Central West Grassroots Organisations Share In Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Funding Boost

Vulnerable people and families across the Central West are set to benefit from ex­panded frontline support through the 2026 Newcastle Permanent Charitable Founda­tion Grassroots Grants program.

Local organisations including Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED), Home Address Australia, Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT and Bowen Community Technology Centre are among the recipi­ents, with funding helping these organi­sations respond to growing demand for healthcare, housing, disability and employ­ment support services across the region.

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) has received $40,000 in funding to develop a preventive oral health education program for frontline workers supporting vulnerable communities across regional New South Wales.

The initiative will begin in Orange in part­nership with domestic and family violence support service The Orchard, helping equip non-dental professionals with practical tools to identify dental health issues early, provide preventive guidance and connect people with appropriate care.

Home Address Australia has also re­ceived $50,000 in funding to support peo­ple experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its Central West Lived Experience Community Initiative.

The program will support vulnerable resi­dents in and around Orange through early intervention programs, community col­laboration and lived-experience advocacy, while also establishing a digital platform designed to strengthen awareness of hous­ing insecurity across regional communities.

Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT will use $30,000 in funding to deliver early intervention therapy services for chil­dren living with disability across the Central West.

The initiative will provide occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and paediatric assessments for children experiencing barriers access­ing local services, helping families facing long wait times and significant travel dis­tances access support sooner.