Community Connections

Community Connections supports people to increase their independence in the home and to build stronger social and community connections.

Strong social connections can improve quality of life and provide better health outcomes.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that around one in ten people experience social isolation. This has a negative effect on people's mental and physical health, and their ability to participate in the community.

Who Community Connections is for

Community Connections is open to people living in South Australia, who:

• are aged 18 to 64 (18 to 49 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
• need short-term support to improve independence or to develop or maintain connections with support networks
• are not eligible for federal programs such as National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or My Aged Care.

Priority will be given to:

• unpaid carers
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• people from new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• people who are financially disadvantaged
• people living in communities of persistent or location-based disadvantage.

Community Connections Flyer - DL size (PDF 112.8 KB)

How Community Connections works

Community Connections provides short-term support for up to 12 weeks and helps connect people with longer-term support where required.

Support through the Community Connections Program may include helping people to get involved in local community activities, find new support groups, meet their neighbours, or get some extra help at home.

Community Connections is available across South Australia, with local program partners working with participants to determine the type of support they need to reach their goals.

Participants can approach any of the Community Connections partners to investigate their options. Use our interactive map to find your local program partners.

Community Connections Flyer - DL size (PDF 112.8 KB)

Community Connections Model - Plain text description

Regional Coordinating Partners

Regional Coordinating Partners coordinate the program across their region, ensuring that all other partners work together to provide the most appropriate services and support for participants. These partners can work with the participant to find an appropriate service or community group to reach their agreed goal.

Regional Coordinating Partners contact information

Community Partners

Community Partners deliver community-based programs, services and activities to help participants gain independence and make strong, sustainable connections with family, communities and other networks.

Community Partners contact information (including APY Lands providers)

Care Partners

Care Partners provide home-based health support to help participants become more independent.

Care Partners contact information

Aboriginal Community Partners

Aboriginal Community Partners provide a range of culturally appropriate services to support Aboriginal peoples to increase their independence, improve quality of life and enhance their connections with communities, social networks, culture and services.

Aboriginal Community Partners contact information

Carer Support Partners

Carer Support Partners will operate in a similar way to Community Partners, specifically supporting unpaid carers to engage socially beyond the home, actively participate in local community activities and increase social connection, community participation and inclusion.

Unpaid carers are also a priority group for the Community Connections Program and as such, if eligible, can access services from any of the Program Partners.

Carer Support Partner contact information

How to make a referral

Whether you are looking for support for yourself, a friend or a family member, or you are a service agency wanting to refer somebody to the program, the Regional Coordinating Partner in your area is your first point of contact.

Regional Coordinating Partners contact information

General program enquiries

Email CommunityConnections@sa.gov.au

More information

Community Connections Program - Aboriginal Consultation Summary Report Feb 2021 - online

Community Connections Program - Aboriginal Consultation Summary Report Feb 2021 - download (PDF 244.4 KB)

The Community Connections program is funded by the Government of South Australia.