The early morning sun shines on one of Fremantle’s outer café strips as locals, business people and tourists head to outlets to start the day off with brekkie or a coffee.
Upstairs in the Little Lane apartment complex, residents are waking up to another day, some heading out to work, others enjoying a more relaxing start with a cuppa on their balcony, people-watching the café strip below.
In one of the apartments, Activ Foundation support worker Sarah Eadie starts her morning answering a text about a dog. She gets a text like this one every now and then. It’s one of Activ’s residents in the Little Lane Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) apartments who can call on Activ’s concierge support service when they need it.
He needs his beloved pet dog moved out on to his balcony for the day. Sarah is off to help, with her phone at hand for any other support calls that come through as residents start their day.
“We have a number of Specialist Disability Accommodation units in the complex that we provide what’s called Concierge Supports to,” Sarah explains.
“We’re that extra support onsite 24/7 if our residents need it. Our service is on top of their usual scheduled supports. We’re more of an ad hoc service, when things come up unexpectedly or changes in routine happen and we’re needed,” she says.
Sarah says calls and texts come through during the day and at night. From helping with emergencies to support with transfers, the team provides assistance at various levels.
“It’s a great service, it gives our residents peace of mind knowing we are here if they need – at any time of day.”
“Our service also gives our residents freedom they might not have had before. They’re not locked into coming home at night before their regular supports finish up, instead they can call on us if they need to, to support them with their nightly routine.”
Sarah says the Activ Support team assist with lots of different support-related calls, from helping with two-person assists to assisting with meal prep or spills and other hazards that come up.
“We know our residents well, and they trust we’re here when they need us – Little Lane’s Concierge Service is such a great way to help residents build and maintain their independence with security of having onsite supports 24/7.”
The Concierge Service, also known as onsite shared support, is available to residents living in eligible SDA apartments at Little Lane. Find out more about the property and vacancies available.