Two not-for-profit disability services in Sutherland Shire have joined forces ahead of the arrival of the NDIS on July 1.
Rec Ability, which at present supports more than 100 families from a council-owned building at Sylvania, has been absorbed into the much larger Civic Disability Services, which operates throughout NSW.
The Rec Ability name will continue, covering its popular program of activities, ranging from discos, karaoke and gym sessions to club outings and holiday camps, which Civic will offer for the first time.
All Rec Ability staff and volunteers have been retained.
Rec Ability was the operating name adopted in 2014 by the Parent to Parent Association, which started in the shire in 1980 as a self-help support service for families with a child with disability.
The association will be wound up.
The catalyst for the two organisations combining was the imminent arrival of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
NDIS will become available in the South Eastern Sydney district, which includes St George and Sutherland Shire on July 1, and is expected to lead to a big increase in demand for disability services.
Civic chief executive Annie Doyle said almost 10,000 people in the district were forecast to transition to the scheme by June 30, 2019.
This would amount to a 79 per cent growth in demand and require service providers to have “robust systems” in place.
Ms Doyle said it made good sense for the two organisations, which shared a similar vision, mission and values, to join forces and offer greater choice and security to the clients of both.
“We have tried to come at this from a position of trust and mutual respect,” she said.
“In the corporate world, it would be seen as an acquisition, but we think of it as an integration – they become a part of us for the right reason.
“We are looking to diversify our service offerings and do things we haven’t done in the past.
“They have these amazing, quirky little programs, and we are really excited to be part of that.
“Rec Ability also has a strong team of volunteers, and that is quite a new thing for us.”
Rec Ability manager Helen Panigiris said it was “a win win”.
“It’s all good because we will still be able to provide the services we do now, with a lot more support and resources,” she said.
Rec Ability president Rapti Nethery said the move would secure the continued delivery of services to clients, and provide a continuing role for all staff and volunteers.
The 2017 holiday program and social events would go ahead as planned, he said.
Ms Nethery said Rec Ability’s volunteers would have new opportunities because Civic would expand leisure activities into new regions.
