The Charmian Clift Cottages offer support and accommodation for mothers that live with a mental health issue and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Aims of the program:
- To provide safe and secure accommodation
- To enable mothers with mental health issues to become more independent
- To help them develop their living and parenting skills
- To enable them to become more aware of their illnesses and help prevent relapses
- To provide access to mainstream support for mothers with mental health issues and their children
- To promote a safe and stable home life
- To advocate on behalf of a mother with mental health issues and their children
- To provide a safe environment for mothers and their children
- To strengthen relationships between mothers and children
- To enhance children’s development by providing activities that meet their developmental needs
- To provide opportunities for mothers to gain greater understanding of their children’s communication and developmental needs
- To provide age appropriate activities that enhance the development of children
- To instil a sense of hope, self-confidence and self-esteem.
A team of support workers with specialist knowledge and skills provide a broad range of educational, vocational and disability support to meet the women’s complex needs. They also provide opportunities for mothers to discover their strengths as parents and how they can optimise the development of their children.
Individual support planning includes a variety of resources to ensure that clients (women and children) have access to the full range of services they require, using psychosocial programs focused on developing living skills, parenting skills and the maintenance of good health.
This project is funded by the NSW Department of Health through the Women’s Health Unit, and by Family and Community Services (FACS) through the Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS). The purpose-built facility is maintained by the NSW office of Community Housing.