Dubbo MP and Deputy Premier Troy Grant said that the Lifeskills Plus Community Centre is a wonderful facility that provides respite and amenities for people living with disabilities.

“I witnessed first hand the supportive and caring staff who teach, engage and interact with the clients of the centre and I heard of the progress Lifeskills has made in terms of fundraising and sourcing support from the local community,” Mr Grant said.

“I was pleased to be able to provide the centre with a grant of $20,000 which combined with community sourced funds will allow the centre to get moving on stage two of their development.”

Stage one of the not for profit organisation’s new facility in Oporto Road, including four respite rooms – two for high support clients – a lounge room, staff quarters and bathrooms, is complete.  

Activity rooms, administration offices and a sensory garden have also been completed. The projected has been funded by a combination of state and federal support, plus community fundraising and donations. 

Lifeskills CEO Carolyn Peek said she acknowledges the government’s support and anticipates that stage two will be ready for opening before the rollout of the NDIS in our region.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), once rolled out, will provide individualised support for people with a disability and their families and carers.

Mr Grant said last week’s NSW State Budget committed $1.3 Billion to rollout the NDIS across NSW.

“More than 40,000 people with a disability will be able to access the NDIS in its first year alone,” he said.

“The NDIS will be life changing, it will give people with a disability real choice and control over their lives for the first time.”

The state-of-the-art respite section and the multi-purpose area of the Community Centre will be finished and operational by the move.

For further information about the NDIS, visit www.ndis.nsw.gov.au