Two new respite centres for children and adults with a disability have been opened in Orange by CareWest.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Located across two buildings on part of the original hospital precinct, the centres were officially opened by the Hon John Ajaka MLC, NSW Minister for Disability Services.
The State Member for Orange, Andrew Gee MP, and Mayor of Orange John Davis OAM, were also in attendance.
The two respite centres will provide programs such as After School Care and Vacation Care as well as a home away from home in the form of short-term and overnight accommodation for children and adults with a disability.
Services will be run by a respite manager, specialist disability support workers and support staff.
“We are extremely proud of the recent refurbishment of our two disability respite centres, which we know will make a difference to the lives of children and adults with a disability,” CareWest CEO Tim Curran said.
“Having separate homes to cater for adults and children means we can provide more nights of accommodation to suit families, particularly during peak times where before we could only provide for either adults or children at any given time.
“Our vision for these centres is that we can provide a range of activities according to families’ requests.”
Activities could include swimming, bowling, movies, outdoor activities such as tennis and basketball, dining out, shopping, visiting other towns, or indoor games.
In attendance at the opening was David Sanderman, father of 26-year-old Bonnie.
“We could not do without respite, and don’t know where we would be without it – it’s our lifeline. Caring for someone with a disability is a really tough road and the strain can be unbearable,” Mr Sanderman said.
“If it wasn’t for respite, we wouldn’t be able to maintain a family and relationships, or look after our other children.
“On the other side, as my daughter gets older she enjoys being more independent and in an environment with her peers.
“It’s a lifeline for us all.”
CareWest is one of the largest regionally-based providers of community services, with 30 years of community service, over 500 staff, and 24 office locations across regional NSW.
