Doncare is a not-for-profit community services organisation that has operated in Melbourne’s Inner East since 1969.     

In response to the diverse, persistent and emerging health issues that impact the health, prosperity and wellbeing of society, Doncare provides services that build self-efficacy to improve prosperity, access to education and health and wellbeing outcomes.   

Doncare provides low-cost or free support to effectively remedy the impacts of financial instability, food insecurity, inequity, family violence and social isolation.  

We deliver high-quality, person-centred, strength-based individually tailored services. This includes flexible and innovative solutions to support families and individuals of all ages through the provision of the Counselling, Emergency Relief, Case Management, Family Violence Recovery Services, Family Services and Social Support for Seniors.  

Doncare receives funding from local, State and Federal governments to operate some of its programs and utilises the revenue of its two opportunity shops and the support of private donations, philanthropic trusts and the community sector. 

Read about Doncare’s core services:

• Information and Emergency Relief
• Counselling
• Family Services
• Family Violence Recovery Services
• Social Support for Seniors
• Opportunity Shops

Doncare has been predicated on volunteerism since 1969.  Without the generosity and dedication of our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our services.  Find out how you can get involved with Doncare.

Doncare receives funding from Manningham City Council, the Department of Health and Human Services, State Government, several philanthropic trusts and foundations, revenue from Doncare’s opportunity shops, and donations.

Doncare is committed to adhering to the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards which are embedded in our organisational culture and reflect our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.  Doncare also values the diversity of its community and provides inclusive services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex.

History

Doncaster Community Care and Counselling Centre Inc. (Doncare) officially opened its doors on 17 November 1969 with a staff of 22 volunteers.  It was a time when there were many young families moving out from urbanised suburbs closer to Melbourne or from interstate.  Problems of isolation and lack of public facilities began to dominate the thoughts of this increasingly urbanised population.

"Perhaps there could be special counselling for the young people."

To identify and determine the needs of these residents, the Interchurch Council of Doncaster and Templestowe organised community consultations with representatives of many organisations. 

From the consultations, five ministers from the Church of Christ and the Templestowe Presbyterian Church were delegated with the task of “providing counselling service" with a trained worker.  The service might be a referral service (such as Citizen’s Advice Bureau) or it might be to provide decentralised counselling.  Voluntary or lay counsellors might be specially trained as assistants.

Doncare was located in the Tower at Westfield Shoppingtown until 2007 when the agency moved to Montgomery Street, East Doncaster.  In August 2012, Doncare moved to the MC² complex at 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

 

 

 

Risk Statement 2018

In providing service to clients Doncare considers the most significant risk exposures and has developed a risk register to provide an outline of the approach to managing these risks. All strategic plans and work plans for program areas need to be consistent with this Statement.

Doncare faces a broad range of risks including those resulting from its responsibilities in the areas of service delivery including client safety and well-being, financial stability, and risks that arise from other day-to-day operational activities. Risks are managed through detailed processes that emphasise the importance of integrity, intelligent inquiry, and ensuring the employment of high-quality staff who understand and are capable of ensuring accountability.

Doncare makes resources available to control operational risks to acceptable levels. Doncare recognises that it is not possible to eliminate some of the risks inherent in its activities and that acceptance of some risk due to the nature of the services delivered to clients is a necessary component of service delivery.