Participation Support Membership 2023-24

Welcome to the Merri-bek's City Council's online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

Active Merri-bek - Participation Support Membership funding can be provided to residents of Merri-bek to assist with costs towards a three month membership/program fee at any of the Active Merri-bek Council Leisure Centres. It is preferred that a financial commitment is made by the participant which usually will consist of a discounted payment of the start up fee.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to ensuring that barriers to participation are reduced for those in need.  Participation Support Grants program can fund up to 120 concession support memberships each year to eligible residents of Merri-bek. The support will provide a reduced or free centre based 3-month membership. To complete this application you will need to answer each question to and provide documentation supporting the need for financial assistance. 

How do you apply?
First, you must speak to a Membership Officer at your nearest Active Merri-bek Leisure Centre.

The process for an application:
~ Applicant, or wellness support agency on behalf of applicant completes application form online.
~ A referral letter from the wellness support agency must be attached outlining the need for support.
~ Membership Coordinator conducts a elegibility check of the application using criteria.
~ Active Merri-bek's Community Activation Director will assess and make recommendations for Council to consider.
~ If successful the Leisure Centre will advise of the outcome and coordinate with the applicant or support agency (if required).
~ Elegibility, assessment and outcome process may take 14-21days.

Who is eligible?

Applicant must
~ Eligible participants must be nominated by a referral agency that provides accredited high-level individual and family support services; to assess eligibility for support (unfortunately GP doctors surgery and/or outpatient referrals cannot be accepted).
~ Eligible participants must be holders of a current Services Australia issued - Low Income Health Care Card (for a child application – the child must me named on the parent / guardians card)
~ Eligible participants must provide evidence of being a permanent resident in Merri-bek (photo ID, utility bill or licence with current address)
~ Any further support provided after an initial 3 month support package including access to a special concession rate membership will be determined in consultation with the participant, centre staff and referring health agency professional. 
~ The participant must attend the facility / program regularly and improvement in health and lifestyle must be evident.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact the Active Merri-bek Community Programs Director on 9354 3504  during business hours or email programs@activemerri-bek.com.au and quote your application number.

Participant’s rights and responsibilities

~ If you require a carer they will be granted access at no charge when accompanying you and display their Companion Card.
~ Active Merri-bek has an expectation that you will commit to making the most of your membership by attending as often as possible.
~ Active Merri-bek understands that circumstances may at times affect your ability to attend the centre. If this occurs please contact your leisure centre and discuss this with them.

Your participation and membership should be a positive and enjoyable. If f this is not the case or you have any other feedback, please speak to the Program Director  on  9354 3504 or Aquatics and Leisure staff at Council on 9240 1111.

What happens next?
Assessment and subsequent approval of this application may take approximately 4 weeks. You may be contacted to provide further information as part of the assessment process.  The application is requesting Council funding to support a Active Merri-bek Concession Support Membership and therefore this process may take a little time to administer.  

Please note: A maximim of 120 grant to Participation Support Memberships accross Merri-bek can be supported each year.

More information on how to complete the form:

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION
If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save' and log out. When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.

Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed.

Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.

When you submit your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.

You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

SPELL CHECK

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