Home Away From Home Ballarat is a small, registered NDIS respite provider based in Ballarat, Victoria. Respite is offered across two homes: a historic Victorian residence on Kent Street in Ballarat, close to local attractions, cafes, shops and community activities, and a farmhouse on four acres in the countryside between Clunes and Talbot, surrounded by open space and animals. The service is deliberately small, with no more than two participants staying at a time, so each guest receives individual attention.
Support is available around the clock, meals are prepared by a qualified chef and cater for dietary requirements, and activities are shaped around each person's interests and goals. Stays can be short or longer, and are designed to feel like a genuine break in a calm, homely setting. In town, the Kent Street home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a working fireplace, undercover outdoor dining and gardens. Fresh linen and towels, Wi-Fi, tea, coffee and fresh fruit are provided, a laundry service is available and pets are welcome.
At the farmhouse guests can hand-feed the sheep, collect fresh eggs, join cooking experiences such as pasta, bread or pizza making, sit around the fire pit or simply enjoy the property at their own pace. The farmhouse bathroom has a wheelchair-accessible shower and toilet, and both homes are pet friendly. Community access support is also available, helping participants get out and about, with outings to Lake Wendouree, Sovereign Hill, local markets and surrounding towns, and supported getaways for participants who would like a change of scenery.
The team is screened to meet NDIS worker screening, training and qualification requirements, and its policies and practices are guided by the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality and Safeguarding Framework. The service was founded by Catherine, who has worked in community care for more than 20 years.
