Need help?
IF YOU ARE HAVING A PERSONAL EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 000
QUICK LINKS
Support and Referral Services in Torquay
COUNSELLING
Jan Cheatley is still offering counselling services. Jan has 30 years’ experience in the counselling field and specialises in empowering people and encouraging a positive life experience. Call Jan 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 contact us HERE and we will be happy to assist.
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 currently closed for drop off but donations can still be dropped off at Ryan's IGA. Email torquayfoodaid@gmail.com
A.A
Wednesdays 7.30 – 8.30pm St Luke’s Anglican Church Hall, Pride St entrance. Zoom available. Details on A.A times can be found on aatimes.org.au
Local Assistance
LOCAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
These organisations include food relief, housing & accommodation, family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol support and much more.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Torquay Food Aid: Email torquayfoodaid@gmail.com Feed Me Surf Coast: Call 0422 441 205, Email feedmesurfcoast@gmail.com Other Assistance: Surf Coast Angels: Call 0428 563 104 Emergency relief food packages are also available for vulnerable people. Call the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
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. Visit their page
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
WITH RESPECT
withrespect.org.au Resources for LGBTQIA+ people on healthy relationships and family violence. Call 1800 542 847
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
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
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.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES VICTORIA
Established in 1979, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is the peak body for the neighbourhood house sector.
Essential Household Items Assistance / Housing
THE GOOD SHEPHERD BUYING SERVICE:
A free state-wide telephone service assisting Concession Card holders to purchase new essential household items such as: fridges, washing machines, furniture, and medical appliances, by negotiating discount prices with a network of traders. Visit ther website here The Good Shepherd Buying Service is a telephone service operating: Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm
GEELONG NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME (NILS)
GEELONG NO INTEREST LOAN SCHEME (NILS): The Geelong No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is a community based program that provides interest free loans of up to $1,200 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. Visit http://www.vinniesnils.org.au/
HOUSING RIGHTS INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE
Need some advice as a tenant or landlord? For information on tenants rights please visit tenantsvic.org.au
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.
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 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.
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
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.
