Mernda Social Support Centre a sanctuary for older residents

A new facility serving communities in the north is helping the City of Whittlesea meet the complex needs of an ageing population.

The Mernda Social Support Centre, which was officially opened on Thursday 9 November, is hosting a range of programs to assist older residents improve their physical and mental health.

The $2.69 million facility was built in response to a surge in demand for support for older residents in the growing suburbs of Mernda and Doreen.

Located at 70 Mernda Village Drive, the facility features three activity rooms, kitchen, consulting room, staff office, outdoor barbecue areas and accessible amenities.

The City of Whittlesea is currently offering dementia and memory and social connection sessions out of the centre.

Among the accredited allied healthcare providers using the facility, St Vincent’s Health is delivering its Healthy Ageing service supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older adults.

Merri Health is also using the centre to deliver Commonwealth Home Support Program physiotherapy and occupational therapy services and has plans to expand its presence in 2024.

The facility is also available to community groups, with Whittlesea U3A holding a range of sessions, including digital literacy and ‘cooking for one’ classes.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the centre had quickly become an invaluable place for many older residents in the municipality’s northern suburbs.

“Meeting the needs of an ageing population is a challenge for all levels of government and the Mernda Social Support Centre is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by working together,” she said.

“The City of Whittlesea is very proud to have a safe, accessible and purpose-built facility where residents and their carers can come and participate in programs that will help to ward off the social isolation that so often comes with ageing.”

The centre was jointly funded with Council contributing $1.45 million and the Victorian Government providing a $1.24 million grant from its Growing Suburbs Fund program.

For more information about the Mernda Social Support Centre and its services, please contact Council on 9217 2170.