The New Year has kicked off with more positive news for Ipswich’s emerging city heart as health and wellbeing services provider Open Minds is moving into the Nicholas Street Precinct.
Open Minds is an independent not-for-profit (NFP) organisation that works with people to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.
Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee Chairperson Councillor Marnie Doyle said Open Minds is a leading provider of mental health and disability support services in Queensland and Northern NSW.
“This is another major coup for the city with Open Minds appointed as the lead agency of the Head to Health service in Ipswich and Kingaroy mid last year,” Cr Doyle said.
“With more than 110 years of history, Open Minds is committed to its purpose of enabling an independent and positive future for people living with mental illness and disabilities.
“Open Minds is also a registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider, with more than 400 employees spread across 35 locations.”
Head to Health centres assist the wellbeing of Queenslanders, improving the accessibility and quality of care for people seeking mental health support by offering a free, no referral service.
Funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government, through the Darling Downs and West Morton PHN, Open Minds has been delivering mental health services through the Ipswich Head to Health Pop up service in East Street since late 2023.
The move to Nicolas Street Precinct will enable accessible support to mental health and wellbeing services for the community in a beautiful and vibrant space.
Open Minds will be located upstairs in the building known as EATS, above Stellarossa and That Dumpling Place.
Council recently announced an independent school, Indie Education, and an earthmoving and logistics company, VE Group AU, as the latest businesses to move into the precinct.
Cr Doyle said the new leases were a fresh vote of confidence in Ipswich Central and the Nicholas Street Precinct as a cultural hub, with more jobs moving into the city and more opportunities for locals to access important services.
“Creating an appealing destination to work, study and collaborate is one of the major focuses of Ipswich City Council in the Nicholas Street Precinct,” Cr Doyle said.
“These new leases will be closely followed by further new tenants moving into the precinct in the new year, with council currently in negotiations with several new businesses. It’s exciting to see our city heart attracting more interest and bringing fresh life to Ipswich.”
Cr Doyle said 2024 would see many new businesses opening across the Nicholas Street Precinct and the variety would appeal to all. The refurbished Hotel Commonwealth and the HOYTS cinema complex would also open their doors later in the year.
“Council is delivering on our promise to revitalise the centre of Ipswich with the inclusion of new businesses and facilities in the precinct, with many more set to open,” Cr Doyle said.
“Open Minds will complement the growing health sector developing right across Ipswich Central, from Ipswich Hospital right down to the Nicholas Street Precinct.”
Open Minds Chief Executive Officer, Kate Johnson said Open Minds has been delivering high quality mental health and crisis support through the Ipswich pop up Head to Health Centre and is excited to be making the Nicholas Street Precinct the permanent home of the service.
“Together with our strong reputation and expertise providing community mental health services, our team is pleased to provide a welcoming space at the Nicholas Street Precinct for the Ipswich community,” Ms Johnson said.
“We are extremely motivated to improve the mental health of people in the community and are honoured to provide real alternatives to hospitals and GPs for people needing support.”
