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

and are LGBTIQA+ inclusive

our programs

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.

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CLIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 85 ENJOYED REGULAR SOCIAL
INTERACTION

HOURS OF CENTRE PROGRAMMING DELIVERED

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our programs

The dedication and experience of our volunteers is invaluable. Here we catchup with two of our longest standing volunteers, Faye and Barry

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DAY PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

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VOLUNTEER
HOURS

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VOLUNTEERS

0 %

OF AUSTRALIANS VOLUNTEER

Our journey

1991

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

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

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

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

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.

2021

2010

In 2010 Hannah Grace began volunteering at the centre to bring support and joy to both clients and staff every Tuesday.

2019

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.

2015

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

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.

2010

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

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.

BSRS Elders group

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.

BSRS clients with view 2

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.”

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SOCIALLY ISOLATED
CLIENTS

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SUPPORTIVE VISITS TO CLIENTS

positive support for your loved-one to improve your life

carers (2023-24)

clients (2023-24)

our network

Our service and clients enjoy the support and infrastructure offered by other agencies and organisations across the region. Some of our partners include:
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