enriching
the Living & Ageing Experience
We are a community-based organisation caring for the people of the Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore shires
Byron shire respite services
Byron Shire Respite Service (BSRS) was founded as a day respite service to provide support for both clients and carers. The day respite program remains the heart of the organisation, as does treating clients and carers as one. We also deliver in-home respite, social support and community access. Clients have been assisted to engage with community groups, create art, make life story books and much more. Clients and Carers have been provided with a much needed “welcomed break”.
we value our community's diversity
our programs
Dementia Care
Our skilled and passionate team deliver both social interaction and the respite tailored to your needs.
A Welcomed Break
Our day programs are located at both Brunswick Heads and Lennox Head and offer a great day out Monday through Friday.
Social Groups
Fortnightly bus outings include visits to Ballina for shopping and lunch, picnics and scenic drives.
Social Supports
1:1 support to access your community, transport to appointments, shopping and building new friendships.
Carer Supports
Monthly Carers Coffee club access to education, counselling and other helpful resources to enhance your caring role and your health and well-being.
NDIS Registered
Registered NDIS Provider to access Community, Social and Recreational Activities and/or attend group based activities in a centre.
Self-Managed Home Care Package Services
Our Person-centred Care Management model includes assessment, care notes, co- design of care plans, and strategies for changing needs.
caring for loved ones with dementia
How to survive and enjoy the caring role
Many of our clients live with memory loss or dementia and are cared for by
partners and adult children. Within Australia, an estimated 421,000 individuals,
and three in ten people over the age of 85 years live with dementia, and according to Dementia Australia (2018, 2024), 1.6 million people are involved their care.
- Clients living with and cared by their significant other
- Clients living with and cared for by another family member
- Clients living with and cared for by friends
- Clients living independently and cared for by family or friends
CLIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 85 ENJOYED REGULAR SOCIAL
INTERACTION
HOURS OF CENTRE PROGRAMMING DELIVERED
our programs
The dedication and experience of our volunteers is invaluable. Here we catchup with two of our longest standing volunteers, Faye and Barry
volunteer at our service since 2003
Barry has been enriching people’s lives for over 20 years
Barry Gibson arrived at Byron Shire Respite Service one sunny Tuesday morning in 2003 after discussing a role with then Service Manager Colin Munro. He had been performing a volunteer administrative role with a Lawn Bowling group and was eager for new challenge. Barry confesses to ‘now getting a little long in the tooth’, but after 21 years, still ‘looks forward to turning up every Tuesday to enjoy this wonderful organisation’.
volunteer at our service since 2011
What Faye likes best about connecting with people
After Faye retired, she was seeking involvement in her community. She missed the company of workmates and interactions with older people who have such a wealth of knowledge and life experiences. She felt volunteering at the respite service ticked all these boxes.
You will often find her in our kitchen - greeting you with a welcome cuppa.
Faye jokes that whilst there's no guarantee of a ginger puff sponge or black forest cake, Mr Arnott will supply a sweet and a savoury bikkie.
At lunchtime, if your choice of drink is beer - you will often hear her say 'sorry, the bar is closed today', but she can offer you 'a nice Adam's ale'.
DAY PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
VOLUNTEERS
OF AUSTRALIANS VOLUNTEER
Our journey
1991
In August of 1991, Michael Scarrabelotti and the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Social Services met with Colin Munro to establish Byron Shire Respite Day Care Service. Initially, it delivered Service from a location in Ocean Shores.
1996
The service was now providing support to the townships of Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay. Its day program opened 3 days per week and support workers were employed to work at the day program as well as assisting people to access the community and attend medical appointments. Work commenced on our new premises at Brunswick Heads.
2001
In 2001, the Brunswick Valley Community Centre opened and Day Respite Services were delivered in the new fit-for-purpose Centre. After a few successful years, the organisation was renamed Byron Shire Respite Service Inc. and the service extended to the Ballina and Lismore Shires. In-home support was now provided to clients and families in addition to the centre-based program.
2004
In July 2004, The newly named service began to provide specific services to people living with Dementia and their carers. This took our service down a positive path to deliver what would shape the organisation, its missions and values for years to come.
2009
In 2009, local comedian, Mandy Nolan conducted the first comedy workshops with for older people at Byron Shire Respite Service. It culminated with as comedy show in a cabaret MC’d by Mandy Nolan.
2010
In 2010 Hannah Grace began volunteering at the centre to bring support and joy to both clients and staff every Tuesday.
2015
Between 2015 and 2018 there were significant changes to the national landscape of aged care and disability supports. In 2015 the nation wide Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) was introduced. Byron Shire Respite Service adjusted very well to changes in legislation and continued to provide its person-centred care.
2019
In 2019 Barbara Chambers, who commenced as Care Manager in May of 2008, retired. Barbara was pivotal in embedding person-centred care and co-founded the Challenging Behaviours Program.
2020
2020 was a year of external and internal changes. In July 2020, after nearly 30 years of Service, Colin Munro, Co-Founder and long time Service Manager retired and Peter Devine joined Byron Shire Respite Service.
2021
The service, with the help of a few successful grant applications and the support of the Management Committee, began its Digital Transformation and Change Management Process. Both would equip the service to gain major efficiencies and prepare for the upcoming Aged Care Reforms.
2022
Due to the COVID pandemic restrictions and two flood events, Centre Services were shutdown for 18 weeks across the year. Despite these shutdowns, the service continued to provide service in the community. When the big flood event happened in March 2022, 100% of staff were seriously flood effected and the service utilised its financial reserves to pay all staff for the time directly after flood, despite being able to work. We are very proud of this.
2023
A dream came true. The service expanded and established another Centre Based Service in the Ballina region, reaching a whole new cohort of Carers and Clients. We purchased a minibus to transport clients from the southern areas to the new day program located at Lennox Head which also includes an Aboriginal Elders Day.
2024 & beyond!
Our vision for the remainder of 2024? To continue supporting and enjoying the company of our fabulous clients and carers and meeting new like-minded members of our community.
Our journey providing service in multiple ways
Byron Shire Respite Service was founded as a day respite service to provide support for both clients and carers. The day respite program remains the heart of the organisation, as does treating clients and carers as one. We also deliver in-home respite, social support and community access. Clients have been assisted to engage with community groups, create art, make life story books and much more. Clients and Carers have been provided with a much needed “welcomed break.”
SOCIALLY ISOLATED
CLIENTS
SUPPORTIVE VISITS TO CLIENTS
positive support for your loved-one to improve your life
carers (2023-24)
- A highpoint of his week and I believe the exercise and socialising helped keep him going
- He says it was the best day he’s ever had
- I am eternally thankful for [the service] being so responsive
clients (2023-24)
- A bright spark in my life – everybody has been consistently warm, friendly, helpful and punctual
- Really impressed and appreciative of [workers'], enthusiasm, cooperation and skill set
- You guys have been so wonderful, it’s really a great service
our network
meals
Brunswick Valley MEALS ON WHEELS
transport
Tweed Byron, and Ballina Community Transport
premises
Byron Shire COUNCIL
provide a range of infrastructure to support services such as Byron Shire Respite Service's Day Program and offices, in addition with other local community groups to maintain activities in our local area.
staff support
Mullum PSYCHOLOGY
provide our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support the mental health of our staff. EAP counselling is short-term, and offers staff the opportunity to speak with counsellors about current problems.
Lennox Head premises
Ballina Shire Council
provide infrastructure for our new day program located at Lennox Head. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday provide dementia-specific respite, and Wednesday Aboriginal Elders Group.
news events
