Great Lakes Leisure and Respite Options (LARO) service provides occasional, short-term, planned respite for families who care for a person with a disability.

The service aims to help people with a disability to participate in community life and develop friendships through a wide range of community-based activities, as well as recognising that the purpose of respite care is to support carers and to help people with a disability to remain living in their own home and in their own community.

Volunteers are essential to the LARO service and help in a number of ways. Some volunteers provide respite in their own home or in the home of the person with a disability. Other volunteers provide friendship and support at regular social events, occasional weekend events and longer excursions away from home. Volunteers are offered regular training to help them provide these activities.

Who can access the service?

You are eligible to participate in this service if you have a physical, intellectual or sensory disability and require a significant level of support in order to participate in the community life of the Great Lakes region. A family's access to the service depends on the availability of a suitable volunteer carer and their priority for service.  This priority is based on a person's relative need in relation to other families seeking respite.

What types of service are offered?

• "Host family" is a respite option where the person with a disability stays with a volunteer host for regular and planned overnight respite.
• "One to One link" is a social support option where the person with a disability links with a volunteer who will help them access community activities at regular intervals.
• Monthly group activities which provide a setting for people to meet socially for fun and fellowship.
• Information and referral to other services if this service is unable to meet your support needs.

Will there be a cost?

The level of service and the financial contribution required towards the cost of the service will be discussed in detail at the time of assessment. However people who are assessed as being in need of a service are eligible to receive the service, regardless of their capacity to pay. In these circumstances a service fee can be negotiated.