Hunter-based disability and aged care support service, ConnectAbility Australia has expanded its area of operations to the Central Coast.

ConnectAbility is now delivering aged, disability and supported independent living services previously provided by Central Coast Disability Network (CCDN) to over 100 clients.

CEO, David Carey said ConnectAbility won a tender issued after CCDN went into administration in September 2018. David said winning the tender demonstrates ConnectAbility’s well-regarded expertise and person-centred approach to delivering services that meet client’s needs.

“ConnectAbility believes every person is entitled to the best life possible,” David said.

“We treat each person as an individual and understand that people come to us with a history and a desired future.

“We focus on the strengths and abilities of people to better connect them with their communities.”

He said the expansion means that ConnectAbility now has a team of 250 staff and volunteers (excluding HV Disability Services) supporting 600 clients and their families in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock and the Central Coast. It will provide services from CCDN’s former Central Coast office in Erina as well as from its headquarters in the Newcastle suburb of Warabrook.

“Our expansion means we have more economies of scale which we will use to benefit our team and, most importantly, our clients,” David said.

ConnectAbility Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider and aged care provider. It was founded in 1992 by a group of community members and families to meet the needs of people with significant disabilities. In 2015 it merged with Jesmond Connected Communities.

It is part of a consortium, Hunter Valley Disability Services, which won the tender for the transfer of government supported independent living services to the not-for-profit sector in 2017.

IMAGE | ConnectAbility has expanded its services to Central Coast.