Crisis Support – food, medical scripts and other essential supports
Struggling to meet your basic needs? Feeling overwhelmed? Not sure what to do? Our Crisis Support (Emergency Relief) services can help. We help by addressing the immediate crisis. The type of support you receive differs depending on your situation.
Please call 02 6293 6500 to make a crisis support appointment in Gungahlin or Tuggeranong. You can also use the Get in Touch form (click here) to reach out.
How Do We Help with Immediate Needs?
Depending on your situation, we can help with:
- Food and hygiene items
- Support with energy bills (ActewAGL, Red Energy, and Origin)*
- Support with paying for medical scripts*
- Bus tickets
- Access to showers and shower packs
- Phone charging and phone use
- Formal clothing for interviews, funerals, and other important events (click here)
- Information and referrals to other support services
*Conditions apply
Please note, we are unable to provide in-home services, case management, counselling or ongoing subsidy and support.
Who Do We Help?
There are no eligibility criteria to access crisis support (except that you must be living or working in the ACT). Our services are not subject to means testing, and you do not have to have a concession card to access our services.
At Communities at Work, we welcome everyone, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQI+ community!
Contact Information and Accessing Support
Our crisis support services are available by appointment only. To access Crisis Support, please make an appointment by calling 02 6293 6500 or using the Get In Touch form here.
Crisis Support – Opening Hours
Mondays: 12:30pm to 3pm
Tuesdays – Fridays: 9.00am to 3pm (closed 11.30am – 12:30pm)
Weekends and Public Holidays: Closed
Crisis Support Resources
Visit the VolunteeringACT website or their Community Info Hub in Civic for information guides on meals/food, showers and laundry services.
For the holiday season – Links and information:
How to Cope with Holiday Season Stress Tips from Beyond Blue.
Manage festive anxiety with tips for loneliness, financial pressure, overwhelm, and family tension, plus where to find mental health support this season
Christmas Burnout: Why It’s Okay to Not Feel Okay
Feeling exhausted at Christmas is common. Discover practical tips and support to help you cope with Xmas and look after your wellbeing.
The holiday season can be one of the toughest times of the year. Read this R U OK? article to learn how to support someone who might be struggling during this period.
Other Useful Contacts
- Emergency – Police, Ambulance, Fire 000
- Police (non urgent) 131 444
- Canberra Hospital 51240000
- Calvary Hospital 6245 3100
- OneLink 1800176468
Crisis, Mental Health & Emotional Support
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Men’s Line 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 (24/7)
- Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
- Headspace (youth mental health) – 1800 650 890
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling – 1800 011 046 (24/7)
- 13YARN – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Line – 13 92 76 (24/7)
Family, Parenting & Relationships
- Parentline ACT – 13 22 89
- Relationships Australia (ACT) – 6162 6100
- Family Relationship Advice Line – 1800 050 321 (7 days)
Domestic & Family Violence
- 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7 national sexual assault & DV service)
- Domestic Violence Crisis Service: 6280 0900
- Victim Support ACT – 1800 822 272
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre – 6247 2525
Where we are
Communities at Work Gungahlin
Gungahlin Community Centre
47 Ernest Cavanagh Street
GUNGAHLIN ACT 2912
Communities at Work Tuggeranong
Tuggeranong Community Centre
245 Cowlishaw Street
GREENWAY ACT 2900