Scope - Everyday Living - Accommodation

Eastern ReCharge

Eastern ReCharge is a community recreational respite service for people with disabilities and their families residing in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR). ReCharge began in July 2002 with recurrent funding from the Department of Human Services Great Break Funding. We promote community capacity building, working with communities in the region to develop flexible options that meet the respite and recreational needs of people with disabilities, their families and carers.

Project Model and Approach

Recharge incorporate two primary components; community capacity building and respite service provision.

The Community Capacity Building approach aims to build and enhance the ability of the community to develop flexible and meaningful options that respond to the respite and recreational needs of carers and people with disabilities.

The Respite Service Provision is the direct provision of community recreational respite opportunities.

Recreation Opportunities

ReCharge delivers its service regionally, offering 7 recreational respite opportunities every month, with one event happening for each local government area of the Eastern Metropolitan Region. Each event is offered on a weekend for approximately 6 hours in length and delivers from different community venues. Our committed community partners include:
City of Boroondara - Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre
City of Manningham – Manningham Arts Centre and Aquarena Aquatic & Leisure Centre
City of Knox - Knox Leisureworks
City of Monash - Mount Street Neighbourhood House
City of Whitehorse - Box Hill Community Arts Centre
City of Maroondah - Wyreena Community Arts Centre
Shire of Yarra Ranges - Chirnside Park Community Centre and Belgrave South Community House

A Calendar of Events is distributed to families on a quarterly basis, outlining the variety of activities happening at each community venue. These activities vary from month to month and range from visual art or performance workshops, aquatic and sporting activities, to festival and social events. Activities are accessible to all people with disabilities.

Target Group and Eligibility

The target group is families caring for an adult with a disability, be it physical, multiple, intellectual, sensory or acquired brain injury, residing in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR). This includes the local government areas of Whitehorse, Monash, Manningham, Boroondara, Knox, Maroondah & Yarra Ranges.

It will be a priority for families residing in a particular local government area to participate in that area’s respite opportunity, however depending on need and availability, there is flexibility with this approach.

Referrals

Individuals and families can refer themselves to ReCharge, or organisations can make a referral on a family’s behalf. An assessment process will be undertaken to determine the family’s needs and interests, followed by a formal registration process. Referral forms are available from the Project Coordinator or download and complete the form.

ReCharge Recreational Respite Service Referral Form, Word format ( 3 pages, 43KB)

Direct Support and Transport

ReCharge is funded to provide direct support for individuals to actively participate in the recreational respite opportunities. We have a skilled workforce trained in a community inclusive approach, that provides the highest quality of direct support to people with disabilities.

Families are encouraged to provide and resource their own transport to and from the respite opportunities. However, if you face difficulties in doing so, please contact the Project Coordinator to discuss these issues.

Annual "ME" Art Exhibition

The ME Art Exhibition profiles works created by artists of the ReCharge project. The exhibition is presented annually and hosted by one of our nine our community partners in the EMR. “ME” focuses on bringing people of all abilities together through a self-exploration of mixed and digital media. Past art shows have been successfully hosted by Wyreena Community Arts Centre, Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Manningham Gallery, and Mount Street Neighbourhood House Gallery.

How to contact the Eastern ReCharge Program

Contact the Project Coordinator on:
Telephone: (03) 9877 0100
Fax: (03) 98871901
email recharge@scopevic.org.au

Recharge Brochure, PDF Format (2 pages, 160 KB)