ALLAN Smith was bashed and robbed while recently sleeping rough on the streets of the Central Coast.
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Mr Smith, 73, who has a range of health problems, admits his prospects were not good.
“I was cactus, mate,” he told the Lakes Mail.
And then BaptistCare intervened.
Trish Stewart, a senior co-ordinator of the not-for-profit organisation’s Aged Care and Housing program, became aware of Mr Smith’s plight and found him accommodation in Ettalong.
Mr Smith now has a roof over his head, and a newfound positivity about life.
“BaptistCare and Trish have given me a new life,” he said.
“They’ve helped me out with everything. They’ve got me a fridge, a washing machine, and cleaning gear.
“They’ve spend a fortune helping me.”
BaptistCare sends cleaners to Mr Smith’s house once a week, and other staff will drive him to the shops at Umina if he needs something.
“They’re unbelievable,” he said.
“It’s like Heaven now. When you consider what BaptistCare have done for me and a lot of other people, they deserve a lot of credit.”
Mr Smith’s is just one of many success stories that BaptistCare home services manager Catherine Smith and her staff at Morisset have been involved in since opening their Central Coast-Hunter office in Morisset last year.
The Christian-based care provider is an employer of almost 150 people through its care services for seniors, people with a disability, and people at risk of homelessness.
“The Morisset office supports the 125 care workers who deliver care into local homes every day,” Ms Smith said.
Those care workers are supported by 14 staff in the Morisset office, and another nine staff who work from their homes.
The care workers provide a variety of aged care services, including personal care, respite for carers, home care packages and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services.
Other services include providing assistance with housing for seniors who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Most of BaptistCare’s services are government subsidised, with clients asked to pay a small contribution to their care.
However, clients who are at risk of becoming homeless are not asked to pay a fee, as this specialist housing service is funded by the government, Ms Smith said.
Visit baptistcare.org.au.
- BaptistCare’s Central Coast-Hunter home services office is in Morisset Square, Yambo Street, in the former office of the Lakes Mail. Phone 4340 8100.