Be socially engaged with your community through our Social Support Groups
Our Social Support Groups provide activities to help older people or people with disability to live a healthier, more rewarding and socially engaged life.
Social Support Groups provide a program of activities that maintain and enhance the daily living skills of all participants. The program of activities addresses a participant’s physical, social, cultural, emotional and recreational needs and provides opportunities to stay connected to the community.
There are many reasons to join one of our Social Support Groups:
Affordable recreational, leisure and social activities
Meeting people and making new friends
Staying connected to the community and social interaction
Maintaining skills needed for living independently
Keeping the body and mind active
Respite for carer/s
We also organise regular outings. Please see the schedule for a summary of outing days, times and details on how to participate.
Social Support Groups - Nillumbik
The Out and About Young Onset Dementia group is a small outings based activity group that visits a range of venues that may include music, bowling and Melbourne’s sight-seeing attractions. This group offers respite for carers.
Who: People aged less than 65 years with younger onset dementia
When: Wednesdays 10am – 2.30pm, meeting at 917 Main Road Eltham
Saturday programs include the RALFF group (Recreation and Leisure for Fun) and Social Connections, running every 4 weeks. These groups provide the opportunity to socialise, form friendships and increase confidence and social skills. A range of activities are on offer with some based in our centre and some in the community.
Who: Different groups running for younger adults aged up to 35 years with an intellectual disability, and other groups for people aged over 35 years with intellectual disability.
When: Saturday generally from 1pm – 6pm, with the occasional early start. Each participant is offered one session per month.
Where: healthAbility Eltham - 917 Main Road, Eltham
This group is aimed at those with an intellectual disability or acquired brain injury. It's a chance to enjoy a social game of lawn bowls at the Hurstbridge Bowling Club, lunch, and cards each week, with an occasional outing.
Who: People aged 35 – 65 years with an acquired brain injury or intellectual disability
When: Mondays 10am – 2pm
Where: Hurstbridge Bowling Club, 36 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge
Social Support Groups provide a range of activities in a stimulating and supportive environment. The group enjoys each other’s company, encouraging social interactions. This group supports people with memory loss and offers respite for carers.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 3pm (or a shorter day if requested)
Where: healthAbility Eltham - 917 Main Road, Eltham
The Older Adult Activity group provides care and support, recreational activities and social interaction for older people.
Who: People aged 65 years or more
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 10am – 2pm
Where: healthAbility Eltham - 917 Main Road, Eltham
This group is a social group for adults involving a range of activities and occasional outings. It is aimed at those with a physical or intellectual disability.
Who: People aged up to 75 years
When: Tuesdays 10.00am to 2.00pm
Where: healthAbility Eltham - 917 Main Road, Eltham
This is a community based group that visits a variety of local venues. Members have the option to meet at healthAbility in Eltham for a quick cuppa before embarking on the predetermined outing or meeting at the designated venue. This can include activities such as short drives to local venues, lunch, morning melodies and cinema movies throughout the month. Transport can be arranged. Please pre-book as numbers are limited.
Who: Open to independent people aged over 65 years
When: Currently weekly options, alternating on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays 10am - 3pm
The Memory Care Café is a place where people with memory loss or impairment and their carers can come together for afternoon tea and connection in a welcoming place.
This is an initiative from the members of the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee.
Who: People with memory loss or impairment and their carers
Cost: Cost to attend is $5.00 per person (we will also access government funding) or bill “full cost” to Home Care Package for this program.
If you would like to know more about the Memory Care Café or register your interest, please call 9430 9125 or email ssg@healthability.org.au
Sessions and Locations:
Hurstbridge
Where: Hurstbridge Community Hub, 50 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge Victoria
When: Mondays from 1.30pm-3.00pm
Eltham
Where: St Margaret’s Anglican Church Hall - 78-81 Pitt St, Eltham
When: Fortnightly 1st and 3rd Tuesday of month, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Diamond Creek
Where: St John’s Anglican Church Hall - 61 Main St, Diamond Creek
When: Fortnightly 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
The Carers Support Group meets in a friendly and relaxed environment for social interaction and conversation with other carers, to enable them to provide support to each other.
Who: Carers of older people
When: Last Friday of each month, 10.30am-12pm
Where: healthAbility Eltham - 917 Main Road, Eltham
Social Support Groups - Whitehorse
To help support social connection for people living in Whitehorse, these outing groups often enjoy going out for morning coffee and then visiting different venues for lunch. The outings may include a morning melodies concert, visiting places of interest or a scenic drive. We may also host a session at healthAbility in Box Hill with lunch and activities.
Who: Aimed at independent older people who are funded under Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
The Welcome Café is a place for people with younger onset dementia and their family, partners or friends. It’s a chance to chat and share experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment. The café events are all held in Box Hill and locations are determined when you book in. Light morning tea and hot drinks are provided.
Who: People diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia and their carers
When: On the third Tuesday of each month
Where: healthAbility Box Hill, 43 Carrington Road Box Hill, or another nearby venue
Social Support Groups - Manningham
Enjoy relaxed conversation about local issues and current affairs, word games, fun and friendship. Incorporating physical activity and games. Once a month we indulge in cooking sessions, a craft session and a special guest speaker. Monthly outings are also offered to those interested.
Who:
Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Mondays 10.15am – 2.30pm
Location: Mullum Mullum Stadium, 31 Springvale Road Doncaster
Connect with the community, meet new friends and enjoy meaningful activities in a warm and welcoming environment. Our qualified and caring Mandarin/Cantonese staff provide you with support to join in activities in a culturally appropriate environment.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Mondays 10.15am – 2.30pm
Location: Mullum Mullum Stadium, 31 Springvale Road Doncaster
Socialise with peers in a supportive, culturally appropriate, centre-based environment. We cater to the cultural needs of our clients by providing snacks and engaging activities. A monthly lunch outing is organised to a place of interest as per participant suggestions.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Tuesdays 10.15am – 2.30pm
Location: Mullum Mullum Stadium, 31 Springvale Road Doncaster
These 60-minute sessions are developed and monitored by the qualified physiologists at healthAbility together with the assistance of our Social Support staff. Elements of resistance, stretching, coordination, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and mental challenges are included during each session.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Tuesdays 9.00am – 11.00am
Location: Mullum Mullum Stadium, 31 Springvale Road Doncaster
Our staff organise field trips and excursions as part of the Wednesday Wanderes group, providing convenient transportation and organised activities for you to participate in.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Last Wednesday of the month, 9.30am - 2.30pm
Come along to this group to share stories and strategies in a relaxed and supportive setting. We offer the opportunity to share memories, join in word games, monthly Armchair Travel and guest speakers. A monthly social outing is offered.
This group is promoted primarily to men, but anyone eligible is welcome to join.
Who: Older men aged 65 years or over
When: Thursdays 10.15am – 2.30pm
Location: Mullum Mullum Stadium, 31 Springvale Road Doncaster
FAQs
Each group has specific criteria. Please refer to the information section of the group that you are interested in, or contact ssg@healthability.org.au or call 03 9430 9125 to find out more.
Please view our Fees page for more information.
Yes, bookings are essential. Please contact one of our friendly reception team on 03 9430 9100.
To enable people to live as independently and healthy as possible, we understand the need for you or someone you care for to get to places outside of home for support and to stay connected to community. We have a fleet of vehicles and drivers that provide transport to and from home, to and from our centre-based Social Support Groups and to and from personal or community-based activities. Please speak to one of our friendly team members to see if you are eligible for transport assistance.
Get in touch
Contact our team by sending us an online enquiry or email our Social Support team on ssg@healthability.org.au
