Stage two for caring couple
A TOWNSVILLE couple is in the second phase of turning their businesses into affordable residential care facilities for vulnerable locals.
Managing directors Terry Gorman and Kim Sutherland successfully completed the transformation of a student accommodation facility they own into Club Care Residential Services, which offers a safe space for the elderly, disabled and families fleeing domestic violence with children.
The Hermit Park home officially opened last month, and has already received families referred by the Red Cross.
Mr Gorman and Ms Sutherland now have their eyes on their second business, the Summit Motel in Townsville City, which is expected to be fully operational by February 2019.
Ms Sutherland said she and her partner had a vision for what residential services could be in Townsville.
“We’re trying to be very fluid with what we provide, so meeting lots of needs in the community … we want it to be perfect,” she said.
“The design plans are done, the service model done, all of the rooms are going to be completely self- contained, that means adding a small kitchen and those types of things.”
Ms Sutherland said The Summit once completed would be a gated community with 24hour staffing, allowing women and families referred to be safe.
She said it was wonderful to be able to give the destitute a home to come to.
“It can be very overwhelmingly when you’re helping people. It’s great that it’s a good facility and people have an option here to what’s been offered here before.”
Mr Gorman said they were housing a family in the Hermit Park facility who had lost everything in a car accident which wrecked their trailer home.
“They were homeless, they’ve been in there now while they put their life back together,” he said.
“They not only have a safe, clean home but also a group of people in the same situation.”
A Department of Housing and Public Works spokesman said in Townsville there were 13 registered and accredited residential services, accommodating up to 425 residents.
“Residential services are privately owned and operated accommodation facilities where four or more people share the home including common areas, kitchens, laundries and bathrooms,” he said.
“The regulatory process ensures these facilities meet minimum consumer standards in areas including service delivery, fire safety and building compliance.”