Description of the Program

A community support and housing program for people with a mental illness who have high support needs living in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. The program provides psychosocial rehabilitation support in partnership with Northern Mental Health Services and a range community and housing agencies. The Metro Community Living North Program has been operating since 2001.

GP Access supports and empowers individuals to:

• Fully and actively participate in the community including pursuit of social, recreational, and educational activities
• Access suitable independent housing (private rental, Housing Associations, SAHT)
• Increase independent living skills through the development and maintenance of general housekeeping skills (e.g., cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping)
• Access appropriate mental health and medical supports.

Eligibility for Service

• Severe and enduring mental health disability
• Living in Northern area or can demonstrate a connection to the area
• Supported housing needs cannot be met through other supported housing options
• Previously in extended care or at risk of being referred to extended care
• Unable to maintain community tenure without moderate to high (8-21 hours per week) support needs
• Have a key worker with Northern Regional Mental Health Services or be eligible for a key worker at the time of referral

Capacity of the Program

Metro Community Living North is required to service 10 – 15 consumers with 8 –21 hours of support per person per week.

Service and Funding Agreement

The Department of Health, Mental Health Unit, have contracted UCWPA to manage the program, currently funded to June 2007.

This program operates within the Supported Housing in the North Partnership comprising of:

• UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide
• Lyell McEwin Health Service – Mental Health Division (LMHS-MHD)
• South Australian Housing Trust, Elizabeth and Salisbury Offices (SAHT)
• Drug and Alcohol Services of South Australia (DASSA)
• Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS)
• ROOFS Housing Association
• Portway Housing Association
• Northern Region Consumer Advisory Group (NORCAG)

Contact

Address
1b 25 Wiltshire Street
Salisbury SA 5108

Phone
08 8281 2575

Coordinator
Bill Cornish
0404 462 343
bcornish@ucwpa.org.au