THE LINK
THE LINK GROUNDBREAKING
On Thursday October 1st 2020, our CEO Micheal Darragh was joined by Fr Michael Alcock, Chairman of the board Dave Robson, local member of parliament Gurmesh Singh, and Deputy Mayor George Cecato and distinguished guests from our community such as General Manager of Coffs Harbour City Council Steve McGrath, for the official groundbreaking of the Link Project.
We look forward to bringing you more news and photos as our building progresses.
THE VISION
As part of the Mary Help of Christians Parish, we strive to: be faithful to Christ’s mission of proclaiming God’s word to others; to be sanctified by His gifts; and through serving others be the face of Christ in our place and time.
In alignment with the Vision, Mission and Values of Sawtell Catholic Care The Link site is intended to create an inclusive community of Christian care, to promote human dignity, protect human rights and promote the common good. This will be achieved through outreach programs initially designed around Positive Ageing and Dementia Support but involving all sectors of the community including the vulnerable and needy, and embracing all faiths and cultures.
The site facilities will include:
· A functional and access compliant café with covered eating areas and services
· Wheelchair accessible bungalows with extended covered outdoor facilities
accommodating a wide range of wellbeing activities from arts based to physical
to health literacy
· A gallery and cultural activity space with access to gardens
· Accessible and dementia friendly landscaped wayfinding areas and spaces that
include tranquil and sensory gardens with intergenerational play and exercise
elements
· Environmentally friendly community garden facilities
THE CONCEPT
With SCC as stewards of the site, The Link facilities will host programs and events
designed to foster the growth of an intergenerational and connected ‘living’
community both for SCC residents as well as older people within the wider region. The programs will range from arts based, (art, craft, storytelling) through to community gardening, food preparation, activities of daily living and physical movement such as Tai Chi, Dance for Parkinson’s etc. taking into account each person’s individual goals
preferences and choices, and underpinned by a strong emphasis on restorative
approaches including wellness and reablement.
This innovative connected community model is based on precedents from the UK and Europe that have been piloted and validated over the last four years (see Appendix for references.) It is in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching principles, the NSW Arts and Health Framework, as well as the NSW and Local Government’s Positive Ageing Strategies and the Aged Care Quality Agency directives.
Below: Artist rendering of the Cafe, Bungalows and Gallery spaces.
