New: Social Connector Program
Are you looking for ways to increase social connections and participate in community activities? Our Social Connections program may be for you!
Social Connectors provide short-term companionship and social connection to encourage engagement with individual interests and hobbies, and the wider community in the Whitehorse area.
You can join the program if you are:
- under 65 years of age
- have a moderate, severe, or profound psychosocial or physical disability
- are not a current NDIS Participant, or
- are an unpaid carer and
- are interested in receiving social companionship or support to join community activities
This service is not for current NDIS participants but there may be exceptions, so please get in touch if you have any questions.
To find out more about the program, click here.
Maria’s Support Coordinator also organised for her to join our “Connect Well groups”, which include going on social outings.
Maria enjoys building new friendships as well as giving David some respite from being her carer.
Meet the other Well family members
Maria is part of the Well family, meet the other family members as they engage with a range of services to support them to live better lives. Meet the Well family.
Out and About Young Onset Dementia
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 our Eltham centre
Dementia Friendly Program
The Dementia Friendly Program offers a stimulating environment to encourage social interactions and a range of activities. These programs offer flexible respite options for carers.
Who: People living with dementia
When: Fridays 10am - 3pm (or a shorter day if requested) at our Eltham centre
Saturday Programs
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: our Eltham Centre
Hurstbridge Social Bowls
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
Social Support Group
The Thursday Club provides a range of activities in a supportive environment. The group enjoys each other’s company, encouraging social interactions. This group offers respite for carers.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Thursday 10am – 3pm (or a shorter day if requested) at our Eltham centre
Older Adult Activity
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 at our Eltham centre
All Abilities Group
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: Mainly people up to 65 years of age
When: Tuesdays 10.00am to 2.00pm at our Eltham centre
The Outing Group
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 Welcome Café – Younger Onset Dementia
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 at our Box Hill centre
Contact: Ph 9430 9100
healthAbility’s Men’s Shed
The Men’s Shed provides an opportunity for men to get together and work on projects in a supportive workshop environment. Each week our ‘Shedders’ participate in activities matched to their strengths, skills and interests.
Who:
Open to everyone to contact us for eligibility
When: Monday, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10.00am to 3.00pm
To read more about the healthAbility Men's Shed
Online Social Groups
These groups are held via Microsoft Teams and require an email address, internet access, tablet or computer with sound and camera capabilities.
No out of pocket fee at this stage (CHSP funded). Please contact our Social Support team at ssg@healthability.org.au for more information.
Trivia and chat session
Grab a pen and paper and join us for a variety of trivia and fun games. There are a variety of questions, from general knowledge, picture quizzes and multiple choice.
Using Microsoft Teams, you will require an email address, internet access, tablet or computer with sound and camera.
Who: Older people aged 65 years or over
When: Thursdays 3.15pm – 4.15pm
Memory Care Café
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.
The Memory Care Café will run fortnightly on January 10 and 24, and will then run weekly from Monday February 7. If you would like to know more about the Memory Care Café or register your interest, please call Bruce Anketell or Rachel Dunn on 9430 9125 or email ssg@healthability.org.au
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.
Sessions and Locations:
Hurstbridge
Where: Hurstbridge Community Hub, 50 Graysharps Road, Hurstbridge Victoria 3099
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
Carers Support Group
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 at our Eltham centre, 10.30am - 12pm
FAQs
Get in touch
Contact our team by sending us an online enquiry or email our Social Support team on ssg@healthability.org.au
