Interchange North West

Recreation and respite opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

What is Respite?
Respite means different things for different families. Respite is intended to provide carers time out to attend to other matters, other family members and above all, have time for themselves.

Respite can reduce the stress of caring and assist carers to look after their own health and wellbeing. Respite is most successful when it provides carers with a break as well as providing the person being cared for, with a positive experience.

Interchange North West Respite Services:

• Recreation Program
  Fun, community based activities for children and young people with disabilities. Activities are run in a group setting where group members share similar interests, hobbies and are of a similar age.
  School holiday programs.
  Family days for families to spend time together enjoying a range of fun activities and time to make new friends.
  Camps for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

• Volunteer Host Program
  Aims to provide families with children with disabilities regular individualised respite care through specially trained volunteers.
  Individual volunteers are trained and matched to a child or young person. The volunteer then provides respite in the volunteer’s home on a regular basis.

• Support for Parents
  Parent Support Groups meet regularly at Sunbury, Craigieburn and Pascoe Vale. These groups provide parents with the opportunity to share experiences and information, and provide each other with support in a relaxed and informal setting.
  A range of information sessions are held on a regular basis.

All programs are organised and facilitated by experienced staff and trained volunteers.

Eligibility
Families with children and young adults with disabilities who live in the North West metropolitan area of Melbourne.

Referrals to Merri Community Health Services
Commonwealth Carelink and Respite Centre 1800 052 222