Interchange began with a vision driven by necessity and compassion. Established in 1980 by Maureen Crawford, the organisation emerged from her personal struggle to find adequate respite care for her son, James, who had an intellectual disability.
Over the years, Interchange has grown from a small, community-focused initiative into a prominent provider of disability support services across Victoria, South Australia, and parts of New South Wales.
Maureen Crawford’s journey began with the overwhelming challenge of caring for her son James. Faced with the physical and emotional toll of caregiving, Maureen realised the lack of local community resources offering regular respite care. This isolation and strain on families like hers led to the founding of Interchange.
“The pressure of caring for James alone became physically and emotionally crippling,” Maureen recalls. “There was no community body in our area able to offer respite care on a regular basis. Other parents like myself were isolated and lacking in self-esteem due to the heavy daily pressure of caregiving.”
Concerned about the long-term effects on her family, Maureen sought to create a support system. With a small group of like-minded parents, she established the first Interchange program in Camberwell, Victoria.
Known today as Interchange Inner East, this program was designed to provide families with a regular break through shared care with volunteer ‘hosts’. This model not only offered essential respite for parents but also created enriching experiences for both the children with disabilities and their hosts.
Since its inception, Interchange has flourished, expanding its services across several states. The organisation now offers a wide range of support services, including:
Recreation and Community Activities: Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in meaningful activities.
Respite Services: Offering regular and emergency respite care to support families.
Individual and Group Support: Tailoring services to meet the diverse needs of clients in both home and community settings.
Interchange’s commitment to high-quality support is reflected in the calibre of its skilled staff and dedicated volunteers, who have been instrumental in the organisation’s success and growth.
The organisations vision is to underpin a more inclusive community that shares responsibility for the wellbeing of all, celebrates and promotes difference, and strives for inclusiveness and choice.
While their mission is to empower our network of member agencies to continually build more inclusive services that foster community connections and bring joy to families and individuals living with disability.
In 2022, Interchange joined forces with Multicap, marking a new chapter in its journey. This merger brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.
As we reflect on the achievements and contributions of Interchange, we honour the clients, staff, and volunteers who have been integral to the organisation’s success. Their dedication has made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.
Thank you to everyone who has supported and contributed to Interchange over the years. Together with Multicap, we look forward to continuing to build on this legacy, enhancing services, and delivering meaningful support to our community
For more information about Interchange Inner East you can read the booklet created to capture the lasting impact they had on people with disabilities and families in need of support.