Diabetes Australia is the latest support service to join a suite of Government and non-government services helping those in need in the heart of Melbourne.
Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) provide help to access financial and health support, as well as community education at Salvation Army's Project 614, a drop-in breakfast, lunch and dinner café in Melbourne's CBD.
Services on-site at Project 614 include Services Australia, the NDIA, Hearing Australia, Victoria Police, Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, drug and alcohol counselling services, and HousingVic Officers.
All the services were at the Bourke Street site today to welcome Diabetes Australia and help Australians who need it most.
Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten said the partnership between Diabetes Australia and Project 614 will add even greater value to the already successfully site which provides wraparound services for people in the community experiencing significant vulnerability.
"Services Australia's partnership with Project 614 started in August 2022, kicking off a broader specialist community partnership program between Services Australia and non-government organisations, now in 27 locations across the country.
"Since the partnership commenced, our Community Partnership Specialist Officer based at Project 614 has helped community members on over 5,100 occasions, with things such as getting a Medicare card or claiming an income support payment.
"Barriers such as homelessness, mental health and substance abuse issues can pose a significant challenge to accessing government services through our regular service channels.
"We are meeting people where they are, working with them individually to understand their circumstances and tailoring support to connect them to essential services and information that can be life changing."
Project 614 provides a safe meeting place to access the suite of supports and serves an average of 3,000 meals per week to community members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The services on-site also collaborate to help community members access birth certificates so they can open bank accounts; connect to health and legal services or access increased support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army, Major Brendan Nottle, said having streamlined Government services in one location makes a huge difference to our vulnerable community members.
"By flipping the traditional ways of accessing these vital support systems, we can directly connect vulnerable people to these supports, and the benefits can be lifechanging.
"Bringing Diabetes Australia into the fold is another positive towards improving the health outcomes of some of our marginalised clients."
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the partnership would increase diabetes awareness and support in the community.
"Rates of diabetes have increased by 32% nationally over the past decade, so we need new ideas and new partnerships that will make a tangible difference in people's lives.
"It's critical that people living with diabetes are supported to avoid complications like foot ulcers, cardiovascular disease and preventable blindness, which can have a devastating impact."
