Welcome to The Ella Centre website!
This site provides you with information about accessing The Ella Centre’s services, whether you are a client, carer or wish to volunteer.
The Ella Centre exists to provide quality programs, services and advocacy to support people and communities across the Inner West, with a focus on people with disabilities, dementia, older people, carers, and those who have needs not acknowledged or met by others. We provide these programs and services because of our commitment to social justice, inclusion and community participation for all.
Based in Haberfield, The Ella Centre offers a range of services including:
- Social Support services
- Respite and Recreation services
- Disability training and support services
- Carer Support and Information
The Ella Centre provides services to those living in the Ashfield, Leichhardt, Canada Bay, Burwood, Strathfield, Marrickville and Canterbury local government areas. These services help enhance the lives of The Ella Centre’s clients, as well as assisting them in feeling part of the wider community.
The Ella Centre is supported by St David’s Uniting Church Haberfield and auspiced by the Uniting Church in Australia. The Ella Centre is supported financially by donations and grants from individuals, local councils, clubs and associations, along with recurrent funding which is received from various State and Federal Government departments.
BREAKING NEWS!
On Thursday 29th July 2010 the Hon Peter Primrose, Minister for Ageing and Disability, announced joint Commonwealth/State funding of $1.36 million to enable the construction of a dementia activity centre on vacant land at St Davids Uniting Church Haberfield. This funding will allow the construction of a facility that has been designed by architect Colin Filmer, in consultation with The Ella Centre Executive Officer, Alison Easton, to better meet the needs of people with dementia who are still physically fit and active.
THE NEXT STEP
The Development Application is being lodged this week, the second week of November 2010. It is hoped the the local community will support this application and realise the benefits it will provide for many years to come!
CONSENT AT LAST
On Tuesday 14th June 2011 the Development Application was unanimously approved by Ashfield Council, after many months of delays whilst we resolved the concerns of the NSW Heritage Office. Many thanks to our architect for his time and patience in resolving these issues. So now we can go to tender for a builder!
TENDERS CALLED
In late July tenders were called for the construction of the building. It is hoped that the successful company will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on September 22nd 2011. The contract allows for a 12 month building timeframe.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT
On Saturday 29th October a dinner was held to engage the community with the work of The Ella Centre, as well as raising funds toward equipping the new dementia centre. The event was MC'd by Richard Glover and attended by State and local government represenatives, as well as members of the Haberfield Community. Guest speaker was Jackie Taylor, who cares for her husband Peter, who has younger onset dementia.
STALLED AGAIN
It now seems that work will not be able to start before the end of 2011, as we face another lengthy wait for the NSW Heritage Council to approve the latest report we have had to commission from an archaeologist. The additional costs we have incurred for reports and provisions that were outside the norm continue to eat into our budget, so we are extremely grateful to those who will attending our planned community dinner in late October, as we hope to raise some money from the raffle and silent auction.