People to phone when you need help

You are not alone; there are people who will work with you to help with your specific problem or situation. But you need to make the first contact, and that could be just a phone call away. To assist you to get help when you need it, here’s a list of useful contacts. Please note that some of these organisations are staffed by trained volunteers, and may only be able to answer the phone at certain times of the day or week.

Arthritis Foundation of NSW Ph: 9683 1622 Support service for people with arthritis and their carers. Cancer Council Helpline Ph: 131 120 Free and confidential financial counselling services including assistance on credit and debt, paralegal and bankruptcy issues. Financial counsellors can act as a mediator, negotiator or advocate on behalf of clients. Outreach services available. Carers NSW Ph: 9280 4744 Support and referral service for seniors and carers of frail aged people or people with disabilities. A free Carer Support Kit is available in 11 different languages. Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres Ph: 1800 052 222 Web: www.commcarelink.health.gov.au Referral service to help put seniors, their families and their carers in touch with a wide range of services. Diabetes Support Service

Ph: 1300 136 588

Domestic Violence Line Ph: 1800 656 463 (24 hours) Confidential crisis counselling and referral service. Can arrange emergency accommodation. Dementia Helpline Ph: 1800 100 500 24-hour/7 days a week telephone and support service. Grief Support Ph: 9489 6644 Telephone support for people experiencing grief. Health Care Complaints Commission Ph: 9219 7444 Investigates and resolves health care complaints. Independent Living Centre NSW  Info Line 1300 885 886 Impartial information and advice is provided on assistive technology for daily living. Lifeline Ph: 131 114 24-hour/7 days a week confidential telephone counselling and referral service. Offers a personal counselling service during business hours. Mensline Ph: 1300 789 978 Men’s counselling and referral service. National Continence Helpline Ph: 1800 330 066 Information about incontinence. Parkinson's New South Wales Ph: 1800 644 189 Support and information to those with Parkinson's disease and their relatives, and friends. National Dementia Behaviour Advisory Service  Ph: 1300 366 448 24-hour/7 days a week telephone, information and referral service for carers of people with dementia. Also offers support and training. NSW Ombudsman - Community Services Ph: 9286 1000 Investigates complaints against government and non-government community service providers. Pets of Older People (POOPS) For the pets of people aged over 65, or palliative care patients of any age, who do not have friends or relatives to help look after their pets. Services include emergency boarding facilities and rehoming. Cost depends on individual circumstances. Salvo Careline Ph: 1300 363 622 Confidential 24-hour/7 days a week support offers problem-focused counselling, drug and alcohol, crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Seniors Information Service Ph: 131 244 Information on almost everything of relevance to help you find the right service or activity. Telefriend Counselling Ph: 9419 8367 Free telephone counselling, low-cost face-to-face counselling by appointment, low-cost scheduled phone counselling by appointment, and telephone counsellor training.