With the NSW Government’s most recent announcement of stay-at-home orders across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region, it is necessary for us to make changes to some of our services.
Updates regarding our service delivery are listed below. You can still contact our services via phone and in some services, we are organising video and telephone appointments.
In line with the NSW Government's directions for Newcastle and the Hunter, community services that assist vulnerable people will remain open.
We want to confirm Samaritans commitment to continuing to provide support to people in our community, while ensuring everyone’s safety. We will continue to be guided within our response by NSW Health and Government officials and are adapting to the evolving situation each day.
Click here to read our latest media statement regarding a COVID case in Newcastle SIL staff.
Service updates
Samaritans Emergency Relief Centres
Samaritans Emergency Relief (ER) centres are still open during our usual operating hours. Interviews will be conducted over the phone with any vouchers posted to clients. Please phone to make an appointment.
Broadmeadow
Phone: 02 4922 1540
Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri; 10am – 2pm
Cessnock
Phone: 02 4993 3430
Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri; 10am – 2pm
Gorokan
Phone: 0437 595 001
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 9.30am till 1.30pm
Toronto
Phone: 02 4959 7857
Opening hours: Tues, Wed, Thur & Fri 9.30am till 2.30pm
Rutherford
Closed for the duration of the stay-at-home orders.
For information regarding our other ER Centres, click here.
Samaritans Op Shops
Samaritans op shops will be closed for the duration of the stay-at-home orders.
Donations
We will not be accepting clothing/second-hand goods donations until shops have been reopened.
Samaritans Taree Homelessness Hub
The doors of our Taree Hub will be closed for the duration of the stay-at-home orders, but our teams are still available to support you via phone and email.
Call or email your usual contact or phone 1300 656 336 and we can direct you.
Samaritans Early Learning Centres
Samaritan Early Learning Centres in Woodberry and Newcastle will be closed to all families, unless parents and carers are essential workers.
If you are an essential worker, please advise staff on the days and times your child or children will be attending.
Newcastle: 4960 7265
Woodberry: 4960 7250
Disability Support Services
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
People we support in our SILS will only access the community for essential services.
As per advice from NSW Heath, there are visitor restrictions in place at our SIL homes. This excludes home care and essential services.
Family and friends will be able to organise a Teams call with your loved one. You can arrange this by contacting your usual contact or Senior Support Worker.
Individual Supports
Outreach / Individual Supports for all people are running for essential supports and will be reviewed weekly with each participant to determine requirements.
Disability Group based Programs
Hunter | Newcastle | Kaiyu Konnect
Group based programs for all people, except those with high-risk support needs, will be temporarily closed.
Please contact your usual contact or Senior Support Worker if you have any questions.
headspace Maitland and Cessnock
headspace Mailtand and Cessnock will be organising video and telephone appointments.
Our headspace teams will be in contact will all clients booked in for appointments during the stay-at-home period to organise video or telephone appointments according to your preference.
More information
If you have any questions about any of our services, please contact us on 1300 656 336 and we can direct you.
We understand that this may be a difficult time for you. If you're going through a tough time, we encourage you to reach out for support. Click here to access a list of organisations that can help.
