Following the Victorian Government’s announcement to impose a Circuit Breaker lockdown, Doncare remains committed to delivering a holistic model of services to families experiencing crisis or disadvantage.
As Manningham’s largest community services provider, we know that the news of another lockdown compounds feelings of anxiety and isolation. Particularly for people who have already been impacted by family violence, job insecurity, grief and loss or financial instability.
We want to reassure all of the individuals, families, women and children that we support, that Doncare is here for you. Our Counsellors will continue to provide essential clinical care to clients. Children’s counselling, family violence specialist counselling and general counselling appointments will be available through Telehealth. Your counsellor will contact you personally to arrange a mutually suitable time.
Doncare is providing an online support group for teens experiencing anxiety. Commencing in June, Stop the Stress is available to teens aged 12-15 years who attend school in Manningham or reside in the municipality. Please call Daina on 9856 1500 for more information. Therapeutic support groups including Thriving and Doncare’s Guided Meditation and Mindfulness group, MindCalm will proceed online. Visit here for dates.
People facing food insecurity are encouraged to call our Emergency Relief team on 9856 1500 to arrange collection of items from Doncare’s food pantry. The MC2 building will be closed but Manningham City Council’s concierge will be available onsite to assist you at the front entrance. Please ensure you ring in advance so that we can prepare your food parcel and arrange a mutually convenient time for you to collect it. Doncare’s reception will be attended from 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:00am – 4:00pm on Fridays.
Doncare supports a diverse range of women recovering from the impacts of domestic violence in Manningham, Whitehorse, Maroondah, Boroondara, Knox and Banyule. Whilst the power of the DAWN program lies in face-to-face connectivity with vulnerable women, restrictions will temporarily suspend home visits. Fortunately, DAWN mentors will stay connected with clients by telephone, text and video conferencing.
The next ReSPECT creative art therapy group for women recovering from family violence will commence in term 3. The program utilises the visual arts, journaling and mindfulness for self-expression to explore themes relating to emotions, values and identity. Art therapy differs from mainstream therapies that often rely on talking alone. The creative process can empower participants to tell their story and make sense of their experience and begin to find their way out of the chaos, the frightening memories, and the raw emotion of their experience of abuse. Doncare will also be providing You Matter, a creative art therapy group for teens aged between 13-18 years who are living with or have lived with family violence. Please contact Sonia on 9856 1500.
Family Services workers will continue supporting children, young people and their families. In line with government directives, service support will be via telehealth, telephone contact or other digital platforms. In-person meetings will be considered in very specific circumstances after consultation with the relevant Manager, balancing public health risk with the needs of families.
For over 25 years, Doncare’s Social Support Program has fostered a strong sense of community and created opportunities for seniors to make meaningful connections. Sadly, Doncare has suspended all recreational activities for clients in the Community Visitors Scheme and Social Support for Seniors program during this week of lock down. We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteers who stay connected with our clients over the phone. The ongoing contact from a well-known, friendly voice is very important and means so much to the participants.
Finally, we have been forced to temporarily close our seven op shops again. May we encourage you all to support Doncare by shopping and donating your unwanted items when the stores re-open. Our new store at 540 Whitehorse Road in Mitcham will be having a 50% off furniture sale and we will also be hosting a sale at our new location in Templestowe Village.
Stay tuned by following #doncareopshops on Instagram.
For more information on accessing support, please call 9856 1500.