Tasmanian disability support provider, Nexus Inc, is expanding its presence in the Huon Valley.
A new Nexus Huonville office will provide services in community access and capacity building, as well as employment programmes to support people living with disability to develop their employment skills.
“We are excited to be setting up a permanent presence in Huonville,” said Nexus CEO Mark Jessop.
“As a Valley resident I’ve seen the gap in disability support services in the region and we are
pleased to help fill that gap.”
Nexus will be launching their employment focussed programme from the new office.
The programme will help connect clients with employment services and provide work and training placements to support people with disability to learn on the job.
The setup of the new employment programme will cost Nexus around $150,000, and Mr Jessop is pleased that Nexus was successful in securing an election commitment of $50,000 from Members for Franklin Jacquie Petrusma and Nic Street to help offset this initial cost.
Ms Petrusma, who was previously the Minister for Disability, said she was happy to support the expansion of disability services in the Huon and Channel.
Over the last six months Nexus has worked with Stoney Banks orchard in Franklin to run a pilot programme supporting clients to gain employability skills in pruning, picking, packing and general farm maintenance.
After a successful trial, this will now form part of the ongoing employment programme.
“I congratulate Mark and his team for all of their hard work,” said Ms Petrusma.
“They have had great success with the pilot programme at their Franklin orchard, and an office in Huonville is a great extension of support to people in the area.”
Two clients, Arthur and Damian, who have been working at the orchard, met with the candidates to show them the skills that they have learned.
The news of the move into the area has also been welcomed by local disability advocates.
President of the Huon Disability Network (HDN) Stephen Jacques said, “The Network is very pleased to see new services coming into the area and new opportunities opening up for regional people living with disability.”
The industry peak body, National Disability Services, recently launched their “Election Ask” document which raised concerns that people living in regional and remote areas were under-represented in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The new Nexus office will provide easy access to information about services and advice on how to make the most of their NDIS eligibility.
Nexus will be opening their office in Huonville in May but are open for referrals now.
For further information please contact Nexus on 6240 5000.
