Artists impression of Copperhouse Court extension – external
Helping Hand has announced plans to commence upgrades and to its Copperhouse Court and Yeltana residential aged care homes this year, providing more quality care for local residents.
The announcement has come with a funding boost from the Albanese Government, which has grown $22M to allow for a rise in costs and materials.
Helping Hand Chief Executive Officer Chris Stewart said, “We’ll be taking a careful, phased approach with construction expected to begin before the end of 2025. No residents will be asked to move out during the development. Each phase is being thoughtfully planned to ensure the number of available rooms stays the same throughout, in recognition of the strong demand for aged care beds in Whyalla. We’ll also work hard to minimise noise and disruption, while continuing to provide the high-quality care our residents rely on.”
The upgrade will provide a total of eight new rooms across the two sites, providing more rooms for older people in need.
The funding will help provide:
Yeltana
- A new wing
- An upgrade of all shared rooms to individual rooms with ensuites (no shared bathrooms)
- A new dining area and multi-purpose activity space
- An upgrade of electrical systems
- New courtyard with BBQ and water feature
Copperhouse Court
- Additional rooms
- A flexible multi-purpose space for activities
- An upgrade to rooms and amenities, including painting and flooring
- Landscaped and sheltered external areas.
The long-term benefits of this upgrade are immense as Helping Hand remains the only residential care provider in Whyalla and one of the biggest employers. Mr Stewart continued, “this funding is allowing us to expand our services and ensure that more Whyalla residents will have access to quality care locally and be able to spend their final years close to their family and community.”
“Just as importantly, thanks to the support of the Albanese Government, we will provide rooms and amenities that deliver on dignity, safety and privacy.
“Our plan is to increase capacity at our Copperhouse Court care home and upgrade all shared rooms to individual rooms with private ensuite bathrooms in our Yeltana care home, which is beneficial for infection control. Both care homes will also have new multi-purpose spaces which will offer increased opportunities for social connection – which we know is so important for ageing well.”
“Residential aged care will always have a place in the community, and as the population of older South Australians increases, we need to make sure we keep up with improving the quality of the care available in regional communities,” Mr Stewart said.
Helping Hand has appointed Kennett Builders to deliver the project, having worked successfully with them on previous regional developments in Jamestown and Port Pirie. Kennett Builders, General Manager, Anthony Carbone said, “We’re committed to using local trades wherever possible for this project, which means this investment will create real opportunities for local tradespeople in Whyalla. We see building strong partnerships with local contractors as absolutely key to the success of this development.”
Helping Hand would also like to acknowledge the City of Whyalla for their support and excellent engagement since joining the community.
Supporting Allied Health students in Whyalla
As part of its ongoing commitment to expand aged care services in Whyalla, Helping Hand will start sponsoring UniSA allied health students in the local community. Two students, one from Occupational Therapy and one from Physio will be sponsored per year, for three years. The funding would focus on students that are financially and/or educationally disadvantaged.
Background on Helping Hand in Whyalla
Kindred Living transitioned to Helping Hand in November 2022. Since then, Helping Hand has been determined to build on the legacy created by Whyalla locals to assist older and vulnerable people to remain living in their community as they age. Aged care services in Whyalla were established by the local community and since first being invested into in 1968 have continued to grow.
“At Helping Hand, we take the responsibility to honour this history, and to continue this legacy, very seriously. We’re delighted that we have been able to secure this funding to develop and enhance the aged care services available to regional South Australians,” Mr Stewart said.
