Quick Help Guide
Right Time, Right Place
Support During Times of Crisis
If you are in immediate danger call 000
Hang a copy of this list in the window of your organisation or business and show your support for those in need.
Food
Feed Geelong
(03) 5229 4364
feedgeelong.com.au/where-can-i-eat
Feed Geelong’s “Where I Can Eat” reference page is a directory service for you if you need emergency food relief.
The page provides links to many organisations that provide food assistance in the local Geelong region.
Due to changing conditions, restrictions, and your health and safety we encourage you to call ahead on the numbers provided, before going out to access emergency food relief or to opt for contactless delivery if available.
Click here to go to the latest list of emergency food relief organisations.
Feed Me (Bellarine / Geelong / Surf Coast)
0422 798 791
feedme.org.au
Open: 7 days, 10am – 4pm
Feed Me runs a service on the Bellarine, Geelong and Surf Coast collecting spare food and excess produce while sharing it with the community who need it, no questions asked.
In addition to delivering food to the region, Feed Me Bellarine operates a café and a wasted mini-market at 24 Sinclair Street, Ocean Grove AND 9, 7-9 Cylinders Drive, Torquay that are open from 10:00am – 4:00pm year round with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Help & Support Lines
Lifeline
13 11 14
lifeline.org.au
Open: 24/7
Lifeline is Available 24/7.
Lifeline can help you if you are experiencing emotional distress. They operate a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention line, so you don’t have to face your darkest moments alone.
Lifeline exists to:
- Save lives.
- To provide connection and hope.
- To educate and support.
Lifeline is committed to listening to you with compassion and without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or who longs to be heard.
Rainbow Door
1800 729 367
rainbowdoor.org.au
Open: 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
Through advice, referral and support from an experienced LGBTIQA+ peer, Rainbow Door will help LGBTIQA+ people navigate the system to access the supports we need.
Rainbow Door is connected to free multi language interpreter support service including Auslan interpreters.
Call, text or email. Learn more about Rainbow Door here.
Housing & Tenancy Support
Barwon South-West Housing Network
1800 825 955
bswhn.org.au
Open: 24/7
Phone number available toll free 24/7.
Barwon South West Homelessness Network aims to provide better housing and support services for those living in the South Western regions of Victoria. You can speak to this agency for general housing advice by calling the number listed above (1800 825 955).
You can learn more about how Barwon South West Homelessness Support Network can help you here.
Tenants Victoria
9416 2577
tenantsvic.org.au
Open: Mon-Fri, 9.30am – 1.30pm
Tenants Victoria aims to inform and educate renters about their rights, improve renting conditions, improve the status of renters and represent the collective interests of renters in law and policy making.
It aims to both help individual renters and work for social change to improve renting conditions.
Tenants Victoria is an organization formed to protect your rights as a rental tenant in Victoria and provide free and confidential assistance to:
- Tenants in private rentals.
- Tenants in public housing.
- Tenants in caravan parks.
- Residents and tenants in rooming houses.
Phone number provided is for ‘Renter Support Line’.
For renters in public housing and community housing and residents of rooming houses please call 1800 068 860 (open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)
You can learn more about Tenants Victoria and how they can support you here.
Mental Health
Mental Health & Wellbeing Local
1800 573 151
barwonhealth.org.au/mhdas/get-help/finding-help-and-support/mental-health-and-wellbeing-local-services
Open: 24/7
The Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is a new service providing mental health and wellbeing support in your community.
We provide services that are:
- Free (no Medicare card or mental health plan needed)
- No referral needed
- For 26 years or older
- For anyone with mental health and/or substance use concerns
Simply call 1800 573 151 to talk about your individual needs.
If you are a family member, carer, friend or supporter of someone with mental health concerns, you can also access support to help you in your caring role, or for your own mental health needs.
Our service consists of a consortium between:
Head to Health
1800 595 212
headtohealth.gov.au
Phone: 24/7
Hub Open: Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm, Weekend & Public Holidays 1pm-6pm
Phone number available from 9am – 9pm
Geelong Hub located at 8 Station Street, Norlane and is open Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 9:00pm and Weekend and Public Holidays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm
When you call the Head to Health support line an experienced mental health professional will listen to you and help you find the best ways to get the help that you need.
Depending on your needs you may be:
- Connected with suitable existing services.
- Receive care at the Head to Health hub either onsite or through telehealth.
- Be connected to specialist or acute mental health services, including emergency care.
You can learn more about how Head to Health can help you here.
Barwon Health Phone Triage Team
1300 094 187
barwonhealth.org.au/mhdas
Phone: 24/7
The phone triage team is a 24-hour phone based service for intake and referral as well as phone support for people who may have a complex or serious mental illness and are in crisis.
Services include:
- Intake and processing of referrals
- Referral to internal and external agencies
- Telephone phone support and advice to consumers, families and other health workers.
The phone triage clinicians will determine the nature and urgency of the response required.
It is a primary point entry to Barwon Health’s mental health services and has referral linkages with Barwon Health Drugs and Alcohol Services.
For more information around the Barwon Health Phone Triage Team visit the Barwon Health website.
Family Violence
The Orange Door
1800 312 820
orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
Please note that after hours this number is transferred through to Safe Steps.
Phone number available toll 24/7.
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
You should contact Orange Door if:
- Someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer or parent(s).
- You are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be OK.
- You are worried about the safety of a friend or family member.
- You need more support with the care of children, e.g due to money issues, illness, addiction, grief isolation or conflict.
- You are worried about the safety of a child or young person.
- You need help to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships.
You can learn more about how The Orange Door can help you here.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre
(03) 5222 4318
safvcentre.org.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm (phone 24/7)
Please note that after hours this number is transferred through to Safe Steps.
If you have been impacted by or experienced sexual assault or family violence, The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre can help you.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre services include:
- Free and confidential trauma informed counselling for adults, children and young people who have experienced family violence and sexual assault.
- A 24-hour crisis care line to support any adult, child or young person who has experienced sexual assault in the past 14 days and needs immediate support.
- 24-hour support for women and women and their children who are leaving a family violence situation and need support.
- A range of additional early intervention, Problem Sexual Behaviour, prevention and training programs.
You can learn more about The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre here.
Financial Stress
Meli
(03) 5278 8122
meli.org.au/money-help
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm
Phone number available Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00 pm (Excluding Christmas and Boxing Day)
Get support and counselling for financial services including Emergency Relief and Gambler’s Help.
Meli’s emergency relief program helps low and fixed-income individuals and families who need assistance quickly. We can help with:
- short-term financial relief – like food vouchers and bill payments
- referrals to financial counselling services and other services you may need
From time to time, we all face challenges with our finances. Sometimes it’s useful to have some advice and support to manage everything.
Meli offers two kinds of financial support services:
- financial counselling
- financial wellbeing services
If you are concerned about your gambling, our team at Meli can work with you to:
- assess your gambling
- understand the changes you can make
- take steps to regain control over your gambling
- make and maintain changes that you feel good about
We also offer support to people who are affected by somebody else’s gambling. You can access therapeutic and financial counselling.
Salvation Army Doorways
(03) 5223 9200 or 13 72 58
salvationarmy.org.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 3pm
The Salvation Army’s Doorways works hand in hand with their Moneycare financial counselling program to assist individuals to regain control of their finances. They provide early-education and prevention strategies for people who may be at risk of financial hardship.
Doorways, together with teams from multiple programs, are working at the coalface of community, partnering with individuals and families for a better future.
You can learn more about The Salvation Army’s Doorways Program here.
Sexual
Assault
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre
(03) 5222 4318
safvcentre.org.au
Open: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm (phone 24/7)
Please note that after hours this number is transferred through to Safe Steps.
If you have been impacted by or experienced sexual assault or family violence, The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre can help you.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre services include:
- Free and confidential trauma informed counselling for adults, children and young people who have experienced family violence and sexual assault.
- A 24-hour crisis care line to support any adult, child or young person who has experienced sexual assault in the past 14 days and needs immediate support.
- 24-hour support for women and women and their children who are leaving a family violence situation and need support.
- A range of additional early intervention, Problem Sexual Behaviour, prevention and training programs.
You can learn more about The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre here.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support
13 Yarn
13 92 76
13yarn.org.au
Open: 24/7
13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is your story; your journey and we will take the time to listen. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. We’re here for you.
Yarning Safe ‘N’ Strong
1800 959 563
vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong/
Open: 24/7
Phone Number available 24 hours / 7 days
VAHS have established a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Yarning SafeNStrong (YSNS) is available to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.
We have culturally suitable counsellors you can yarn safely with ‘who get it’, no matter how big or small the challenge.
So if you’re feeling like you want someone to talk to maybe give us a call?
We offer support with:
- Social and Emotional wellbeing
- Financial wellbeing
- Medical support including COVID-19 testing
- Drug and alcohol counselling and rehab services
The ‘Right Time, Right Place’ is a collection of agencies, supports, tips and resources to help you navigate whatever crisis or significant change of circumstance life has thrown at you.