Uniting to establish headspace Hawkesbury
14 April 2023
Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, together with the Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, are pleased to announce that Uniting NSW.ACT has been successful in their tender to establish and operate the new headspace in the Hawkesbury.
The full-service centre, due to open in December 2023, will provide young people aged 12-25, their family and friends support for their mental, physical and sexual health, alcohol and/or other drug concerns, as well as assistance with vocational and educational services.
Uniting has more than 40 years’ experience in developing and implementing mental health and community service programs, and currently operate three other headspace services in Katoomba, Mount Druitt and Penrith.
Wentworth Healthcare is the regional funding body responsible for delivering headspace in the Hawkesbury and is excited to be partnering with Uniting, who were selected after a rigorous open tender process. The tender assessment panel included local health professionals, a Hawkesbury youth, industry experts, and representatives from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and headspace National.
Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said, “Recent multiple natural disasters on top of the pandemic, have had a profound impact on young people and their families in the Hawkesbury. It was important that we find the most suitable provider to deliver this much needed service, and that they understood the unique challenges that young people in the Hawkesbury face.”
“In advocating for this headspace centre over the last few years, we have undertaken extensive consultation with the community. Young people have clearly told us that what they want is the opportunity to help shape this service, to ensure it provides an inclusive, supportive environment where young people can share their concerns and learn coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges,” she said.
“We believe that with Uniting’s experience operating headspace Katoomba and Penrith in our region, and recent outreach services in the Hawkesbury, that they are well placed to deliver this new headspace centre,” she continued.
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