Home Care Heroes is launching in the Illawarra to provide support for people feeling isolated at home during COVID-19.
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The mostly online based platform already operates in Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle and is expanding because of the greater need it sees emerging in many communities.
Tim Day is among a growing number of Wollongong residents becoming Home Care Heroes as it expands into to the Illawarra.
"We have been wanting to Wollongong for a little while. But with everything happening at the moment we saw there was an increased need," he said.
"There is way more social isolation now".
Mr Day said Home Care Heroes was aware of the impact the COVID-19 was having on people's emotional well-being.
He said such uncertainty can be a stressful time that causes a great deal of anxiety, especially for the most vulnerable in our society, who may fear for their health.
And those concerns can extend to the wider family who may worry about the exposure and health of their family member or friend but feel powerless to help due to their own work or childcare commitments.
Home Care Heroes can come in to help those in social isolation for weeks, potentially months.
"I work in the industry myself as a support worker," Mr Day said.
"I have noticed that a lot of customers are too scared to get the support they need as they are afraid of face-to-face contact.
"We are proactive and have a very creative approach in the way we can provide support to people, including in the form of online delivery, supply runs and isolation errands.
"Our mission to provide affordable and reliable non-medical care and companionship, to reduce social isolation and build more inclusive communities in Australia, through the power of human connection. We believe that this is more important now more than ever".
While predominantly an online platform Home Care Heroes still actively provides one-on-one in home care for those people who want that in private residences, nursing homes and residential care facilities.
Mr Day said services are affordable so that anyone in need can receive them, even if they don't have NDIS or government funding.
He said more jobs were being created with the role out into the Illawarra.
"Home Care Heroes are not necessarily support workers. They are everyday people. There is obviously a screening they have to go through including a Police check," he said.
"We are a registered NDIS provider as well so you have to go through those checks as well.
"But what we provide is non medical support".
Mr Day has lived in Wollongong for a decade and also works for a disability provider in the area.
"I came on board with this because I think it is really exciting what Home Care Heroes is trying to do," he said.
"There is a big focus on what we can do online. So we are being creative in our approach. The services we can provide might be a supply run, an isolation errand or a call with someone for an hour just to see how they are going".
Mr Day said in some cases a call might involve creating a list of things the person needs and going and getting it for them.
Sometimes the person is struggling for something to do so the Home Care Hero helps them find a hobby.
Anyone interested in accessing the service can do so by logging on to the Home Care Heroes website and signing up for profile.
There is no cost involved for that and no payments are required until after a service has been provided.
"When people sign up they post a mission on a mission board. Approved Home Care Heroes can see that mission and apply for it by contacting the customer".
They then work out a time to provide the service that is convenient for both.
Mr Day said there was a very retention rate of heroes who start working with a customer or family..
The Illawarra Mercury has launched a Taking Care of Business campaign.
Each day we will highlight a local business who is adapting or evolving to be able to keep operating under these trying times.
If you know of a business adapting, please send us an email titled Taking Care of Business to cos@illawarramercury.com.au.
We have also put a call out and will run a list of cafes, restaurants and clubs who are offering takeaway or delivery on our Facebook page. If you know of an outlet now offering home delivery or takeaway, please let us know and add it to the list.
Read more:
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- More mobile drive-thru food trailers start rolling out in the Illawarra from restaurants closed by COVID-19 restrictions
- Barstool Blokes becomes even more important with COVID-19
- Drive-thru food trucks are providing restaurant hot meals close to home and creating employment
- Liquor and Gaming Authority allows Grill'd to deliver beer or wine with meals
- Wollongong-founded COVID-19 Facebook foodie group 'Illawarra Menus' racks up 20,000 followers in six days
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
