A new support service for people living with disability has opened in the Scenic Rim region.
Sunflower House in Kalbar is Carinity's new custom-built short-term accommodation home. The home offers around-the-clock respite, support and overnight accommodation - in a welcoming environment - for people with a disability.
Sunflower House offers disability respite for up to 14 days at a time, which can be funded by clients' National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan.
It is a sister service to the Carinity Bunderra disability support centre in Boonah, which has been providing overnight respite accommodation for 15 years.
Carinity's Community Services Manager, Chris Shannon, said Sunflower House is expected to attract clients from the Scenic Rim and Ipswich districts.
"When guests visit Sunflower House, they'll enjoy an all-inclusive stay with around-the-clock support, personal care and nutritious meals prepared fresh in our kitchen," Chris said.
"Not only that, but our fully accessible van means guests can also enjoy the great outdoors and all the local attractions that the Scenic Rim has to offer."
Carinity Bunderra Client Services Coordinator, Philip Fagg, said the new home is "custom built to meet disability standards and provide accessible housing".
"The new home provides a much-needed modern respite service in the area and provides a comfortable and well-appointed space that meets the specific needs of people with a disability," Philip said.
"We are excited to invite our existing and future clients to this beautiful, unique and relaxing purpose-built home, thoughtfully designed for anyone with a disability to come and enjoy a country retreat."
As well as supporting people with disability, Sunflower House has created new employment opportunities for disability care professionals.
"Sunflower House will generate a number of additional positions for support workers to meet the growing needs of Carinity's disability services," Philip said.
Carinity Interim CEO, David Angell, said Sunflower House is an extension of the important community services Carinity offers in the Scenic Rim region, anchored by the Fassifern Community Centre in Boonah.
"I'm very proud of the reputation that Carinity has in the local area, particularly in regard to the care our team provides in helping people with disabilities to build confidence, friendships, independence and a sense of community," David said.
Sunflower House brings the total number of specialist disability services Carinity offers in the district to three.
"Carinity is now offering more services than ever to support people in the Scenic Rim region who live with disability," Chris said.
"In addition to Sunflower House opening, our Carinity Illoura service in Beaudesert recently expanded its range of services with the introduction of new NDIS-supported counselling and therapeutic programs."
