COUCH

COUCH needs you.

The call is out for counsellors, masseurs, personal trainers, dieticians, beauticians, hairdressers, meditation practitioners and other service providers to put pen to paper to help COUCH secure $11 million from the Federal government for a Wellness Centre in Cairns.

COUCH is currently preparing a submission to apply for funds from the 2011 Round of Health and Hospital Funds. Chairman Charles Woodward said it would be the second time the organisation had put in a bid.

“We sought feedback on why we weren’t successful in the first round and one of the things to emerge was we needed to provide evidence of the level of volunteer services,” Charles said.

Charles said the Wellness Centre’s goal was to provide treatment for the “mental, not just the physical aspects” of cancer sufferers, as well as those recovering from other debilitating diseases.

“We want to offer a range of services including counselling, exercise, massage, nutritional advice, mind therapies, acupuncture, beauticians, hairdressers, and the like with the aim of providing these services free for cancer patients,” he said.

“We need to demonstrate to the Federal Government that we will have a sustainable facility that will not require on-going Federal government funding after construction; and their suggestion was letters confirming very specific commitments in terms of frequency of services.

Owner and operator of Fighting Fit FNQ, Emma Miller and Regional Manager of Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), Dr Alice Crabtree are the first to confirm they will provide services at the Centre when it opens in 2014.

“We have no hesitation in volunteering our services because we know how beneficial the right exercise can be in aiding recovery for people undergoing cancer treatment,” said Emma.

Dr Alice Crabtree said CVA was keen to introduce its Green Gym program into FNQ at the Centre.  Alice said the program was running in Victoria and had proved to be highly successful.

“We’ll develop a program specifically to meet the needs of the clients of the Wellness Centre.

“This may include tree planting, weeding, track building and maintenance of flora and fauna surveys,” which Alice said would be a great fit with the natural forest setting of the proposed Centre.

Charles welcomed Emma and Alice’s support and wants others in the community to follow their lead.

“The more letters of support we receive, the better chance we have of getting a decent slab out of the Federal Government.

“It will be a great place to volunteer. It’s not going to be a tin shed. We want it to be of world standard – a spectacular centre,” Mr Woodward said.

For those wanting to help, Mr Woodward said they could send an email through to info@couch.org.au or post a letter to COUCH PO Box 1230, Cairns, 4870. To be included in the submission, letters are required by no later than Friday 14th October. Click Here to download the letter of support template

Background Information

The Wellness Centre complex will be built in Reservoir Road, Manoora  on two hectares of land donated by the Woodward family.  A series of building will be set amidst a natural forest with two massage rooms, a gym, chapel, children’s play areas, library, beauty and hair salons as well as spaces for hobbies such as gardening, music and art.

Stages 2 will see a $5.4 million two-storey 18-unit patient accommodation centre, with a pool and common room and Stage 3 will be a $5.7 million ancillary centre featuring six medical suites, a pharmacy and a coffee shop. Stage 3 will be a revenue centre, providing ongoing funding for the Wellness Centre to continue operations. Click here to read more about the Wellness Centre

List of Professional Service Providers

In the area of professional service providers, COUCH is looking for:

»      Counsellors

»      Personal Trainers

»      Masseurs

»      Dieticians

»      Yoga Instructors

»      Meditation practitioners

»      Acupuncturists

»      Hairdressers

»      Beauticians

»      Art Therapy services

»      Aromatherapy

»      Music Therapy

Other areas

There’s also a need for general volunteer services, which could include offers to clean once week or fortnight, gardeners, or even the provision of laundry services. COUCH welcomes ideas that volunteers may have.

Enquiries:

Those considering volunteering who want further information are welcome to contact Moira McGovern, Personal Assistant to the Chairman on 4041 9474 or email info@couch.org.au or;

Gaye Scott at The 20/20 Group who is preparing the submission on gaye.scott@the2020group.com.au or 4040 6555.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

1. What level of support should I commit to?

It is entirely what you are comfortable with and able to offer.   Larger enterprises may be able to offer one staff member for half a day a week, for owner operators it may just be one morning a month.  The Wellbeing Centre will offer services to suit the level of volunteers. We might have two companies offering staff for one morning per week = 104 sessions or we might have 12 companies offering one session a month = 144 sessions.

2. When will the centre be operational?

If successful in securing funding – construction will commence July 2012 and we estimate an 18-month construction timeframe – so October 2013 is our target date.

3. What if circumstances change in 2013 and I can’t fulfil on what I’ve promised.

None of us have a crystal ball. What’s important for this submission is to demonstrate the level of volunteer services that the concept can attract in Sept/Oct 2011.

4. I don’t have one of the skills listed, but I want to volunteer.  How can I show support?

Once operational there will be a need for gardeners, cleaners, drivers and other functions we haven’t thought of yet. In your letter of support, you could commit nominate no. of hours per week/month that you will volunteer your time.  We can put a value on this and this helps demonstrate sustainability to those assessing submissions.