New social contract delivering mutual benefit in Bass Coast

Bass Coast Health has demonstrated its commitment to building an inclusive community by engaging Connecting 2 Australia (C2A) – Work Connections to detail Bass Coast Health’s vehicle fleet to ensure safer transportation of their employees and customers in the Bass Coast community.

The C2A Work Connections crew is made up of 12 workers who have continued to provide essential services across the broader Bass Coast region throughout the pandemic, in line with Victorian Government Guidelines. In fact, the crew has been busy mowing lawns (including at Bass Coast Health sites), planting trees and other maintenance roles for partner organisations.

“We value this new contract as it provides opportunities for our employees to work in new environments and demonstrate their skills and ability in the local community. We have already received positive feedback from Bass Coast Health, this provides terrific motivation for our employees. I can see our services and partnerships with local providers continuing to grow”, said Michele Baigent Business Manager, Wonthaggi Hub at C2A.

The banter between the crew as they clean the Bass Coast Health fleet, reflects one of the most important aspects of work: social connection. Simon Lloyd has been with the work crew for almost 20 years and enjoys the outdoor work. “Coming to work gets me out of the house and contact with other people has been helpful during the lockdown periods, “says Simon.

Richard Walker, much newer to the crew at three years reflects “I enjoy the exercise… and of course the money”. For Scott Earley, now in his mid-twenties, paid employment through C2A gave him an opportunity for independence from a young age.

Phil Rennie has recently stepped into the role to oversee the work of the crew, and their wellbeing on the job. “I’m enjoying the interaction with the team; to chat and laugh while we work. In this role I can make a difference in a very practical way”.

The Work Connections team provide the fleet cleaning service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at the C2A site in Wonthaggi, and at Bass Coast Health sites in San Remo and Cowes.

C2A Work Connections offer tailored supports in employment for people with living with disabilities that enable them to discover their own unique skills, talents and passions

.“I’m delighted that we have strengthened our partnership with C2A. The C2A Work Connections team has maintained Bass Coast Health’s gardens and lawns at the Wonthaggi campus for many years and given their reliability and quality for providing this service, we decided to engage them to take on our fleet cleaning. The team does a fantastic job and our staff have provided really positive feedback since the fleet cleaning commenced. We see this as a mutually beneficial partnership” said Jan Child, CEO Bass Coast Health.

“I would encourage other local businesses to consider engaging C2A Work Connections to assist with any garden maintenance, vehicle cleaning or any one of a number of other services they provide,” added Jan.

Bass Coast Health’s social procurement strategy creates an opportunity for Bass Coast Health to use our buying power to deliver positive social impacts that help to build a fair, inclusive and sustainable Victoria.

Bass Coast Health’s Social Procurement Strategy has been developed in response to the Victorian Government’s Social Procurement Framework (SPF) released in April 2018. The SPF demonstrates an increased priority for delivering benefits to Victorian communities through Bass Coast Health’s procurement processes.

For organisations interested in engaging the C2A Work Connections team please call 1300 111 212