Lotterywest grant supports rehabilitation for young adults with acquired brain injury

A centre delivering rehabilitation for young people with severe brain injury has received a State Government-supported Lotterywest grant of $3.75million to continue its unique program.

The Brightwater Care Group, East Victoria Park rehabilitation facility offers an Australian-first residential and community care program to transition people with an acquired brain injury from hospital back into the community.

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton said the grant would help fund stage one of the redevelopment of the 40-year-old Oats Street facility, on top of $4.2million Lotterywest grant awarded to Brightwater Care Group last year.

"There are at least 600 new cases of severe brain injury each year in Western Australia and this funding will enable the service to deliver its essential service for the increasing number of people with disability - in particular people with acquired brain injury - into the future," Mrs Morton said.

"This redeveloped facility will provide for an additional 60 people in rehabilitation, doubling the current program capability."

The Minister said WA was the only State in Australia where the profits from lottery games were returned directly back to the community as grants and in 2009-10, Lotterywest gave nearly $235million to the WA community.

"Brightwater is a worthy recipient of a Lotterywest grant because of the high level of care and support it provides to people with acquired brain injury and cognitive issues," she said.

"Brightwater's mission is to enrich the lives of the elderly and younger people with disability to assist them to achieve their quality of life.  This mission aligns with the aims of the State Government's Count Me In: Disability Future Directions Strategy that all people live in welcoming communities facilitating citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone."