Support Services

Jump to: Community Organisations - Food Relief - Further Assistance - Support your Neighbours

The Department of Health website has published information and accessible resources about COVID-19 Vaccines for people with a disability. Including information on why people should get vaccinated; vaccination choices; rollout and locations; number of doses and likely side effects; transmission after vaccination; vaccinations for support workers; and providing consent. Visit the Department of Health for more information, easy read resources and Auslan videos.

Do you need support during a difficult time? Or do you wish to offer your help to others? The following community organisations are providing community-based services to help people in need.

Those looking to volunteer can also register with Emergency Support Volunteering so that your contact details can be passed on to organisations that urgently require assistance. If you're more keen to offer support to your neighbours but don't know how to make that offer known, here are some simple ways that can help you connect with your neighbours.

Community Organisations

Organisation	Contact Number	Support Provided
Sydney Community Services	9427 6425	Home nursing, personal care, community advisory service, flexible respite, carers support, social housing, delivered meals, shopping services, gardening, linen service and home modifications.
North Ryde Community Aid	9888 3380	Transport, shopping, unaccompanied shopping, linen service, gardening, food relief, library service. (Also accepting non perishable food items and toiletry supplies.)
Christian Community Aid	9858 3222	Food services, carer support, counselling, linen service, medical transport, shopping services, emergency relief.
Meal on Wheels	8219 4200	Delivered meals.
Disability Information Helpline	1800 643 787 If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.	Information and referrals for people with disability who need help because of COVID-19, help for families, carers, support workers and services.
Stryder – Community Transport	9816 5000	Transport to appointments and access to shopping facilities.
Home Medicines Service – Information for Consumers	Contact your pharmacy to find out more.	The Home Medicines Service is available for people in home isolation and for vulnerable patient groups who wish to limit their potential exposure to COVID-19 in the community.
Brother to Brother Hotline	1800 435 799	Brother to Brother is a 24-hour crisis line specifically created to assist Aboriginal men seeking help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryde Vinnies Van Service	13 18 12 (option 5)	Vinnies Vans are outreach services that provide meals and snacks, blankets, toiletries, hot beverages, wrap-around supports and, most importantly, companionship and referrals where needed to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Vinnies Van Times Wednesdays from 6/12/23: 6 Jourbert St, Hunters Hill- 6.35pm - 7.05pm 1 Meyer Ave, Hunters Hill- 7.15pm - 7.45pm Cnr of Voctoria Rd and Salter Place – 7.50pm-8.15pm Mondays from 11/12/23: 5 Higginbottom Rd, Gladesville – 6.30pm to 7.00pm 10-12 Kulgoa Ave & 291 Blaxland Rd Ryde – 7.10pm to 7.50pm

Food Relief

With the lockdown in Sydney being extended, many people are facing difficult times and that can include putting food on the table for your family and for yourself.

The following community organisations provide food relief and will attempt to provide culturally appropriate food to people who use their service.

Organisation	Number
Sydney Community Services	9427 6425
Ryde Salvation Army	1300 371 288
North Ryde Community Aid	9888 3380
Christian Community Aid	9858 3222
Tzu Chi Foundation	9874 7666
Red Frogs Australia	1300 557 123

Further Assistance

These organisations may also be able to assist:

Organisation	Support Provided
Link Housing	Government housing assistance.
Food Bank	Referral service for food relief.
Community Migrant Resource Centre	In language community support and referral service.
Relationships Australia	Counselling and other support services for: domestic violence, family conflict, mental health, children and teens, family relationships, forced adoption, LGBTIQ+, post separation, multicultural services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, seniors, couples and work life.
Catholic Care	Housing support, domestic violence support, family, children and youth services.
CASS Group	Aged support, domestic support, disability support services.
The Northern Centre	Housing, family support, legal support.
Chinese Christian Community Service Centre	Community support and aged support for newly arrived migrants and refugees.
Council for Intellectual Disability	Easy-to-read information on COVID-19 for people with an intellectual disability.
Armenian Community Welfare Centre	Armenian community support, aged day care services, dementia and respite care.
NSW - Link2Home	Link2home is the state wide homelessness information and referral telephone service.
1800 RESPECT	People experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence, their friends and family, workers and professionals supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Tzu Chi Australia	Family support (food parcels, finance) and child education expansion support.
Dementia Australia	Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer's Australia) is a unified, national peak body for people of all ages living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It is the leading organisation providing a voice for people impacted by dementia. The National Dementia Helpline can be accessed via phone on 1800 100 500, webchat or email at helpline@dementia.org.au.

Support Your Neighbours

While we're all taking extra precautions for community health and safety, there may be members within our community who need support. There are ways to help your neighbours such as picking up shopping, posting mail, sending them a greeting and so on. Let your neighbours know that you are offering them help by using a #ViralKindness card or send them a greeting with a Calling cards.

Download templates(PDF, 205KB) that you can print, cut out and distribute by slipping them under the door or into their letter box. Remember to wash your hands first!