Social Support

Social Support Program

The Social Support program provides a responsive range of social support and minor home assistance options for the frail aged, people with a disability and their carers.

The aim of the program is to assist people to remain living independently at home, to assist them to participate in community life, develop social contacts and friendships and to access services and facilities. This minimises social and geographical isolation and quality of life can be increased.

The program is funded by the Home and Community Care Program through the Department of Ageing and Disability and Home Care

What is Social Support?

Social Support is a program whereby individuals requiring assistance are linked with a volunteer on a 1:1 basis to provide services which best suit their needs. These services are usually low key and equate to the type of duties that a neighbour would do.

The program also has the capacity to pay workers to do the odd job if it is warranted. This may be required if someone has complicated health problems, early dementia, or complex disability needs.

Social Support may include but is not limited to:

• Practical support: assistance with shopping, paying bills, reading, general errands
• Social visiting: a friendly visit from a volunteer to meet with the client in their home and/or to take them out
• Assistance to access and participate in community social/educational programs: Transport and assistance may be available to assist people to access and participate in community activities both of a social and educational nature.
• Small home maintenance tasks where appropriate: changing of light bulbs, small carpentry tasks.
• Light gardening tasks: weeding.

Who is Eligible:

The Social Support program assists the frail aged, people with disabilities and their carers. Special needs groups include:

• 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 requiring assistance can be referred by other organizations or can contact the Social Support Team Leader directly. The Team Leader will then complete an assessment either in-home or over the telephone.

It is the intention of the Social Support program to work closely with other support services in the Tweed Shire.

Hours of Service

Hours of service to clients will be based on the individual needs of the carer. The program will be flexible and consider HACC National Service Guidelines and National Respite for Carer guidelines when prioritising clients access to service and required needs.

Cost of program:

Carers will be requested to contribute to service delivery. However no one will be discriminated against or refused service on the grounds that they can not contribute to the cost of the service.

Further Information

Should you require further information regarding the program or wish to make a referral to the Social Support program, please contact Rae Townend, Team Leader on 02 6674 2267.