About Our Programs
Program Introduction:
Mingaletta provides a place of belonging and sense of community for the Aboriginal community in the southern part of the Central Coast, including acting as a wider support for those who need it most.
Mingaletta celebrates its unique connection to both our Aboriginal and the wider community through the offering of diverse programs. Along with the sense community and belonging, the organisation also continues to build ongoing and new relationships with key stakeholders and leveraging partnerships with local businesses to increase awareness and support.
Our programs focus on:
• Emphasise the impacts of health and wellbeing.
• Offer personalised support.
• Provide education, and training and a sharing of culture.
• Foster a sense of community.
MONDAY PROGRAMS
Aunty Jeans Program
Every Monday from 10am to 2pm FREE
In partnership with Coast County Primary Care, Mingaletta hosts the free ‘Aunty Jeans Program’. This is a Chronic Illness Outreach program that is run weekly for Aboriginal people who want to improve their health and wellbeing, include health promotional practices, education, and exercise.
Who Can Join:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who have:
• Heart Problems
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Kidney Disease
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Other Chronic health conditions
Everyone is welcome to have a Personal Health Check & Plan Ever each week, this includes:
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Sugar
• Weight
• Exercise Plan update
• Support to access other services
• Education to chronic health problems
• Yarning connection – yarning with friends and making new friends.
Didge and Dance
Every Monday 4pm to 5.30pm FREE Weekly (School Terms Only)
In partnership with Interrelate, Mingaletta hosts a free weekly Didge and Dance program for the southern end of the coast young children and teens, teaching dance and didgeridoo.
• Facilitated by a traditional Aboriginal leader trained in Dance and Didgeridoo
• Boys and Girls learn traditional Aboriginal dance performances.
• Learn about Australian Aboriginal storytelling through dance that focuses on our land, animals, and dreamtime.
• Introduction to the didgeridoo music and training for young males in our culture
• Celebrate and share our cultural through the educational of traditional dance and music.
• Opportunities to dance and play what you have learnt at special local cultural events.
Chiro Hub
2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 1pm to 5pm FREE
Welcome to the free Chiro Hub @Mingaletta. At this chiropractic session you can access high quality evidence-based healthcare, and also be helping the final year Masters Students as they fulfil the requirements of their course. At the Mingaletta Chiro Hub, all students are fully supervised by accredited Macquarie University Clinicians and are able to provide care for all ages.
Drop in for a yarn with one of the registered Chiropractic students to see about:
• Joint pain in back, neck, shoulders, hips/knees/feet
• Restriction of mobility and tension
• Disc problems and sciatica
• Headaches, migraine
• Sporting injuries
Podiatry Hub
2nd Monday of the month from 1pm to 3pm FREE
Our professional podiatrist specialises in foot care, alleviating foot pain, and treating foot and ankle conditions so that you can live a pain free life and get back to doing the things that you love the most.
Our podiatrist can assist with all ages:
- performance injuriesÂ
- preventative treatmentsÂ
- experts in skin and nail problems of the feet
- from children to senior care foot checkupÂ
TUESDAY PROGRAMS
Wesley Mission Housing Help
Tuesdays Fortnightly 9am to 11am
FREE All Welcome
Wesley Mission can help families access practical support and services to avoid rent arrears, eviction and potential homelessness, including:
• crisis payments to pay outstanding rent
• financial counselling
• family support services
• mental health services
• referrals to other relevant services.
Playgroup
Every Tuesday (during school terms only) 9.30am to 11.30am FREE All Welcome
In partnership with Coastwide Child and Family Services, Mingaletta hosts a weekly facilitated early childhood playgroup for children aged 0-6 years.
• Supported Playgroups
• Provides a welcoming, friendly and relaxed environment for families, parents and children to meet and share ideas and experiences.
• Playgroups are facilitated by Early Childhood professionals
• Coordinated to provide appropriate activities for families, whilst providing support and resources to families. Families can gain access to specialist support services.
• Parents remain during the entire playgroup session.
Baby Massage
Every Tuesday 1.30pm to 2.45pm FREE (Bookings Essential All welcome)
• Learn different types of nurturing touch.
• Gain confidence in using voice and movement when communicating with your baby
• Learn ways to soothe, settle and comfort your baby
• Bookings Essential through https://coreoflife.org.au/pages/infant-massage-and-parenting
Creative Art
Every Tuesday 2pm to 3pm FREE All Welcome
Join our group to express yourself through the creative process of art and craft. All Welcome.
• No experience needed
• Express yourself through traditional and non-traditional art and craft
• All material supplied
Tutor Mob
Every Tuesday 3.30pm to 5.30pm FREE All Welcome
(During school terms only)
Is your primary school or high school student in need of an extra helping hand with a certain school subject? Join the Mingaletta Tutor Mob for one-to-one assistance to help close the gap on that tricky subject.
Email: admin@mingaletta.org.au
for your 30-minute session with our wonderful Tutor Mob educational professionals.Â
WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS
Referral and Drop In
Wednesdays 9am to 5pm FREE All Welcome
Free to the community to access Mingaletta and other services information.
Garden Day & NEW Market Day
Plants Every Wednesday & Market Day is last Wednesday of Month
Free to the community – walk amongst the plants, admire the garden art and check out some traditionally used plants. In addition join us also each last Wednesday of the month for Market Day. Drop in for a yarn and have a browse through the many beautiful handed Mingaletta Aboriginal designed crafted bags, jewellery or art crafts on offer. Pick through some quality preloved & new clothing at our ethical recycle rack.  Â
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Ngiyang Clinic - Aboriginal Pregnancy, Child and Family Health Service
Every Wednesday 9am to 2pm - FREE
Ngiyang Aboriginal Pregnancy, Child and Family Health Service sits within the Central Coast Local Health District. Ngiyang’s aim is to provide cultural support to Aboriginal families from pregnancy through to school age. An Aboriginal Health Worker will support women and their family on the journey through pregnancy, birth, postnatal period and early childhood years until the child reaches school age (0-6 years).
This free service is available for all Aboriginal families living on the Central Coast with a clinic now servicing the southern end of the Central Coat through Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation every Wednesday from 9am to 2pm each week.Â
✓ Aboriginal Health Worker
✓ Registered Midwife
✓ Child and Family Health Nurse
✓ Social worker
• Cultural support and advocacy
• Pregnancy and postnatal care and support
• Developmental Child Health Check 0-5 years (Blue Book checks)
• Parenting education and information
• Belly casting (late in pregnancy)
• Breastfeeding support
• Child immunisations (as per Blue Book)
• Post natal checks and contraception advice
• Referrals, advocacy and links to other services
Get in touch with an Aboriginal Health Worker for more information or to make an appointment to see a midwife or child and family health nurse at Mingaletta.
Phone: 4394 9148
Mingaletta Men’s Group
Fortnightly 6.30pm to 8pm FREE
Mingaletta provides a dedicated space each week where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys can meet to talk about issues impacting them. Called the ‘Mingaletta Mens Group’, we hold this yarning group each Thursday at 6.30pm to 8pm. The space gives people an opportunity to meet, share and exchange knowledge and experience, tell stories, provide access to inspiring speakers and updates about what is happening in our community.
We tackle some of the big issues through Indigenous eyes that deal with the economy, housing and employment, community affairs and social development. We also gather to celebrate or share opportunities as well as chat about personal challenges big or small: relationships; home life; kids; jobs and mental health. Yarning is non-judgemental, sharing conversations about things that might be impacting us, while at the same time working to support each other and identify solutions for moving forward.
Mums & Bubs Supported Group
Last Wednesday of the Month 9.30am to 11am FREE (ATSI Only)
Share a cuppa & some morning tea whilst connecting in with your special social peer supported Group. Supported by our Aboriginal Health workers from the Ngiyang Aboriginal Pregnancy, Child and Family Health Service. Morning tea supplied.Â
- Develop confidence in parenting while sharing the journey with others
- Meet other Mums with bubs & build your community
- Share experiences
- Enjoy this Safe space to ask questions
THURSDAY PROGRAMS
Sisters Together
Every Thursday 10am to 2.30pm FREE
A safe and culturally respectful yarning circle facilitated by the Mingaletta Aunties
- Facilitated by Mingaletta Elder, Aunty Elaine Chapman
- Traditional cultural yarning for women
- Cultural weaving
- Connection to community and sharing of culture.
NDIS Connection Desk
Last Thursday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm FREE
• For more than 46 years Social Futures have been creating positive social change.
• As a regionally based community services provider we are experts in tailoring programs to fit our diverse local communities.
Last Thursday of the Month 11am to 12.30pm FREE All Welcome
OMNIA Support Desk
Last Thursday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm FREE
Whatever your abilities. OMNIA believes every person is valuable and deserves the rich opportunities life has to offer. For more than 30 years, OMNIA have supported individuals and businesses across every stage of their employment journeys, to create workplaces where inclusivity is the norm, not the exception.
Service NSW & Services Australia
Last Thursday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm FREE
Facilitated by the local Aboriginal Service Officer from Services Australia and our local Services NSW officer, this outreach program better helps our community to understand Services Australia payments and services available to them.
- Births, relationships and deaths
- Boating, fishing and outdoors
- Business, industries and employment
- Concessions, rebates and assistance
- Driving and transport
- Education
- Health and care
- Housing and property
- Legal and Police services
- Centrelink
- Access and eligibility
- Confirmation of what can be provided
- Help navigating the system
- Help with current issues or challenges with Services Australia
Tutor Mob
Every Thursday 3.30pm to 5.30pm FREE All Welcome
(During school terms only)
Is your primary school or high school student in need of an extra helping hand with a certain school subject? Join the Mingaletta Tutor Mob for one-to-one assistance to help close the gap on that tricky subject.
Email: admin@mingaletta.org.au
for your 30-minute session with our wonderful Tutor Mob educational professionals.Â
FRIDAY PROGRAMS
Mental Health Yarning Circle
Friday 1pm to 3pm FREE All Welcome
Yarning Circle Mental Health Therapy is a type of talking therapy involving skills training, that is provided in a group setting by a trained counsellor and Aboriginal Health Worker. This inclusive program has been adapted for and used to effectively treat several psychological problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety. The goal of this Mental Health Yarning Circle is to help people create “a life worth living”.
This program involves being able to drop into a weekly group where you will be assisted with specific skills designed to help improve your life in four major areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Legal Support
2nd & 4th Friday of the month 9am to 12.30pm FREE All Welcome
Central Coast Community Legal Centre conducts safe, non-judgemental, free legal help, which is given in a strictly confidential manner. They aim to help people navigate the complexities of the legal system, giving a feeling of control back to lessen the trauma.Â
Financial Counselling
2nd & 4th Friday of the month 9am to 12.30pm FREE All Welcome
Facilitated by Wesley Mission this program hosted by Mingaletta provides free, independent and confidential counselling to assist people experiencing financial difficulty. The Wesley Mission counsellor works with clients to help them manage and break the cycle of debt and take control of their finances.
- help you put together a budget to assist you in getting a clear understanding of your financial situation.
- provide you with information about the options you have available to address your financial challenges.
- advocate or negotiate on your behalf with creditors, government agencies and others.
Elders Together
Bi monthly 12pm to 2.00pm FREE
A safe and culturally respectful yarning circle facilitated by Mingaletta Elder, Aunty Di O’Brien for the Elder Aboriginal women on the Central Coast
- Cultural yarning
- Updates on greater Aboriginal services and partners
Ironbark Program
Every Friday from 12pm to 2pm FREE
Are you a 45 years plus Aboriginal person who has experienced a fall or have balance issues? You are invited to the first fall prevention community designed program co-designed with and for Aboriginal people. It includes free weekly class incorporating strength and balance exercises, and a yarning circle on fall prevention and chronic disease topics. This program also includes lunch. Ironbark commences every Friday from September 20th 2024. Â
Women's Health Clinic
Last Friday of the Month 9am to 3pm - FREE
Nunyara Aboriginal Pregnancy and Child & Family Health Service, in collaboration with the CCLHD Women’s Health team, facilitate a Women’s Health Clinic at Mingaletta on the last Friday of the month from 9am to 3pm. This service is welcome to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the south part of the coast.Â
• Women’s Health Check Includes:
• Cervical Screening Test
• Contraceptive Advice
• Postnatal Checks
• Continence Advice
• Menopause and Menstruation Information
• Healthy Lifestyle Counselling
For a 1 hour booking with our Women’s Health Nurse please email: admin@mingaletta.org.au:
Remaining 2024 Dates:
• Friday, 27th September
• Friday, 25th October
• Friday, 29th November
