Support at Home, sorted out in person.
I'm Jacquie Dredge, your local Community Managed Coordinator. The first chat is simply about where you're at and what your options are.
Call or text. I'll come to your kitchen table, or we'll find somewhere in town that suits. I recommend a family member or trusted friend sits with you for the first visit.
I know what doesn't work — large corporate models. People need 1:1 support
I took on the Coordinator role at the Canowindra Connections Centre in 2023, and I've been in community services a fair while now. So we'll be doing things differently based on what doesn't work.
I pride myself on not being salesy. For a year or so I've been helping locals manage their packages voluntarily, and it became obvious that more in-person help was needed to navigate the new aged care system.
The core services
If you or someone you care about needs a hand with any of this, it's worth a conversation.
Personal care
Help with showering, dressing and the daily routine, from workers you've chosen yourself, not whoever the roster sends.
Domestic assistance
Light cleaning, laundry, meals, shopping, and the jobs around the house that have quietly got harder.
Transport
Getting to the doctor in town and out to Cowra, Orange or Bathurst when you need a specialist.
Social support
Company, outings, and someone to talk to. Often the whole point. A quiet week is harder on people than most jobs on this list.
Managing your package
The paperwork, the budget, the invoices and the bits that don't make sense. I've been doing this alongside locals for over a year.
Working out where you sit in the system
The most common first question and exactly what the free chat is for. No referral, no obligation, no follow-up call you didn't ask for.
Three parties.
They hold your Support at Home package, handle the compliance and pay the invoices. Government-approved and not me.
Nobody hiding
Your local coordinator. I don't hold your funding, I don't assess anyone and I can't approve a package. I'm the one who turns up to walk you through the process and find your support workers.
behind a call centre.
You've received your package. Did you know you have the option of choosing your workers, hourly rates and service days? Self-managing turns the same funding into more hours of real care.
For me, it's all about your right to choose and human connection.Jacquie Dredge · Coordinator
So... What is Support at Home?
It's a package of government funding for older Australians to get the support they need at home. The way it works changed in November 2025 and plenty of people all over Australia are none the wiser. The confusing letters, the codes and approaches from providers before you can catch your breath...not to mention long phone queues. Your family are working and live away and don't have time to help. That's where we come in with alternative options.
Self-managing means you choose your own workers, agree fair rates with them, and turn the same funding into more hours of actual care. I'm the person in town who helps you do it. If you aren't computer savvy or have other priorities you can choose to have a coordinator managed package (me).
Funding starts with an assessment. That's done through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or at myagedcare.gov.au.
You can ring them yourself or I'll sit with you while you do. No charge either way, and no obligation to use me afterwards.
Book an in-person chat.
Ring or text. That's the quickest way. Otherwise leave your details and I'll come back to you.
Jacquie Dredge, Coordinator
- Mobile
- 0439 187 109 Call or text, whichever you prefer
- Canowindracarenetwork@proton.me
- Where we meet
- Your home, or somewhere in town that suits Canowindra NSW 2804 and district
- Canowindra Care Network