Local community care provider Community First is set to merge with two Perth-based not-for-profit organisations to expand the scope of its welfare services.
Community First will join Volunteer Task Force and Care Options to create a new, larger entity with an expanded range of services.
The consolidation is being seen as a merger of equals, with each of the three organisations similar in size and, when combined, will employ over 400 staff and assist over 10,000 clients.
Shifts in welfare funding initially prompted the merger discussions over a year ago, with recognition of the potential to create a bigger, stronger WA-based organisation.
Executive Director of Community First, David Shelton, said he first broached the subject of a merger with the chief executive officer of Volunteer Taskforce 12 months ago, and in early 2016 Care Options expressed an interest in joining the proposed merger.
”We are all enthusiastic about the potential of the new entity to improve services to clients and to introduce a wider service offering,” Mr Shelton said.
“Our services are already widely recognised for their quality and value, but the new entity gives us better financial leverage and will allow us to have an even bigger impact in our shared aim of supporting people to live a better life, put simply, in the future we will be able to do more things for more people.
“Being a larger scale organisation will enable us to invest in state-of-the art systems to drive better efficiencies for lower client costs, and operating over a wider geographic area means that we will be better able to develop new and innovative services.”
As the three organisations proceed with the merger process, the board and management will work with staff, volunteers and clients, as well as funding bodies and contract managers, to ensure a smooth transition of all services with minimal impact on customer service provision.
The new organisation will offer a range of in-home aged care services, from day centres and activities to domestic assistance, personal support, meals on wheels, home maintenance and the provision of transport services across the Perth and regional areas of WA.
Community First will also provide mental health, disability and employment support in various locations.
Volunteer Task Force exists to provide people of limited financial, social and physical capacity to live with safety, amenity and comfort in surroundings of their choice.
The organisation provides gardening, domestic assistance, transport, well-being programs, home maintenance, social visits, shopping assistance and outings for people who are elderly or have disabilities.
