Travellers Aid is delighted to have received funding to set up an innovative new program across Victoria – the Participation Assistance Service. This program will provide respite for unpaid carers who look after parents, partners, adult children or other family members and friends, so that they can have some time out to attend to their own personal needs. This may be to attend medical appointments; to go shopping; to engage in leisure activities; to attend cultural or social events or just have a rest.
Travellers Aid will meet the care recipient, who may have travelled with their carer into a regional centre or into metropolitan Melbourne and accompany them on fun and flexible outings. The carer can be confident that their loved family member or friend will be well supported by trained Travellers Aid staff or volunteers during their absence. The program can also be booked for joint outings of the carer and the care recipient to enjoy an activity together.
Activities will be tailored to individual preferences and will include a range of options such as visiting a local attraction; enjoying an art gallery or museum; attending a music concert or the theatre; experiencing the ambience of a local park or a regional zoo; attending a local farmers’ market or the Queen Victoria market. Travellers Aid will work with the carer and the care recipient to make sure the outing is enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.
We will also build on our partnerships with regional and metropolitan community groups and volunteer organisations, as well as transport providers, tourism providers and event organisers to support local, accessible experiences.
If you would like to participate in this program, either as a volunteer OR as someone who would like to access this program for some respite, please email info@travellersaid.org.au
For further information, visit the Travellers Aid website www.travellersaid.org.au or
call us on 03 9654 2600.