WATERLOO: The Factory Community Centre in Raglan Street provides a welcome sanctuary when it comes to the ever-growing public demands amid the mental health sector. Laura Kelly, Community Development Worker at The Factory, exudes a quiet dedication and passion for people who experience mental health issues, whether they live in public or private housing. The Community Centre is a place where people can go to feel connected and supported.
A successful venture between residents in public and private housing is the Mental Health Neighbourhood Watch Network, coined the Cadre Project, which is currently run by the Waterloo Neighbourhood Centre. The program assists participants in raising levels of awareness and provides proactive solutions for interaction with people who experience mental illness. People standing united, through shared common interests, has aided in breaking down the stigma and barriers within the community. A support network meeting is held bi-monthly for members of the program.
“The Community Centre has an open-door policy. People are not required to be a tenant in public housing in order to access the variety of services we offer here,” Laura said. “We have a Community Support Worker available if you find yourself needing support with a relative, partner, friend or even yourself.”
“The Community Support Worker is able to assist with something as simple as where your nearest Yoga class is, finding a new GP or something a little more complex such as supplying referrals to alternative services that tailor individually to a client’s needs,” Laura said.
The Factory proudly supports all cultures by providing a space for weekly groups run by volunteers. “There is Jewish Care for the senior Russian community and just recently the Spanish Community Care Association and Columbians in Australia have collaborated to launch the Welcome Amigos Hub program to work with new migrants entering Australia from Spanish-speaking communities.”
“We are constantly receiving requests from people asking how they can volunteer and what they can do to help,” Laura said. At the Annual Volunteer Awards this year approximately 120 volunteer groups from Redfern and Waterloo were awarded for their dedication and hard work.
Rebecca Rose, the Centre’s psychologist, is fully booked out, due to a great need in the community for her services. “We have just recently welcomed a second psychologist to our team who is now taking on new clients.” A referral from your local GP is required before you can make an appointment.
The Factory Community Centre clearly supports diversity and stable support networks for the Redfern and Waterloo community.
