Nine projects are set to benefit from a share in almost $750,000 as part of 
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s latest funding round, which will deliver vital funding to initiatives across regional NSW.
Aruma, Assistance Dogs Australia, BackTrack Youth Works, Coast & Country Care, Home-Start National, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, Neuroscience Research Australia, Prelude Australia and The Men’s Table will all receive funding to deliver programs throughout regional NSW.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation spokesperson Paul Juergens said these recipients are uniquely tied in their mission to improve the local community.
“It’s wonderful to see such amazing work happening in our community and we feel privileged to support these groups on their mission to improve wellbeing across the region,” Paul said.
“While each of the projects is unique from one another, something they each have in common is the sense of belonging, empowerment and support that they are creating in our community – it’s incredibly moving.”
Since its establishment in 2003, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has provided $27 million in grants throughout regional NSW.
- Aruma: $25,000 to fund the production of five, ready-to-use “quiet retreat” kits for deployment at community events, offering an inviting and inclusive to the whole community.
- Assistance Dogs Australia: Assistance Dogs Australia: $78,000 to support the purchase and fit-out of a vehicle to enable Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) to continue their “Assistance Pups” initiative, which engages people in custody to train puppies who will then go on to be assistance dogs for those living with disabilities.
- BackTRACK Youth Works: $50,000 to pilot a 12-month project helping 15-20 disengaged young people in the New England region improve their literacy and numeracy skills and gain formal accreditation in machinery operation.
- Coast & Country Care: $50,000 to pilot improved health outcomes for First Nations communities on the Central Coast, fostering an accessible, culturally safe environment for enhancing cultural connections and health literacy.
- Home-Start National: $74,000 to support a pilot that brings parents across the Hunter together to improve cooking skills and promote good nutrition for their children and families over a 12-month period.
- Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network (LMNSPN): $100,000 to pilot critical psychosocial support and care coordination services through the new, first-of-its-kind Evolve Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub, a multi-agency initiative in the Hunter.
- Neuroscience Research Australia: $200,000 to form the initial phase of a research initiative investigating the brain health needs of First Nations communities in Central West and Mid North Coast regions.
- Prelude Australia: $87,000 to connect Hunter-based early childhood educators with allied health workers, early intervention teachers and other experts, to build their skills, confidence to discuss possible early-interventions with parents, and develop strategies for better classroom outcomes.
- The Men’s Table: $82,000 to support an expansion project which will see The Men’s Table recruit and train community hosts before launching three new ‘tables’ in Muswellbrook, Cessnock, and Port Macquarie; regional areas where mental health service gaps and instances of domestic violence are especially pronounced.
