Service quickly filling care gap
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation delivering NDIS services has relocated to Currajong after more than tripling in size in just six months.
Connecting Communities is a collaboration between Gtec Training and Development, and Connecting 2 Community Circles, which was born in Townsville.
Director at Connecting Communities Richard Roe said over the past 12 months the organisation had experienced an extreme period of growth.
“Three years ago we started the not-for-profit because we wanted to provide a holistic service from training to life skills,” Mr Roe said.
“We provide 24/7 support for our clients and the centre is accessible Monday through to Saturday.
“In six months we have grown from having five support staff to over 30.”
Mr Roe said the business had noticed a lack of staff in the healthcare and disability support services industry, which they were committed to help relieve.
“We currently have about 50 clients but we increase every few days,” Mr Roe said.
“There’s definitely a shortage of workers in the industry so we are about to launch a ‘Set 4 success in Health’ program to 20 trainees.
“It will provide them with a Certificate 3 in individual support, which will be at no cost to them.”
With the company rapidly growing, Mr Roe said they needed a larger space to provide additional services to their clients.
“The new space at Currajong is twice the size of the old one,” Mr Roe said.
“After the growth of the company we needed a facility that was more multi-layered and had more accessibility.
“This one has all the space we wanted with a large warehouse to be turned into a gaming and tools shed for woodwork, and has a great amount of outdoor and indoor space.”
Mr Roe said he was proud of the company’s growth and local beginning.
“We have grown so much over the last 12 months and it keeps getting bigger, so we are expecting to expand further over the next few years,” Mr Roe said.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far.”
Ray White Townsville Commercial agent Troy Townsend said it had been a pleasure to source a property that suited Connecting Communities perfectly.
“Connecting Communities have leased 358sq m of office and training space that was formerly the hospitality centre for Carlton and United Breweries,” Mr Townsend said.
“The long-term lease secured quality space for their team at a very affordable rent rate of $100 per square metre plus GST.”
The new Centre is at 5/14 Keane Street in Currajong.