Residents are in the fight of their lives to save Sunflower House, which is in danger of shutting down unless it gets another round of government funding.
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The not-for-profit organisation's budget will run dry in June, and they will need $300,000 of government funding to stay open for another year.
The house offers care and activities for those with mental illnesses, but for member turned volunteer Simmone Todd it has become a community of people who support and understand each other.
"They're my people, they're my family," Ms Todd said.
"I haven't had depression since coming here. It does pop up every now and then, but I just come down to Sunflower House and talk to people here and they help you get through it. We all help each other."
Members come together throughout the week for a range of activities - everything from gardening, to horse grooming, to dungeons and dragons, to just regular old chatting.
That supportive network is what helped member Toby Lemont triumph over his battle with addiction, which had previously landed him in hospital.
"By participating in all these social activities it's helped a lot; over the last five years I haven't had a hospitalisation," Mr Lemont said.
"It keeps me active in the community and it's a safe environment with no real judgement."
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Many other residents have also been sent to hospital as a result of their mental illness, including Bill Budd who was in the acute ward after a battle with schizophrenia.
Mr Budd said he would undoubtedly end up back in hospital if Sunflower House shut down and he lost his last connection to the community.
"I'd probably end up in my house, not doing anything, nowhere to go. I'd probably end up in hospital again," he said.
His hospital bill was funded by taxpayers to the tune of $1158 per day for over four months, but since coming to the house he has not been to hospital once.
That cost saving is what Sunflower House president Mark Horton is resting his business case on as he lobbies local, state, and federal governments for more funding.
He said many of his members would otherwise end up on the street or in hospital, leading to a much bigger burden on taxpayers and more strain on the health system.
"Sunflower House is actually saving the government money by not letting people relapse back into hospital," Mr Horton said.
"All the mental health services in Wagga agree that if you don't have Sunflower House, their services can only do so much."
Mr Horton is currently pleading his case to all levels of government, and the members are working together to help keep their community whole.
"It's a place for safety, for camaraderie, all their friends are here and they all understand each other's challenges," Mr Horton said.
"It's hard to understand if you've never experienced mental health problems or been exposed to it."