In June 2015, the Mid-West community, especially people with a disability, welcomed the opening of Stage 1 of the Lifeskills Community Centre in Oporto Street, Mudgee.  

 The Community Centre, with its new, purpose-built respite accommodation enables Lifeskills Plus to provide services to more people with a disability.   People with a disability and their families/carers already use the new respite services extensively and the number of requests to access respite continues to grow.

Development of Stage 2 of the Lifeskills Community Centre started earlier this year with support from community members, local businesses and tradespeople.    

This  support has contributed to the creation of three rooms for client support and training programs, and enhancement of the Sensory Garden with a shade sail and interactive “Water Wall” to be installed.

Lifeskills CEO Carolyn Peek, who has been the driving force behind establishing the centre, is overjoyed with Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation’s endorsement of the Centre.  

“Lifeskills appreciate the support from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the community who are making it possible to provide this important, local, resource to help meet the needs of people with a disability, their families/carers and the wider NSW Mid-West community,” Ms Peek said. 

“Within the next 10 months, the NSW Mid-West will have full use of the Lifeskills Community Centre. In addition to housing the Lifeskills disability and Respite services, the Centre will include a woodwork and art/craft/music space, meeting rooms, training and education facilities, and our region’s very first specialist Sensory Room.  “ 

The Lifeskills Community Centre will be open to all members of the community including individuals, local businesses, early childhood, schools and adult education services and health services such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Mental Health support and residents of Aged Care services.   

The community and services will soon be able to use the Lifeskills Community Centre’s facilities including the therapeutic sensory room, workshop, meeting and training rooms and the multi-purpose event space with access to a community kitchen for larger functions.