Funded by ANZ and independently administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), Seeds of Renewal is providing $450,000 for 97 rural community projects nationally in 2008

South West Respite Care - Cootamundra was successful in obtaining a grant for $8000 to assist setting up an emergency and one-off respite facility in the Cootamundra area. This project will deliver respite in existing premises already used to provide day support to people with a

disability.

By maximising the facility’s potential to be used for dual

purposes a new service for the community will come to fruition. The funding will provide lifting equipment and an electronic bed to cater for individuals with high support needs and the set-up of a bedroom for staff, enabling overnight respite to begin.

South West Respite Care’s Mission Statement is ‘ Supporting people of all ages with a range of challenged ability and their carers to remain living at home, while assisting individuals to sustain independence and flexibility in their life choices’.

The service will support both adults and children, by paid

workers and trained volunteers,

allowing the primary carer and the

person they care for a break. The main aim is to support families under stress or risk of breakdown, carer hospitalisation or illness, to sustain and build existing family relationships.

Seeds of Renewal continues to support projects that help build resilience and contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of small rural communities with a population of 15,000 or less.

Nicole Shipton spokesperson, South West Respite Care - Cootamundra, said: “We are very thankful and excited to receive this grant for ‘The Wattle Respite Project’.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to set up an innovative model of

centre-based respite which has already had great success in Young, where the pilot model has proved to be an extremely positive addition to services available for this enormously under resourced area,” Ms Shipton said.

She said the organisation has already received interest from local families and carers in

utilising the service.

ANZ’s Regional Manager for NSW South West, Tony Williams said: “ANZ is committed to

reinvesting in the communities where we live and work. We are particularly pleased to support the South West Respite Care – Cootamundra with The Wattle Respite Project as it will provide a valuable service to the

community.”