Resthaven Western Community Services

The government’s introduction of the Community Aged Care Packages pilot marked a turning point in the growth of aged care support at home. Resthaven was one of only two organisations selected to trial the pilot and delivered packages in the northeast metropolitan suburbs, based on demographic data at the time. The first referral was received on 1 February 1994, and the rapid expansion of community services soon exceeded initial expectations. As a result, Resthaven North East/Inner West Community Services was established, with an office leased at 111 Hampstead Road, Manningham.

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With continued development in home care services, the Community Aged Care Packages pilot proved successful, and Resthaven was well placed to participate in the newly introduced Community Aged Care Packages program. Resthaven’s Northern and Southern programs officially commenced in July 1995, delivering individualised, coordinated personal care for older people living in the community in areas of high need.

Resthaven began offering in-home emergency respite services for carers of frail older people living in the West Torrens local government area. The 24/7 service provided respite in 'emergency' situations, when the carer needed to leave their caring role at short notice.

With more packages approved by the government, home care services were further expanded into the West Torrens area.

Resthaven North East/Inner West Community Services commenced provision of specialised home care packages, designed to meet very high needs for nursing care and support. These packages gave frail older people, who would otherwise require high level residential care, an option to continue living in the community.

With a large proportion of clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, services were directed to respond to this cohort’s increasing needs. As the majority of CALD clients were Italian, Resthaven worked with the Coordinating Italian Committee to provide community care packages and various programs.

With more funding received, the service offering was expanded to include respite care. 'Regency Cottage' was leased at 111 Regency Road, Croydon Park, with services commencing on 1 May 2006. This centre-based respite service offered extended day respite for working carers, giving older people an opportunity to socialise with others in a cosy, home-like environment.

To accommodate service growth, Resthaven North East/Inner West Community Services opened a second office at leased premises on 391 Torrens Road, Kilkenny.

The service participated in the ‘Access2HomeCare’ entry point trial in the western metropolitan and Gawler areas.

To celebrate Resthaven's 75th anniversary, a barbeque was held for carers at Regency Cottage on 18 October 2010, during National Carer's Week.

On 1 July 2011, as community funding drove further growth of Resthaven's home care offering, Resthaven North East/Inner West Community Services was restructured to allow for expansion and future planning. Resthaven Western Community Services was created as a new service specifically for the western suburbs, incorporating the Kilkenny office and Regency Cottage. In addition, Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services took ownership of the northeast component, including staff and services based at the Manningham office.

In early 2014, a new office for Resthaven Western Community Services was purchased at 96 Woodville Road, Woodville. As the building underwent refurbishment for a number of months, staff and services did not transfer from the Kilkenny office to the new location until 25 August 2014.

The new Woodville office was officially opened on 19 June 2015 with a festive Open Day. Clients, their families, and prospective clients joined the celebration alongside special guest, City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Keneally. The opportunity was also taken to commemorate Resthaven’s 80th anniversary.

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On 14 December 2015, Resthaven Western Community Services was featured on Channel 7 News as part of a story about a free Italian translation app, 'Ciao'. Developed by CO.AS.iT. (the leading body for Italian ageing in SA), Resthaven clients had undertaken a free trial of the app earlier in the year. The app contained around 350 common words and phrases, as well as pictures and audio, to assist clients from CALD backgrounds to communicate more easily with staff.

The service began working with local retirement village 'Woodbridge', establishing a falls and balance class for residents. This partnership further supported the goal to help older people maintain their independence in their own homes.

In early 2020, Resthaven Western Community Services staff and clients adapted to the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, with services rearranged and programs modified to ensure continuity of care. Most services continued uninterrupted, supported by physical distancing and infection control measures, with alternative support provided in clients’ homes where centre-based services were impacted.

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many of Resthaven’s planned 85th anniversary celebrations, Resthaven Western Community Services managed to celebrate on 22 July 2020. The site hosted a small morning tea with clients, staff and CEO Darren Birbeck attending.

On 29 June 2022, Resthaven Western Community Services officially transitioned to the new electronic customer management system, 'Alayacare'. Serving as the pilot site for a year, staff were trained to manage client services, records, and visit information. The software was then rolled out at all other Resthaven Community Services sites.

From July 2022, a large amount of government funding for approximately 500 clients was secured, following an offer from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to take over the services previously contracted to the City of West Torrens.

In May 2023, Resthaven Western Community Services collaborated with other Resthaven Community Services sites to hold a client and carer wellbeing event. The three-day event, held at the McCracken Country Club in Victor Harbor, involved a range of wellness activities for clients and their carers. The group also enjoyed informative guest speakers from organisations such as Carers SA and Aged Rights Advocacy Service.

Regency Cottage was closed in March 2024, with the leased building no longer deemed fit for purpose. Instead, respite services were relocated to the office at Woodville.

On 16 July 2025, Resthaven Western Community Services celebrated Resthaven's 90th anniversary with a high tea at St Clair Recreation Centre in Woodville. The event was attended by around 65 clients and their families, with special guests including Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler MP, and City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans. The oldest person in the room, client Mrs Moyra Stratton (99) took great pride in cutting the cake!

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