Director of Locals Caring About Locals, Jessica Ray, opened the doors to a unique new recreational centre in the south for National Disability Insurance Scheme recipients this week saying it was a dream come true and ensures her team have the perfect space to support locals living with a disability.
The new support centre is being run from the former Union Club Hotel on the corner of Patton and Bonanza Streets.
Having started work on the business back in 2021, Ms Ray says the idea to open a fun-filled communal support centre came to her during Covid lockdowns but finding the right location was key.
“The idea to open a support centre for people with disabilities to come along with their families and/or carers came to me during Covid lockdowns, so opening the doors to the Locals Union Recreational Centre today is a dream come true,” Ms Ray told the Truth this week when we went along to the opening on Monday.
“The recreational centre offers respite care and various programs for the NDIS community around Broken Hill. I’ve worked in the disability sector for a long time and when it became clear to me that the majority of support services were provided by solo operators, I thought it would be fun to bring everyone together under one roof,” said Ms Ray.
“My wonderful team of eight dedicated people have helped to refurnish the old Union Hotel so this great space is now open for all NDIS participants to come along with their carers so the community has a space to meet while engaging in fun games, educational activities, or just relaxing in our specially designed Calming Room.
“We’re trying to unite the community by offering a large space that caters to the diverse needs of people living with disabilities and their carers and families,” she said.
“For people who aren’t on a NDIS plan, there’s a facility fee that is determined according to their unique situation and needs, so we encourage all carers and families who are supporting someone to come along to find out how the centre can best support their unique needs,” says Ms Ray.
“We’ll be hosting birthday parties, family nights and other events where NDIS participants can come along with their loved ones to play games, watch movies, get creative in the kitchen, on the 3D printer, in the garden, or play games on the infinity table, have a game of pool, or even a go on the only Tovertafel in town.”
If you’d like to find out more about services at the Locals Union Recreational Centre, contact Jess on 0439 135 518 or email [email protected].
To follow them on Facebook, go to: facebook.com/LocalsCaringAboutLocals.
