Overview
Aim
Telelink® is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program to assist people overcome social and geographical isolation.
Service Description
HACC programs are targeted to frail aged people and people with disabilities and their carers. Telelink® allows up to ten people in different locations to join a group discussion on the telephone. Using their home telephone, each person can hear and speak to the other people in the group. The service is provided free to participants. Telelink® is a concessional call conference facility provided by Telstra.
A weekly group phone meeting alleviates feelings of isolation by providing the opportunity to gain emotional support on a regular basis among friends. Topics discussed in groups are structured by coordinators in conjunction with participants. They include current news, sport, art, language groups or guest speakers on specific issues. Participants are able to get information about a broad range of issues which are important to them. This is very empowering and encourages group members to pursue new interests, as well as helping them maintain their independence at home.
Central Bayside Community Health Services (CBCHS) is funded by the Home and Community Care [HACC] program within the Department of Human Services to work with agencies throughout the state of Victoria to promote and facilitate the usage of Telelink®.
CBCHS facilitates a bimonthly meeting of the Victorian Telelink® Coordinators Network. This meeting aims to:
- Provide an opportunity for Coordinators to meet and discuss service delivery issues.
- Inform Coordinators of current developments relating to Telelink® programs.
CBCHS through Telelink® programs aims to:
- Inform agencies about the benefits of linking people who are housebound.
- Assist agencies with the planning, coordination and development of groups.
- Connect groups via Telstra.
- Train agency staff and volunteers in the procedures of Telelink®.
- Provide ongoing supervision and support to agency coordinators.
Agencies wanting to start a Telelink® group can contact Central Bayside Community Health Services (Ph: 8587 0200) for application information or contact agencies listed below.
Telelink® (Registered Trade Mark of Telstra Corporation Limited)
Publications for Telelink
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Telelink | 95 KB | English | 16/04/2008 |
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Telelink Services Directory | 71 KB | English | 04/06/2007 |
