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Support and Referral Services in Torquay

TCH

COUNSELLING

Jan Cheatley and Fiona Ready offer low-cost counselling services. Both have extensive experience in the counselling field and specialise in empowering people and encouraging a positive life experience.
Call us on 5261 3845 for an appointment.
Cost: $20
We understand that this is a financially difficult time for many people so if you are experiencing financial hardship and would still like to attend counselling please let us know so we can assist.

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BARWON COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE

Barwon Community Legal Service provides free legal information, advice and case work to members of our local community. barwoncommunitylegal.org.au Phone: 1300 430 599 Email: bcls@barwoncls.org.au

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Torquay St. Vinnies Help Line

This local branch of St. Vinnies can help you with finances and bill payments. Call 5221 9170 (9am-12pm)

TORQUAY FOOD DROP OFF

Torquay Community House is a drop-off point for donations to Torquay Food Aid. Food can be donated from 9am-3pm, Mon-Thurs. Food Aid is located at Email: torquayfoodaid@gmail.com​

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

Please click the button below for a list of local JP's in the Surf Coast area.

Surf Coast Justice of the Peace List

Alcoholics Anonymous

Wednesdays 7.30 – 8.30pm St Luke’s Anglican Church Hall, Pride St entrance. Zoom available. Details on A.A times can be found at aatimes.org.au

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Local Assistance

SURF COAST SHIRE

LOCAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

These organisations include food relief, housing & accommodation, family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol support and much more.

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FOOD ASSISTANCE

Feed Me Surf Coast: Call 0422 441 205, Email feedmesurfcoast@gmail.com
Torquay Food Aid: Email torquayfoodaid@gmail.com​
​​Other Assistance:
Surf Coast Angels: Call 0428 563 104

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SURF COAST SHIRE

COVID-19 INFORMATION & RESOURCES

The Surf Coast Shire has compiled a page of information and resources (including local food support) to help you through the current situation.

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SURF COAST SHIRE

COMMUNITY GROUP DIRECTORY

Find community groups near you, by searching the area. If you would like to be listed or want to update any listings, please contact Terri Hannan from the Community Health and Development Team at Surf Coast Shire Council on: 0407 829 308 or thannan@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

CONTACT
SURF COAST SHIRE

COMMUNITY GRANTS

Surf Coast Shire Council offer a range of community grants and can connect you with funding programs nation-wide.

View Community Grants

MENTAL HEALTH

HEADSPACE GEELONG YOUTH
Headspace Geelong supports young people from 12-25 who are going through a tough time. The service is free and confidential. Assistance is available in these four areas: Physical Health (incl.sexual health), Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Work and Study Support. ​

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SURF COAST SHIRE

SURF COAST YOUTH

To keep up to date on what Surf Coast Shire Council has on offer for the 12-25 -year-old crowd, check out the pages below and be sure to follow ‘Surf Coast Youth’ on Instagram or like the Surf Coast Youth Facebook page. Phone: 5261 0600 or email: youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

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SURF COAST SHIRE

MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH

The Maternal and Child Health service (MCH) is free and provides primary care to postnatal women and children from birth to school age. You can always call the free Maternal and Child Health Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 22 29 if you have questions about child health, nutrition, breastfeeding, maternal and family health or parenting

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PLAYGROUP

Find a playgroup near you

FIND A PLAYGROUP

Family Violence Help

Find More Help HERE
In an emergency, please call 000

ORANGE DOOR

Website: orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Call: 1800 312 820.
If you can’t call, you can send an email and they will contact you from a private number as soon as possible.
Email: barwon@orangedoor.vic.gov.au ​

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SAFE STEPS

Website: safesteps.org.au
Call: 1800 015 188.
If you can’t call, you can send an email and they will contact you from a private number as soon as possible. Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au

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MENS LINE

https://mensline.org.au/
Call 1300 78 99 78

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WITH RESPECT

withrespect.org.au
Resources for LGBTQIA+ people on healthy relationships and family violence.
Call 1800 542 847

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LGBTQIA+ Support and Assistance

RAINBOW DOOR

Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTQIA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTQIA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Phone: 1800 729 367
Text: 0480 017 246
​Email: ​​support@rainbowdoor.org.au
For more info on the service go to rainbowdoor.org.au

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QUEERSPACE GEELONG

Low or no-cost confidential counselling services for LGBTQIA+ community and their families in the Geelong and Greater Geelong region.
Services include: Counselling, case management, advocacy and support services to help with a range of issues, The Village (7-week program for parents and caregivers of transgender, diverse, and gender questioning young people)
Phone: 9663 6733​
​Email: ​​enquiries@ds.org.au
Website: queerspace.org.au

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Neighbourhood Houses

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES BARWON

The Network provides flexible and responsive support to the member houses, the broader sector and the community at large. Its operations and projects are in line with its Strategic Plan.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES VICTORIA

Established in 1979, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is the peak body for the neighbourhood house sector.

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Essential Household Items Assistance / Housing

GOOD MONEY

Good Money community finance stores offer safe, affordable and responsible financial services for people on low incomes who are otherwise excluded from mainstream financial services. Good Money support customers to make responsible and sustainable financial decisions and is offered via a network of financial capability workers and counsellors and access to a range of No Interest Loans (NILs).
Geelong Location: 104 Moorabool Street, Geelong Ph: 5223 8000

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GOOD SHEPHERD'S NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME (NILS)

No Interest Loans (NILs) provide individuals and families on low incomes with access to safe, fair, affordable credit with no fees and charges applied. NILs provides interest free loans of up to $5000 to individuals and families on low incomes. The program aims to provide access to affordable, fair and equitable loans for the purchase of essential household goods, car repairs and health and education needs or people affected by domestic and family violence.

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HOUSING RIGHTS INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE

Need some advice as a tenant or landlord? For information on tenants rights please visit tenantsvic.org.au

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Financial Assistance

HAVEN HOME SAFE

Haven Home Safe has extended their emergency food and financial assistance to Torquay. Emergency Relief is short-term financial assistance in times of crisis to meet immediate basic needs. It is a free service.​
Do you need any of the following?
• Food vouchers
• Petrol vouchers
• Assistance with utility bill payments
• Support-services information and/or referrals​
For assistance and to make a phone appointment please call their Emergency Relief worker:
5246 8912 or email erclient@hhs.org.au
Please note that due to COVID-19 all appointments will be conducted via phone until further notice.

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UTILITIES HARDSHIP SUPPORT

Rules introduced by the Victorian Government mean energy companies must help households with their electricity and gas bills. If you are experiencing hardship, you may be eligible for a grant to help with overdue utility bills under Victoria’s Utility Relief Grant Scheme. Grants of up to $650 are available for each electricity, gas or water utility in a two-year period, or $1,300 over two years if you only use a single source of energy, such as electricity. This applies to concession card holders as well as low income renters and homeowners.
Call 1800 658 521 (free call).
If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.

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WARM SAFE HOME FOR OLDER VICTORIANS

If you or someone you know is struggling to pay the bills, a financial counsellor may be able to help. Financial counsellors are qualified professionals, approved by the government to:
Provide free, confidential & independent assistance
Work with you on any aspect of financial hardship – debts & difficulty meeting living expenses
Provide you with options so you can make informed decisions.
A warm safe home is the right of every Victorian, learn more at warmsafehome.org.au

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HOUSEHOLD RELIEF LOANS WITHOUT INTEREST

Good Shepherd in collaboration with the Federal Government are offering Household Relief Loans Without Interest for those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Assistance for rent and utility bills can be provided in the form of loans of up to $3,000 with no interest, charges or fees to pay. Delivered by Good Shepherd in collaboration with the Federal Government.

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