LDS expands to the Barossa
Lutheran Disability Services has expanded into the Barossa region, placing its first three tenants in a house in Barossa Village.
Community Engagement Manager James Doecke said Lutheran Disability Services had been exploring a Barossa expansion for about ten years, citing the traditionally Lutheran area and a perceived need for disability support within the region.
Through discussions with Barossa Village CEO Simon Newbold, Newbold suggested the former Leisure Options building as a suitable location. He agreed to renovate and redevelop the space into two separate houses for LDS to rent.
James said the initial responses from the three female clients had been encouraging when he visited them one week after they had moved into their new home.
“They were beaming and they just said ‘we’re loving this’,” James said. “Two support staff were coming on duty for their next shift and as soon as they walked through the door, the two (clients) ran up to them and gave them a big hug and said ‘it’s so nice to see you’.”
LDS’s supported independent living allows adults living with a disability to live in shared houses, where LDS then provides 24/7 care, depending on each client’s needs.
The expansion has already allowed LDS to employ ten new staff members from the Barossa area.
Although all shared living comes with its challenges and “complexities”, James is encouraged by what he has seen so far from the staff and clients.
“We’re hoping that they enjoy this environment…that they will stay there as long as they like. That is already showing in the first two weeks, how they have settled into an environment, which is completely different to living with mum and dad,” he said.
LDS are waiting on final National Disability Insurance Scheme approval before three male clients can move into a second house at Barossa Village.
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