Central Coast

Transforming Transport to Treatment

Region - Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Central West, New England

This $154,000 grant will enable Cancer Council NSW’s Transport to Treatment program to become an online booking platform for transport to cancer treatment. The online system will transform the 28 existing independent services into one convenient online booking system. Along with future expansion of the vehicle fleet, the aim of this project is to enable access to free transport for anyone needing transport for cancer treatment.

Cancer Council NSW has previously received $270,000 in funding for projects from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

Born to Live

Region - Central Coast

After funding the establishment of the Born to Live program in 2015, this new $44,000 grant from the Charitable Foundation will help another 100 disadvantaged families care for their seriously ill or injured children by providing them with specialised pharmaceutical items or equipment.

The program aims to close the gap for families who require ongoing care for their children in their home, linking them with vehicle and home modification services and funding the necessities for their child’s complex medical needs.

Starting Over

Region - Central Coast

This $48,000 grant will be used to purchase 100 starting over kits to assist people escaping domestic violence. Each kit will include one double bed, two single beds (a person escaping violence with children is a common scenario), one lounge, one dining suite, a wardrobe, chest of drawers, fridge, washing machine, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, and linen. As needed, kits will also include school suppliers, cleaning kits, medication, and mobility aides.

It is hoped that these kits will make the transition and cost of moving into new accommodation easier thereby making the decision to leave an easier one.

Magic Carpets - Technology for Therapy

Region - Hunter, Central West, Mid-North Coast

Imagine if a child with limited movement and muscle function could play unhindered with their friends, commanding a virtual magic carpet with the blink of an eye, a simple hand gesture or a soft touch. 

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation is making fairy tales a reality for more than 900 children throughout Cerebral Palsy Alliance centres in Newcastle, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Orange with a $71,000 grant to the purchase two Mobile Magic Carpet projection machines. 

The projection of images onto the floor and wall allows children in a wheelchair or Wizzy Bug, to participate in play and unlock the fun of sensory learning. This revolutionary technology will be used extensively in occupational therapy sessions to improve gross motor skills and speech, and ultimately help children living with Cerebral Palsy to gain a sense of control, boost self-esteem, and enhance wellbeing.

For more information on the important work of this community organisation please visit cerebralpalsy.org.au.

SeeMore Safety Program

Region - All regions

The KIDS Foundation aims to address the leading causes of injury, death or disability in Australian children - domestic violence and child safety issues. 

This $98,000 grant will allow KIDS Foundation to deliver its SeeMore child safety and wellbeing education program for children aged 4-6 within 650 child care centres and pre-schools throughout rural and regional NSW.

These children are statistically at higher risk of dying from injuries than their counterparts in metropolitan NSW. Thanks to the Charitable Foundation, the program will reach 23,000 children and focus on learning through literature, play and real-life experiences and addresses the role of educators in supporting self-regulation development through reflective practice, strong relationships with children and families and development of support networks.

Out(fit) - University of Newcastle outreach design truck

Region - All regions

This $123,000 grant will fund the design, engineering and construction of an outreach truck for Out(fit) to engage with, and improve the shared spaces within, disadvantaged communities. 

The truck will act as a ‘toolbox’ to work with communities to deliver exciting projects which improve social infrastructure in shared spaces including schoolyards, skate parks, playgrounds and neighbourhood centres in disadvantaged areas. 

It will also act as a mobile design space, teaching facility, exhibition space, meeting room, catering station, working bee headquarters or movie theatre, staffed by Out(fit)’s core team of volunteers and supported by volunteers to help communities reimagine and rethink their spaces to improve community pride and connection.

Options Theatre Company Community Performance Space Development

Region - Central Coast

Options Theatre Company provides the opportunity for people with a disability to be involved with the arts and offers training in associated roles including sound and lighting, production, and rigging. This funding will enable the completion of a new sustainable enterprise performance space and café at a new Tuggerah site; this includes fit out of the box office and café, and installation of configurable seating for 80 to 100 people.

Options Disability Support has previously received $33,000 in funding for projects from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

2018/19 Wheelchair Sports NSW Member Grant Program – Northern Region

Region - Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Central West, New England

Wheelchair Sports NSW provides a range of programs and financial support for people with physical disabilities to participate in sport. This $33,000 grant will provide up to 100 Wheelchair Sports members access to funding to support their sport participation, be they at beginner level or an experienced athlete. The goal is to encourage and financially support those with a physical disability remain active in their community and maintain good mental wellbeing.

Wheelchair Sports NSW has previously received $30,460 in funding for projects from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.