SUPPORT: Neighbour Aid clients Edna Dyke and Margaret Egan with team leader Deborah Slade.
A FUNDING boost of $20,000 for Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Neighbour Aid means the service can reopen their books for new clients.
The Tea Gardens Hawks Nest area has been pinpointed has having a high need for the social support Neighbour Aid provides.
Ninety clients use the service but neighbour aid team leader Deborah Slade said the funding would allow people on the waiting list to be accepted into the program.
"With the extra funding we hope to take on 110 to 115 clients," she said.
Previously the service has been receiving $96,000 a year from the federal and state government.
Mrs Slade said the funding would not only allow them to take on more clients but would also allow for extended hours and additional outings.
"Once every quarter the social group goes on a local outing, now we hope to go outside the area for some of these trips," she said.
She also mentioned the possibility of employing extra staff and social outings being extended from four hours to five.
The extra funding will start on July 1 and Mrs Slade said it would be shared among all clients. As well as social outings the service provides shopping and domestic assistance. For more information about Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Neighbour Aids contact Mrs Slade on
4997 1143.
