A mental health refuge has been saved from imminent collapse, following a heartfelt campaign by its members.
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Sunflower House was on the brink of closure due to a lack of government funding, but it has been given a $113,000 federal grant and a $115,000 state grant to keep it open for another year.
The news overjoyed member-turned-volunteer Simmone Todd, who said the house was a sanctuary and a community for those struggling with mental illness in Wagga.
"They were so happy, so relieved to be back and socialising again," Ms Todd said.
"All these people are really happy that they can still come back to Sunflower House, because quite a few of them would end up in hospital if this wasn't here."
When the house shut down for six weeks, several members did in fact end up in the hospital emergency ward due to several self-harming episodes.
Sunflower House president Mark Horton said it highlighted just how important the house was for these people, many of whom were left completely isolated and vulnerable during their six week shutdown.
"During that time we were ringing the clients to check up on them and lucky we did, because at least three or four who were paranoid and ended up in the emergency unit, and two or three cases where we had to intervene before they did something that could have been fatal," Mr Horton said.
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Volunteers like Ms Todd were also delivering meals to their houses during their regular check-ups, courtesy of Can Assist and Wagga City Council.
Caroline Mobbs, who suffers from a psychosocial diability, visited Sunflower House every day before lockdown and felt dismayed when it had to close.
"I just waited. I didn't like that one little bit. It felt like being locked up in jail," Ms Mobbs said.
"I was glad when they told us it was open again. I was so happy to come back."
Now the house has enough funding to sustain itself for one year, and Mr Horton said in the meantime they were scrambling to transition to an NDIS model so they can continue to run self-sufficiently into the future.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the house was an important asset for the Wagga community, which is why it needed to remain open.
"Sunflower House does valuable work building the skills and capacity of people with severe mental illness, to empower and equip them for daily living tasks in the community," Mr McCormack said.
"This also helps them to maintain their emotional and physical wellbeing, reduces social isolation and increases personal confidence and resilience."
If you are suffering from mental health problems, you can call Accessline Murrumbidgee on 1800 800 944, Lifeline on 13 11 14.