Local people living with disability are continuing to keep the food and essential goods supply chains going, right here on the Central Coast at Fairhaven’s CoPack packaging facility at Tuggerah.
Operating within the current COVID-safe guidelines, supported worker Robert is pleased he can still continue to work during the current lockdown.
He says he enjoys his working days performing a wide variety of tasks ranging from weighing and filling food products, bundling and packaging vet supplies to picking and packing for companies offering online sales.
“It’s great that we are still able to be productive and keep working at the moment,” said Facility Co-ordinator, Anthony Aglio.
“Meaningful employment offers not only the opportunity to work in a productive environment but through that, a place for interaction and connection that is difficult to provide for people living with disability in the current lockdown environment,” he said.
Fairhaven Services, a local disability services provider, was established in 1962, originally as a school for children with disabilities.
It has grown from those humble beginnings almost 60 years ago to become the Central Coast’s largest employer of people living with disability.
Employing more than 100 local people living with disability, Fairhaven Services packs a wide range of products from organic olive oil to specialist teas, herbs and spices from small boutique businesses to vet supplies and personal care products from large multi-national companies.
Aglio says that in the past five years the facility has grown in reputation and standing in the world of filling, packaging and distribution services, having achieved Food Safety Certification from HACCP Australia and Australian Organic Certification for the fast-growing organic sector.
As well as employment, Fairhaven provides services and options for local people with NDIS packages including modern, purpose-built home residences, community support services and activities, school leavers pre-employment pathways and training as well as further employment options via the Fairhaven Op Shopping Village at Point Clare.
Source:
Media release, July 30
Fairhaven