ARV and Anglicare Sydney Merge to Expand Aged Care Services

A decision to merge Anglicare Sydney and ARV (Anglican Retirement Villages) was made at a special meeting of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney last month. 

Together ARV and Anglicare Sydney reach approximately 50,000 people every year.  The newly merged organisation now becomes one of the largest Aged Care providers in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra Region.

Over the last couple of years the CEOs of ARV and Anglicare Sydney have discussed opportunities for the two organisations to work more closely together, given the similarity of services. 

“Combining our organisations will extend our ability to offer high quality social, welfare and aged care services.  Anglicare is already well known in the community but our combined organisation will strengthen our advocacy agenda on behalf of the people we serve.  Joining forces means greater opportunities to provide for older Australians and people living on the margins,” says Grant Millard, CEO Anglicare.

Synod’s decision to merge is a significant milestone for the two organisations, as well as for the Sydney Anglican Diocese. The merged organisation is set to formally begin operation on 1 July 2016.  The name for the organisation is still to be determined.

“Our combined organisation expands our work in community aged care, residential aged care and retirement villages. It will give us better economies of scale. This allows us to invest more in technology, and innovative programs designed to improve quality of life for our residents and clients.  Our greater capacity will also allow us to develop new services and programs for vulnerable people in our community,” says Rob Freeman, ARV CEO.

The merged organisation is supported by approximately 3,800 staff (F/T and P/T) and 2,900 volunteers. It will provide aged care services to 6,600 people living in the community.  It will operate 20 Day Centres; 1 overnight Respite Centre; 22 Retirement Villages; 22 Residential Aged Care Homes; and 9 Community Service Centres across Sydney and the Illawarra region. While there is a substantial focus on retirement living and aged care, community and family support services are still an essential part of the work.

Both ARV and Anglicare Sydney are highly respected for the way they care, serve and minister to people in the community.  Their mission is to show the love of Jesus in action.  By joining forces, the new organisation will have increased capabilities, a wider geographical spread, and stronger connections with Church communities across the Sydney Anglican Diocese.

Click here to find out more about ARV and Anglicare's aged care services.