Older residents and their carers now have easier access to health and wellbeing services thanks to the completion of the $2.69 million Mernda Social Support Centre.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage joined community members and local representatives on Thursday for a tour of the completed facility located at 70 Mernda Village Drive.
The centre was made possible through more than $1.24 million from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $1.45 million from the City of Whittlesea.
With Mernda home to a booming and ageing population, the centre will play a crucial role in supporting older residents to maintain their independence and stay connected to the community.
Access to facilities and programs will ensure that elderly residents and people living with a disability, memory loss or limited mobility will have the chance to try new activities and forge important social connections.
The centre offers three social support services activity rooms, a quiet room, consulting room, kitchen, staff office, accessible toilets, and an outdoor courtyard with a quiet area.
The City of Whittlesea is offering dementia and memory and social connection sessions at the centre.
Among the accredited allied healthcare providers using the facility, St Vincent’s Health is delivering its Healthy Ageing service supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older adults.
Merri Health is also using the centre to deliver Commonwealth Home Support Program physiotherapy and occupational therapy services and has plans to expand its presence in 2024.
The facility is also available to community groups, with Whittlesea U3A hosting a range of sessions, including digital literacy and ‘cooking for one’ classes.
Ms Kathage said the Growing Suburbs Fund had provided the Whittlesea council with more than $42 million in funding towards 46 projects in its area since 2015.
“As communities like Mernda continue to grow, it’s important that we have high-quality, purpose-built facilities that can support the wellbeing of our older residents,” she said.
“Thanks to the Mernda Social Support Centre, older residents and their carers can rest assured that they have access to the programs and community connections they need to enjoy their golden years.
“Investing in projects like the Mernda Social Support Centre is about helping to create more liveable neighbourhoods and more connected and equitable communities.”
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the centre had quickly become an invaluable place for many older residents in the municipality’s northern suburbs.
“Meeting the needs of an ageing population is a challenge for all levels of government and the Mernda Social Support Centre is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by working together,” she said.
“The City of Whittlesea is very proud to have a safe, accessible and purpose-built facility where residents and their carers can come and participate in programs that will help to ward off the social isolation that so often comes with ageing.”
For more information about the Mernda Social Support Centre and its services, contact council on 9217 2170.
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