Merging care services to ‘thrive’ together as ‘one’

An agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) will continue to provide the highest quality of care to around 6,500 older people, children and adults with a disability, their families and carers across the state and southern New South Wales.

VMCH chief executive, Greg Pullen, says the merge will allow two thriving organisations to build on their significant histories and develop and expand their diverse services.

“By combining our expertise and skill we will strengthen our commitment to the community and our capacity to deliver flexible and responsive services – services people want and need, such as disability services and social housing,” he says.

“Our communities are the heart and soul of our organisations and this decision is about delivering the best possible outcomes for the people we support now and into the future.”

Mr Pullen says it is a time of great opportunity for VMCH, which is now responsible for a range of care including specialist education and early childhood intervention for children with disabilities, community based and in home support for older people, carer respite, independent retirement living and residential aged care.

“We continue to focus on changes within the aged, community and disability sectors, preparing for the full introduction of Consumer Directed Care (CDC) from tomorrow  and the National Disability Insurance Scheme from 1 July next year,” Mr Pullen says.

“We also have a number of exciting capital works projects underway, including our premium retirement development in Hawthorn, St Joseph’s Mews, and partnerships including assisting Corpus Christi Community Greenvale in developing its new residential facility for homeless men.”

Mr Pullen says, with change, comes fantastic new opportunities for innovation, growth, expanded partnerships and roles.

“There will be exciting employment opportunities across many areas of the business, particularly within residential aged care, retirement living, disability and community services over the next few years as our workforce swells to about 2,500 people.”

Villa Maria Catholic Homes is a leading not for profit organisation providing quality holistic services and life enhancing opportunities for older people, children and adults with a disability, their families and carers. Formed through the merger of Villa Maria and Catholic Homes this year, the organisation is one of Victoria’s largest not for profit providers of disability, education, accommodation and senior services supporting about 6,500 people across the state and southern New South Wales.