Maitland Community Care Services (MCCS) is celebrating two very significant milestones this year; 30 years providing home and community care to frail aged and people living with disability, and 50 years of Meals on Wheels operation in the local community.
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Meals on Wheels (MOW) delivered its first meal from Maitland Hospital in 15 January 1968, for nearly a year before moving to the Girl Guides East Maitland, Maitland Town Hall. MOW then commenced delivering from the Town Hall and The Literary Institute in East Maitland. Following renovations, they consolidated operations at the Institute in 1996.
MCCS commenced as a transport provider, Maitland Community Transport’s (MTC) role was to assist transport disadvantaged locals to travel safely to appointments, shopping and maintain social connections. Initially the operations commenced under Maitland Neighbourhood Centre in 1988 before becoming Maitland Community Transport Incorporated.
In 2001 Maitland Neighbour Aid projects joined MCT. Subsequently the name was changed to Maitland Community Transport & Neighbour Aid Inc.
In 2004 they were allocated funding to provide domestic assistance, diversifying the services offered; 2006 saw a name change to Maitland Community Care Services Incorporated (MCCS) and in 2008 Maitland Meals on Wheels merged with MCCS.
In 2011 further diversification came via additional funding from the Department of Health. This lead to the capacity to provide a full suite of services enabling people to remain living independently at home and included: transport, domestic assistance, personal care, food services, social support, peer support and home maintenance.
In 2012 all services operated by MCCS came together on the John Street, Telarah campus where operations continue today. In 2012 HACC funding split into State Government for those under 65 years, and Federal Government for those over 65. Soon after in 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme was introduced and Maitland became a trial site.
MCCS continues to support people under the NDIS program, as well as people over 65, enabling them to remain independent rather than having to move to residential care.
Over the decades, hundreds and hundreds of local volunteers and staff have worked to support the organisation, as well as the thousands of locals who were able to remain living at home thanks to this support.
MCCS currently supports almost 1500 people with in-home services and Home Care Packages. Growing to 48 staff, MCCS enjoys the support of over 90 volunteers. Through Meals on Wheels almost 1000 meals are delivered each week.