If you have a disability, or are a carer or service provider who needs information, we can provide you with information on issues and services as well as with referrals. Just email hcc@holroyd.nsw.gov.au, phone 02 9840 9913 (our TTY number is 02 9840 9988).

We have information on services with the Holroyd area and the surrounding suburbs within the Cumberland/Prospect region. At times there may be no services available that meet your needs.

We can advise you on key areas of support such as accommodation, transport, respite and recreation as well as holiday options, discrimination, legal issues, independent living and much more.

If you would like to browse some of the services available you can view the Community Information Directory. The National Disability Service provides information on Aboriginal Resources and Pathways.

DisAbility News

• DisAbility News - Community Information Autumn 2013

Holroyd Council assists the frail aged and people with disabilities, as well as their carers. There is a day care program that runs in Guildford, and a special new program to help working carers.

Guildford Community Centre

Council provides respite day care for the frail aged, people with disabilities and their carers at the Guildford Community Centre.

Participants have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities at the centre, weekly outings and an annual holiday. Accessible transport and a home cooked meal is provided each day.

We aim to assist frail aged and people with disabilities to maintain their independence in the community, preventing premature placement into institutional care.

Available services:

• Centre-based activities (indoor games, sing-a-long, guest speakers, gentle exercises and theme days) which encourage socialisation
• A hot home-cooked meal each day
• Weekly outings and an annual holiday
• Respite for carers as a result of the activities
• Affordable and accessible transport for clients to the service and from home again
• Information on and referrals to other services.

Cost

Transport to and from the centre is $7 a day.

Hot meals are $6 each.

Outing costs vary depending on the destination.

Accessing Respite Care

To enrol in the respite program telephone the coordinator directly on 9632 2765 or write to:

90 ONeill St
Guildford NSW 2161

A family member, friend or advocacy service can contact us on your behalf.

An assessment should take place within two weeks of your initial contact and will be completed by the Coordinator who will then inform you within two working days of his/her decision regarding your request for assistance.

Arabic Dementia Centre Based Day Care Program

The Program will operate 4 days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those eligible to attend are members from the Arabic community who have mild to medium dementia and live in the Holroyd, Parramatta or Auburn Local Government areas. A bi-lingual worker has been appointed to assist with any language requirements, assessments and running of daily group activities.

For more information or to make a referral for this group ring the Centre Coordinator or the Arabic Dementia Program Worker on (02) 9632 2765.

Working Carers

Are you juggling to work and care for a family member, relative or friend and finding it hard to cope?

The Working Carers Liaison project is a free project for people in the Cumberland-Prospect area, and is trying new ways of meeting the needs of working carers who are also supporting or caring  without payment.

The person being cared for may be frail aged, have a disability, chronically or terminally ill or have dementia.

You may be struggling with problems such as:

• being late for work
• needing time off work
• feeling highly stressed
• working reduced hours or felt pressured to resign and provide full time care
• concentration difficulties
• grief and loss
• not knowing where to go for help and services

The Working Carers Liason Project can:

• provide information and education to workers, carers and employers
• provide a short term (10 weeks) case management service to locate and establish appropriate support services tailored to your needs
• establish networks and working relationships with employers
• they refer you to appropriate services
• advocate on your behalf with employers and support services
• subsidise private service provision

To get help contact Hills Community Care on 9761 7600, email hcc@thehills.nsw.gov.au or write to :

Hills Community Care
PO Box 880 Conie Ave
Baulkham Hills NSW 1755

Meals on Wheels home-delivers balanced, nutritional meals on weekdays to people who cannot provide meals for themselves.

Meals on Wheels is aimed at frail aged people and younger people with disabilities, and their carers. Its main purpose is to prevent the premature institutionalisation of people in that target group.

Any person within the target group regardless of their financial status can receive meals, even if it’s only for a short period, like post-operative recovery. It is not means tested and is not a social welfare program.

Clients can be referred by family members, friends, medical or health professionals or even refer themselves. A doctor’s certificate is not required, but clients are assessed for their eligibility at the time of referral.

Information including client rights and obligations, menu details, volunteer rights and responsibilities and other associated services are available on request. If you would like  information or have any questions about volunteering or organising meal deliveries, please phone the co-ordinator on 9840 9944, fax 9840 9946 or email: hcc@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.

How does it work?

Meals are provided Monday to Friday to clients within the target group. The client pays the actual cost of the meal and funding covers the administration costs of the service. The meals are delivered by a dedicated group of volunteers.

The Meals

All meals are:

• Nutritionally balanced
• Prepared fresh on-site daily
• Delivered hot or frozen
• Individually catered for special dietary needs

Menu Options

1. Main Meal + Dessert + Juice = $6.70
2. Main Meal + Dessert + Sandwich + Juice = $10.00
3. Main Meal + Dessert + Fruit Cup + Juice = $8.30
4. Sandwich + Fruit Cup + Juice = $5.50
5. Meal + Sandwich + Fruit Cup + Dessert + Juice = $11.50

Holroyd Neighbour Aid is a volunteer based service that provides companionship and support to enable the frail aged and people living with a disability to remain independent, participate in community life and sustain meaningful relationships.

The Holroyd Neighbour Aid program provides:

• Companionship/visits
• Shopping assistance
• Support to attend appointments or activities eg/ bingo,   hydrotherapy and social activities
• Completing errands eg/ bill paying, reading mail and letter writing
• Social outings and small interest group activities which can include local outings and longer day trips to various places to encourage social inclusion

The Holroyd Neighbour Aid program can provide many different kinds of support, if you are unsure if we are able to meet your needs or the needs of someone you know please contact the Holroyd Neighbour Aid Coordinator.

A person can either refer themselves or be referred by a friend, relative or professional by contacting the Holroyd Neighbour Aid Coordinator on (02) 9688 4751.

The Coordinator will then visit their home to complete an assessment and create their support plan to arrange services.

We provide a Seniors Recreation Directory which is full of information and resources on how you can enjoy retirement.

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. Council’s Aged & Disability Services provide volunteering opportunities for and to seniors and people with a disability.

Meals on Wheels

Volunteers at Meals on Wheels deliver meals in pairs; a driver (using their own car) and a helper. The deliveries take about two hours a day. Drivers are reimbursed for the cost of using their care (including petrol).

You are rostered to help according to your availability, from one day a month to three days a week. Your assistance helps people continue living independently at home. Phone 9840 9945 for more information.

Guildford Community Centre

There are lots of ways you can help at Guildford Community Centre. We need drivers, activity assistants, kitchen staff and office assistants. To find out about the current opportunities call the centre on 9632 2765.

Holroyd Peer Support

Members of the Peer Support Group for people with an intellectual disability are sometimes involved with volunteer projects. You can volunteer to help give carers a rest by volunteering to help the Peer Support Group. This is a great way to gain new skills, meet people and put your spare time to good use. Phone 9840 9913 for more information.

Computer Pals for Seniors – Holroyd

Computer Pals is a Wentworthville-based non-profit community organisation run by seniors for seniors. They are looking out for trainers – seniors with computer knowledge – who would like to volunteer to train other seniors understand computers. Trainers can volunteer as little as one hour per week.

They also require office assistants to volunteer for three hours per week or to fill in when an office assistant cannot attend. Duties are to handle personal and telephone enquiries, writing receipts and marking attendances.

Help is also needed in maintaining their website, writing the newsletter and in other areas such as catering.

Anyone who would like to become involved should contact 9631 1747 or email comppals@tpg.com.au.

Holroyd has a centre-based meals program for people 55 and over, people with disabilities and their carers that operates with the assistance of volunteers.

The meal is held every Friday at Wentworthville Community Centre, 2 Lane Street, Wentworthville and costs $6.70.

The program provides an opportunity for older people and people with disabilities to get together and mix socially while being provided with a hot nutritious three-course meal.

The program provides an opportunity to:

• Meet friendly and happy people
• Enjoy live performances from various entertainers
• Participate in fun and interesting games and activities
• Win prizes from games and raffles

Transport by minibus can be arranged to take clients from home to the centre and back again.

For more information phone 9840 9945.

Holroyd Community Food Services provides authentic culturally appropriate meals to day care programs who serve the aged, people with a disability and their carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds within the Holroyd and Parramatta local government area.

Meals can be delivered hot, cold or frozen direct to your group on a regular basis. The cost of the meals start from $6.70 depending on what meals are supplied.

For more information please contact the Centre Based Meals Project Worker on 9840 9655 or Community Food Services Coordinator on 9840 9945.

This project is funded by the Australian Government and Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Human Services, NSW.

The Maltese Seniors Group meets at Toongabbie every Tuesday to socialise, enjoy recreational activities and share a two course hot lunch. Transport is available to and from the group.

It costs $10 which includes lunch and transport.

For more information or to book contact Council’s Centre Based Meals Project Worker on 9840 9566.

Holroyd’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Support service is a volunteer based service that provides companionship, support and assistance to the frail aged and people living with a disability to lead an independent life in the community.

The service assists in maximizing an individual’s ability to continue living independently at home with assistance to maintain vital relationships and pursuing meaningful activities.

Social support can include:

• Friendly visiting / support telephone calls
• Someone who will do your banking /paying bills
• Assistance with shopping and meal preparation
• Outings/day trips
• Attendance at social events or small same interest group gatherings
• Coffee and a chat or lunch with friends
• Letter reading and writing
• Assistance with appointments
• Referrals to other service providers

If you are unsure about the type of support that can be offered,  please contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Support Coordinator for assistance.

People eligible for this service are those that are:

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders
• 50 years and older
• Frail aged or people with a disability
• Their carers
• Living in the Holroyd, Auburn and Parramatta Local Government areas

The Aged & Disability Team newsletter provides information and updates on all services and programs provided by Holroyd City Council`s Aged & Disability Team. A new edition of the newsletter is provided quarterly in line with the changing seasons summer, autumn, winter & spring!

• Aged & Disability Team Newsletter - Winter 2013
• Aged & Disability Team Newsletter - Autumn 2013
• Aged & Disability Team Newsletter - Summer 2013

As the weather begins to cool down it is important for everyone to stay active, healthy and safe! It is also a time of year when we may feel the strain of increased electricity and water bills.

Holroyd City Council`s Aged & Disability Team is providing an interactive & fun session to help ensure you are armed with the information you need to combat those winter blues!

• Winter Warmers & Safety Session