The Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, today officially opened “The Rotary Room” at a group home support centre at North Rocks, a multi-purpose facility to be used for training and social events by residents and staff of The Forsight Foundation.
Ms Keneally said that the facility is a valuable asset which will further expand the services provided by Forsight.
“The Rotary Room will provide Forsight’s residents with a venue to undertake training in independent living skills, literacy and money management as well as general training sessions and recreational activities,” Ms Keneally said.
“It comes equipped with facilities including a wheelchair accessible bathroom and white goods for use in independent living skills training, and will provide a forum for on-site dental and medical assessments for residents.”
“I understand that it will also provide a venue for local community meetings and forums, and has been welcomed by organisations including the local Probus club.”
Ms Keneally said that The Forsight Foundation provides specialised long-term accommodation for adults with sensory and other disabilities.
“Forsight does a great job caring for 31 adults aged between 28 and 58, many of whom have multiple disabilities,” Ms Keneally said.
“The Iemma Government has provided $2.6 million in recurrent funding to Forsight this financial year to operate its group home accommodation and the program support service, and an extra $18,500 in capital funding to modify a bathroom for wheelchair access.
“The Foundation also forms partnerships with organisations outside of government in order to further expand its facilities and deliver services to the people in its care.
“The new multi-purpose Rotary Room was founded with the strong financial support of the Rotary Club of Carlingford, which donated $80,000 to the project, as well as other organisations including the John T Reid Charitable Trusts, MasoniCare, the Masonic Association and the Rotoract Club of Holroyd.
“I pay tribute to all of the organisations who have made the new facility possible.”
Ms Keneally said that Forsight was established 29 years ago, and operates seven group homes in Sydney’s northern and southern metropolitan areas and a program support service in the northern metropolitan area.