Respite Stays
Short-term accommodation with heart — a real break away, built around what you’re actually working towards.
The Thing We’re Known For
Ask around the Shoalhaven and this is the one people mention.
A Respite Stay is short-term accommodation away from home, fully supported by our team for the whole time you’re there. Somewhere with a water view, a worker you already know, and a few days that feel like an actual holiday rather than a service being delivered to you.
But a good stay isn’t only a nice few days. Done properly, it does real work on the things written into your plan — and it gives the people who care for you a genuine break at the same time. That’s the part we care most about getting right.
Your Goals, Not Just a Getaway
Plans are written in fairly dry language. Here’s what those lines actually look like on a stay.
“Build my independence in daily living.”
Making your own breakfast. Choosing what goes in the bag. Running your own morning, with a worker a room away rather than at your elbow. Away from home is often where this clicks — there’s no established routine to fall back into.
“Increase my participation in the community.”
Dinner out. The markets. A show in Sydney. The boat ramp at the end of the road. Ordinary outings, done properly, with enough support that they actually happen instead of being talked about.
“Build and maintain relationships.”
Sharing a house with other participants for a few days. Working out how to live alongside someone. Friendships that carry on long after everyone has gone home — we’ve seen plenty do exactly that.
“Try new things and build my confidence.”
First time holding a fishing rod. First time on a train. First night away from home. The whole point of a stay is that it’s a safe place to do something for the first time.
“Increase my choice and control.”
You pick where you go, who you go with, and what the days look like. We plan the stay around your interests, not around a program we’ve already written.
“Sustain my informal supports.”
The driest line in the plan, and one of the most important. It means the people who care for you get a proper rest — so they can keep doing it. A carer having a break is a legitimate outcome, not a side effect.
Not sure which of these is in your plan, or how it’s worded? Bring the plan to us and we’ll go through it together.
What a Stay Actually Looks Like
Your stay, your pace.
There’s no timetable on the fridge. Some people want every day packed; others want to sit on the deck and watch the water, with one good outing in the middle. Both are a successful stay.
What’s consistent is the support. The same workers are with you the whole time — people you’ve met before the stay, not strangers who turn up on the day. Personal care, medication, transport, cooking and the driving all happen quietly in the background.
A stay usually has a bit of each:
- Outings and activities chosen around what you actually like
- Downtime, which is half the point of a break
- Meals cooked together, or takeaway on the deck — your call
- Practising the everyday things, with support that steps back as you go
- Company, if you want it, and quiet if you don’t
Where You Stay
Accessible, wheelchair-friendly houses on the water — and sometimes, further afield.
Shoalhaven Heads
A level, accessible house with a covered deck, a barbecue, and the water a short roll away.
Lake Conjola
Right on the lake. Good for fishing, good for doing very little, and good for both in the same day.
Out and About
Cafés, markets and the jetty — and further afield when you fancy it. Canberra, Sydney, shows like The Lion King. Fully supported, start to finish.
Every Stay Includes
- Overnight to multi-night stays, up to 14 days at a time
- Experienced support workers with you for the whole stay
- Transport, personal care and medication support
- Outings, activities and plenty of downtime
- All ages and abilities welcome
How It Works
- Get in touch — call or email us to say hello
- We check your plan together and confirm the funding
- We plan the stay around your interests and your goals
- We handle the rest — bookings, staff and supports
Respite is usually funded through the Short-Term Accommodation (STA) supports in an NDIS plan. Whether it can be funded through yours depends on what your plan includes — if you’re not sure, ring us and we’ll look at it with you. It costs nothing to ask.
Book a Stay
Tell us a bit about who the stay is for, and we’ll call you back.
Or just ring us
0467 091 230Respite Stays
This page is written in Easy Read. It uses short sentences and simple words.
What a respite stay is
- A respite stay is a short holiday away from home.
- You stay in a house near the water.
- Our workers stay with you the whole time.
- You can stay one night. Or up to 14 nights.
What you can do there
- You can go on outings.
- You can go fishing.
- You can rest and watch the water.
- You choose what you want to do.
A stay helps you learn
- You can practise doing things on your own.
- You can meet new people.
- You can try something new.
- These things can be goals in your NDIS plan.
It helps your family too
- The people who care for you get a rest.
- That is allowed. It is a good thing.
How to ask for a stay
- Call us on 0467 091 230.
- Or email admin@connectuscare.com.au.
- We will check if your NDIS plan can pay for it.
- It does not cost anything to ask.
How to talk to us
- You can call us on 0467 091 230.
- You can email us at admin@connectuscare.com.au.
- You can ask someone you trust to call us for you.
- We are happy to answer questions. It does not cost anything to ask.