Welcome to the eleventh communique regarding Knoxbrooke’s response to COVID-19 coronavirus.

Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor events locally and globally and considers all new Federal, State and Local Government announcements. The health and safety of the people we support and our team is front of mind when undertaking such reviews.

Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce last met on Thursday, 18 June and advise as follows:

Slow and steady, safety-first approach

The approach adopted by Knoxbrooke has been safety first. This approach has guided the measured re-opening of the social enterprises and alternative supports for Achieve, Basecamps and Mawarra.

This week has seen the continuation of this journey. Given the recent outbreak of clusters of COVID-19 in Melbourne hotspots, we remain prepared to pause and suspend services again if necessary.

GENERAL UPDATE

Achieve and Achieve Boutique

Achieve re-commenced face-to-face group support this week with appropriate safety measures in place. Achieve Ferntree Gully and Achieve Ringwood groups are co-locating at The Hub, Ringwood.

Achieve Boutique remains closed due to staff shortages.

Mawarra

Currently available is 1:1 in-home support, group Zoom sessions and small group centre-based support. Should you wish to receive further information, please contact Claire Cutler, West Gippsland Regional Manager on 0499 600 666 or email clairec@knoxbrooke.com.au

Basecamps

Currently available is 1:1 in-home support, group Zoom sessions and small group centre-based support. Basecamp sites are not being used and remain closed until at least 31 July 2020.  

St Stephens Hall is being used for performing arts and the Ferntree Gully Achieve site is the meeting point for small group bushwalking and art activities.

Should you wish to receive further information, please contact Gai Campbell, Outer East Regional Manager on 0419 534 094 or email gaic@knoxbrooke.com.au

Social enterprises

No significant changes since last communique.

Office arrangements

The Hub administration remains closed until further notice.

Warragul administration office is open on reduced hours; should you need to attend in person, please call ahead to avoid disappointment.

You can still call the main lines and your call will be redirected to Knoxbrooke team members working remotely.

Payment of accounts in person is unfortunately no longer possible. Payments can be made through bank transfer, direct debit or cheques/bank cheques mailed

COVID-19 Coronavirus and Knoxbrooke

Please be advised that Knoxbrooke does not have any current cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Knoxbrooke regularly receives notifications of people and/or staff undergoing COVID-19 tests. All results to date have returned negative.

Should you have flu-like symptoms, please follow the advice of https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus and call the Government COVID-19 HOTLINE on 1800 675 398.

Please also alert Knoxbrooke through either the Knoxbrooke HOTLINE or email below:

HOTLINE:            0475 500 550

Email:  covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au

For up-to-date information on Knoxbrooke services, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 website: www.knoxbrooke.com.au/covid19

Thank you for your continued support.

Kristian Dauncey

Chief Executive Officer