Support Groups
When individuals and families are faced with dealing with acquired brain injury, the effect on the health of a family unit, maintaining relationships and navigating a service system can be challenging. There are many support groups that can support individuals, carers and families to educated around support options, strengthen their communication, meet others in similar situations and better understand brain injury
Brainlink Services Limited
Brainlink Services Ltd is a statewide (Victorian) service that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury (ABI), and to increasing the awareness of these conditions by providing information and support to the community.
Our Services Brainlink supports children and adults affected by brain injuries and neurological disorders to live as independently as possible in the community through the provision of information and support services.
Service Group Brainlink assists people with ABI, which includes those affected by stroke, head injuries and brain tumour; people with progressive neurological diseases, eg. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Motor Neurone disease and Huntington’s disease; their families and ABI service providers.
1800 677 579 (Free call)
9845 2950
Email: Via ‘contact us’ > website Or admin@brainlink.org.au
The Nerve Centre,
54 Railway Road,
Blackburn VIC 3130
Refer to the website www.brainlink.org.au/support-groups for a comprehensive list of support groups (see below)
Support Groups - Southern Metropolitan
Peninsula ABI Support Group (A Bright Idea)
Contact intake at Bunurong Community Care,
8792 2350
* See further details under listing for LIAISE
Detour ABI Support Group, Dandenong
Dandenong Community health Service
Contact: Belinda Mowbray,
9554 8270
ABI Carers Group, Frankston
Contact: Rhonda Williams,
9782 1864
Brain Injury Matters Inc (formerly Bear in Mind)
9639 7222
Level 4, Ross House,
247 Flinders Lane,
Melbourne, 3000
Brain Power Group (Port Melbourne)
Carers Australia - Victoria
Carers Victoria - supporting family carers in Victoria
Carers Victoria is the statewide voice representing carers. We support carers by providing a wide range of services including: membership benefits, carer advocacy and representation, information and advice, respite care and referrals, counselling, research and policy development and educational workshops.
1800 242 636 (Freecall)
reception@carersvic
Level 1, 37 Albert Street,
Footscray, 3011
DASSI. Disability Attendant Support Service Inc.
Respite for Older Carers Program
DASSI provides many services Statewide including Attendant Care and Respite.
They are 100% funded by the Federal Government for the ‘Respite for Older Carers Program’ in metropolitan Melbourne. In order to qualify you must be over the age of 60 (over the age of 50 for indigenous Australians), in receipt of the Carers Allowance and be caring for a Son or Daughter aged at least 25 who receives the Disability Support Pension.
9481 2355
582 Heidelberg Road,
Fairfield, 3078
LIAISE, Bunurong Community Care, Southern Health
Peninsula ABI Support Group
The Peninsula Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Support Group is a respite funded group offering respite to primary carers of adults with an ABI whilst also providing social support for people living with ABI. Participants must reside within the City of Frankston or Shire of Mornington Peninsula, be aged under 65 years and have a primary carer in need of respite.
The group aims to provide an opportunity for members to share information with each other and to educate the community on the nature and effects of acquired brain injury.
The support group meets monthly which provides an opportunity to get together with other people who have a similar experience and offers a chance to develop new friendships and become involved in activities including day trips and weekends away.
Bunurong Community Care Intake
8792 2350
b.linkages@southernhealth.org.au
www.southernhealth.org.au/gp/bunurong.htm
*For further information regarding LIAISE services see also sections 6 & 7 of this Guide
Life Supports
Acquired Brain Injury Specialist Counselling Service
Life Supports services include professional counselling support for adults, children and families affected by Acquired Brain Injury.
Community appointments available throughout Melbourne.
Approved TAC and WorkSafe Provider, Medicare Rebates available.
Further details available in listing under ‘Rehabilitation, Behavioural Management and Counselling’
1300 735 030
Level 1, 401 Whitehorse Road,
Balwyn 3103
MOIRA Disability & Youth Services
MOIRA provides a range of support services for people with disabilities and homeless youth in and throughout the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.
Time for a Break
‘Time for a Break’ (TFAB) is a guide to respite care and recreation services for people with disabilities and their families in the southern metropolitan region. This detailed guide has been published with annual revisions since 1991.
Full details on the MOIRA website; including a link to order a copy of this comprehensive guide.
8552 2222
928 Nepean Highway,
Hampton East, 3188
Respite South
Disability Respite Options and Services in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Victoria.
Respite Southern is designed to improve information provision on respite options for people with a disability in the Southern Metropolitan Region and to facilitate communication between organisations providing these services. The site is funded by DHS and managed by the Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre with support of the Southern Regional Disability Respite Reference Network.
The Victorian State Government and the Australian Government both fund the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, Southern Region to provide information about disability respite support through ‘The Gateway’ which includes Careline services.
Careline operates 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1800 052 222.
*See next listing
Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre
Southern Region
The Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre, Southern Region, provides 24 hour urgent respite and support services to carers living in the southern region of Melbourne, Victoria. Their services to carers include practical and emotional support, assistance with planning for their short and long term needs, and we can assist carers to arrange access to a range of respite options.
We also provide information about local and regional aged, disability and mental health services, to the community and service providers.
* Further information available in section 3 of this Guide ‘Accommodation, Housing & Respite Services’
The Gateway:
Carer Services (Careline)
1800 052 222 (Freecall)
24 Hours
Information Services (Carelink)
1800 052 222 (Freecall)
9.00am - 5.00pm, weekdays only.
The Bouverie Centre
Victoria’s Family Institute
At the Bouverie Centre their work focuses on the important role of the family and the power of relationships to foster social, emotional and mental wellbeing for at-risk individuals and their families and for the community at large.
The Bouverie Centre is a unique public institute located within Latrobe University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
The majority of people with ABI return to the care of their families. Family members face unique challenges and can often benefit from professional support that recognises the importance of relationships and the different roles and complex challenges for each person within the family.
9385 5100
bouverie.centre@latrobe.edu.au
8 Gardiner Street,
Brunswick 3056
The Headstart Program
Clinical Psychology Centre, Monash University.
The Headstart program is for people with brain injury and their families. It is a free program for people who have sustained a brain injury through an accident or trauma. Headstart family groups include education, group problem-solving, social networking, and family discussion.
(03) 9501 2428
Clinical Psychology Centre, Monash University
1/270 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, 3168
