Access 2 Community (A2C)
Access 2 Community (A2C) is a social prescription service that aims to link people who are socially isolated with community activities with a view to improve social connection and overall wellbeing.
- The service is for people who are experiencing difficulties with activities of daily living, or who are in caring roles, and could benefit from support in accessing community offerings.
- The model employs a team of Volunteer Community Connectors (VCC) who have knowledge of community, savvy research skills, and are great listeners with capacity to creatively help people to engage in community activities.
- The VCC can help to find the right interest groups/clubs/education and then support the person to join.
How the program works
- Program Coordinator meets with the interested client and goes through intake and screening questions. They obtain background information and assess immediate needs. They will either refer the client on, or match them with a Volunteer Community Connector (VCC).
- The client is matched with a VCC who reaches out to the client and builds rapport, has meaningful conversations about what matters to them, and learns about interests.
- Suitable activities are identified – such as book club, arts, support groups, sports, language learning, or interest group such as bird watching or computer games.
- Client is supported to make contact with the program. The level of VCC involvement will vary according to client need and preferences.
- Attendance barriers revealed and addressed along the way (such as how to get there, which tram stop, where to park etc., or talking through how it will be to join a group after so long).
- The client attends the community program. If the client would like, the VCC can go with them the first time they attend.
- Review and exit at three months.
Who is the program open to?
People aged under 65 in or around Boroondara, Yarra and Manningham who are experiencing difficulties with daily living - including situations that are temporary due to psychosocial factors, carer duties, illness or changed circumstances. The program is not designed for people with an NDIS package. The service is free, but the cost of activities will not be covered.
Further information & FAQs: Access 2 Community (A2C)
Website: Access 2 Community (A2C)
Contact: a2cprogram@accesshc.org, or call 9831 1913