Baptcare


Baptcare is a leading, faith-based not-for-profit organisation that operates in the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, Australia. It provides residential and community care for older people and support to children, families, and people with disability, financially disadvantaged people and people seeking asylum.

Services

Residential Aged Care

Baptcare operates ten residential aged care facilities in Victoria and Tasmania:
Baptcare's Community Aged Care programs offer care for older people living in their own homes. Baptcare provides Community Aged Care services in metropolitan and regional Victoria, and northern Tasmania. Services include:
Baptcare's Family Services division assists families, children and people with disabilities. Services include:
Baptcare operates Sanctuary, a supported housing service for people seeking asylum in the Melbourne suburbs of Brunswick and Preston.
Sanctuary offers Transitional supported accommodation for people seeking asylum who:
• Are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
• Have little or no income; and
• Are awaiting an outcome on their refugee or humanitarian visa application
Baptcare currently has two Sanctuary facilities. Brunswick has been operating since May 2008 accommodates 28 male asylum seekers and Preston was opened in September 2012 and can accommodate up to 49 asylum seekers – 44 males plus a family of up to five in a self-contained three bedroom apartment.

Baptcare's History

Baptcare's work began when Strathalan Community opened in 1945 as Australia’s first Baptist home for elderly people. The Baptist Church bought the Strathalan homestead in 1944. The Victorian Baptist Women’s Association suggested that Strathalan become a home for the elderly. The VBWA raised 4,000 pounds over four years to re-open the homestead as Strathalan Home for the Elderly.
In 1945, the first of Baptcare's aged care homes, Baptcare Strathalan Community opened.
In 1959, Baptcare Karana Community was constructed.
In 1960, Baptcare Northaven Community was opened.
In 1966, the Hedley Sutton Community Hostel opened and the nursing home was developed later with the proceeds of a legacy.
In 1972, Baptcare's Hedley Sutton Community was opened.
In 1978, Baptcare's Westhaven Nursing Home and Hostel was opened.
In 1981, Baptcare begins providing family services after assuming operations of the Aberfeldie Baptist Church’s emergency child care services.
In 1990, Baptcare gains federal government funding for the first Community Aged Care packages.
In 1991, Baptcare's Karingal Community opened.
In 1996, Westhaven and Southhaven Adult Day Centres opened.
In 1997, St Hilary's Community became part of Baptcare.
In 2006, Baptcare changed its name from Baptist Community Care.
In 2007, Baptcare’s central office relocated to expanded premises in Camberwell.
In 2008, Baptcare expanded its services into Tasmania when it merged with the Devonport-based Karingal Care Services.
In 2008, Baptcare began providing housing for asylum seekers when it established Sanctuary.
In 2009, Baptcare expanded its family services into Tasmania.
In 2010, Baptcare acquired Wyndham Lodge.
In 2011, development of an aged care facility commenced at Westmeadows.
In 2012, Baptcare purchased land for future developments in Lalor, Armstrongs Creek and Norlane.
In 2012, Templestowe Orchards Retirement Living East Doncaster, becomes part of Baptcare.
In 2012, Baptcare Affordable Housing Ltd was established.
In 2013, Baptcare commenced Baptcare Peninsula View Community in Frankston South.
In 2016, Baptcare Norlane Community begins construction.