the word that our Seniors Legal and Support Service provides information, advice and free legal and social worker support to people in Toowoomba and Ipswich Hinterland.
Elder abuse can manifest in many different ways – financial, emotional and neglect. If you’re worried about a family member or if you feel you may need some support, call our friendly team on (07) 4616 9700.
TASC can assist in many ways – especially if someone they trust is hurting them or taking advantage of them financially. Go here to find out more https://www.tascnational.org.au/services/seniors-advocacy/. This service is available to anyone aged over 60 years and First Nation’s people aged 50 years and over – however please call us on 07 4616 9700 to check your eligibility.
Grandparents are a treasure in the family. Grandparents can play many important roles in the lives of their beloved young children. They are trusted advisors for their adult children who are now parents themselves. For many families, grandparents provide regular child care. In some cases, they are primary caregivers to their grandkids. And whether they live nearby or stay in touch from afar, the love and emotional closeness that grandparents provide makes a big, positive impact on their grandchild’s healthy development.
This Grandparents Day is an opportunity to connect with older loved ones and share a meal, read a book, play a game, have a yarn or simply take the time to learn more about our shared history.
It’s a day to say ‘thank you’ to all grandparents for their care and support and for sharing their knowledge, experience and traditions with younger generations.
Here at TASK we care for our seniors. If you live in Toowoomba, Ipswich or immediate surrounds, or know a grandparent who is experiencing any form of abuse you can contact our TASC Seniors Advocacy team on 07 4616 9700. Our solicitors and social workers will help you with free legal advice and information, short-term counselling, or referrals to other services near you. Go here to find out more https://www.tascnational.org.au/services/seniors-advocacy/.
Self-advocacy can be an intimidating prospect for many people, particularly those living with disability or from non-English speaking backgrounds.
To take some of the mystery out of the advocacy process, TASC designed and built an online resource for self-advocacy – My Life, My Voice.
Accessibility was a core goal of the project, with the tool being translated into seven languages and presented in dyslexic friendly text and Auslan.
Knowing your rights and how to advocate for them can be an intimidating process for people and one which many of us have little experience of doing formally.
It takes confidence and knowledge to effectively advocate for yourself and we hope the tool can help people taking these steps.
Through our legal and social justice advocacy activities at TASC we know there can be many barriers to both accessing advocacy services and self advocacy.
My Life, My Voice aims to help take some of these away by giving people some self-help tools in the advocacy process and provide an insight into what advocacy involves.
My Life, My Voice is now available to everybody online at
And if you have any concerns about how you, your family or an individual is being treated, and live in Toowoomba, Ipswich and rural and regional areas in South West Queensland, our Disability Advocate team can help you with problems or issues with the services you currently use, with the aim of making sure these meet your needs.
TASC’s Mental Health Week activities kicked off on Tuesday with our Toowoomba event near the Art Gallery in Little St. With one in six Australians currently experiencing depression or anxiety or both according to Beyond Blue, it was a reminding for us to check in on and be kind to ourselves and those around us.
People visiting us there had the opportunity to hear about and experience well-being activities and ideas with mindfulness and yoga sessions. Thank you to Alan Martin for the wonderful meditation session.
Did you know TASC offers a Mental Health Advocacy Service? If you or someone you know experiences mental health challenges and needs advocacy assistance please contact TASC on (07) 4616 9700 or visit tascnational.org.au for more information.
This month is Seniors Month. TASC helps seniors with legal and advocacy services and will be attending both the Ipswich and Toowoomba Senior’s Expos again this year. We’d love it if you stop by for a chat!
Sexual Violence Awareness Month (SVA Month) is held during October each year to raise community awareness about sexual violence, promote the support options available to people affected by sexual assault and sexual abuse, and uphold a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated in our communities.
Sexual violence can happen to anybody, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, socioeconomic status, ability, sexual orientation or location. First Nations women and girls, and women and girls with disability, are especially vulnerable.
Sexual violence is a violation of human rights and is unacceptable. All of us have the ability to look out for each other’s safety and play a role in preventing this form of abuse in our communities.
If you have been impacted, or know someone who has been, our Legal Service provides legal advice for matters relating to domestic violence which can often involve sexual violence.
Catch up with the team at TASC on Tuesday 11 Oct for cuppa, a chat and the chance to do some wellbeing activities. Did you know TASC offers a Mental Health Advocacy Service? If you or someone you know experiences mental health challenges and needs advocacy assistance please contact TASC on (07) 4616 9700 or visit tascnational.org.au for more information.
This Sunday, many Australian men will wake up to handmade cards, craft and, maybe, a new electronic gadget. But beyond the traditional BBQ celebration, it’s a time to acknowledge the role of fathers in our society.
Fatherly love helps us develop a sense of our place in the world, which helps our social, emotional and cognitive development and functioning. In fact, children who receive more love from their fathers are less likely to struggle with behavioral or substance abuse problems. Research has shown that children who spend quality time with their fathers are 80% less likely to be incarcerated or engage in criminal activities.
Our team at TASC help men with family law issues, such as parenting, property settlements and divorce. Our goal is to help them maintain happy, healthy and meaningful involvement in their children’s lives. If you live in Toowoomba, Ipswich or South West Queensland or know men in those areas who are experiencing family law issues, contact TASC Legal and Social Justice Services on 07 4616 9700.
