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Service Category: Children & Youth

Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth

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Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth

IHSHY works to address the physical and mental health needs of homeless and at-risk young people.

Cook Books

The IHSHY cookbooks were developed using co-design principles, working collaboratively with vulnerable young people and community members.

  • pdf 2023 Tight Arse Cook Book

    In Children and Youth 1325 downloads

    Download (pdf, 11.70 MB)
    2023 Tight Arse Cook Book

    The IHSHY Tight Arse Cookbook project addresses food insecurity, enhances food literacy, and boosts self-confidence by supporting at-risk groups and individuals experiencing food insecurity in preparing affordable, nutritious meals. The resource features simple, healthy, and cost-effective recipes that required only basic ingredients.

    After printing, the cookbook is available free of charge to food and emergency relief services, as well as organisations within the Ballarat community services sector. It has also been incorporated into cooking and life skills programs run by homelessness and residential services.

  • pdf Hot Off the Press Cook Book

    In Children and Youth 991 downloads

    Download (pdf, 2.34 MB)
    Hot Off the Press Cook Book

    Following on from the popular Tight Arse Cookboook. We have created the Hot off the Press Cookbook that uses a basic sandwich press for ALL the meal options.Many individuals do not have access to standard cooking facilities and ncreased costof-living has led to food insecurity for many of us. This book is empowering people who are in vulnerable situations to prepare themselves a simple, affordable and nutritious warm meal.This is not only good for an individual’s health but also their wellbeing: being able to look after and nurture oneself is important to a person’s confidence, resilience, and mental health.

Homelessness and housing affordability

pdf Homelessness and Housing Affordability Infographic

In Children and Youth 921 downloads

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Homelessness and Housing Affordability Infographic

Homelessness is far more than “rooflessness”. Homelessness means being without a safe, sustainable and private space to live.

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headspace Ballarat

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headspace Ballarat

headspace supports young people aged 12 – 25 years with mental health, physical health, drug & alcohol, educational & vocational support.

All headspace Ballarat services are FREE. You can submit a referral form on the headspace Ballarat website.

headspace Website

headspace Ballarat has Moved

headspace Ballarat have relocated to a new, purpose-built space designed to be more welcoming and accessible for young people, families, and the community.

Providing the same great support, in a new and improved location, at Level 1, 20 Dawson Street North, providing more space, increased inclusion and a fresh environment for young people to connect.

The move helps headspace Ballarat to continue to meet the growing needs of our community while keeping services free, safe, and easy to access.

FAQs

  • Why is headspace Ballarat moving?

    headspace Ballarat is relocating to provide young people with better access to services in a more modern, youth-friendly, and purpose-built space. The new site will support growth, accessibility, and a wider range of youth friendly service options.

  • Where is the new location?

    The new centre is located at Level 1, 20 Dawson Street North, Ballarat Central, 3350.

  • When is the move happening? How will it affect my care?

    Great news, the move has already happened! You can now access services from Level 1 20 Dawson Street North.

  • Can I still contact headspace Ballarat?

    The headspace Ballarat team will be working hard to get everything ready for new and existing clients. It may take them a little longer than usual to respond to requests.

    They will continue to accept new referrals – you can visit the website headspace.org.au/ballarat to access Young Person and Family & Carer referral forms. headspace Ballarat will respond to requests as quickly as possible.

  • Is the new building far from the Camps street location?

    20 Dawson Street is a 600m walk from the current site, or less than 10 minutes. The building remains in central CBD and a bus stop is less than 150m away on Sturt Street between Dawson & Doveton Streets.

  • Is there a bus stop nearby?

    Yes. A bus stop is less than 150m away on Sturt Street between Dawson & Doveton Streets. There are multiple bus routes that stop there.

  • What will be different at the new site?

    The new location will offer
    • a more welcoming, youth-friendly environment
    • improved accessibility
    • modern consult rooms, chill out zones and group spaces
    • room for future service expansion

  • Will the same staff and services be available?

    Yes. The same headspace Ballarat team will continue providing support, and all current services will carry across to the new site.

  • What parking and entry options are available?

    On street parking is available on Dawson Street including disabled parking. Additional disabled parking is available onsite at the rear of the building – please contact the centre for further information about how to access rear disabled parking.

    Level 1 is accessible via a lift or stairs.

  • What other amenities are available?

    The new building will feature a sensory swing, a family/chill out room, accessible all gender toilets, larger treatment rooms, a kitchenette, chill out booths and more natural light

  • I’m a parent or carer. Will anything change for me?

    No. You will still receive the same communication and support as always.
    If any changes to access or appointment locations occur, the team will let you know.

  • Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

    Yes, the team encourage family and carer support. The new site provides more comfortable waiting facilities and larger consultation spaces, for those who choose to bring a friend or carer along for support.

  • I’m a service partner. How do I stay updated?

    headspace Ballarat will send regular updates to consortium members, schools, local services, and referrers via email and through the website. They also encourage all partners and clients to follow on social media Facebook: facebook.com/headspaceBallarat
    Instagram: @headspaceballarat
    If you need more information or have a suggestion for these FAQ’s, please contact the headspace Ballarat.

  • Who can I contact if I have questions?

    You can reach headspace Ballarat at
    Phone: 5304 4777
    Email: [email protected]

Services

  • Dietitian
  • Mental Health Services
  • Sexual Health Services
  • Work & Study Services
  • Doctor (GP)
  • Alcohol & Drug Services
  • Youth Reference Group

headspace Ballarat is operated by Ballarat Community Health. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. Administration of funding is carried out by headspace centre’s local Primary Health Network, in this case, Western Victoria (Western Victoria PHN).

Contact

Level1, 20 Dawson Street North, Ballarat Central, 3350

Phone (03) 5304 4777

Fax (03) 5304 4700

[email protected]

Where can you go for mental health support in Ballarat?

  • Below is a list of mental health services in Ballarat and the level of support they can provide you.
  • All of the services below offer free programs for young people.
  • Remember not all services will be suited to everyone, so it is important that you keep trying until you find the one for you.
  • Don’t forget your General Practitioner (GP) can help you too.

This guide aims to help young people, families and their carers navigate the mental health system in Ballarat.

Think about what is happening for you at the moment and use the chart below to help decide the level of support that fits you. Once you have found the level for you, you can find services that offer that support. It can help you build your support network and make it easier to get the help you need.

* If possible try using this guide with a friend or trusted adult.

pdf Where Can You Go for Mental Health Support in Ballarat?

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Where Can You Go for Mental Health Support in Ballarat?

This guide aims to help young people, families and their carers navigate the mental health system in Ballarat. Think about what is happening for you at the moment and use the chart below to help decide the level of support that fits you. 

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Youth Law

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Youth Law

Youthlaw at BCH aims to improve legal, health and well-being outcomes for young people aged up to 25 years.

Youthlaw is a free, confidential legal service for eligible young people who are 10 – 25 years of age and not eligible for Legal Aid.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4585 for all clinics

Fax  (03) 5336 1613

email to [email protected]

Youthlaw can provide

  • Legal advice
  • Casework
  • Court representation/advocacy
  • Help with documentation

Areas of law we can help with include criminal matters, debts, family violence, Financial Assistance Scheme (for victims of crime). We also provide community legal education and support to workers assisting young people, by providing relevant legal information/guidance on how to help young people facing legal problems.

For further information call us directly on (03) 5338 4500 and ask to speak to a Youth Lawyer.

Youthlaw @ BCH is a partnership between BCH and Youthlaw.
https://youthlaw.asn.au/

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Youth Housing

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Youth Housing

Youth Housing is a voluntary program for young people between 15 and 25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and/or affected by family violence.

This service is voluntary and free.

Youth housing workers assist young people to access safe, secure and affordable housing, and to increase their independent living skills.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4500

Youth Housing supports young people with

  • Access to short-term housing
  • Information about emergency accommodation
  • Support with the Office of Housing
  • Referral to counselling services
  • Assistance with access to the private rental market
  • Assistance with Centrelink payments and budgeting
  • Referral to education and training options
  • Someone to talk to about concerns at home

Under the Opening Doors Framework, the Ballarat area has a single entry point—Uniting Ballarat—for accessing homelessness and housing services. The BCH Youth Housing program receives all referrals directly from this entry point.

If you are homeless or have a housing crisis, please contact the Uniting Ballarat Housing Program on (03) 5332 1286 between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm.

Alternatively, drop in at 105 Dana Street, Ballarat Central at 9am, and they will arrange a meeting with a housing worker.

Breezeway Meals Program

Uniting Ballarat runs the Breezeway Meals Program from 105 Dana Street, Ballarat Central.

Open every day 11am – 1pm, including public holidays.

Breezeway provides a hot and nutritional two course midday meal for people who are marginalised, homeless, living in insecure accommodation or without cooking facilities. The meal is free or low cost ($3-$4) meal

Soup Bus Ballarat

The Soup Bus provides an after-dark meal service to Ballarat’s homeless and less fortunate on five evenings a week.

Monday to Thursday from 7:30-9:00pm and Sunday from 5:30-7:30pm.

The CBD service operates in front of Cameron’s Metaland, Corner of Eyre St & Doveton St S Ballarat Central.

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Creating Connections

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Creating Connections

Creating Connections (CC) is a program for young people aged 15-25, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This service is voluntary and free.

We support young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with employment, education and training, as well as opportunities to develop general life skills.

Creating Connections focuses on early intervention, comprehensive assessment and referral pathways, and offers tailored approaches to support young people moving out of homelessness.

We primarily accept referrals from youth homelessness providers, but we can accept referrals from other agencies or self-referrals.

For further information call us directly on (03) 5338 4500 and request a Creating Connections worker.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4500

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Child Health Program

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Child Health Program

The Child Health program works to support families with vulnerable children aged 0-12 who have developmental delay, trauma, family relationship breakdown and other stressors or vulnerability.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4500

Child Health works with families to

  • Develop and review individualised goals
  • Connect to health and wellbeing services
  • Strengthen parent-child bonds
  • Address developmental delays
  • Make and attend medical appointments
  • Complete paperwork and other administrative tasks

The Child Health Practitioner works with families with children up to 12 years old who have disabilities or developmental delays.

It is a free and voluntary service. For further information call us directly on (03) 5338 4500 and ask to speak to our Child Health Practitioner.

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Youth Support Services

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Youth Support Service

Youth Support Service (YSS) is a program for young people aged 10-17 years old who are at risk of involvement with the police or youth justice.

This service is voluntary and free.

We provide individualised early intervention and case management with the aim of decreasing young people’s involvement in offending. We provide an outreach service to meet with young people at home or in the community and offer case management for up to 6 months.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4500

YSS addresses these risk factors

  • School disengagement
  • Risk-taking behaviour
  • Antisocial peer groups
  • Disengagement from family and community
  • Police cautions or other interactions

We primarily accept referrals from Victoria Police, but we can accept referrals from other agencies, schools and self-referrals.

Call us directly on (03) 5338 4500 and request a Youth Support Service worker.

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Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies

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Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) is a program for pregnant women experiencing challenges which may impact the health, social and emotional wellbeing of themselves or their unborn baby.

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies addresses maternal risk behaviours and provides women with support during pregnancy for their antenatal care. It works with women while they are pregnant until they are effectively engaged with Maternal and Child Health services after birth, usually 6-8 weeks post birth.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4580

The program helps with

  • Appointments
  • Advocacy
  • Baby sleep, settling and feeding
  • Healthy attachment
  • Pregnancy education
  • Advice on options and referral pathways for the mother’s needs

Healthy Mothers works with clients during full pregnancy and up to 3 months postnatally. It is a free and voluntary service.

For further information, make an enquiry or request a call via the customer service menu to the right-hand side of your screen. Alternatively, call us directly on (03) 5338 4500 and ask to speak to our Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Practitioner.

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