When you book Short-Term Accommodation (STA), it’s easy to get distracted by the “hotel” factor. Does it have a big TV? Is the bed comfy? Is there a nice kitchen?
While those things matter, a truly great STA experience—one that actually recharges your batteries and moves you closer to your NDIS goals—is about more than just the furniture. It’s about how the stay makes you feel.
Whether you are a participant looking for a weekend away or a carer seeking peace of mind, here are the three things that should be at the heart of your STA experience.
1. Choice Without the “Check-In” Feel
Many respite providers have a “set menu” of activities. You eat when they eat, and you go where the group goes.
- What’s important: Autonomy. You should feel like you are on a holiday, not an excursion.
- The This Way Standard: We don’t do group-led schedules unless that’s what you want. If you want to spend your Saturday morning at a quiet cafe in Melbourne or head to a local market, our 24/7 support team is there to facilitate your choice.
2. A Meaningful “Circuit Breaker”
STA is often called a “circuit breaker” for a reason. It’s meant to break the routine and lower stress for everyone involved.
- What’s important: Emotional safety. You need to know that your routine will be respected so you can actually relax.
- The This Way Standard: We take the time to understand your sensory needs, your dietary preferences, and your “unwinding” rituals before you arrive. This ensures the circuit breaker actually works, leaving you refreshed rather than overwhelmed by the change.
3. Active Care (The “Sleep Well” Factor)
For many participants and families, the most important part of an STA stay happens while everyone is asleep.
- What’s important: Knowing that “24/7” doesn’t mean “someone is in the house,” but “someone is awake and available.”
- The This Way Standard: We provide Active Night Support. Because our staff are awake and alert through the night, you can sleep soundly knowing that help is immediate if you need it. This is the foundation of a premium experience—true safety.
What Makes a Stay Memorable?
“I didn’t just want to be ‘watched,’ I wanted to be heard.” “I’ve stayed at other respite places where I felt like I was just a task on a list,” says Ben. “But at This Way Support, they asked me what I was into. I’m a huge gamer, and they made sure I had a great setup and even chatted with me about the games I was playing. It felt like staying with a friend who really knew how to support me.”
“As a mum, the most important thing is the ‘vibe’ I get when I drop her off.” “I used to feel so anxious leaving my daughter anywhere,” explains Sarah. “But the STA experience at This Way is different. The staff are so professional and the home is so beautiful that it feels like I’m dropping her at a boutique hotel. When she comes home telling me about the new cafe she found in Melbourne, I know we made the right choice.”
Your Stay, Your Way
What is important to you might be different from what is important to someone else. Maybe it’s the proximity to the city, the chance to practice cooking a new meal, or simply the peace and quiet of a premium bedroom.
At This Way Support, we don’t do “cookie-cutter” respite. We do bespoke STA experiences tailored to your Melbourne life.
Tell Us What Matters to You: Book a Discovery Call
Ready to plan an STA stay that actually ticks your boxes? Contact us to see our current vacancies and let’s start planning your perfect “circuit breaker.”
