HOME in Queanbeyan is set to launch its only fundraising initiative for the year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each year the local charity hosts a film night for the Queanbeyan community.
This years film is the French comedy Back to Burgundy. The movie night will return to The Q and run from 6pm to 10.30pm on Friday October 19.
Tickets are $75 and can be purchased from The Q Box Office or website. This price includes drinks, hot snacks and entry to the film.
Raffle tickets are also available, prizes include exclusive premium corporate packages to Shania Twain and Sam Smith Sydney concerts and a $1000 voucher.
HOME provides 24-hour support accommodation for people living with a mental illness. It operates as a not-for-profit charity organisation with 20 units in Queanbeyan.
A unique venture it was the first of its kind to open in Australia.
Anne Pratt, Manager of HOME, said she and the staff are grateful for all the support given to the organisation by Queanbeyan community.
“I’ve found Queanbeyan is a place where everyone helps each other,” Ms Pratt said.
“There’s no hierarchy between charities or organisations, everyone just wants to help Queanbeyan succeed.
“We don’t rely on government funding because the Queanbeyan community is so strong.
“Queanbeyan has really wrapped its arms around us and embraced HOME.
“The other aspect of what we do is education and mental health awareness, public events allow us to reach out to the community.
“HOME has become a model for similar initiatives as far away as Melbourne.
“Our model hasn’t always worked in other places because it relies on the community to support it, Queanbeyan has really supported us.”
The range of mental illnesses the residents experience is from medium to high.
Each resident has their own one-bedroom self-contained unit, the HOME team providing vital support.
The charity recently opened another unit and looks tot he community to help fund the costs of running what is essentially a large healthcare facility.
The process to determine a new resident requires a number of referrals from medical professionals and family.
Staff will then gather more information before an application goes before the tenancy committee and finally the board.
The decisions are always difficult, Ms Pratt says.
But they do their best to provide a home for the person in most need and assist those not selected with other avenues for support and wellbeing.
