Newcastle centre is a one stop shop for community and aged care services

A new centre bringing together the multiple services of Wesley Mission under one roof was officially opened in Newcastle on June 28.

Wesley Mission CEO, the Rev. Dr Keith Garner, and State Member for Hunter, Tim Owen, opened the new Wesley Mission Centre Newcastle. The centre covers a precinct from Denison Street to Wood Street, West Newcastle.

Dr Garner was also joined at the event by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Councillor John Tate and Minister at Hamilton-Broadmeadow Uniting Church, the Rev. Amelia Koh-Butler as well as Wesley Mission managers and staff.

The service hub will provide the people of the Hunter with a one stop-shop in the heart of the city.

“The centre will deliver a wide range of community services that address the changing needs of people in the city and the region,” Dr Garner said.

“When a person comes to Wesley Mission with an issue we often find that they or their family require other forms of counsel and support. This new centre will make it easier for people to access multiple services under one roof. It is an integrated approach which will achieve better outcomes for those we serve.”

For example when a homeless person comes to the centre looking for accommodation they may also need general or financial counselling support, emergency relief and vocational training, Dr Garner said.

The premises on the site have undergone a restructure and refurbishment at a cost of $358,000.

The centre will provide:

• youth services and counselling
• financial and gambling counselling
• general counselling
• carer support services
• aged care services
• Home and Community Care
• vocational training
• family services
• emergency support – emergency food and cash relief
• homeless services
• chaplaincy.

“The centre creates the opportunity to link up services and work on creative new ways of servicing disadvantaged people,” Dr Garner said. “It is a common sense approach for both clients and Wesley Mission.

“Clients will no longer have to travel between our services. This is especially important for people travelling from regional communities in the Hunter. It will cut down on time and cost and provide better outcomes.

“Wesley Mission seeks to develop new models of caring and to work at enduring, long-term solutions, so that wellbeing is translated to independent living and to fulfilling and sustainable relationships which make for healthy communities.”

State Member for Newcastle, Tim Owen, said Wesley Mission played a significant role in the Newcastle community and that the new centre was a superb initiative.

During the past year Wesley Mission has provided direct support, care and counsel to more than 8,000 people in the Hunter through its various services. A further 31,862 people either made purchases or were provided with clothing, accessories or furniture from Wesley Mission’s Newcastle retail store or from its adjacent warehouse.