Social Enterprises

Since late 2020 MiLife-Victoria has owned, and/or managed two social enterprises. The intent of these business was to provide greater opportunities for individuals to engage in work-based programs in a real work environment.

Designs For Hair Salon

Purchased by MiLife-Victoria in November 2020, Designs for Hair is a local hairdressing salon in Seaford.

In December 2021 a website for Designs for Hair was launched providing an online space for customers to find out about services, prices and to book an appointment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the salon, and has created challenges finding qualified and experienced hair dressers to work in the business. The hairdressing industry, along with many other industries, has experienced a staff shortage. This has impacted on the salon’s ability to attract new staff.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, salon staff were also operating within the Langwarrin Community Aged Care facility in Potts Road one day a week. The Aged Care facility wished to open the salon more than one day a week, however, due to the unavailability of hairdressing staff, MiLife-Victoria was unable to cater to the request.

Salon manager, Molly, went on maternity leave in early 2022, and finding a replacement for Molly to manage the salon was unfortunately unsuccessful. This led to reduced opening hours with the availability of one staff member for a total of 15 hours per week to manage bookings.

The courses that were previously running within the salon have had to be placed on hold due to lack of staffing availability to run these programs. The salon currently operates 15 hours a week providing clients with a range of hairdressing services including men’s cuts, children’s cuts, women’s cuts, colours, and styling.

Due to the challenges associated with continuing to operate the salon, and the inability to facilitate valuable experiences for MiLife-Victoria clients, the board and management have decided that, in line with it’s client centric approach, continuing to run the salon is not viable in the near-term. As such, the business is taking steps to exit this business, and ensure focus on the delivery of core services for clients.

Coffee Potts Caf

Coffee Potts Café is located within Langwarrin Community Aged Care facility and has been managed by MiLife-Victoria since November 2020.

The café is located at the entrance to the facility as you walk through into the main foyer. Seating approximately 20 people, it is a wonderful place for residents, visitors and staff to enjoy their lunch or a cuppa and a bite to eat.

Being located within an Aged Care facility has certainly led to some challenges for the café, particularly during lockdown periods in 2021 when the facility was not able to welcome guests, and the only patronage was that of residents and staff. Restrictions in the aged care sector have been extremely tough throughout the pandemic, however, it is paramount for the health and safety of the vulnerable residents. There still continues to be lockdowns within certain wings of the facility if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs. At one point in time, if a café staff member contracted COVID-19 the entire team was forced to isolate, and the café was closed for deep cleaning. Once lockdown lifted and visitors were welcomed into the facility the café opened on weekends enabling residents to bring their visitors downstairs for a cuppa and a chat seven days a week.

The café celebrated its first birthday in November 2021 and hosted a small celebration with birthday cake for its customers. Other smaller celebrations have been held throughout the year such as Halloween and Melbourne Cup Day with more planned in an attempt to attract more people and bring excitement and buzz to the space.

Lisa Hazelman has continued to manage the café throughout the year and her homemade scones remain the most popular menu item. The café team consists of Lisa, two part-time staff, Kristy and Akiko, and Jason who volunteers two days a week.

Jason has Down Syndrome and really enjoys being part of the team. On Tuesdays you will often find him in the kitchen baking with Lisa. He also loves to stamp the disposable coffee cups with the café’s logo. Working in the café has been a great opportunity for Jason to learn work and social skills. Residents and staff love to see him around and ask where he is if he’s not there.

Visitors to the café are welcome, however, at the time of writing this all people entering Aged Care facilities must undertake a negative RAT test prior to entry and masks must be worn. Whilst restrictions are still in place for the safety of residents, it is definitely worth the visit, even if it’s just for the delicious scones.