Jenny fights to make health connections

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
HOUSING and mental health are two of the highest need services for people in the Yarra Valley.
But those desperately in need of help can sometimes feel overwhelmed at the multitude of services available to them.
In walks Jenny Syme from the Upper Yarra Family Centre.
Speaking at the Upper Yarra Community Voice showcase on health and wellbeing services in the Upper Yarra area, Jenny told the audience her aim was to connect people with the right service that suits their needs.
“If they’re brave enough to walk through those doors I’ll fight tooth and nail to help them,” she said.
“A lot more services are committing to our community and staying here.”
She said the most services accessed included housing, financial assistance, mental health and emergency relief.
“Knock backs can be difficult to handle but I will help them engage and fight their way through the multitude of services,” she said.
“I will walk through their issues, prioritise and make referrals with them.”
Jenny said some people just dropped in to ask for some feedback.
She was able to reel off at least 14 services for individuals and families including financial counselling, helping people with substance abuse issues, parenting support, mentoring and early intervention.
“Programs such as integrated family services can help people work through child related issues – help getting mums into the workforce, kids not functioning at school, respite, housing issues, transport and dealing with courts,” she said.
“Last year 11 families accessed Kid Start, which assists with kindy fees, rather than pulling their children out of kindergarten because they couldn’t afford it.”
Jenny said she was pleased to see so many success stories throughout the valley.
“This community is really passionate about each other,” she said.
The information and referral service, initiated by the Yarra Ranges Council and managed by Anglicare, is available between 9.30am to 1.30pm Tuesday to Friday.
Phone 5967 2657 or drop in to the Upper Yarra Family Centre on the corner of Hoddle Street and Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction.