Afford's New Cherrywood Hub Opens with Industry Leading Disability Supports

LANDILO, 26 October 2017 - The Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) today opened an industry first disability services hub at Cherrywood in Landilo that  incorporates interactive programs and activities to deliver whole-of-life supports to people living with disability.

Designed to provide clients with greater choice of more person-centred supports, Afford's Cherrywood Hub will provide opportunities for clients to enhance their skills for independent living, to join the workforce or to achieve life happiness.

The Hon. Ray Williams, Minister for Disability Services officially opened the Cherrywood Hub at a ceremony today which was attended by many Afford staff, clients, and their families.

"Congratulations on the development of the Cherrywood Hub,” Mr Williams said.

"The redevelopment of the this site, to two new Lifestyle Centres and a Secret Garden, is aligned with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) values to provide individuals with more person centred supports and choice."

Cherrywood Hub integrates a striking sensory garden centrepiece that spans most of the outside grounds. The garden areas serve to engage clients using a variety of areas where they can explore and learn.

The sensory garden incorporates a walk through fairy garden with seating area for imaginations to run wild in fantasy and fairytale; an 'old car' garden area which has a vintage car as its centrepiece; as well as an old speed boat area, surrounded by beach themed landscaping for clients to explore using a variety of textures.

In addition, Cherrywood Hub also has garden beds for clients to plant, grow and harvest vegetables for use during cooking classes, as well as a petting zoo filled with chickens for clients to learn about the responsibility of caring for animals.

Steven Herald, Afford CEO, says that Cherrywood Hub is truly an industry leading centre that supports people with disability to achieve their life goals and happiness.

"Cherrywood Hub gives clients the chance to take part in new experiences. Whether it is in the sensory garden, engaging with the animals, taking part in programs or enjoying an outing with friends they have made, Cherrywood Hub was designed to make learning fun."

"No other sensory garden within the disability sector offers clients so many opportunities to learn through tactile investigation of different textures, learn to use their bodies through exploration of different objects and have a place that invites discussion and building of friendships."

"Clients have contributed to the decoration of Cherrywood Hub by creating the amazing mural and totem pole artworks that sit proudly throughout the site, so everyone has ownership of the space and its development," Mr Herald explained.

Two Afford Lifestyle Centres  will be managed from the Cherrywood Hub, providing clients with the opportunity to socialise with peers and create new friendships.

Lifestyle Centre clients will enjoy a variety of person-centred programs and activities including cooking, literacy and numeracy, sports and active play, personal development sessions, therapy sessions and a new Saddle Club program that involves animal therapy sessions.

"Afford programs present clients with the opportunity to enhance their skills at home, at work and in life so they can live life how they want," Mr Herald said.

"Cherrywood Hub is an industry leading service centre that will deliver programs that will support clients in all areas of life."

"Whether it is an outing to the local gym or to the city, enjoying a cooking session or participating in and exercise program, all Afford programs and supports are designed to provide clients with new life experiences that are fun, social and educational."

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the transformation of the site was a milestone for people in the local community living with disability.

“The Cherrywood Hub is an outstanding addition to our community set to provide state of the art support and care, making a real difference to local residents living with disability,” Mr Ayres said.

“The transformation of the site will create a significant facility for people living with disability, with an array of person-centred services improving the quality of life of our community.”

Afford is a leading not-for-profit disability organisation that supports people living with disability across Sydney.

It is one of Australia's longest serving not-for-profit disability organisations and continuously goes beyond traditional service offerings to deliver new life experiences, work opportunities and lifelong friendships.

Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in NSW for 65 years, providing a range of disability supports to thousands of people across Sydney every day.

For more information about Afford, visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

ENDS

Media Contact: Maria Crema: Crema PR m 0402 239 929 e maria@cremapr.com.au

More about the Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) - www.afford.com.au

The Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) is a registered charity providing disability services to thousands of people across Sydney. The supports provided by Afford include: Shared Living; Overnight Respite; Social and Community Programs; Transition to Work Programs; Transition to Retirement Programs; Carer Support; Disability Employment Services; Supported Employment; Allied Health Support and Support Coordination.