Aims and Objectives of the Project

The objectives of the project are:

To support David House participants to have greater involvement in the community by redeveloping the facilities as a base for activity, not a place for activity

To directly improve the lives of 90 to 100 participants in the Futures for Young Adults and day programs. To improve accessibility for the 200 people with a disability and their families who access respite, accommodation outreach, supported accommodation and planning services under Support and Choices and who visit David House

To provide accessible, affordable and appropriate facilities for annecto partners and community, including formal and informal spaces

To improve the safety, efficiency and accessibility of David House

To contribute to the pride and well-being of people in the Western suburbs by increasing the attractiveness of the Yarraville area

Key Pathways

Health and wellbeing: By providing accessible facilities for clinicians and counsellors, the primary health status of people with a disability and other residents of the western suburbs can be improved. The community kitchen will provide healthy nutrition information for people with a disability who are living independently as well as for other disadvantaged communities in the western suburbs. Partnerships with universities and sporting groups will also contribute to health and well-being initiatives.

Carer Support: Carer support is crucial to maintain stable community accommodation and participation for people with a disability. This applies to all ages but particularly with older carers who experience particular stresses and needs. annecto views its relationships with affiliated partners which assist carers to access support as a vital tool in the support environment.

Education: The redevelopment includes multi purpose and multi media spaces that will link people with a disability and other residents of Melbourne' s west into the broad information network. annecto partnerships with universities, training organisations, local schools and neighbourhood houses will also support education pathways, as well as research and student placements.

Arts: The proposed new facilities and model will support local artists by providing them with access to group spaces, and will support people with a disability to participate in the artistic life of the local community. Active connections with other community arts projects will assist integration of people with a disability into other arts activities and environments.

Employment: The redevelopment will enable co-location of individualised support and planning, access to volunteer opportunities, and access to work placement, including part time work.

Housing: Access points for provision of information, assessment, referral, and increased opportunities for community and social participation will assist people with a disability to live more independently in the community.

Environment: The new building has been designed to be a 'green' building. The redevelopment will contribute to environmental sustainability through the choice of building materials, by reducing use of water and power in ongoing operations, and by raising awareness of sustainable design for people using and visiting the premises. The capital redevelopment will also contribute to the Yarraville community by providing an attractive and accessible building.

Community capacity building: There is a lack of quality well maintained community facilities in the Western suburbs of Melbourne . The new community hub is well located and easily accessed and will provide facilities for general community and social activities for local residents of all ages. The Partnership Strategy will complement and enhance existing services and assist them to be more inclusive.

The $5 million redevelopment is an ambitious undertaking by annecto, but one sorely needed in the west. With your help it will become a reality.