Grampians Community Health has experienced a 33 per cent increase in staff numbers over the past two years - from 150 to 200 - with more growth anticipated over the next 12 months.

CEO Greg Little said growth was happening across the board but predominantly in family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol and aged care services.

The expansion has been in line with Grampians Community Health's strategic plan which seeks to identify and fill gaps in local services, and is also in response to growing demand caused by COVID-19.

Mr Little said the growth represented a huge investment into the Grampians-Wimmera economy with positive flow-on effects in the community.

"As a not-for-profit, we're directing all our resources back into programs and supporting those staff who deliver these services," he said.

READ MORE:

"We exist to serve our community and try to identify gaps and advocate for services where there is a genuine need."

In addition to its main offices in Stawell, Ararat and Horsham, Grampians Community Health now provides services in St Arnaud, Warracknabeal, Hamilton, Maryborough, Edenhope, Nhill and other regional towns and communities.

"We might not have permanent offices in every town, but we're providing regular services right across the region," Mr Little said. "Our programs are making a huge difference in the lives of people."

Mr Little said many programs had expanded as a response to the impact of COVID-19, including family violence, drug and alcohol and mental health services.

"COVID has exposed the impacts of isolation for some people and the challenges of living together in confined spaces for others where behaviours can be amplified," he said.

The latest Victorian crime statistics for the Northern Grampians region show family violence orders increased from 84 to 179 and drug possession crimes from 79 to 126 this year.

The expansion will continue in 2022 with at least 15 people to be employed for a new Orange Door support and safety hub for people experiencing family violence in Horsham.

OTHER NEWS:

Earlier this year, Grampians Community Health started delivering aged and disability services in Horsham, adding 30 staff to service more than 600 new clients.

Grampians Community Health has also experienced an equivalent growth in supporting NDIS clients.

Grampians Community Health is also delivering direct COVID-19 support programs and acting as a vaccination ambassador. There are also new programs in chronic disease management, support for people with movement disorders and counselling for people living in residential aged care.

Grampians Community Health has been advertising to fill the new positions.

"We're fortunate to have a stable existing workforce and at the same time people are looking to migrate into our area so we're getting a lot of quality applicants," Mr Little said.

Grampians Community Health is also working with universities to attract suitable staff and offer work placement opportunities.

In addition to on-the-ground staff, an expanded management structure will start in July with an additional four program leaders and two managers to support the growth. Human resources and finance staff have also been boosted.

Despite the expansion, Grampians Community Health has been able to accommodate the additional staff, with many now opting for a blended model of working from home and in the office.

"One of the advantages of COVID is that people have become flexible with working from home," Mr Little said.

Mr Little said Grampians Community Health had benefitted from the change to consumer-directed spending, like NDIS and My Aged Care.

"This is giving people the capacity to choose which agency they want and it's a great compliment that they are selecting Grampians Community Health because it shows we're doing the right thing by our community."

If you can see this message, you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Stawell Times-News, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and for allowing us to continue telling Stawell's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great town.