Counselling & Welfare Services

Counselling and welfare services are available at all of our campuses. If you would like more details, or to make an appointment refer to our Contact page for locations and how to contact us.

Drug and Alcohol Program

Alcohol and drug counselling is available to anybody experiencing or at risk of experiencing drug or alcohol related problems. The service works to assist clients to reduce or abstain from their alcohol or drug use. Also provides support for families and others affected by someone’s substance abuse.

Family Support (Clunes)

Family Support Program offers a range of support services to families with children aged 0-18 years. This can include case management, practical assistance, parenting information, counselling and assertive outreach including in-home family support.

This service works within the Best interests Framework, which supports the new Family Law Act.

Family Services Worker role is to implement early intervention initiatives and referrals to services to best support the needs of the child and to prevent or identify Child Protection involvement.

Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (Daylesford)

A free, confidential service providing disposable needles and syringes and condoms, for any member of the general community. It also provides a collection point for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes in Daylesford. Referral is available.

Psychologist

Psychology counselling is provided for individuals, couples and families for a broad range of issues including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, present and past trauma.

RuralAccess

The RuralAccess initiative is a community development program designed to assist people with disabilities and their families, carers and friends access and be a part of all parts of community life. This means RuralAccess focuses on:

• Universal access - making the physical environment usable and accessible.
• Information and support - connects people with disabilities, families and friends to other people, services and projects.
• Participation in community events - working with people in the community who have an idea or project aimed at a more inclusive society for all people.
• Creating educational, recreational and support possibilities in ones own community: community garden (Daylesford), education programs (Ballan Community House).
• Challenge some of the ignorance and negative attitudes about difference and disability - snakes and ladders game, soon to come dance workshops for people with disabilities.
• Work with disability services to assist them with change and new ideas - partners in learning the new (DHS)
• Lobby's for fairness and equality - inaccessible/unacceptable campaign.

RuralAccess wants to work with all people in the community. If you have an idea, or a project that raises awareness, celebrates difference, assists people with disabilities getting better services then please give RuralAccess a call.

Rural Withdrawal Service

Provides an opportunity for people to withdraw from alcohol and other drugs and be supported in-home, as an outpatient, in hospital or withdrawal unit.

Welfare

A range of welfare services are provided including:

• Provision of broad based welfare support and counselling service to the general communityEmergency relief
• Provision of welfare support to hospital inpatients and aged care residents
• Information, referral and advocacy
• Carer support and counselling
• Grief and bereavement counselling and support

Youth Drug and Alcohol Outreach

Provides an outreach service to young people who are using substances or alcohol. Clients can be counselled in an environment in which they feel comfortable, such as at home or other place. Workers are also available to talk to groups in the community about alcohol and other drugs.