Author: Kath Spencer
We’re expanding legal services
Holstep Health welcomes Social Security Rights Victoria to expand legal services
Holstep Health is excited to welcome Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) into our organisation – making more support available for people across Victoria who need help with Centrelink and social security issues.
By coming together, we’re making it easier for people to access legal, health, and social support services—all in one place. This change will bring benefits to our clients, community members, and the dedicated staff who support them every day.
This high impact team assist people with issues including:
- Refusal or cancellation of payments
- Clearing of debts
- Support with reporting needs
- Disability Support Pension eligibility and review pathways
- Review of Centrelink decisions where clients are impacted by family violence
- Legal advice for social, community and health workers (such as financial counsellors, disability advocates, social workers, doctors and community lawyers) to help with clients
Holstep Health already offers a wide range of health, social care, and legal services throughout Victoria. Our local legal program, West Heidelberg Community Legal, has a long history of helping disadvantaged community members through free, accessible legal help and were the first community health-justice partnership in Australia.
With SSRV now part of Holstep Health, we can reach even more people—statewide—who are facing challenges with their income support or social security.
We’re excited about what this means for our community and are committed to holistic care that supports every aspect of health and wellbeing — physical, mental, social, financial, and legal.
What this means for you?
Anyone in Victoria can contact Social Security Rights Victoria for free assistance with Centrelink and social security issues.
If you are an existing client, you can get the same service, the same way, on the same phone number, from the same expert team.
How do I contact SSRV?
You can call SSRV on the same number 03 9481 0655.
Or send an enquiry from the website: Contact us – Social Security Rights Victoria
For those living in the Geelong area, Barwon Community Legal Service also provides assistance with Centrelink issues. Telephone: 03 5221 4744 / 1300 430 599
What has changed?
There are no changes to the helpful service you receive, however the location of the office has moved to Holstep Health, West Heidelberg, 21 Alamein Rd, West Heidelberg.
What is SSRV and what do they do?
SSRV can help with Centrelink and social security issues including refusal or cancellation of payments, clearing of debts and support with reporting requirements.
Find out more: Social Security Rights Victoria
Supporting carers of the ‘Sandwich Generation’
Have you been hearing the term ‘Sandwich Generation’ popping up in the media lately? It refers to people who are caring for elderly parents or relatives while also raising their own children or grandchildren. They’re “sandwiched” between two generations who depend on them for support. And as our population ages, there are more and more carers who are feeling the weight of this dual responsibility.
The Sandwich Generation Report 2025 was conducted by Australian Seniors Research which surveyed 4,500 Australians to understand the unique challenges facing ‘sandwich carers’ and the effect on their physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing.
According to the report, on average, carers are spending about 15 hours per week on unpaid care for ageing parents, and another 15 hours for children. That leaves less than 10 hours for personal care. It also reveals that 9 in 10 carers have experienced burnout, with sleep issues and emotional and physical exhaustion among the top symptoms, which are more common amongst women.
It’s a challenging and taxing role but carers should know they are not alone. Free support is available to carers through Carer Gateway, led by Holstep Health in Victoria, designed to reduce stress and help carers avoid burnout.
As part of ABC’s spotlight on The Care Squeeze, Holstep Health’s Heleni Bagiartakis, Executive Director of Client Services, and a carer herself, spoke with Sandra Moon on ABC Goulburn Murray Breakfast about her experience as a carer and the support Carer Gateway offers.
“I have had a very long caring role for a range of people in my family,” explains Heleni. “I also belong to the sandwich generation. I look after my mother, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and is becoming frail.”
“It’s not easy. It is a bit of a labour of love and there are times where that responsibility absolutely gets the best of you,” she admits.
“The caring role is, in fact, so unique that — it sounds very cliché — but to find your tribe, to be able to sit down with somebody who absolutely understands and knows what it feels like, deeply feels like, to be in the role of a carer and feel stuck, feel compelled by feelings of grief, loss and guilt, and constantly putting yourself last, is what carers primarily reach out to Carer Gateway for support for.”
If you support a family member, partner or friend who has a disability, a health condition, mental illness or is frail due to age — you are a carer. And you don’t have to do it alone. Call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.org.au to learn more about the free support and services available to you.
Redefining mental health for older adults
Mental health support for people over 65 is improving through a review of our Stepped Care for Older Adults (SCOA) program.
This free program is tailored to support older adults with mild to moderate mental illness or those at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
The evaluation spoke with clients, referrers, and staff through focus groups, online surveys, consumer interviews, and group discussions to gather detailed feedback.
This feedback will help improve services, strengthen mental health support, and enhance social connections by incorporating insights from multiple perspectives.
Key findings included:
- Consumer input: Five participants shared their experiences in interviews, with interpreters or companions as needed.
- Referrer feedback: Referrers contributed through surveys and meetings, addressing updates in aged care services.
- Staff insights: SCOA staff explored challenges and opportunities through interviews and surveys.
The final evaluation report will guide us in refining the Stepped Care for Older Adults program to better meet the needs of older adults, reduce isolation, and improve wellbeing.
The evaluation is being led by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network and facilitated by Larter Consulting.
Find out more about Stepped Care for Older Adults
Banyule Community Health recognised as an Inclusive Employer
Banyule Community Health recognised by Diversity Council Australia as one of the 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers
Banyule Community Health is proud to announce we have been named on Diversity Council Australia (DCA)’s annual list of Inclusive Employers for 2024-2025. This acknowledgement highlights our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and supported.
The Inclusive Employer Index is an annual survey developed by DCA in partnership with Diversity Atlas to measure employee diversity and inclusion experiences in the workplace. Participating in the Index enabled Banyule Community Health to evaluate the current state of inclusion in our workforce and compare it to the Australian Workforce and DCA member benchmarks. This data empowers us to show our commitment to inclusion, reflect on our achievements and identify ways to do even better.
To be named on the Inclusive Employers list, organisations must exceed the National Index Benchmark across at least five out of the key areas: awareness, engagement, inclusive organisational climate, inclusive leadership, inclusive team, and exclusion.
Banyule Community Health CEO, Mick Geary said Banyule Community Health is deeply honoured to be recognised by Diversity Council Australia as a 2024-2025 Inclusive Employer:
“Banyule Community Health see diversity as a key enabler to do our work more effectively, safely, and professionally. Acknowledgement as an inclusive employer by the Diversity Council of Australia indicates a contemporary organisation that reflects the communities it serves, and a workplace environment that values diversity and creates a welcoming and safe place to work.”
DCA CEO Lisa Annese congratulated this year’s Inclusive Employers for showing their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces where employees in all their diversity can thrive:
“DCA’s Inclusive Employer Index is an opportunity to celebrate the companies that are driving real change and inspiring others to follow their lead. It’s an evidence-based process that reveals the state of inclusion and diversity across participating organisations. Recognition as an Inclusive Employer means your organisation is doing the necessary work to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.”
DCA announced its 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers list today to mark the beginning of Inclusion at Work Week. Running from 18 to 22 November, Inclusion at Work Week is an annual celebration led by DCA to recognise the efforts of Australian organisations working to foster inclusion within their workplace. foster inclusion within their workplace.
Workplace inclusion is not just about creating a positive work environment – it drives tangible business outcomes. DCA’s most recent Inclusion@Work Index shows workplace inclusion significantly increases performance, wellbeing and innovation. Plus, workers in inclusive teams are:
- three times less likely to leave their organisation
- more than twice as likely to work extra hard
- 10 times more likely to be innovative
- four times more likely to provide excellent customer service.
Congratulations Cathy McKenzie – 2024 Jan Pentland Memorial Award recipient
On Thursday 10th October, Cathy McKenzie was presented The Jan Pentland Memorial Award. This prestigious annual award recognises an Accredited Member of Financial Counsellors Victoria (FCVic) who has demonstrated excellence in financial counselling service to the wider community above and beyond their normal duties as a financial counsellor.
Cathy McKenzie, Banyule Community Health Financial Counsellor, is employed in the same role that Jan Pentland held at Banyule Community Health over 30 years ago. Cathy embodies many of the values and skills that Jan had as a Financial Counsellor when she worked in our local community. Like Jan, Cathy is a great connector with the wide array of health, welfare, and legal workers at Banyule Community Health, ensuring community members get a truly integrated response.
Cathy started at Banyule Community Health in 2013, quickly becoming an asset to the team bringing her previous experience of working in the corporate sector, with a thirst to bring her Financial Counselling skills and a strong social justice lens to her work.
Cathy excelled in the role, bringing her skills and knowledge to a range of teams. Cathy has strong working relationships with many of our teams at Banyule Community Health including our Family Violence Team our Community Legal Service, our Gamblers Help team and our Aboriginal Health team. Her efforts have enabled access to the highest level of financial counselling support offering access to advocacy, information, and advice. These relationships ensure she is always accessible to those in the community most at need of her services.
In recent years, Cathy has seen a significant increase in demand for financial counselling services. The need to respond to this demand required innovation and a mindset shift. The need to create greater capacity to respond was essential, but funding to the sector was not matching the need. Cathy innovatively expanded capacity by creating a model that integrates Financial Counselling students and volunteers. Cathy developed clear and well-designed models of orientation and support with students, creating opportunities, mentoring and feedback that made the student/volunteer experience a rich one. This level of additional resource has essentially doubled our Financial Counselling resources to the community, and additionally provided a platform for mentoring the next wave of Financial Counsellors in our sector.
Cathy consistently goes above and beyond to advocate and change systems. She loves the chance to improve the conditions for a person who is experiencing hardship and provides them with the tools and resources to rebuild their lives.
Congratulations Cathy on being recognised by your peers and FCVic for your ongoing commitment and leadership in the financial counselling sector.
Banyule Community Health has achieved the Rainbow Tick
The Rainbow Tick is a quality framework that helps organisations demonstrate that they are safe, inclusive and affirming employers and service provider for the LGBTIQA+ community.
Banyule Community Health affirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with a range of targeted focus areas in the 2020-25 Strategic Plan. Improving safety, inclusion and access for the LGBTIQA+ community was a priority, and a commitment was made to achieve Rainbow Tick accreditation. The work to achieving the Rainbow Tick comes on the back of a deep investment and commitment to codesign with community members, advocacy groups and staff.
“Whilst Banyule Community Health has always been inclusive and diverse, it was apparent that our commitment needed to be more explicit to the LGBTIQA+ community. We needed to lead and demonstrate our commitment in deliberate and targeted actions to improve the health and wellbeing of our LGBTIQA+ identifying community members,” stated CEO Mick Geary.
The commitment from Banyule Community Health Board, management and staff included codesign with community, training from experts and people with lived experience, celebrating key milestones and events, reviewing policy and systems, being stronger advocates and activating equitable pathways to service delivery.
“I’m so proud of the work that our people have undertaken to achieve the Rainbow Tick. We will deepen our work in inclusion and engagement on the back of achieving Rainbow Tick” stated CEO Mick Geary. “Our plans are to ensure we attract and retain staff from the LGBTIQA+ community and ensure our services are safe and inclusive for the community.”
Tommy, one of our valued staff who identifies with the G in LGBTIQA+ said: “The journey to Rainbow Tick Accreditation ensures our workplace environment & services are welcoming, safe and inclusive for everyone, particularly the LGBTIQA+ community.”
Malcolm, a key community member of the Rainbow Shapers and Shakers Working Group that guided the work towards Rainbow Tick was elated with the news. “Having my voice heard, to influence look and feel of the centre, has made me feel proud to be part of the Rainbow Tick journey, and I feel honoured to be involved in the successful accreditation.”
Demonstrating Allyship and Solidarity at Midsumma Pride March
Banyule Community Health proudly participated in the Midsumma Festival Pride March on Sunday 4th February to demonstrate our Allyship and solidarity by marching alongside Melbourne’s queer community.
Shoutout to our workforce members who turned up on Melbourne’s hottest day this summer.
Genevieve Morris finds balance in her career and caregiving
Actress and comedian Genevieve Morris joined the estimated 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia when her daughter, now aged 18, was diagnosed with mental illness.
For the past five years, her family has been navigating anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, an eating disorder, suicidal ideation, paranoia and drug and alcohol abuse.
“I didn’t realise I was a carer until someone pointed it out to me, because when you’re a mum you’re caring for your child from the day they’re born. But in this sense, being a carer involves taking my daughter to a multitude of medical appointments, supporting her mental health, navigating tricky schooling and hospital stays, and being an advocate,” says Genevieve.
Like many carers, Genevieve found the demands of being a carer hugely impacted her ability to work and be independent – or even to simply find time for herself.
“I didn’t realise I was a carer until someone pointed it out to me, because when you’re a mum you’re caring for your child from the day they’re born.” “I’ve had to scale back on work. I haven’t been able to work interstate for several years and there have been times when I’ve had to ask my agent to just not contact me for a period of time. I’ve had to say, ‘I’m not an actor, I’m not a presenter, I’m not a comedian. I just need to be a mother and a carer.’”
Genevieve has found accessing information and becoming part of a local carers network helpful on her carer journey. Genevieve especially enjoyed an art therapy program she took part in and support offered through Carer Gateway.
Unexpectedly becoming a carer: Brian’s story
Brian’s journey as a carer has been a rollercoaster – full of challenges, determination, and heartwarming triumphs. Living in Ballarat with his wife of nearly 50 years, Mischelle, he never imagined that one day he’d find himself stepping into the role of her carer. But when Mischelle was unexpectedly hospitalised after a serious medical crisis, Brian’s world turned upside down.
Carer Gateway’s services have helped him find his way through. When Mischelle spent 93 days in various hospitals, growing increasingly unwell, Brian’s gut told him something was wrong. He pushed for a second opinion and discovered that the medication she was taking for Parkinson’s was causing delirium.
A simple adjustment led to Mischelle’s health improving and a return back home, it was then that Brian was left to navigate the complexities of being a full-time carer. Brian was overwhelmed.
“I was mentally drained, going home from the hospital in tears,” he recalls. That’s when he discovered Carer Gateway. “When I rang Carer Gateway, the worker I was assigned to, Lisa, was very supportive.”
“I very much appreciated the support I received from Carer Gateway and have already referred a friend whose husband is in the early stages of dementia. She is very grateful for the referral and the assistance she is receiving.”
From online resources to mental health counselling and respite care, Carer Gateway gave Brian the tools he needed to regain his footing. “I had a break for three weeks – a trip to the Northern Territory. Lisa was able to pick me up from my shoestrings and help me get back to some normality. Recently, Mischelle and I both attended a walking group, which was a great marker of how far we’ve come.”
Banyule Community Health acknowledges the outcome of the Voice referendum from the weekend
We respect the request from First Nations leaders for a period of mourning and reflection over the next week. We restate our commitment to listening to First Nations Peoples’ and showing respect to a culture with a 65,000 year history.
We stand in solidarity with our First Nations community, staff and leaders.