UnitingCare Ageing has appointed a new director for its Sydney Region, which covers the city’s inner west and eastern suburbs.

Joanne Toohey has 16 years of experience in aged care and has worked for many years at a senior executive level within UnitingCare Ageing, where she has established groundbreaking social justice programs and innovative approaches to care.

In her new role, Ms Toohey will oversee the provision of residential and community care to around 14,000 older people.

“Older people can be vulnerable. They don’t have a voice and often feel that they are not part of the community,” she said.

“When older people come to us at UnitingCare Ageing, they need to feel that their life is just continuing; that this is just another exciting chapter of their life. They need to feel valued; that they are still contributing in a meaningful way.”

The director of UnitingCare Ageing, Gillian McFee said Ms Toohey had contributed to the development of a strong network of care services for older people and their carers.

“She has made a significant contribution to the growth in community care services in Sydney Region, particularly around services for people with mental illness and people who are homeless,” she said.

”Sydney Region has an established reputation in this important area of service delivery which supports the social justice principles of UnitingCare Ageing.”

Before her current appointment, Ms Toohey was the region’s property manager and she also served as the its executive manager for residential and community care.