ECCLI offers four models of social support namely: One on one, small group approach, large group approach and community access.

To respond to the need to prevent social isolation of people from CALD background, ECCLI created a "Seniors Social Club" to allow interested persons over 55 and who are non ECCLI clients to attend these social activities which have proven very successful and popular.

In 2006, activities organised under these models are:

• Arts and Crafts:
  A popular activity which has sparked considerable interest amongst clients in the three centres as it provides an opportunity for them to show case their craft skills. Crochet edged tea towels and washers, coat hangers, cushions, pot holders, shawls, rugs and decorated greeting cards, to name a few, are being made and raffled at Christmas with proceeds offsetting the costs of the craft materials. Craft group sessions are held monthly in Ingham and Ayr.
• Gardening:
  A gardening and an orchid re-potting display at a local nursery in Ingham was a popular outing for the green thumbs and more garden activities are being planned in the future.
• Education Programs:
  Clients from Ayr visited the Australian Institute of Marine Science and had a wonderful day out.
• Social Functions:
  Clients from Townsville, Ingham and Ayr welcome in the Chinese New Year of the Dog with lunch and celebrations and later in the year, attended the 11th annual general meeting. Other outings in Townsville included a visit to the Civic Theatre for a tribute to Fred & Ginger and a morning tea at the new Thuringowa Riverway. Ayr clients enjoyed an Easter lunch, celebrated Mother's and Father's Day, participated in the Biggest Morning Tea and dressed up for Melbourne Cup. Christmas functions held in the respective regions signalled an end to a successful and enjoyable social program for 2006.

Ethnic Community Care Links Inc. received funding in June 2006 from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to upgrade staff training facilities in Townsville and kitchen facilities for the social support program in the rural office in Ingham.

In Townsville, conference room chairs were upgraded and a 51 cm TV complete with mobile trolley and a DVD/VCR unit were added to provide staff, volunteers and clients with resources to readily provide in house training facilities, cutting down on the costs of equipment and room hire.ECCLI visitors seating were purchased which has provided a professional image for ECCLI clients and members of the community who visit the office.

In Ingham, monthly art and craft sessions which attract a large number of old clients and their carers were rewarded with the purchase of a hot water urn and kettle which complimented other foods and refreshments provided at these sessions.In 2005, Ethnic Community Care Links Inc received a grant to purchase furniture and equipment for our offices in Townsville, Ingham and Ayr.

In Ingham, new tables, chairs and bookcases were purchased to equip the new meeting and training room. In Townsville, new office space was created to accommodate for a newly recruited case manager. A new phone system was installed in Ayr which allowed personnel to communicate more efficiently with clients. Computers, software and kitchen appliances purchased from these funds filled a gap by improving access to technology to workers in rural Queensland.

ECCLI and the communities serviced by our organisation thank the support of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

This project was designed to develop leadership and management skills of older persons and people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their carers to enhance their ability to participate in planning and consultation with government, to promote access and participation of groups they represent and to build or enhance existing community networks.

In March 2005, the project lifted off with the appointment of Dr Betty McLellan as workshop facilitator and in April and May, a series of sessions designed to enhance or develop the leadership and management expertise of the target group took place in Ayr, Ingham and Townsville.

A compilation of the participants stories are a testimony of the results of this development initiative. For final report and stories of this project click on this link: Giving Voice to Older Persons.

In 2004, clients from ECCLI participated in 2 special projects, thanks to grants from the Thuringowa City Council.

The project, Access and Participation through Gardening, aimed to revive existing gardening skills, learn new gardening techniques and create opportunities for social events and activities. Thuringowa Council's Park staff provided soil, plants, technical advice and a special area in the nursery for clients to interact and work. The monetary assistance given was used to purchase four raised garden beds which were assigned to individuals and/or groups to work around a theme.

This project has continued as part of the social support program of ECCLI with gardening activities and cooking demonstrations.

It is a practice model designed to build capacity and sustainability within ethnic and indigenous communities and organisations to take key messages associated with best practice an asthma management into the community and increasing knowledge and active participation in the appropriate management of asthma.

This project will also promote a team approach to asthma management by increasing the awareness of families, health workers and health professionals of their role in supporting those with asthma from the target groups.

The project will reach four hundred (400) individuals from thirty (30) different backgrounds in the Hinchinbrook, Burdekin and Townsville/Thuringowa. The target groups are newly arrived immigrants and refugees, indigenous groups, isolated women of child bearing age and their families, the aged and younger people with disabilities and their carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Experienced and qualified asthma nurse educators will provide community education sessions using information on asthma from the Asthma Foundation or National Asthma Council to bilingual bicultural facilitators who deliver this information back to the target group having full consideration of the culture and linguistic needs of these groups.

Experienced and qualified asthma nurse educators will provide community education sessions using information on asthma from the Asthma Foundation or National Asthma Council to bilingual bicultural facilitators who deliver this information back to the target group having full consideration of the culture and linguistic needs of these groups.