Respite Connections

Respite Connections offers assistance and information for families and people who care for a family member or friend.
The person they care for may be:
-an elderly or frail aged person
-a person with a mental illness
-a person with a disability (0-65 years of age) a disability can mean an intellectual, physical or sensory impairment, an acquired brain injury or chronic illness

Support for carers is important. Some carers have help from family and friends yet others do not. Carers in all situations need relevant and accurate information. At times, carers also need assistance and support or they may need a short break (respite).

Respite Connections understands the important role carers have in the community. The service aims to give carers in the Western Metropolitan Region, the information, support and assistance they need through the delivery of Carer Support, Respite Coordination, and Residential Respite Development services.
Respite Connections covers the local government areas of: Brimbank; Hobson’s Bay; Maribyrnong; Melbourne; Melton; Moonee Valley; and Wyndham.
For more information contact Respite Connections - formerly Carer Links West on Freecall 1800 059 059.
Respite Connections is part of a statewide network of Carer Respite Centres who provide similar services in the other regions of Victoria. Respite Connections is funded by the state and federal government. To contact the Carer Respite Centre in your region telephone Freecall 1800 059 059 from your local landline.



Referrals:

Carers can call us directly to arrange a referral with our Intake Worker:

Service Providers can download a copy of our current referral forms below:

Section 1 – 6 pages (pdf file)
Section 2 – Consent 1 page (pdf file)


You will need to fill out both sections (7 pages total) and fax this to us directly on Fax: 9396 9555

Copies of the forms to download are also available at the bottom of this page.

Disability Services

This program has been established to enhance access to respite for carers of people with a disability.

How can the Disability Program assist you?
The Disability Program can:
*Provide information about services and supports and help you to access flexible respite options
*Increase your understanding of the services available to you and the person you support
*If eligible, provide short-term financial assistance to help cover the cost of respite

We can also support you through:
*Raising awareness of the needs and concerns of carers of people with a disability with service providers and the broader community.
*Working in partnership with other service providers to support the development of services that are sensitive to the needs of carers.
*Creating opportunities for carers to talk about the issues that affect them.
*Providing your feedback about carer issues to services in the region.
*Providing resources for families/carer support groups.

What is respite?
Respite organised through Respite Connections provides short term and time limited breaks for families/carers on a planned basis. Respite may take place at home, in facilities in the community or during out of home activities. Respite is an opportunity to support and maintain the care giver whilst providing a positive experience for the care recipient.
Depending on carer need, types of respite services may include:
*In-home/out of home respite.
*Day programs.
*Before & after school programs·
Camps and holiday programs.
Recreation & leisure activitie
*Residential/facility based respite

Why is respite important?
Respite can reduce the stress of caring and assist families/carers to look after their own health and well-being. Families/carers can also use respite to attend to personal matters of to other family members. Respite care enables carers to continue to fulfil their caring role by giving them time out for themselves. Respite care also gives the person being cared for an opportunity to participate in enjoyable activities.

Who is eligible to access the program?
Family members or carers of a person with a disability. A disability can mean an intellectual, physical or sensory disability or acquired brain injury or a person with a chronic and disabling illness.
People residing in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne

Disability Carer Support Group-Funding Opportunities.:
We encourage parents, carers, community groups and other service providers to contact us with ideas or projects they may have to help support carers in the Western region.

Currently the Disability team has an annual group-funding round, where existing carer/ parent support groups can apply for funds for an outing/activity or to assist in the general running costs of the group. Funds can also be used to seed new groups or those wanting to establish themselves.

Some examples of the way this funding has been used include:
*A Movie and Pizza night for Parents of children with ADD/ ADHD
*Chinese and Turkish carer group day trip to the Bellarine Peninsula

*The maintenance of a Dad’s together group.

We also organise carer retreats and carer workshops on topics such as advocacy, stress management and ‘looking after yourself.

Click here to find out more about the Brimbank Respite Activity Group for 12-18 year olds in the Brimbank area


Click here to find out more about our Carer Support Group (West Care Friends) for Carers 60years and over

Respite North and West

Respite North and West is a web-site designed to improve access to information for people with an interest in respite issues in the North and West Metropolitan Region. The web site is auspiced by Respsite Connections and funded by the Department of Human Services.

Respite North and West web site

View more information about Respite Connections - formerly - Carer Links West and the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre


View more information about Carers Victoria

Older Families Support and Planning Program - Western

The program consists of Carer Support Workers and a Community Development Worker and aims to assist carers who are over the age of 65, (or are an indigenous carer over the age of 45); who care for someone who has a lifetime disability (eg. down’s syndrome, intellectual disability); and who lives at home with them; have not accessed regular respite; live in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs and are worried about what will happen in the future.

Click here to find out more about this program