A brand new aged care and disability service with a difference is set to open its doors in Moree next month.
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Candice’s House, offering boutique-style and individually-tailored care to the people of Moree and surrounds, is not only a first for the region but the first of many to come for start-up, not-for-profit aged and disability services company Candice Care Inc.
Founded by Sunshine Coast woman Candice Dover, Candice Care is a registered provider of NDIS and Home Care Packages and offers personalised support for people with disabilities and the aged.
Ms Dover, who has been working in community services since she was 17, was inspired to start her own service after her brother Thom was injured as a result of a coward punch on the Gold Coast last year.
“When he was in hospital and recovering in rehab, we found the services were quite expensive and not tailored to his needs,” Ms Dover said.
“I was working for one of the bigger organisations at the time and I was then given the opportunity to start this.”
Six months since it was formed on the Sunshine Coast, Candice Care had hit their three-year target, and now, eight months on, the small, boutique team has expanded to support 80 people nation-wide.
Because the team predominantly work remotely using technology via the internet, as well as offering in-home and community support, Candice Care has the ability to service the small towns and regions where big companies won’t go.
That’s how they found themselves establishing their very first base in Moree.
Ms Dover met Moree client Jenna O’Neill, when she was working in Moree for two years in 2010 and 2011.
When Jenna’s previous service provider announced it would be ceasing their services in Moree, her sister Melissa Salis immediately contacted Ms Dover to see what she could do.
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“I rang Candice and she said she’d be there,” Ms Salis said.
“I knew Candice enough to know that whatever she did, it will work for Jenna and that she’d be safe. Jenna’s safety is the biggest issue in our family.”
All three support workers who were looking after Jenna chose to follow her to Candice Care, where they will now be based at Candice’s House on the corner of Heber and Boston Streets – the old Family and Community Services building.
“It’s that continuum of care for Jenna,” Ms Dover said.
“She needs support five days a week,” Ms Salis added.
“It’s good she gets choices - we get choices about how we want to live our lives, so she should get those choices too. [Candice Care] is all set up to suit the individual.”
Ms Dover and her team were in Moree this week to pick up the keys for Candice’s House and plan to have it up and running by the start of August.
Candice’s House will offer 24/7 respite care, individual and group support programs, a sensory space, community garden, home care, personal care, allied health, transport, meal preparation, social support and more.
Our goal is to help people live life the way they want with the support they need.
- Candice Dover, Candice Care Inc. CEO and founder
Ms Dover hopes Candice’s House will become a home for the aged and people with disabilities to come and feel safe.
“We want it to be inviting, where people can pop in for a cuppa, particularly for older people,” she said.
“People can come even if they need a small amount of support, or if they require it 24 hours a day.
“There’s nothing our team can’t do; helping prepare meals, do gardening, transport.
“Yes, we’re NDIS managed and also aged care funded, but the support used we’ll tailor to each person’s needs.
“Our goal is to help people live life the way they want with the support they need.”
There are plans to run cooking programs and use locally-grown and sourced food, as well as work with a local childcare centre and pair up children with their senior clients.
With 82 per cent of Candice Care’s funding going directly back to the people they support, Ms Dover said donations are welcome, whether monetary or other.
“We’d love to have local volunteers come and help out,” she said.
“People can come in and help tend to the gardens, or look after the chickens, or go shopping for clients.”
There will be an open house afternoon on August 3 which will be an opportunity for the community to come and learn more about what Candice Care can do in Moree.
Candice Care currently supports 10 people in Moree, as well as a number of people in surrounding towns, including Goondiwindi.
For more information email hello@candicecareinc.org.au or call 1800 CANDICE (1800 2263423).