Who we are and what we do
Interchange Illawarra Inc. is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation offering a range of flexible respite support to suit the individual needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families/carers. Our options give the person with a disability access to different and interesting opportunities and activities throughout the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas of NSW.
Interchange has full-time, part-time and numerous volunteer/support workers,
all of whom enable the organisation to deliver effective, high quality
service.
Our mission
The purpose of Interchange Illawarra Inc. is the:
"Enrichment of the person with the disability and/or their family unit by providing flexible respite support that complements their goals."
Our values
Interchange Illawarra will:
- provide flexible support to people with disabilities
- support families and meet individual families needs
- relieve stress factors in families’ lives
- provide enrichment for consumers
- think of the family as a unit
- help keep families together
- work with other organisations
- offer a choice of support
- drive/advocate change in the delivery of services
- meet community responsibilities.
We support our consumers to:
- be treated fairly
- be treated with respect
- be consulted regularly
- be encouraged to give feedback
- feel comfortable in expressing their needs
- have individual needs addressed
- be the central focus
- drive the organisation
- have their privacy maintained.
Definition of respite
Interchange Illawarra defines respite as:
Providing support to the family/carer in their caring role. This support
is delivered collaboratively, flexibly, and within available resources,
is responsive to the client’s individual needs.
Respite is time limited in its occasion of service.