Support Network

Friendly Faces Helping Hands is a charity registered as a Non Benevolent Society. The website is designed to support people seeking amenities close to hospitals and offers essential information for people from rural and regional Australia, who often struggle to find services in unfamiliar cities. As a charity, Friendly Faces Helping Hands does not provide financial assistance, but you may find support through some of the Organisations listed below.

ACON

ACON is a NSW based health promotion organisation specialising in HIV prevention, HIV support and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) and Aboriginal health.
ACON deliv er campaigns and programs to eliminate new HIV transmissions and support people living with HIV to live healthy and connected lives - core to our work.
Our primary funder is the NSW Government through the NSW Ministry of Health.
Equity, inclusion and compassion. Crisis support options are:
•Emergency assistance: (triple zero) 000
•Lifeline: 13 11 14
•Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
•NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
•QLife: 1800 184 527
•Kids Helpline: 1800 043 470
•1800Respect
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mental health Helplines

Mental health is a person’s social and emotional wellbeing. Things that are known to protect the strength and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are being con nected to community, land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and having a sense of belonging. It’s important to look after social and emotional wellbeing. Strength can come from family, friends and community.
If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, there is also a lot you can do to find help and healing: staying connected to your family and friends finding someone you can talk to talking kindly to yourself seeing a doctor, health worker or counsellor staying connected to your land and community valuing your culture and spirituality avoiding alcohol or drugs to make yourself feel better eating healthy food
getting enough sleep
exercising every day
If you live a long way from a city or town or home, or have limited transport options, and find it difficult to get to a doctor, here are some phone numbers to call, online chat services you can use and websites you can visit: Lifeline (for anyone having a personal crisis) – call 131114 or chat online, 24 hours Counselling Online (for anyone with a drug or alcohol problem) – call 1800 888 236 or chat online 24/7 Suicide Call Back Service (for anyone thinking about suicide) – call 1300 659 467 or chat online, 24 hours eheadspace (for 12–25 year olds) – chat online 9am – 1am Melbourne time Kids Helpline (for 5–25 year olds) – call 1800 55 1800 or chat online, 24 hours ReachOut.com (for 14–25 year olds) – website and online forum

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Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC)

The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) across NSW.
The AH&MRC works with membership in NSW to ensure accessibility to adequately resourced and skilled workforce who provide high quality comprehensive primary health care services for Aboriginal communities.
The AH&MRC works in collaboration with Aboriginal and non Aboriginal partners to systematically address the social determinants of heath and wellbeing. We undertake t drive sustainable, holistic and culturally strong approaches to redressing health inequities for Aboriginal peoples in NSW by a:
* strengthened Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Sector to maintain and further develop a strong infrastructure
* strengthened broader health system to provide accessible, responsive and culturally safe care to Aboriginal people
* delivery of high quality expertise and advice at a national level and maintaining health systems to close the gap.
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Angel Flight

Angel Flight Australia is a charity that co-ordinates non-emergency flight for financially and medically needy people. All flights are free and assist patients or compassionate carers traveling to or from medical facilities anywhere in Australia.
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Asthma Australia

The Asthma Foundations from every state and territory work together to help people with asthma and linked conditions to breathe better. We provide information, education, training, advocacy and promot e research.

The Asthma Child and Adolescent Program provides information and training for school and preschool staff to learn about asthma management and how to respond in an emergency. This program also provides information for parents and support adolescents to improve their asthma self-management (more information).

The Asthma Community Support Program helps people learn more about the safe management of asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions in the community (more information).

Call 1800 645 130 to talk to your local Foundation.
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ausEE

Founded in 2009, ausEE Inc. is Australia’s peak national support and patient advocacy organisation representing the estimated 12,000 Australians living with an Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diso rder (EGID) including Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE).
We are a registered Australia wide charity whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by EGIDs by providing support, evidence-based information, resources and campaigning to raise awareness and funds for further research in Australia.
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Autism Spectrum Australia

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is Australia’s largest national service provider for people on the autism spectrum. Our specialised, evidence informed schools program is one of the largest in the world, with additional services that include information and advice, diagnostic assessments, behaviour support, parent and family support, and adult programs.
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Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to increase awareness of depression anxiety and related disorders throughout Australia. Beyond Blue works with health services, schoo ls, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations, as well as people living with these disorders, to bring together their expertise.

Our mission is to provide a national focus and community leadership to increase the capacity of the broader Australian community to prevent depression and respond effectively.
We aim to build a society that understands and responds to the personal and social impact of depression, works actively to prevent it, and improves the quality of life for everyone affected.
Website
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Camp Quality

Camp Quality is the Children's family cancer charity that believes in bringing optimisim and happiness to the lives of children and families affected by cancer through fun therapy.

Can Assist - Cancer Assistance Network

Supporting Country People Since 1955.
Can Assist is committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of where they live in NSW, have access to cancer treatment and care. By providing accommodat ion, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas, we ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres.
Can Assist understands the financial burden a cancer diagnosis puts on families and individuals. Find out how we can help you: Financial Assistance
Accommodation

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Cancer Council

Cancer Council is the only charity in Australia to work across every area of every cancer, from research to prevention and support. We help people from the point of diagnosis through to treatment and survivorship.
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Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Our mission is to build futures for people with cerebral palsy and their families. The following is a collection of useful information to assist parents, carers and service providers support people wi th CP.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. These pages will help you to find out more about CP, living with CP and supporting people with CP.
If your child has just been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, then our New Families section will help you to understand the nature of cerebral palsy and, just as importantly, help you and your family through the emotional journey ahead.
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Cystic Fibrosis Australia

Cystic Fibrosis organisations in Australia provide support and services to people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and their carers and families. This is complemented by a commitment to research and a qualit y improvement program focussing on improved clinical care for people with CF.
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Diabetes Australia

Diabetes Australia was established in 1984 and is the national body for people affected by all types of diabetes and those at risk. Through leadership, prevention, management and research, Diabetes Au stralia is committed to reducing the impact of diabetes. We work in partnership with diabetes health professionals and educators, researchers and healthcare providers to minimise the impact of diabetes on the Australian community.
Diabetes Australia is a respected and valued source of information, advice and views utilised by government and the community. Our credibility and independence as a national voice allows us to translate knowledge and evidence into advocacy and programs for diabetes.
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Health Consumers NSW

Health consumers are people who use, have used, or are potential users of health services, including patients, carers, their families and friends. Health consumers have a unique perspective on health and the health services they receive.
Health Consumers NSW creates partnerships between consumers and the health sector to ensure that the Consumer voice is heard by people who make important decisions about health policy and services to help shape health in NSW.
We promote the best quality, appropriate health outcomes for consumers of health care services. We believe that all perspectives are important and necessary to create better health outcomes for people.
Consumer engagement leads to better health outcomes, more efficient and effective services, consumer-centred care and happier patients and staff. We work to ensure that health consumers are involved in the design and delivery of health care in NSW.
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Humpty Dumpty Foundation

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation is a children's charity that, for more than 30 years, has been providing essential and often life-saving medical equipment for sick and injured children in Paediatric Ward s, Neonatal Units, Maternity and Emergency Departments in hospitals across Australia.
It shouldn’t matter where you live, but sadly it does. With the support of individuals and our corporate partners, Humpty will continue our critical work of providing equipment to save kids lives in rural and metropolitan hospitals across Australia.
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Interpreter Service

Patients, their families and carers who do not speak English as a first language or who are Deaf have the right to free, confidential and professional interpreters when they use public health services .
NSW Health Care Interpreting Services provide access to professional interpreting services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, onsite and by telephone in over 120 languages, including Auslan.
In any healthcare situation where communication is essential, health practitioners must engage professional health care interpreters for patients, families and carers who are not fluent in spoken English or who are deaf.
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Isolated Patient Travel and Accomodation Assitance Scheme (IPTAAS)

About IPTAAS
IPTAAS is the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. This is a NSW Government scheme providing financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs whe n a patient needs to travel long distances for treatment that is not available locally
To be eligible for IPTAAS, a patient must: Be a resident of NSW or Lord Howe Island Be enrolled with Medicare Not be receiving, or eligible for, financial assistance for travel and accommodation from third party insurance or other Australian government services Be referred for treatment at their nearest health service Receive treatment at an approved health service Travel from their residence for treatment at least 100km (one way), or at least 200kms in a week by making multiple trips to and from treatment ...read more

Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network

Providing health services to those in contact with the NSW criminal justice and forensic mental health systems.
The Network delivers health care to adults and young people in contact with the fo rensic mental health and criminal justice systems, across community, inpatient and custodial settings. We form a vital component of the NSW public health system through it's support of a highly vulnerable patient population whose health needs are often numerous and more complex than the wider community. We are positioned with a unique opportunity to respond to the health needs of these individuals who commonly have had minimal contact with mainstream health services in the community. There are 42 Correctional Centres, 7 Police Cell Complexes and 6 Juvenile Justice Centres.
The Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network work closely with Corrective Services NSW, who run the state’s correctional centres, supervise offenders in the community, and deliver programs to reduce reoffending, support reintegration and build safer communities. Corrective Services NSW
For more information phone (02) 9700 3000.
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Kidney Health Australia

Kidney Health Australia are the peak body for kidney health in Australia connecting people to the vital information, education and support services they need to preserve their kidney health and live a better quality of life if they are diagnosed with kidney disease.
We work with a range of stakeholders and community groups to drive innovations and improvements in the management of kidney disease, so that one day every Australian can enjoy good kidney health.
We have a range of resources on kidney health and managing your life with kidney disease, or that of a loved one or kidney patient. https://kidney.org.au/resources
Freecall Kidney Helpine 1800 454 363

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Law Partners Personal Injury Lawyers

Law Partners is Australia’s largest specialist personal injury firm, helping thousands of Australians every year get the compensation they deserve.
If you’ve been injured, you can qu ickly and easily find out if you’re entitled to compensation. Our legal advice line is staffed by specialist injury lawyers who will give you free advice and answer your questions about compensation
We’ll also give you a free, no obligation assessment of your claim so you can find out; your rights and what you can claim, how much compensation you can claim, how strong your case is and how the claims process works.
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Leukaemia Foundation

We are dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.

Emotional Support/Counselling

Support Servi ces staff can provide you and your family with emotional support when and if or when required a referral to a specialist health professional eg Psychologist. The Foundation also has a on-line support group: www.talkbloodcancer.com

Information
The Leukaemia Foundation has a range of booklets, fact sheets and resources that are available free of charge. These may be ordered by contacting us or may be downloaded from this website. Translated versions (in languages other than English) of some booklets and fact sheets are also available.

Education programs
The Leukaemia Foundation provides a range of general and disease-specific seminars, workshops and programs. These programs are designed to empower you with information about various aspects of diagnosis, treatment the emotional impact and how to support your general health and well being.

Accommodation
Some patients and carers need to relocate for treatment and may need help with accommodation. The Foundation’s staff can help find suitable accommodation close to your hospital or treatment centre. In many areas, the Foundation’s fully furnished self-contained unit and houses can provide a ‘home away from home’ for you and your family.

Transport
The Leukaemia Foundation also assists with the transporting of patients and carers to and from hospital for treatment. Courtesy cars and other services are available in many areas throughout the country.

Practical support
The urgency and lengthy duration of medical treatment can affect you and your family’s normal way of life and there may be practical things the Foundation can do to help. In special circumstances, the Leukaemia Foundation provides financial support for patients who are experiencing financial difficulties or hardships as a result of their illness or its treatment. This assistance is assessed on an individual basis.
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MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

We’re here to help anywhere, anytime.

Miracle Babies Foundation

“Better, healthier outcomes for newborns and their families challenged by prematurity and sickness.”
Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading organisation supporti ng premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.
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Multicultural Health Communication Service

Multilingual health information is available to help patients, carers and communities who do not read English as a first language.
All translated NSW Health information is made available on the website. The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service also provides advice on multilingual health communication initiatives with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service (MHCS) is a state-wide service funded by the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) to develop and provide multilingual health resources, multicultural social marketing and health communication campaigns. MHCS has a website that hosts over 400 free downloadable multilingual health resources on a variety of health topics in 65 languages.
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National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s first national Scheme for people with disability. It provides funding directly to individuals to support eligible people with intel lectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability.
The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
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NSW Aboriginal Lands Council

The NSW Aboriginal Lands Council is the states peak representative body in Aboriginal Affairs and is the largest member based Aboriginal Organisation in NSW. A network of Aboriginal Land Councils are established across NSW working towards:
* a better future for Aboriginal people by working towards the return of culturally significant and economically viable land
* cultural, social and economic independence for their people
* voicing for Aboriginal peoples on issues that affect them.
You can view the interactive Aboriginal Lands Councils map here https://alc.org.au/land-council-map/
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Redkite

Providing essential support to children and young people with cancer, and their families, has been Redkite's focus for over 30 years. We're here throughout the whole cancer journey, from the moment of diagnosis until after treatment finishes.
Redkite understand every cancer journey is different and so is every family. We're the cancer charity here
for children and young people with cancer (0-24 years) and their families with essential support from hospital to home.
Financial assistance. Information and counselling. Education support. ...read more

Ronald McDonald House

Childhood illness can have a devastating effect on families. As well as all the fear and uncertainty, there are the practicalities of managing the family when a child is away in hospital, often for ex tended periods of time. At Ronald McDonald's House Charities® (RMHC®), we have been making life easier for seriously ill children and their families in Australia since 1981.
RMHC has a wide range of programs to help seriously ill children and their families across Australia, all focused on making the journey to recovery as easy as possible.
You can find out more here about our programs, our team, the families we help and how you can help us assist more families who need it.
Together we can make a difference!
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Royal Blind Society

The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) is a not-for-profit organisation providing services to Australians who have a severe vision impairment. These services are delivered by a professional, committed and highly qualified team supported by volunteers, drawn from all age groups and walks of life.
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Royal Far West

Royal Far West provides a wide range of essential specialist health services to meet the needs of country children and their families.
These conditions are not life threatening however, without the appropriate treatment they are life altering and limit a child’s potential. Services which they can only access through Royal Far West, have a positive impact on these children’s health and wellbeing.
Kids are our future. They deserve access to specialist health services regardless of where they live.
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Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

RIDBC is Australia’s largest non-government provider of therapy, education, cochlear implant and diagnostic services for people with hearing loss or vision impairment, supporting thousands of ad ults, children and their families each year. Services are provided at sites located across Australia and through our tele-practice service for clients living in regional areas.
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Stroke Foundation

About the National Stroke Foundation: We are a not-for-profit organisation that works with stroke survivors, carers, health professionals, government and the public to reduce the impact of stroke on t he Australian community.
We are the voice of stroke in Australia. Our mission is to stop stroke, save lives and end suffering.
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The Heart Foundation

The Heart Foundation supports over 580,000 Australians living with heart disease, as well as working tirelessly to prevent and manage heart disease for future generations. The Heart Foundation’s work is purpose-driven, with a focus on stopping Australia’s number one killer: heart disease, which takes 48 lives every day.
We make a difference in the fight against heart disease by:
Funding high-impact research
Working to improve heart disease prevention, detection, care and support for all Australians
Building community awareness about living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
We do this through public health awareness campaigns, accessible information and resources for food and nutrition, recipes and healthy eating.
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The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), is the peak national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia.
NACCHO provides adv ice and guidance to the Australian Government on policy and budget matters while advocating for community-developed health solutions that contribute to the quality of life and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy quality of life through whole of community self-determination and individual spiritual, cultural, social and emotional wellbeing.
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