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The Nerve Centre

The Nerve Centre has been created through the initiative of the MS Society, and the operating costs of the facilities are internally funded with partners making contributions for rent and consumables.

The Victorian Government is currently looking at ways in which the community sector can form stronger commercially based networks to increase efficiency. The Nerve Centre has been put forward as a model for this initiative. We believe the current partnerships can be developed further subject to additional financial resources to drive additional efficiencies and initiatives. The blueprint is in place, but more can be done.

Nerve Centre partner organisations include:

  • Brain Foundation Victoria (Stroke support and carer programs)
  • Yooralla (Independent Living Centre and ComTEC assistive technology services)
  • Maroondah Halfway House (Emergency women's housing service)
  • DEAC (Disability Employment Action Centre)
  • Australian Home Care Services (in home care services)
  • Tourette's Syndrome Association (family support and education)
  • The Porphyria Association (peer support and education)
  • The Gawler Foundation
  • Asperger's Syndrome Support Network
  • The National Alliance of Young People in Nursing Homes (negotiating)

In the further development of a Nerve Centre network, we would aim to develop the following functions:

  • Joint purchasing arrangements (utilities, consumables, infrastructure support)
  • Centralised accounting and IT services
  • Streamlining of information service provision (library collections, information distribution, web, product development)
  • Creation of a web gateway - and provision of web development services to the CSO
  • Shared resources in service planning and the development of new services (funding submissions)
  • Shared training and professional development (facilities, materials and programs
  • Cooperative mechanisms for management of volunteers
  • Cooperative structure for staff recruitment and retention (to minimise turnover costs)

Existing partner organisations also contribute to the life of the Nerve Centre in addition to that made available by the MS Society. Our current partners have particular expertise and resources in the following areas:

  • Staff recruitment and retention
  • Network development and resources
  • Information provision and distribution
  • Consumer participation

A key to the ongoing success at the Nerve Centre is the good infrastructure base that we have built for the benefit of all organisations collocated here. This infrastructure goes well beyond the industry standard in the community sector, and provides a high quality work environment and client contact environment. These include:

  • Fibre Optic broadband internet connection
  • In house IT support for all agencies
  • Shared reception
  • Quality building infrastructure for a safe and secure workplace
  • On site warehousing capacity
  • Dedicated web development capacity
  • Efficient Finance, HR and public policy capacity
  • Fundraising, marketing and development
  • Client services
  • Volunteer management
  • An in house commercial café
  • Technologically capable meeting spaces
  • Efficient library information hub

Much of this infrastructure and facility management is available at our Footscray Centre, which is also a shared facility.

The organisations that have come to the Nerve Centre have sought a number of organisational outcomes. These vary depending on the size and status of the organisation. These include:

  • Cheaper rental costs
  • Higher profile for smaller groups
  • Consistent and quality IT services
  • Dedicated reception service
  • Access to meeting/conference/training facilities
  • Development of shared services with other partner organisations
  • Development of stronger networks

These have been delivered in the most part, but we believe more can be achieved with a dedicated resource to research and negotiate specific agreements with suppliers and partner organisations.

Now a few years on, these outcomes have focused on improved sustainability, and organisations are looking to develop specific agreements about initiatives that will deliver quantifiable savings as well as deliver opportunities for sustainable funding and service growth.

The MS Australia has continued to show unique leadership in the area of sector partnerships, and has been recognized by Government and the community. Our organisation has reaped significant benefit from the partnership program and intends to continue to develop the program in the future.