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IF YOU ARE HAVING A PERSONAL EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 000
QUICK LINKS
Support and Referral Services in Torquay
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Surf Coast Shire Council offer a range of community grants and can connect you with funding programs nation-wide.
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
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
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.
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 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.
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.
