headspace Nowra celebrates its new premises
5 May 2022
headspace Nowra will celebrate the relocation to its new premises in Nowra today, Thursday 5 May. Since 2012, headspace Nowra has been providing young people aged 12 to 25 access to youth friendly, free and confidential mental health and wellbeing services in their local area.
headspace Nowra’s Kinghorne Street premises will be opened officially by Senator Hollie Hughes, Senator for NSW along with Adam Phillips, (Grand Pacific Health’s CEO), Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore), Jo Telenta (Acting Mental Health Manager, COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN) and members of the Youth Reference Group.
The new premise includes two large group spaces, a reception and waiting area, a GP room and eight other consult rooms, as well as meeting rooms, office space and amenities.
Adam Phillips, Grand Pacific Health’s CEO, said headspace Nowra’s new premises provide more consulting rooms, strong soundproofing and space to accommodate the growing workforce, which is needed to support the long-term sustainability of the service.
“We consulted with a number of young people who felt it was in a great spot near the town centre, and easily accessible to young people in Nowra,” Mr Phillips said.
Ebony Kay, a member of headspace Nowra’s Youth Reference Group (YRG) said headspace relies on local young people’s feedback on how they operate, including choosing the location of the centre as well as design layout, furniture and artworks.
“The new headspace centre is a great move as it is more central and is easier for young people who rely on public transport to access. Having a street presence in the central business district (CBD) is also good for young people who pass by and may not be aware of the service,” said Ms Kay.
“Our YRG suggested and selected a local indigenous artwork to be displayed in the Nowra centre. We also have a lot of extra space for YRG meetings and future activities such as social group spaces and other great activities for young people which is exciting,” she said.
headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said he was thrilled to see headspace Nowra's relocated centre officially open.
“The relocation enables headspace to continue supporting young people in a fresh, new space that Nowra’s young people can be proud to call it their own,” he said.
“The team at headspace Nowra are awesome and I’m pleased they too can enjoy the new space and continue their great support of young people in the region.”
COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN worked closely with Grand Pacific Health to secure funding for the relocation through Round 2 of the ‘Youth Mental Health: headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program’.
Dianne Kitcher, COORDINARE’s CEO said: “As youth mental health services are in high demand, fit for purpose spaces are essential to provide a safe and well utilised service. We continue to seek opportunities to build the available workforce and partner with agencies to ensure mental health services are responsive to community need and accessible in a timely manner.”
Community members are invited to book a spot in a half-hour afternoon tour of the new centre. Bookings can be made via headspace Nowra’s webpage.