Shannon Leslie Byrne
One of Australia's biggest Social care and NDIS providers
The Benevolent Society, established by Edward Smith Hall in 1813, is Australia's oldest charity.[1] This independent, not-for-profit organization aims to support families, older Australians, and individuals with disabilities.
The Benevolent Society is dedicated to societal progress and positive change. It played a pioneering role in many of today's essential services in Australia, and its tradition of advocating for progressive, positive change continues to guide its work.
The organization operates from 60 locations across New South Wales, including four main hubs in Sydney and a national office, as well as the ACT and 16 sites in Queensland. It employs 1,600 staff and has about 700 volunteers. In 2016–17, more than 56,000 people benefited from The Benevolent Society's 90 services, community programs, and events.[2] Lin Hatfield Dodds serves as the chief executive officer, and Ken Smith is the chair of the company.
Focus Areas
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The Benevolent Society's programs concentrate on providing services to older Australians, individuals with disabilities, ensuring child safety and well-being, and supporting families, particularly those at risk.
Aging
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The Benevolent Society offers services to help older Australians maintain independence at home and support carers. These services include:
housekeeping
laundry
nursing care
personal care assistance
meals
transport
social activities and outings
physiotherapy
podiatry
counseling
dementia care
Disability
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The Benevolent Society is the largest provider of disability services in NSW and has been an approved NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider since 2016. It assists people with transitioning to the NDIS and offers various services under the scheme, including:
physiotherapy
speech therapy
occupational therapy
nutrition support
psychology
nursing
counseling
exercise
personal care, including respectful assistance with washing and dressing
help with meal preparation, or delivered ready-made meals
support with hobbies, outings, and events.
Child and Family
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The Benevolent Society assists families with 64 services, reaching over 44,000 people. These services range from playgroups to parenting education and coaching, household budgeting, practical support, and family counseling.