Our Time Out program seeks to provide respite for unpaid carers who look after family members including adult children, partners and parents. This respite allows carers to have some “Time Out” either to attend to their own personal needs, or to enjoy an activity with their loved one – without having to act as their carer.
Margaret is an older person who relies on her daughter to maintain her independence. Recently Margaret wanted to visit her son in Cobram, but her daughter was unable to accompany her. Margaret reached out to Travellers Aid for assistance and was allocated a volunteer companion through our Time Out program. The volunteer travelled with Margaret from Melbourne to Cobram, by train and bus, so she could spend time with her son before he moved interstate.
“Every step of the way I felt safe and cared for” Margaret states.
Staff at Southern Cross station in Melbourne helped Margaret to buy her ticket, hosted her in the Travellers Aid waiting area from where she was taken by buggy to her train, together with her walker and luggage. Margaret had a Travellers Aid Companion travel on the train to Seymour, where she was met by one of our regional staff members who travelled with her by bus for the last leg of her journey.
“I would not have had the courage to go it all alone.” Margaret says about the journey.
So… how does Time Out work?
Step 1
Our staff can accompany our service users with or without carers’ to and from attractions, events, appointments or other day-to-day activities using public transport.
This can be either as an added support for the carer OR as the replacement carer.
Step 2
Our trained staff and volunteers can meet you at a public transport hub either in Melbourne, Geelong or Seymour to accompany you to and from your activity.
Activities may include work, school/education, social activities, appointments or events and attractions.
Step 3
We can provide limited personal care, such as meal assistance.
Step 4
Try to provide 72 hours’ notice for bookings so we can make sure staff and volunteers are available, however we try our best to accommodate late notice bookings.
Step 5
Enjoy your Time Out!
Contact Travellers Aid for more information on the Time Out program:
Call 1300 700 399
Email booknow@travellersaid.org.au