A new service is being established in Young, Harden and Boorowa which has the twofold aim of providing respite for carers of people with a mental illness, and opportunities for people with a mental illness and/or an intellectual disability to explore their potential by pursuing their interests and hobbies.
Heather Ritchie, a former head of the Young community health service and acting general manager of the Southern Slopes Health Network has come out of retirement to set up the program, which is expected to be operational by March next year.
As coordinator of the Southern Highlands Mental Health Respite Program she has already secured a home base in Park Street, and is now looking to recruit a pool of casual workers who will be trained as mental health care workers.
“We are not looking for formal qualifications,” she said, “previous experience working or caring for a person with a mental illness would be an advantage, but people with the right attitude, and understanding and empathy for people with a mental illness would also be encouraged to apply.
“Significant on the job training will be provided prior to the service becoming operational, and comprehensive training will be provided throughout.”
Ms Ritchie said she is looking to recruit people in all three towns, and training would start mid January.
She said some of the qualities she was looking for were that people would know how to maintain their boundaries, and also very importantly, to maintain confidentiality.
The new program is funded by the Federal Government through Catholic Healthcare and arises from the recommendations of the National Health Plan, which identified one of its proprieties as the lack of services for carers of people with a mental illness, and the need to provide opportunities for people with a mental illness to explore their potential in pursuing their own interests and hobbies.
“It acknowledges there is a gap not only for carers to have a break, but for the care recipients to have more fulfilling opportunities, and more fulfilling lives, “Ms Ritchie said.
“We are hoping we can be very innovative with the service, which may include holiday breaks for carers and care recipients.
“The whole aim of it is to be as flexible as possible and to consider any arrangement.”
People who are interested in seeking employment are asked to phone 69 211325 or 0410 220 610 for more information.