About Us – The Open Circle

background

Open Circle is a home to men and women older than 18 years, who have an Intellectual Disability and other associated disorders such as Autism, genetic differences like Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as well as psychiatric problems. Our residents also display one or more types of challenging behaviour such as oppositional behaviour, destructiveness, aggression, obsessions and compulsions, anxiety, sexually inappropriate and self-injurious behaviour.

Adults with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours place a constant and heavy demand on their parents or carers. For families and households care becomes impossible to maintain despite their deep concern and commitment to their family members. The Open Circle was founded to offer specialised support to residents and their families because existing care facilities for people with intellectual disability do not accept adults with these challenging behaviours.

The Open Circle was opened by Prof. Househam (Department of Health), Minister Albert Fritz (Social Development) and Minister Grant (Public works) on 6 May 2015. An unused nurse’s home on the grounds of the Alexandra Hospital was renovated into the 30-bed supported living facility it is today.

Mission

Our purpose is to provide a safe, nurturing home for our residents, guided by our goals:

To create a medium-high supported living environment which promotes quality of life and encourages independence.
To help residents to behave appropriately by supporting and modelling good behaviour.
To promote health through early detection and effective management of acute and chronic physical and psychiatric conditions.
To ensure community reintegration through partnering with families, volunteers, government departments and other NPO’s.

Find out more about how we work to achieve our mission and how you can partner with us to achieve our goals.

governance

Physical Address: Grounds of Alexandra Hospital, Corner of Alexandra & Annex Roads, Maitland, 7405

Postal Address: P.O Box 140 Maitland 7404

Tel: (021)510 1259

Reg no: 120-942-NPO PBO 930049194 Tax ref no. 9133926197

Management Committee:

Cheryl Barratt (Chairperson)

Tim Forshaw (Treasurer)

Ekin Kench

Judy Bentley

Les Nel

Miranda Forshaw

Annual Reports

Each year, our Facility Manager puts together a comprehensive report which outlines the goals, operational services and programs of The Open Circle. This gives a good insight into daily life at the Open Circle.

Partners & Donors

We acknowledge and thank our partners and donors for their invaluable contribution to The Open Circle. For a list of donors, please see the Annual Reports.