News

Opportunities for people with a disability

July 8, 2010

Endeavour answers call for new respite service in Biloela

Biloela residents seeking respite care for family members with a disability will have a brand new premises to turn to next year, when Endeavour Foundation opens a purpose-built service.

Plans for the centre-based respite service, on Valentine Plains Road, are now being finalised and tenders are being evaluated before building starts in the next few months.

The plans follow a study which found a demand for respite services in the area. The new 200-square-metre, four-bedroom service is expected to open early next year.

The purpose-built centre will replace the town’s existing respite service, which is housed in a rented premises on Raglan Street.

“The new centre-based respite service will be purpose-built for people with a disability,” said Endeavour’s Area Manager Disability Services, Coral Deller.

“It will have wheelchair access and fittings, it will be on a level property, there will be more bedrooms than the Raglan Street service and it will have a playground specially-designed for children with a disability.”

The land for the new site was donated by Banana Shire Council after a feasibility study in 2004, which was funded through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and supported by the Department of Communities – Disability Services, found a demand for centre-based respite in the area.

“The study showed Biloela needed day support for people with a disability as well as centre-based respite,” said Coral. Endeavour’s Yanci Yta Learning and Lifestyle service, with funding from the Department of Communities, will continue to meet the needs of adults with a disability wanting day support. Coral said Banana Shire Council had been wonderfully supportive of the new service, not only donating the land but forming a community reference group to guide the project.

Endeavour Foundation’s respite services provide carers with a break from their caring role. Centre-based respite services are small, friendly services which provide individual attention to guests, both children and adults, for overnight or extended stays.

“Centre-based respite provides the opportunity for families to take a break from their caring role, which they otherwise have 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Coral.

“It can be hard to find appropriate care for people with a disability so parents can have an outing together or even the chance to spend quality one-on-one time with other family members.

“With Endeavour’s centre-based respite service, families know that their family member with a disability is being supported in a safe environment, with the same comforts as found in their own home – service-users have their own room, 24-hour support, privacy and support to access the community.

“By providing this opportunity of respite, the service can help people with a disability live at home longer, as families know they have our support at hand when they need.”

Endeavour currently provides respite for eight people in Biloela on a monthly basis. Families seeking respite in Biloela can call Endeavour on (07) 4992 3981.

Make a donation

I wish to support disability services with a donation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Find a location