Community relief and support agencies
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented challenges for everyone. Many individuals, families and communities find themselves needing support and it can be daunting to ask for help, and to know where to start.
Please know that there are many organisations located in the Yarra Ranges that are dedicated to providing support to people when they need it. Many of their usual services have been adapted to suit COVID-19 restrictions.
Below is a list of services that are available. These organisations are happy to respond to your enquiry about availability of services. These organisations are also excellent sources of information, resources, community connection and referrals for additional assistance.
If you are wondering how you can help others in your community who are doing it tough due to the impact of COVID-19, visit our 'How you can help' page.
Relief & support agency contact information
Community health services
Community transport
| Organisation |
Services |
Contact details |
Areas serviced |
| Eastern Volunteers |
Low cost community trasnport to essential appointments. Eligibility criteria may apply. |
9870 7822
https://easternvolunteers.org.au/transport-ev/
|
Yarra Ranges |
|
Yarra Ranges Council Aged & Disability Services
|
Personal shopping assistance
Assistance for unaccompanied shopping
|
1300 368 333 |
Yarra Ranges |
| LinC Yarra Valley |
Food boxes (non perishable)
Volunteer transport
|
Every Friday:
11am at Millgrove Baptist Church, Cavanagh Rd
1.30pm at Community Room, Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction
10am at Woori Yallock Presbyterian Church
Transport enquiries 5967 2119 (leave a message any time)
Emergency relief/material aid 0472 644 476 (Mon & Tues, 10am-1pm)
www.lincyarravalley.org.au
|
Upper Yarra area |
Disability support services
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Area serviced |
|
Care Support Network
|
Disability support
NDIS support planning and coordination
|
1300 177 577
|
Australia wide |
|
SJI Autism & Carer Support
|
Autism support services including free counselling for carers, podcasts and carers chat support
|
www.spectrumjourneys.org.au
For telephone advice, call Amaze Autism Advisors on 1300 308 699
|
Yarra Ranges |
|
Anglicare Victoria – Strengthening Parents Support Program
|
Support for parents of a child with a disability (up to age 18)
|
Anglicare website
0438 646 744
|
Melbourne's outer east |
|
HICCI
|
Disability support
|
Healesville
5911 6000
|
Healesville area |
|
EACH
|
Disability support
Carer support
|
1300 003 224
www.each.com.au
|
Melbourne's east |
| I CAN Network |
Autistic-led online group mentoring program that provides a safe space for autistic young people to connect with peers and mentors. |
https://www.icannetwork.com.au/online-group-mentoring/
|
Victoria |
| Inspiro |
Health allied health services. Online and via phone |
9738 8801
hello@inspiro.org.au |
Urban and Mount Dandenong areas of Yarra Ranges |
| Disability Information Helpline |
The Disability Information Helpline is for people with a disability who need help because of COVID-19.
The helpline can help families, carers, support workers and services also.
|
1800 643 787
Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm
Saturday 9am-7pm
www.dss.gov.au/disabilityhelp
|
|
Family violence support
|
Organisation
|
Services
|
Contact details
|
Area serviced |
|
EDVOS
|
Family violence support
Food relief
Material aid
|
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
9259 4200
1800 015 188 (after hours)
edvos@edvos.org.au
If immediate danger, call 000
|
Melbourne's east |
|
Anglicare Victoria
|
Family violence support
Child protection services
|
Eastern region offices in Lilydale and Bayswater
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
1800 809 722
|
Melbourne's outer east |
|
Eastern Community Legal Centre
|
Free legal advice
Family violence support
Elder abuse support
Support for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
|
110 River St, Healesville
Tuesday – Thursday 9am-5pm
5962 1665 / 1300 79 70 88
Suite B, 6 Floriston Rd, Boronia
Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm
Tuesday evenings
9762 6235
|
Melbourne's outer east |
|
HICCI
|
Family violence support
|
Healesville
5911 6000
|
Healesville area |
|
EACH
|
Family violence support
|
1300 003 224
www.each.com.au
|
Melbourne's east |
|
Inspiro
|
Family violence support
|
9028 0153
hello@inspiro.org.au
|
Melbourne's outer east |
Food relief – food boxes and meals
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
| Yarra Ranges Council Aged and Disability Services |
Delivered meals
|
1300 368 333 |
Yarra Ranges |
|
The Salvation Army (Mooroolbark)
|
Food boxes (non-perishable)
Material support
|
Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am-12pm and 1pm-2pm
9727 4777
|
Outer east |
|
Nourish Network
|
Food boxes
Support for families of primary school age children
|
lisa@ripplekindness.org
Nourish Network on Facebook
|
Outer east |
|
CHAMPION (Temple Society Australia)
|
Food boxes
Referrals for financial assistance
|
Enquiries to Martha or Jacinta 0468 375 808
Mondays 10am-12pm
Wednesdays 12.30pm-3.30pm
|
Bayswater and surrounds |
|
People’s Pantry
|
Takeaway meal
Meal delivery for people in need
|
Every second Friday 5.30pm-6.15pm
Mooroolbark People’s Pantry on Facebook
|
Mooroolbark area |
|
Millgrove Baptist Church – Second Bite
|
Food boxes (mostly fresh food)
|
Fridays 10.30am-11.30am
Millgrove Baptist Church, 4 Cavanagh Road, Millgrove
Enquiries to church office 5966 9482
|
Millgrove area |
|
River Valley Church – Careworks
|
Foodboxes
|
Enquiries to 0487 381 378 or reception@rivervalley.org.au
|
Millgrove area |
|
Foothills Community Care Inc
|
Takeaway meal
Family violence support
|
Free food assistance
Takeaway meals and fresh food parcels
Monday 5.30pm-6.30pm at Upwey Baptist, 21 Darling Ave, Upwey
Wednesday 5.30pm-7pm at Ferntree Gully Guide Hall, 156 Underwood Rd, Ferntree Gully
Home delivered community casseroles on request to Dandenong Ranges residents - order online at www.foothillscare.org.au/#community-casseroles
8711 8677
contact@foothillscare.org.au
www.foothillscare.org.au
Food and meals can also be delivered
|
Dandenong Ranges |
|
Koha Community Café Inc
|
Takeaway meals
|
Thursdays 6pm-8pm
contactkohacommunitycafe@gmail.com |
Warburton area |
|
HICCI
|
Food boxes Takeaway meal
Limited assistance with bills
Volunteer transport for aged residents to medical appointments/shopping
Referrals to other organisations for further support
|
5911 6000
www.hicci.org.au
|
Healesville area |
|
The Basement Food Hub
|
Food boxes (non perishable)
|
Under Subway, 193-197 Main Street, Lilydale
Mondays 9.30am-2pm
|
Lilydale area |
|
LinC Yarra Valley
|
Food relief
Volunteer transport
|
Every Friday:
11am at Millgrove Baptist Church, Cavanagh Rd
1.30pm at Community Room, Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction
10am at Woori Yallock Presbyterian Church
Transport enquiries 5967 2119 (leave a message any time)
Emergency relief/material aid 0472 644 476 (Mon & Tues, 10am-1pm)
www.lincyarravalley.org.au
|
Upper Yarra |
|
Hope on Friday
|
Food boxes
|
Hope in the Hills Christian Church
3 Clifford Grove, Tecoma
Fridays 8.15am-9.15am
Phone ahead on 0437 195 550 |
Tecoma area |
|
Discovery Community Care
|
Fresh fruit and vegetables, and long life items
Thursday evening meal (takeaway)
|
F1/122-124 Beresford Rd, Lilydale
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am-3pm
Ring 9739 6801 for an appointment
Thursday evening meal (takeaway)
6.30pm-7.30pm
Beside Olinda Hotel, at entrance to the Showgrounds
9739 6801
|
Yarra Ranges residents |
| Eastern Volunteers |
Low cost service to pick up and deliver food and medicine
Eastern Volunteers have introduced a shop from home service. Residents can phone with their shopping list and pay with a credit card. A volunteer will shop for them and deliver the items to the resident's door. |
9870 7822
www.easternvolunteers.org.au
|
Yarra Ranges |
| CIS Yarra Ranges |
Food vouchers and financial assistance. Information and referral service for enquiries including housing, health, family support and mental health. |
Phone support available 10am - 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9735 1311
www.cisvic.org.au/getting-help/cis-yarra-ranges
info@cisyarraranges.org.au
Office is closed until further notice but phone assistance is being provided.
|
Yarra Ranges residents: information and advice
Emergency relief provided to residents of the following areas:
Chirnside Park 3116; Coldstream 3770; Gruyere 3770; Kalorama 3766; Kilsyth (not Kilsyth South) 3137; Lilydale 3140; Monbulk 3793; Montrose 3765; Mooroolbark 3138; Mount Dandenong 3767; Mount Evelyn 3796; Olinda 3788; Seville 3139; Silvan 3795; Wandin 3139; Yering 3770
|
| Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service |
Groceries, vouchers and consultation |
9754 7777 or 0468 468 430
enquire@drers.org.au
www.drers.org.au
Monday-Friday, 9am-12.30pm
Contact is via phone or email
|
Dandenong Ranges |
| The Redwood Community Centre |
Food and personal items |
Open on Tuesdays
Contact by phone or email beforehand, then pick up by arrangement
5966 2320
katebarratt@adra.org.au
|
Warburton area |
| Vantage Point Church
|
Food boxes
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Frozen meals
|
4.30pm every Sunday in Lilydale
Enquiries: admin@vantagepoint.church
|
Outer east |
Housing and homelessness support
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
Anchor Inc, Holy Fools, The Salvation Army, Uniting Harrison
|
Homelessness support services
|
1800 825 955
This number will connect with nearest specialist homelessness support service
|
Melbourne's outer east |
|
HICCI
|
Homelessness support
|
Healesville
5911 6000
|
Healesville area |
|
EACH
|
Housing and homelessness
|
1300 003 224
www.each.com.au
|
Melbourne's east |
Legal services
| Organisation |
Services |
Contact details |
Areas Serviced |
|
| Eastern Community Legal Centre
|
Free legal assistance
Family violence support
Elder abuse support
Support for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
|
110 River St, Healesville
9am-5pm Tuesday to Thursday
5962 1665 / 1300 79 70 88
Suite B, 6 Floriston Rd, Boronia
9am-5pm Monday to Thursday
Tuesday evenings
9762 6235
www.eclc.org.au
|
Melbourne's outer east |
|
| Victorian Legal Aid |
Free legal advice |
Phone 1300 792 387 from 9am to 5pm weekdays for free information and help about the law.
23 Ringwood St, Ringwood
www.legalaid.vic.gov.au |
Victoria |
|
Material and financial assistance
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
Yarra Valley Water
|
Bill support for customers experiencing financial hardship
|
Monday to Friday
9am-5pm
1800 994 789
|
|
| South East Water |
Bill support for customers experiencing financial hardship
|
Monday to Friday
8am - 5pm
9552 3540
https://southeastwater.com.au/
support@sew.com.au
|
|
|
HICCI
|
Financial assistance
|
Healesville
5911 6000
|
Healesville area |
|
LinC Yarra Valley
|
Financial assistance
|
pclinc.yarravalley@gmail.com
5967 2119
|
Upper Yarra area |
|
The Salvation Army (Mooroolbark)
|
Food (non-perishable)
Material support
|
Monday – Friday
9am-2pm
9727 4777
|
Mooroolbark and surrounds |
| National Debt Hotline: Covid-19 Financial Survival Guide |
Financial assistance, Centrelink information, rent and morgage information |
https://ndh.org.au/debt-problems/covid19/
|
Australia wide |
| CIS Yarra Ranges |
Food vouchers and financial assistance. Information and referral service for enquiries including housing, health, family support and mental health. |
Phone support is available 10am - 1 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9735 1311
www.cisvic.org.au/getting-help/cis-yarra-ranges
info@cisyarraranges.org.au
Office is closed until further notice but phone assistance is being provided.
|
Yarra Ranges residents: information and advice
Emergency relief provided to residents of the following areas:
Chirnside Park 3116; Coldstream 3770; Gruyere 3770; Kalorama 3766; Kilsyth (not Kilsyth South) 3137; Lilydale 3140; Monbulk 3793; Montrose 3765; Mooroolbark 3138; Mount Dandenong 3767; Mount Evelyn 3796; Olinda 3788; Seville 3139; Silvan 3795; Wandin 3139; Yering 3770
|
| RSL Victoria |
Support for veterans and ex-servicemen and women in the Yarra Ranges.
Department of Veterans' Affairs entitlement claims: financial assistance, emergency accommodation, and referral to health and wellbeing programs.
Note: you don't need to be an RSL member to make contact
|
Veteran Service Call Centre
9655 5555
veteranservices@rslvic.com.au
Or contact your local RSL www.rslvic.com.au/rsl-network/victorian-map-of-all-branches
|
Australia wide |
| Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service
|
Financial assistance, e.g. rent, medical/pharmacy, utility bills.
|
9754 7777 or 0468 468 430
enquire@drers.org.au
www.drers.org.au
Monday-Friday, 9am-12.30pm
Contact is via phone or email
|
Dandenong Ranges |
Mental health services
If you're concerned about COVID-19, are distressed or worried about being in isolation or sick, please visit the Head to Health website for mental health support links and phone numbers to find support, or information if you're supporting someone else.
Crisis support services
The services below offer 24 hour crisis support 7 days a week.
Other mental health support services
If you’d like to find out more about mental health or just talk to someone, here are some organisations that can help:
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
Anglicare Victoria
|
Family violence support; child protection services
|
Eastern region
Offices in Lilydale and Bayswater
Monday to Friday
9am-5pm
1800 809 722
|
|
|
Inspiro
|
Counselling (general, drug and alcohol, family violence and youth)
|
Inspiro has a dedicated team of experienced counsellors to assist you.
9028 0153
https://www.inspiro.org.au/our-services/browse-by-service/counselling
|
Yarra Ranges |
| Lifeline |
24 hour crisis support for suicide prevention and personal crisis |
13 11 14 |
Australia wide |
|
Beyond Blue
|
24 hour crisis support around depression and anxiety for yourself, a friend or family member
|
1300 224 636
http://www.beyondblue.org.au
Chat online available on website 3pm - 12am
|
Australia wide
|
| Youth Beyond Blue
|
24 hour crisis support and information line dedicated to supporting young people with depression and anxiety and their friends and family.
|
1300 224 636
http://www.youthbeyondblue.org.au
Chat online available on website 3pm - 12am
|
Australia wide
|
| Headspace |
Online support for young people, including counselling, group chats and information. This is not an emergency service. If you're in an emergency situation or need emergency assistance, contact mental health services, go to your local emergency department or call emergency services on 000. |
http://www.headspace.org.au/headspace |
Australia wide |
| Kids helpline |
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 |
1800 55 1800 |
Australia wide |
| Department of Health & Human Services |
Mental health resources to support people during the COVID-19 pandemic |
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19
|
Statewide |
SANE Australia
|
Support for people living with a mental illness
|
1800 18 7263
https://www.sane.org/
|
|
| Embrace Mental Health Resource Hub |
Mental health and suicide prevention resources, services and information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. |
www.embracementalhealth.org.au
|
Australia wide
|
Mental Health Care Plans
What is a mental health care plan?
A mental health care plan is a support plan for someone who is going through mental health issues. If a doctor agrees that you need additional support, you and the doctor will make the plan together.
A mental health care plan identifies what type of health care you need, and spells out what you and your doctor have agreed you are aiming to achieve. It also may refer you to local mental health services.
How do I get a mental health care plan?
Book an appointment with a General Practitioner (GP) and request an appointment to talk about a mental health care plan. That way, the doctor will know in advance and be able to set enough time. Your doctor will assess whether you will benefit from a mental health treatment plan.
Over 50s
| Organisation |
Services |
Contact details |
Areas serviced |
| My Aged Care |
Information on different types of aged care services and how to access them |
myagedcare.gov.au
1800 200 422
|
|
| Council on the Ageing (COTA)
|
Find information about accessing services at home, pensions, concessions, housing, utilities. Available weekdays from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm
|
askcota@cotavic.org.au
1300 13 50 90
|
|
| Seniors Victoria
|
News and information, games and services. Along with links to other resources
|
seniorsonline.vic.gov.au
|
|
| Eastern Legal Community Centre
|
Free legal assistance
Family violence support
Elder abuse support
Support for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities |
110 River St, Healesville
9am-5pm Tuesday to Thursday
5962 1665 / 1300 79 70 88
Suite B, 6 Floriston Rd, Boronia
9am-5pm Monday to Thursday
Tuesday evenings
9762 6235
www.eclc.org.au
|
Melbourne's outer east |
| Senior Rights Victoria
|
Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. Helpline: or
|
seniorsrights.org.au/
1300 368 821
|
|
|
Victoria Police
|
The Community Safety Register, is a free program run by volunteers and is designed to help seniors in Yarra Ranges to feel safe and connected to their community.
The register contains people’s emergency information that is held by Victoria Police and may be used to contact key people in the event of an emergency.
The program aims to give residents, relatives and friends peace of mind, knowing that someone is checking on their welfare.
|
Lilydale Police Station 9739 2396
|
|
Social support
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
Anglicare Victoria
|
Family violence support; child protection services
|
Eastern region offices in Lilydale and Bayswater
Monday to Friday
9am-5pm
1800 809 722
|
|
|
Inspiro
|
Social support
|
9028 0153
hello@inspiro.org.au
|
|
| Outer East Phone Chat
|
Free service open to anyone to make sure people stay connected.
This is run by volunteers and is not a crisis line.
Someone to talk to, information about local assistance if you are unable to leave your home, link with your local neighbourhood house, schedule a regular phone/email/text chat. |
1800 984 825 (free call)
10am-1pm Monday to Friday
5pm-9pm Monday to Thursday
or email chatline@chaosnetwork.org.au
message 0468 517 406
|
|
| Friends for Good
|
FriendLine is a free chat line for people who are looking for social connection.
This is run by volunteers and is not a crisis service.
|
1800 4 CHATS (1800 424 287)
6pm-8pm Tuesday to Thursday
2pm-5pm Saturday and Sunday
www.friendline.org.au
You can chat online if you are unable to speak on the phone
|
Australia wide |
| Australian Red Cross |
COVID Connect is a free service from Australian Red Cross volunteers to provide a friendly chat, a listening ear or help maintain or improve social connection.
|
Register at the Red Cross website
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/community-services/covid-connect or
by calling 1800 733 276
|
Australia wide |
| Victoria Police |
The Community Safety Register, is a free program run by volunteers and is designed to help seniors in Yarra Ranges to feel safe and connected to their community.
The register contains people’s emergency information that is held by Victoria Police and may be used to contact key people in the event of an emergency.
The program aims to give residents, relatives and friends peace of mind, knowing that someone is checking on their welfare.
|
Lilydale Police Station 9739 2396
|
Victoria wide |
Youth services
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
The MISFIT Project
|
Online creative programs
One on one online support
|
www.themisfitproject.org.au
|
|
|
EACH
|
Youth services
|
1300 003 224
www.each.com.au
|
|
| Inspiro |
Counselling (general, drug & alcohol, family violence and youth) |
Inspiro has a dedicated team of experienced counsellors to assist you.
9028 0153
https://www.inspiro.org.au/our-services/browse-by-service/counselling
|
Yarra Ranges |
| Headspace
|
Online support for young people, including counselling, group chats and information. This is not an emergency service. If you're in an emergency situation or need emergency assistance, contact mental health services, go to your local emergency department or call emergency services on 000.
|
http://www.headspace.org.au/headspace
|
Australia wide
|
| Kids Helpline |
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25
|
1800 55 1800
|
Australia wide |
| Yarra Ranges Youth Services |
Stay connected with information, support and new initiatives |
9294 6716
www.facebook.com/yarrarangesyouth |
Yarra Ranges |
| ConnectUs |
Find support services for young people in the Outer East |
https://connectus.serviceseeker.com.au/
|
Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah |
Other support services
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Details
|
Areas serviced |
|
The Gawler Cancer Foundation
|
Support for people with chronic illness
Respite for front line health workers
|
1300 651 211
|
|
| RSL |
Support for veterans and ex-servicemen and women in the Yarra Ranges.
Department of Veterans' Affairs entitlement claims: financial assistance, emergency accommodation, and referral to health and wellbeing programs.
Note: you don't need to be an RSL member to make contact
|
Veteran Service Call Centre
9655 5555
veteranservices@rslvic.com.au
Or contact your local RSL www.rslvic.com.au/rsl-network/victorian-map-of-all-branches
|
Australia wide |
Resources in other languages
General COVID-19 information and updates
|
Organisation
|
Resources
|
Contact details
|
|
Victorian Multicultural Commission
|
Updates, factsheets, printable posters in different languages
|
https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-language-advice-and-information
|
|
SBS
|
COVID-19 information and updates in 63 languages
|
Sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus
|
|
Victorian Government – Health Translations
|
COVID-19 fact sheets, videos and posters available in over 70 languages
|
Healthtranslations.vic.gov.au
|
|
Victorian Government – Department of Health and Human Services
|
COVID-19 translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
|
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
|
Learning from home resources
Family violence support
|
Organisation
|
Resources
|
Contact details
|
|
Victorian Multicultural Commission
|
Resources and contacts for people experiencing family violence
|
https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-support-services
|
Mental Health Services
|
Organisation
|
Service
|
Contact details
|
Area serviced |
|
Embrace Mental Health Resource Hub
|
Mental health and suicide prevention resources, services and information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
|
www.embracementalhealth.org.au
|
Australia wide
|