Spark combines services

New centre for neuro diseases

PEOPLE with progressive neurological diseases like Motor Neurone disease, epilepsy and Huntington’s disease now have access to a new well-being centre.

Spark NeuroCare celebrated its official opening in Toowoomba yesterday. The centre is the second of its kind after Townsville opened about a year ago.

The centre combines the services of Epilepsy Queensland, Huntington’s Queensland, Motor Neurone Disease Association of Queensland, MND and Me Foundation, MS Queensland and Youngcare.

MS Queensland CEO and Spark chairman Lincoln Hopper said the centre would be able to support people with information, education and assistance with accessing the NDIS.

“Really we just go on a journey with people who have a condition like that (progressive neurological diseases). Find out what they need and support them to have a great life,” he said.

Mr Hopper said he had not seen a collaboration like Spark before in Queensland. The concept was born after the organisations realised that by combing forces they had a better opportunity to make a greater impact.

“This is the coming together of six not-for-profit organisations to really concentrate on a concerted effort to support people who live with a progressive neurological disease,” he said.

“We are located here in the one place in Toowoomba and that gives us a greater access to people and also makes it a really efficient way to get our services.”

Mr Hopper said the first office in Townsville was designed to determine whether the centre was a good idea. Spark proved such a success the decision was made to replicate it in Toowoomba.

“We are really hoping this is the catalyst for us to be able to roll it out into the state,” he said.

“There is a lot of need here for people living with a progressive neurological diseases but there is also some great services here and really our job is to join the two together.”

Spark NeuroCare is now open for business at 10 Russell St. Go to sparkneurocare.org.au or phone 1800 875 244.

❝ We are really hoping this is the catalyst for us to be able to roll it out...

— Lincoln Hopper

PHOTO: NEV MADSEN NEW KIND OF CARE: Celebrating the opening of Spark NeuroCare are (front from left) Lisa Rayner from MND Queensland, Jan Samuels from Huntingtons Queensland, Jenny Ritchie from Epilepsy Queensland, (back from left) Paul Olds from MND and Me Foundation,...