Canterbury, South Canterbury and West Coast respite options
A ‘respite option’ is any support or service that gives you a break from your caring responsibilities. This can be a break away or a break in your home.
Below is a directory of information on some of the services available in your region that could help you take a break. You can choose the respite options that best suit you and your family. As well as the services listed here, you also have the choice to ask friends or family for help or use other supports or services.
A Needs Assessment and Coordination Service or NASC in your region can help you get funding for respite and find respite options that will work best for you.
We are currently updating the content on this page. To report inaccurate or incorrect information email communications@whaikaha.govt.nz
- NASC
- Overnight respite
- Weekday activities
- Out of school care and early childhood education
- Sporting, social and recreational activities
- Relief carers, support workers and natural supports
NASC: Life Links
42 Buchan Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023 Phone: 0800 866 877 or (03) 365 9593 Email: office@lifelinks.co.nz Website: www.lifelinks.co.nz external URL
Overnight respite
Aged residential care
Overnight respite for adults with disabilities may be available in an aged residential care facility.
Please contact your NASC for more information.
Brackenridge
Overnight respite for people of all ages. Also offers flexible disability support options for respite during the day and school holiday programmes.
Private Bag 4738, Christchurch 8024 Phone: (03) 926 1999 Website: www.brackenridge.org.nz external URL
CCS Disability Action Holiday home
Holiday home available for use in Greymouth. Can be used by individuals or a group sharing a carer.
Website: www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/services-and-advocacy/holiday-homes/west-coast external URL
Cholmondeley
Provides short-term emergency and planned respite care to children (aged 3–12 years) in times of family stress or crisis.
Website: www.cholmondeley.org.nz external URL
Claddagh Haven Trust
Overnight respite for adults. Can be accessed using Individualised Funding or Carer Support/I Choose.
PO Box 69-126, Lincoln, Christchurch 7640 Phone: (03) 349 5848 Email: robsonma@calddaghhaven.co.nz
Community residential houses
Overnight respite for adults with disabilities may be available in an established home for adults with disabilities.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Hawksbury Community Living Trust
A flexible disability support provider. Also offers weekday activities for adults.
Unit 2, 41 Sir William Pickering Drive, Harewood, Christchurch 8545 Website: www.hawksbury.co.nz external URL
Henderson Homes
Overnight respite for adults. Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Hohepa Canterbury
Overnight respite for adults. Can be accessed using Individualised Funding or Carer Support. Community participation programmes are also available.
- Phone: 022 329 9035
- Email: jo.wells@hohepacanterbury.com
- Website: www.hohepacanterbury.com external URL
- Facebook: facebook.com/Hohepa-Canterbury external URL
Laura Ferguson Trust
Overnight respite for adults with physical disability.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Marrolomeda Charitable Trust
Overnight respite for adults may be available using Carer Support/I Choose.
Website: www.marralomeda.org.nz external URL
NZ Community Living
Overnight respite for children and adults at various locations in Canterbury.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Weekday activities
Aged care day care programmes
Some aged care providers run daytime activity programmes that are suitable for adults with disabilities.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Out of school care and early childhood education
Before and after school care, school holiday programmes
A number of organisations provide out-of-school care, which includes before and after school and during the school holidays. Some mainstream services will have experience and skills in supporting children with disabilities.
Website: www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory external URL
In-home childcare and early childhood education
Early childhood education (ECE) provides education and care for children before they go to primary school. There are many different types of early childhood education providers, including daycare centres, kindergartens, home-based childcare, kōhanga reo nannies, playcentre and play groups. Find all types of early childhood education in your community from the website below.
Website: www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-an-els external URL
Sporting, social and recreational activities
Boccia New Zealand
Boccia New Zealand promotes and supports the sport of boccia among all people with a physical disability throughout New Zealand.
Website: www.boccia.org.nz external URL
Halberg AllSports
The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation was founded by Olympic champion Sir Murray Halberg in 1963 to enhance the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders by enabling them to participate in sport and recreation.
Website: www.halbergallsports.co.nz external URL
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA) provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, stimulating and therapeutic horse riding and horse-related activities.
Phone: (04) 234 6090 Email: admin@rda.org.nz Website: www.rda.org.nz external URL
Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability.
Phone: (04) 560 0360 Email: admin@specialolympics.org.nz Website: www.specialolympics.org.nz external URL
Relief carers, support workers and natural supports
Emerge Aotearoa
Emerge Aotearoa provides a wide range of community-based services including, day activities, employment support, flexible disability support and respite support.
Website: emergeaotearoa.org.nz external URL
Family Whānau Support
A support worker ‘buddy’ who offers regular respite hours, either at home or in the community.
Please contact your NASC for more information.
Geneva Healthcare
Geneva Healthcare can provide flexible options for support.
Phone: 0800 436 382
Email: info@genevahealth.com
Teacher aides
Ask local schools if you’re able to advertise to their teacher aide staff for support during the school holidays or for an evening out.
Rockmybaby
Rockmybaby® offer childcare recruitment services.
Phone: 0800 762 569
Email: info@rockmybaby.co.nz
Website: www.rockmybaby.co.nz external URL
MyCare
An online platform where the people willing to help can meet the people needing help. Find and employ support workers and volunteers on a secure website.
Phone: 0800 677 700
Email: hello@mycare.co.nz
Website: www.mycare.co.nz external URL
Neighbourly
An online community to help you connect with people in your community who would like to offer support or care.
Website: www.neighbourly.co.nz external URL