The spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) in the Australian community is serious and we’d like to update you on how we are delivering our services to look after you and your loved ones.
We aim to ensure that everyone we support will continue to have access to therapy and services during this time. We are committed to providing our services in the safest and most effective way for each person’s individual circumstance.
Continuing our services is more important than ever in this period of uncertainty to help you and your loved ones with the challenges that are occurring.
Some of the ways our Access Your Supports team can support you during this time are:
- Support you to adjust your routine or adapt your self-care skills to keep healthy during this period.
- Review your goals and help you explore ways that you can still work on your service outcomes and what is important to you.
- Provide support if you are feeling anxious or need help with challenging activities like getting around the community.
- We don’t want you to miss opportunities to work towards your goals. There are still lots of things you can do safely now, to keep enjoying life even though it can be a challenging time.
What are we doing to make sure we provide services in a safe and effective way?
We are actively following all health and travel advice issued by the Australian Government. AYS services are currently listed as essential and will continue if they can be done so safely.
Our team members are following strict hygiene standards including hand washing and keeping appropriate social distance and ask that you do so too.
Our team members are following strict hygiene standards including hand washing and keeping appropriate social distance and we ask that you do the same.
Our offices are closed, team members are working from home or on the road and appointments are being adapted to suit your preferred method of communication.
What you can do to help
Information is changing every day. We ask that you keep in touch and up to date with us via our social media or website, via your contact within our organisation or with our newsletters so you are well informed.
It is paramount that you let us know if you:
- Have travelled overseas in the last 14 days
- Have been feeling unwell with cold or flu symptoms or had a high temperature
- Have been in contact with someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19.
Answering honestly helps protect against the spread of the virus and helps us consider ways to offer your services remotely. We will work with you to avoid cancellations as much as possible because missed appointments are missed opportunities for you to achieve your goals.
There are several ways we can still provide our services to you, including:
- Having the appointment or supporting you over a phone call
- Meeting over Skype or Zoom catch up, which are online meeting platforms that you can access on a computer, tablet or phone
- We can develop personalised resources for you to use like social stories
- We can build capacity of your supports like your support worker or family members.
We understand that you may have questions or need extra support
You can discuss this directly with your AYS contact or you can call us on (03) 4222 7479.
Our phone lines have been extended to 8pm (Monday – Friday) to assist you.
You can access further information about our approach to the COVID-19 on our facebook page and website.
Let’s support each other during this scary time. We are here to help!
Kind regards,
The Access Your Supports Team
