Today will mark the official opening of the newly refurbished Stuart Centre in Croudace Bay, the Spastic Centre’s Hunter regional office.
NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, and Member for Charlestown, Matthew Morris, will also visit the Men’s Sheds at Windale to launch the Hunter Valley Shed Cluster Group Inc and donate $5000 to help them expand their Hunter services.
"In the Hunter Region, the Spastic Centre receives over $3 million in Iemma Government funding to provide a number of much-needed local services," Ms Keneally said.
"These include therapy for children and adults, the Intensive Family Support Options program, administration of the Family Assistance Fund, a Community Access service and supported accommodation.
"Approximately 355 families per year directly use the Stuart Centre’s therapy services and I am pleased that in partnership with the Iemma Government and through Stronger Together, our $1.3 billion plan for disability services, these services can be enhanced.
"The Spastic Centre has operated from the Stuart Centre for 25 years and provides invaluable services to people throughout the Hunter Region. The refurbishment of the Stuart Centre will enable the Spastic Centre to provide even higher quality services.
"Work completed at the centre includes the extension of therapy offices, a treatment room, more rooms for therapy, areas for families to receive support, a technology room, and a training facility for staff which doubles up as a conference facility."
While in the Hunter, Minister Keneally will also join Local MP Matthew Morris, Member for Charlestown, to launch The Hunter Valley Shed Cluster Group Inc.
"The aim of Men’s Sheds is to engage the elderly and other groups of men in local communities, to specifically support men facing isolation, loneliness and depression, and to encourage their social interaction," Mr Morris said.
"The Shed at Windale broke new ground in developing a true community space and has set the benchmark for other similar projects – the positive effect of Men’s Sheds on the local community is enormous.
"Men’s Sheds provides a community focus on social inclusion and learning - encouraging intergenerational activities and support between older people and young people.
"The $5000 grant to the Hunter Valley Shed Cluster Group will go a long way in ensuring that the disadvantaged, in particular older men, develop skills and are provided with an avenue for meaningful community activity."