CareSpace expansion at new Drysdale base

BELLARINE disability support service CareSpace has moved to a new Drysdale premises dubbed “The Shed”, enabling the organisation to expand its client capacity in time for 2023 intake.

Co-owner Kirra Smith said the move will help the National Disability Insurance Scheme service provider to build on its mission of creating an inclusive world for Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine residents, where everyone has an opportunity to overcome their barriers through specialist individual support.

“The Shed will be the host of many popular activities such as cooking, craft, music, yoga, cafe catchups, gaming and more,” she said.

CareSpace also operates in-home care, community access, transportation, skill building and respite services and a farm program in Wallington allows participants to feed the animals and spend time in nature.

Ms Smith and her husband Jai have a son with Down syndrome, and the couple said their passion to improve the lives of others has “carried down through the business and can be seen in the devotion and dedication of each and every staff member.”

Geelong’s Josh Rawkins was one of the first participants to join CareSpace after it successfully launched as a Disability Service Provider in 2020 and credits the organisation with saving his life when he was homeless.

“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be on this planet,” he said.

“The time that I really turned myself around was when I met CareSpace.”

He now regularly attends cooking classes facilitated by the organisation where participants jointly decide on a meal, head out as group to do the shopping, then cook and eat together.

“The confidence has been really great, and having a good laugh with participants, you always know you’re going to have a good day,” Mr Rawkins said.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s still days that I want to lock myself in my room…(but) my mental health has been really, really good, and I’ve had good support from CareSpace.”

Now living in a share house with flatmates he described as “beautiful”, Mr Rawkins said he was keen to help others who still find themselves less fortunate through his connection with CareSpace.

“It just breaks my heart because I’ve been homeless. That’s why I want to give back to people now, to show them they’re still loved.”

Ms Smith said it was stories like these that make her role so rewarding, “it has been a great pleasure to work with Josh and see the progress he has made over the years.”

For more information, head to carespace.com.au