Unveiling 'The Loft' - A Unique Health and Wellbeing Centre

24th of November, 2016

It’s finally happened! The co-located community, social and health service hub called The Loft that we have been part of creating for four years finally opened on 4 July on the first floor of Eastgate Shopping Centre.

The Loft is not just a physical space; it is a partnership of social, community and health agencies operating in a unique co-location with an intention of better supporting children, young people and families towards wellbeing.

The Loft aims to make access to multiple services much easier, and enable staff across services to work more closely together. It comprises two key service delivery centres. One is a growing hub of social and community services that includes child safety, microfinance, parenting support, social work support and family and sexual violence services. Adjacent is Linwood Medical Centre, home to a range of health providers including general practice, pharmacy, physiotherapy, midwifery, district nursing, older person’s health and mental health services.

Such a broad collection of services, seeking to work in truly integrated ways in the practical delivery of services, is part of what makes The Loft unique in Australasia. But even more important is the way of working. As organisations that support members of our community to achieve wellbeing, we have made a commitment to offer more than our business-as-usual services. By developing and adapting a range of key service processes, such as seamless consent to the multiple service agencies located in The Loft, the intention is to make access to support easier for the people in our community who need assistance.

Since opening on 4 July, over 140 people have walked into The Loft social services area to seek support from the agencies based there, get information or to be linked with appropriate services elsewhere.