Access to Community (A2C)
Access to Community (A2C) helps people to build social connections in the community. The program matches individuals with a volunteer who can help find and link with community activities and services.
Want to connect with other people and activities but need some help?
The Access to Community (A2C) is a social prescription program that can help you if you’re feeling overwhelmed or find it hard to make social connections. A2C helps you take the first step to join a community activity.
The program will introduce you to a volunteer Community Connector to explore the local community with you.
Volunteer Community Connectors can:
- work with you at your pace, on the phone or in person
- help you create social connections and find suitable groups, clubs and classes in your community.
If you would like, a volunteer Community Connector can also go with you to the activity to help get you started.
Watch the video below to learn more about A2C and meet some of the team:
Your questions answered
Am I eligible for A2C?
The program available to people who are:
- interested in getting extra support to join community activities
- Living in the cities of Boroondara, Yarra or Manningham.
- Eligible for HACC or CHSP services.
How much does it cost?
There are no out-of-pocket costs for the program, but there may be costs for the community activities depending on what you choose to participate in.
The A2C team can help to find low or no-cost activities.
How will a volunteer Community Connector assist me?
Community Connectors are trained volunteers with great knowledge of what is taking place within the community. They will go at your pace and present you with a range of activity options so you can make decisions on what you would like to participate in. They can:
- Assist with finding and joining new social, physical or educational activities that you might want to do such as:
- book clubs or art group
- sporting groups including walking groups where you can meet new people
- language learning or cooking courses
- interest groups, like bird watching, computer games and more.
- Assist with exploring ways to access your way around the community (for example, taking public transport to get to community activities)
- Organise introductions and visits to community places, spaces and people
- Be someone to have a coffee or go for a walk with
Find out more about being a volunteer Community Connector here.
How do I sign up?
To sign up, you can:
- Fill in the online Referral Form to refer yourself, a client or someone you know.
- Email A2Cprogram@accesshc.org.au
- Call 9831 1913 to speak to our team.
Once you have signed up, one of our team members will contact you. They will ask some questions that will help match you with a volunteer Community Connector.
We are available to be contacted on Monday to Thursday, during business hours.
Volunteer Community Connectors
Community Connectors are trained volunteers with great knowledge of what is taking place within the community.
They will work with you to find and connect you to activities, services or programs that might interest you, including:
- walking groups where you can meet new people
- book clubs or art groups
- sporting groups
- language learning or cooking courses
- interest groups, like bird watching, computer games and more.
You can find out more about being a volunteer Community Connector here.
It's quick and easy to get in touch
Contact our friendly A2C team on 9831 1913 or email A2Cprogram@accesshc.org.au
We are available to be contacted on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, during business hours.