As the full-time carer for her son Willy, Lyn Almond is acutely aware of the shortage of respite care accommodation for people with disabilities in the Goulburn Valley, particularly for overnight stays.
So, when Murchison’s DP Jones aged-care facility went up for sale following insolvency she saw it as a significant opportunity to repurpose the space as short- and medium-term accommodation for people with a wide range of disabilities or ailments from across Victoria.
Once Willy finished at Shepparton’s Verney Road School and turned 18, Ms Almond found there weren’t many services available to him.
Ms Almond said not all care settings proved suitable for Willy.
“I wanted his care to be a little bit more personal,” she said.
Ms Almond said the ratio of participants to carers is an important factor.
“I felt at that stage that he was better being at home with me.”
So when Ms Almond and her partner, Jason Lambrecht, saw DP Jones advertised for sale in the newspaper, after years of wishing and hoping to see an improvement in the range of disability support services in the region, they decided to take matters into their own hands.
Wanting to partner with “good people”, it felt intuitive to invite a couple they loved and trusted, Mr Lambrecht’s sister Andrea Mason and brother-in-law David Frizzell, to join them in the venture.
Now head of care at the family owned and operated Murchison Accommodation Respite Services, to be known as MARS, Ms Almond’s first-hand experience guides the company’s ethos and decision-making.
“I only want to employ compassionate carers, who will treat the kids like their own,” she said.
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With Ms Mason serving as chief financial officer and Mr Lambrecht and Mr Frizzell both directors, each member of the leadership team bring their own skills and a shared understanding of the diverse needs of people living with disabilities.
MARS will offer respite care to people of all ages and, understanding each has their own set of circumstances, the 24/7 service will be as flexible as possible.
“We're sort of opened our arms to everything, so we'll sit down and have an interview (with each prospective guest), and if we can make it work we'll make it work,” Mr Frizzell said.
“If a need arises we’ll do whatever we have to do,” Mr Lambrecht said.
While respite care at MARS will centre the needs of guests, the wellbeing of carers who drop their friend or relative off for a stay is also paramount.
“People deserve a break and need a break to recharge their batteries,” Mr Frizzell said.
“With all the rooms we've got we can accommodate a lot of people, and just give them - the parents and the carers and guardians - a chance to recharge while we look after the loved ones.”
Under liquidator’s instructions, the DP Jones building with four accommodation wings containing a total of 35 single rooms, five double rooms and a commercial kitchen was in late March advertised as a rare investment opportunity.
Greater Shepparton City Council at the time submitted an expression of interest to purchase the building with the intent of leasing it to a suitable operator.
The administrator gave preference to the respite care facility proposal.
Council CEO Peter Harriott wished its new owners all the best in their venture, which would create jobs, reinvigorate the property and provide a vital service to the community.
To inquire about MARS respite care services email admin@marsfamily.com.au or call (03) 5808 8900.
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