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Ocean Grove Health Hub Update
BCH Ocean Grove Health and Wellbeing Hub Update
Construction of the Ocean Grove Health and Wellbeing Hub is well underway. The builder is on track to complete the works in mid-to-late September.
To date the steel work and framing installation is complete, bricklaying is underway, and roofing has been installed. Both the plumbing and electrical rough in are expected to begin in early July.
Funding for Stage One of the project has been provided through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Anthony Costa Foundation, with the land in Kingston Estate generously donated by the Corless Family Trust.
This project has been designed in two stages, but funding has only been secured for Stage One. Bellarine Community Health (BCH) was unsuccessful in its application for approximately $3.2 million from the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) for construction of Stage Two. BCH will re-apply for funding when the next RHIF funding round opens.
The construction of Stage Two would allow paediatric and youth teams to co-locate in contemporary, purpose-built facilities and enable the integration of multi-disciplinary services to be provided for 0 – 25 years olds.
At the completion of Stage One, the BCH Children’s team will be able to provide a range of services including speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and play therapy. The team will be able to treat a range of developmental conditions, support children in their transition to kindergarten and school and increase their independence and level of functioning in daily life.
As a result of the generous funding from the Anthony Costa Foundation, the hub will include a purpose-built assessment room to meet the sensory needs of children and an observation room fitted with a one-way window and cameras. This assessment facility will create opportunities for collaboration and education with families, health professionals and students. Young people will continue to be supported at our Drysdale youth and Ocean Grove (headspace) sites.
Landscape Funding Requirements
Landscape designs have been developed for all of the external areas for both stages of the project. These spaces have been designed to create child/youth specific outdoor areas to
enhance the assessment and therapy we are able to provide.
The garden will enable therapists to assess fine and gross motor skills in an engaging environment that caters to diverse needs. Our Youth mental health team will have the option to work with young people in a natural environment instead of traditional therapy or consultation rooms. This will allow staff to connect young people to nature and help provide grounding exercises that support engagement. Engaging in conversation and activity in nature can enable more open dialogue. The space will include sensory gardens, a yarning circle, seating and areas for games.
The children’s therapy area has been designed to include a running track, tee pee, sensory gardens, a range of different surfaces and heights that will challenge and engage young children in a safe, welcoming space designed specifically for them.
BCH is actively seeking funding to enable the landscaping and fit out of these outdoor spaces to progress.
More on our project page https://bch.org.au/ocean-grove-health-wellbeing-hub/
Project Architect: Richie Schultz, Four 18 Architecture
Project Builder: Loaram Constructions
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