Bockholt appointed Coastlink CEO

Cr Lynne Bockholt, who lives at Umina, has been appointed CEO at Coastlink Respite Care.

The organisation has been offering respite services across the Central Coast for 16 years.

"Coastlink is an organisation which offers various kinds of respite to people with a disability and their carers," said Cr Bockholt.

"We offer one to one respite for people with high support needs.

"This work is usually carried out by paid workers."

"Our activities program offers a variety of things for people with a disability to do, including bowling, movies and social nights which are very popular."

Cr Bockholt said people with disabilities were just like anyone else in that they liked to socialise with their friends, go to the football or see a show.

She said these were the services respite care offered.

"This also allows parents and carers to have a break so they could catch up on the things they needed to do," she said.

"We are looking for volunteers to help with activities and there is no need for people to have experience.

"Personal care is a major growth industry with work available on the Central Coast.

"We are willing to assist people of all ages to get the skills they need to move into this field by becoming volunteers with us.

"Age is no barrier and we welcome mature age people who may have been retrenched or may have been out of the workforce for some time who are looking to up-skill or change job direction, " Cr Bockholt said.

"We are also looking for host families who may be interested in taking a child or young person with a physical or mental disability into their homes for a day or weekend so that the child can have new experiences and become close to another family.

"This is enriching for both the child and the host family who, in most cases, develop a close, ongoing relationship," she said.

"I have certainly enjoyed my first weeks at Coastlink and am keen to ensure that we offer as many services as possible and to do this we need more volunteers," said Cr Bockholt.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 4353 3443.

Media release, June 4