We fund vital services to step in early with practical help and human connection for residents experiencing hardship.

Here’s what it means for real local people (not their actual names) to have support to get them on their feet again.

Lee

The Camcare program at Access Health and Community supports residents like Lee, an older adult struggling to afford fresh food and household expenses while caring for his wife. Limited English and a dialect barrier made things even harder until Lee met a program volunteer who also spoke Shanghainese. The right support then followed: immediate food relief, help navigating medical costs and services, and connection into the local Chinese community. Practical help became a pathway to greater stability, confidence and social connection.

Kate

Camcare’s Parenting Outreach Support Service can be a turning point for new parents struggling in the exhausting early months with a new baby. For first-time mum Kate, having access to counselling, practical casework and linked services was life changing. She joined the group ‘Baby’s OK, What About You?’ to help manage anxiety, build confidence and strengthen her connection with her baby. Kate’s partner was also linked with wellbeing support, ensuring both had access to care during a vulnerable stage of family life.

Wendy

Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO) supported Wendy when she urgently needed safety and stability. Housing and financial hardship and a history of fleeing family violence were causing relentless stress. Through BCO, Wendy received emergency food and clothing, along with practical advocacy to help her access financial support, safe housing and childcare. Today, Wendy is employed and no longer in crisis. She has stronger community connections and ongoing support around her.

We’re funding these services, provided by Access Health and Community and Boroondara Community Outreach, for the next 3 years.

Here to help

If you or someone you know in Boroondara needs help, please get in touch.

Boroondara Community Outreach

Based at Kew Uniting Church Hall, BCO supports vulnerable residents’ immediate needs and longer-term wellbeing. They provide:

• emergency relief, including nutritious cooked meals, fresh produce and other essentials
• crisis support for individuals and families
• regular outreach and home visits to vulnerable people
• relationship-based mental health and wellbeing support
• regular group social activities where people can feel respected, safe and welcome.

Find out more at Boroondara Community Outreach's website or call 0409 019 269.

Camcare

Emergency relief, crisis support and wellbeing services are available for Boroondara residents over the phone and in person at:

• Camcare Camberwell
• Camcare Ashburton
• Greythorn Community Centre (from July onwards).

Services include:

• information, advice and referrals
• food pantries and fresh kitchen garden produce
• community barbecues for 
  social connection
• parenting outreach support programs.

Find out more at Access Health and Community's Camcare page or call 03 9831 1900.

For more on emergency relief or making donations, go to our Help with food and essentials page.