Bridge to Work

This Program assists the carers of frail and aged people or people experiencing dementia to find a balance between their caring role, work and study.

Bridge to Work assists people to build their work skills and confidence by helping them to access other services in the local community. We recognise that returning to work and study after a break can be daunting so we provide a supportive environment which allows people to explore their options at their own pace.

The Program assists people to explore their existing skills and strengths as well as their interests and aspirations and then as these become clearer it assists the person to locate work or to confirm study arrangements.

We organise quality respite care for a carer's loved one so they are free to visit us and discuss their options while being confident that the person is receiving high quality care. Respite care continues while people look for work and once they have commenced work or study. Respite is flexible and can even be provided over the weekend or at night-time.

The Bridge to Work program can help people to:

• Find new inspiration
• Update their skills
• Build confidence to apply for the work they prefer
• Develop their strengths
• Learn extra skills to prepare for a new work or study direction
• Rediscover their dreams, goals and motivation
• Increase their family's budget
• Add balance to their caring role

Who is eligible?

These services are available to all people whose role caring for someone who is elderly or has dementia restricts their ability to work or study. It is for people who wish to work full or part time, or who want to upgrade their work skills and qualification to seek new forms of employment. We welcome everyone and we respond to particular cultural and other needs of:

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• People who are financially disadvantaged
• People living in rural and remote Locations
• People who are socially isolated.

Access to service

People wishing to access this service may be referred by other organisations or contact the Bridge to Work Coordinator directly. The Coordinator will then arrange a time to meet either in-home or in the Tweed Valley Respite Service offices in Tweed Heads or Kingscliff.

Hours of Service

Flexible hours of respite will be available to program participants allowing them to meet their work or study needs. Access to respite hours is based on the needs of the carer. Types of care include:

• In-home respite
• Centre based activities
• Small groups activities
• 1:1 Care and Activities

Cost of program

The Bridge to Work program is free for eligible carers. Respite is provided at a low cost to carers, however service will not be refused to families who cannot afford to meet that cost.

Further Information

If you are interested in this program and would like to find out more about it please contact Alyson on 02 6674 2267.

This program is an Australian Government Initiative conducted in the Tweed Shire by Tweed Valley Respite Service Inc.