In 2008, Recreational Respite was founded in Ontario, with a vision to promote inclusion and nurture social health through respite that is recreation based for individuals with barriers to participation. Offering services including one-to-one respite, group programs, train-the-trainer, and speaking engagements, we increased our impact with careful growth. In 2017, we launched a national expansion, partnering with local, provincial and national organizations through out Canada to increase capacity and enhance access to services. This commitment to collaborative projects and knowledge transfer, including caregiver support groups, capacity building workshops, and keynote speaking has led to international scope of practice promoting inclusion and social health.

As a team, we are strong advocates for inclusion, participation, social health and connectivity through individualized approaches to enhancing accessibility and addressing barriers to participation. We believe ’nothing about us, without us’ means that those we serve have a key voice in the development of the services and programs they wish to take part in.

Our Community Engagement Providers have diverse educational backgrounds in therapeutic recreation, child and youth work, complex mental health, disability studies, gerontology, psychogeriatrics, and social services. Combined with lived experiences from our own families, and in support of those in caregiver roles, we apply knowledge and skill to every experience we deliver. 

Recreational Respite has served thousands of individuals and their families throughout Canada, partnered with countless non-profits, and has been a part of innovative projects with organizations and community members. We look forward to continued service through our one-to-one supports, group programs, knowledge sharing and community partnerships in 2025 and beyond.