New Therapy Garden for Werribee
CUA Werribee awards Gateways Support Services a grant to build a therapy garden.
Children with disabilities in Melbourne’s south west will enjoy therapy sessions in a new outdoor garden area to be built at Gateways Support Services, Werribee office, thanks to a grant received from their local CUA branch.
Gateways established their Werribee branch earlier this year to alleviate the urgent community need for support for children with intellectual disability, autism and developmental delay and their families. Children will now have the opportunity to practice and develop their gross and fine motor skills and life skills in therapy sessions, in an appropriate outdoor therapy space.
The outdoor therapy space is a welcome boost to the Wyndham area, which is the second-fastest growing municipality in Victoria and where community and support services for children with developmental delay have not kept up with population growth.
Gateways’ outdoor therapy space project was selected by a panel comprising local business, community and CUA representatives. It was one of 17 community organisations in Western Melbourne that applied for a grant from CUA Werribee, as part of CUA’s Mutual Good Community Grants Program. Under the program, grassroots not-for-profit organisations with big ideas for improving the quality of life of socially disadvantaged Australians were encouraged to apply for a share of almost $200,00o in funding being offered through CUA branches across Australia.
Werribee local area manager Halit Sumer presented Gateways Early Intervention Coordinator Sharon Bassett and Quality Manager Arnie Bax with the $7,260 funds at a special presentation at the new Gateways premises this month.
“We’re thrilled to accept the CUA Mutual Good Community Grant that enables us to create this space, enabling children to participate in therapy sessions utilising specialist equipment in an outdoor setting,” Mrs Bassett said.
“The therapy we provide will promote social skills, gross motor development, communication, problem solving skills and much more in a fun, interactive and natural environment’, she added.
“We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to award this grant to Gateways who are fulfilling such an important need in our community,” Mr Sumer said.
“The Mutual Good Community Grant Program is an example of how CUA works together with our members for mutual good. By collaborating with local organisations, we can help build a stronger community for everyone.”
