COVID-19 community support

Nillumbik Council is now distributing face masks to vulnerable community members. Mask allocation is based on individual eligibility criteria.

Nillumbik community members who will be eligible for reusable face masks will include:

• people over the age of 12 years who are being actively managed for the following chronic conditions:
• • poor immunity
  • heart disease, diabetes, and stroke
  • obesity
  • chronic lung disease
  • alcohol and drug dependency
  • frailty
• people living in public housing and in crisis accommodation or who are homeless
• people living in boarding houses and SRS facilities
• people living with disability
• people with other needs including alcohol and drug issues, mental health conditions, young people in residential facilities, and those receiving other health and human services
• young people with health and/or social issues that make them vulnerable
• young people living in mandatory facilities
• Aboriginal people
• refugees and asylum seekers

If you, or someone you know who is vulnerable and unable to access face masks, please contact our Community Activation and Social Connections Officer, Matilda, on 9433 3144 or email community.activation@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

There is a national toll-free helpline available for those looking for child care during COVID-19.

ACECQA has established the helpline to support families, including essential workers and those with vulnerable children. Find more information via the ACEQA website.

Families can call the helpline on 1800 291 041 from 9am to 5pm (AEST), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

With Coronavirus (COVID-19) being the main focus of the media, our social media feeds and conversation within our community, it’s normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed about what this means for you and we can all be affected differently. Just know that there is help available.

Head to Health COVID-19 support

A great place to start is the Department of Health's Head to Health website. This page contains trusted information and digital supports to help support everyone's mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic. This page covers where to get the facts about the COVID-19 outbreak, tips for maintaining good mental health, information on how to access mental health services, information for parents, and how to keep older Australians safe and connected by helping them get established online.

Click here to visit the Head to Health website

Headspace

Headspace have provided a useful resource page on their website about how to maintain a healthy headspace and manage any changes to daily life as a result of containment measures for COVID-19.

Click here to visit the Headspace website

eheadspace also provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.

Click here to visit the eHeadspace website

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue have created a online community forum for coping during the Coronavirus outbreak. This is a free online forum where you can chat to others, get support and explore wellbeing during this time. Beyond Blue have information and resources regarding wellbeing and mental health. They also have free online chat, email and support line - 1300 22 4636.

Click here to visit the Beyond Blue website

Kids HelpLine

Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

If you need to speak to a counsellor, call 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Click here to visit the Kids HelpLine website

healthAbility

healthAbility is your local community health service providing counseling, both in person or via telehealth (phone or video call). As a community health service, healthAbility ensures equitable access to services for all people in our community regardless of their financial situation. Available also is the LIFT mental health Stepped model of care and the After Hours Mental Health Nursing Support service (located at 36 Wellington Road Box Hill) at no cost.

Click here to visit the healthAbility website or call 9430 9100.

Social connection

Would you like opportunities to socially connect with others?  Do you have ideas about what you would like to do to feel connected to your local community? Would you like to know more about what social opportunities are available in Nillumbik? Council has a new service which can assist; Social Connections officer – 9433 3148 or social.connection@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Community activation and social connector

Are you feeling lonely, socially isolated and/or need help or assistance during this time of COVID-19 for eg. food relief? Council can help connect and link you into appropriate local organisations for support. Contact 1800 657 398 or 9433 3144 or community.activation@nillumbik.vic.gov.au 

For information, resources and support for people with disability during COVID-19, including:

• Disability-specific resources, organisations and contacts
• Telehealth information
• Pharmacy delivery - free Home Medicine Service via Australia Post
• Information about shopping delivery services, supporting people with disability and older residents with limited mobility

and more.. visit the COVID-19 Information for people with disability page.

Contacting us 

The Nillumbik Disability Inclusion network shares news of local events, activities and opportunities of interest to people with disability, carers and disability advocates in the Nillumbik community.

To join the network or to notify the Disability Inclusion Network about local support initiatives:

• sign up here
• call or text the Inclusion Team on 0438 277 428
• email inclusion@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Who is this program for?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is commissioning the Red Cross to deliver an Extreme Hardship Support Program to provide financial assistance, information and referrals to people living in Victoria who are experiencing significant hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are unable to access other forms of Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government income support. 

The program is targeted to support the most vulnerable in our community –  including temporary and provisional visa holders and undocumented migrants with little or no income, savings or community support.

What support is being provided?

• Assistance provided will primarily be in the form of cash payments, available from 13 July 2020. 

• A single person can receive up to $400. Families may receive more, based on the number of people in the family and individual circumstances. 

• Applicants may be able to apply for another payment after two months if they are still experiencing financial hardship.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must:

• live in Victoria, and
• be unable to access Commonwealth income support (such as JobKeeper or JobSeeker) or the International Student Emergency Relief Fund, and
• have zero or very limited income, savings or community support, and
• be a temporary or provisional visa holder, or undocumented migrant.

How do people apply?

To apply for emergency financial assistance people should go to the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.au/vicrelief. Applicants will need their passport and bank statements showing transactions for the last three months.  

Experiencing family violence in emergencies (COVID-19)

We know that family violence reports, incidents and police call outs increase during periods of emergency.

Family violence can occur for the first time during and after emergencies. It can also escalate and continue in cases where violence already occurs within the home.

COVID-19 specific risks

Being forced to share space with perpetrators for extended periods of time with external stressors, including: anxiety arising from the state of flux, financial uncertainty (e.g. job losses in the wake of COVID-19), food insecurity (fuelled by panic shopping), restlessness from changed daily habits and reduced social interaction, could lead to a spike in family violence (Respect Victoria).

Other countries where the virus has caused significant disruption have reported increased cases of family violence. This is consistent with other emergencies.

Stage 4 update 

You are allowed to leave home to escape family violence during stage 4 restrictions. During stage 4 restrictions, you are allowed to leave your home if you or your children are at risk of harm from family violence.

For help or support, call The Orange Door on 1800 319 355 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

Or call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 available 24 hours 7 days a week

If you can’t call, or prefer not to, you can connect with Safe Steps through live web chat on weekdays between 9am-9pm at safesteps.org.au/chat

If you or someone you care about is experiencing family violence and speaks limited or no English, all services can arrange to speak to you with the help of a telephone interpreter.

What does family violence look like?

Family violence can take many forms, including: physical, sexual (including within a relationship), threats, name calling, controlling contact with others, limiting or denying access to money, threatening or hurting pets, or children witnessing abuse.

If you are in danger call 000

For a list of all family violence services please visit the Family Violence Resources page

If you are concerned about meeting your basic needs during social isolation:

• Telehealth appointments are available where you can receive medical advice from your healthcare professional via video or phone, rather than attending in person. There will be some conditions where this is suitable, and there will be others that require physically presenting at the clinic. Call your GP to see if this is a suitable option for your health care needs, and have your Medicare card on hand.
• Free pharmacy monthly delivery service through the Home Medicines Service for PBS and RPBS prescriptions. Contact your pharmacy to find out more.
• See above ‘Nillumbik Disability Inclusion Network – Services Information’ for more detail on local and Shire wide shopping delivery services
• Fortnightly Ageing Well in Nillumbik newsletters 
• If you want to have a friendly chat with someone over the phone, FriendLine is a national support service ready for a cuppa and a conversation- available for free for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. Call and speak with a friendly volunteer on 1800 424 287 between 6-8pm Tuesday to Thursday, 2-5pm on weekends

If the above options are not suitable for you – please contact Council on 9433 3138 and we will try to connect you with the support or service that you require.

Contact Nillumbik's Positive Ageing Officer for more information, to receive regular updates through the Ageing Well in Nillumbik newsletter or to share your experiences as an older person by emailing positive.ageing@nillumbik.vic.gov.au, or calling 0437 676 617.

Protecting older Australians 

Older people, who might already be isolated and or rely on a trusted family member for all their support needs may be at increased risk of elder abuse during this time of crisis.

Older people are now asked to stay at home, and to self-isolate. Whilst many older people are well connected to peers and social networks via technology, there are others who have limited social support networks, and may subsequently become even more reliant on family members who may be also experiencing their own financial and other stressors exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse or have concerns about this, please contact Seniors Rights Victoria’s free, confidential Helpline: 1300 368 821 available 10am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Council services during COVID-19

Community transport

Are you an older adult who is requiring assistance with transport? Do you need support travelling to your health related appointments or to access the shops for essential shopping? Council can help! Contact 9433 3723 or community.transport@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Navigating the aged care system

Do you or someone you know need assistance with understanding what supports/services are be available for older adults in Nillumbik? Council has a new service which can assist; Aged care Navigation and Advocacy officer: 9433 3138 or agedcare@nillumbik.vic.gov.au  

Social connection

Would you like opportunities to socially connect with others?  Do you have ideas about what you would like to do to feel connected to your local community? Would you like to know more about what social opportunities are available in Nillumbik? Council has a new service which can assist; Social Connections officer – 9433 3148 or social.connection@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Community activation and social connector

Are you feeling lonely, socially isolated and/or need help or assistance during this time of COVID-19 for eg. food relief? Council can help connect and link you into appropriate local organisations for support. Contact 1800 657 398 or 9433 3144 or community.activation@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

People whose employment status has been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) are invited to register their details on the Working for Victoria website to access new work opportunities.

The Working for Victoria initiative is part of the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package. It is designed to connect workers with new opportunities that will help our community and contribute to Victoria’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those eligible to apply can apply their skills to new roles or take up training opportunities for specific roles. At the same time, organisations and employers looking for workers can find experienced and screened staff who are ready to work.

Nillumbik Shire Council is in the process of applying for a number of positions for short-term staff, fully funded by the State Government.

If our application for this funding is successful, our preference will be to place local people in these roles - so we need local people to register!

To find out more, visit the Working for Victoria website to register and apply.

Community Development Officers are available at Council to support community groups with the sharing of information, resources, advice and training as required.  

Community Training Program

The Nillumbik Shire Council Community Training is a series of free workshops presented over the year for individuals, community groups, clubs and not-for profit organisations in Nillumbik who provide activities, programs and services in Nillumbik.

If you are a volunteer, work for a not-for-profit community group or are interested in starting or joining a group, such as a local club or committee this program will be suitable for you.

The workshops provide opportunities for individuals and volunteers of local not-for profit community groups to build their capacity and develop new skills, as well as meet and network with other community groups throughout Nillumbik.

Find out more about the Community Training Program, view upcoming sessions and register online here. 

For further information or support please email community@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or contact Anna Maio on 9433 3186. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all, and disrupted the connections and interactions that are integral to everyday life and the pursuit of arts and cultural activities.

The arts sector has been amongst the hardest hit by the rapid economic shutdowns and important social distancing measures put in place to mitigate these extremely challenging circumstances.

In response to this, Council released a series of ‘In the Time of COVID-19' employment opportunities for artists aimed at engaging artists in doing what they do best - responding to the world around them.

Visit the Art in the Time of COVID-19 page to find out more about where, when and how you can view these artworks.

For current employment and grant opportunities available to artists, visit the Artist Opportunities page.

Thank you to Yarra Plenty Regional Library who have put together this comprehensive list of community health and support services: