The team at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre will be taking a break from December 19 and reopening with fresh new year energy on Monday, January 5.
While our services are closed, we know the Christmas season can be a difficult time for many people experiencing loneliness, homelessness, domestic, family and sexual violence, or mental health challenges.
We’ve pulled together a list of support services available across the Illawarra during our shutdown.
Free Christmas Day meals
For those who may be alone or unable to afford a festive meal, several community groups offer free or low-cost lunches on Christmas Day.
- Lifeline South Coast hosts a welcoming community lunch, providing companionship and a warm meal for anyone in need. It is held at the Uniting Church on Crown Street from 11.30am. Contact 0432 316 432 for more information.
- The Salvation Army in Wollongong provides a Christmas Day Brunch at The Foundery, Port Kembla, from 10am on December 25. Register by December 18 by calling 4229 1079.
- Food Fairness Illawarra publishes a directory of low-cost and free meals available across the region during the festive season.
Mental health and crisis support
If you need mental health or crisis support during the holiday period thse services offer free, confidential counselling and can connect you with local support:
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – 24/7 support for domestic and family violence
- Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) – Free confidential counselling for young people aged 5–25
- Lifeline (13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14) – Crisis support and suicide prevention
- NSW Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) – Mental health advice and referrals
- Safe Haven – a place where you can go to get calm and culturally sensitive support if you are experiencing distress – 55 Urunga Parade Wollongong on Wednesday to Saturday from 2pm-10pm including public holidays.
- Shellharbour Medicare Mental Health – 4225 5672
Housing and homelessness support
- Link2Home Homelessness Line (1800 152 152) – Statewide homelessness and emergency accommodation support
- SAHSSI (4229 8523) – Provides accommodation and support to women who are homeless due to a crisis situation.
These organisations are staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate assistance, emotional support, and referrals to services that remain active during the shutdown.
Domestic, family and sexual violence support
Police crime statistics show Incidents of domestic and family violence often escalate over holiday periods.
The services below can provide professional support 24/7.
If you are in immediate danger call 000.
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – 24/7 national domestic & family violence support
- NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463) – NSW Domestic Violence Line 24/7 providing counselling and referrals for women experiencing domestic violence.
- Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in crisis with services, without needing to have access to data, credit or wifi (if you’re on Telstra or Vodafone networks).
- 13 Yarn (13 92 76) – 24/7 Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line.
Urgent Care in the Illawarra
The Illawarra’s Urgent Care Centres operate throughout the holiday period to treat non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses when GP clinics may be closed.
These centres help reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments while ensuring timely medical care remains accessible.
- Wollongong Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at 46-50 Underwood Street, Corrimal.
- Dapto Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Corner Bong Bong Road & Princes Highway, Dapto
- Bulli Hospital Urgent Care, Hospital Road, Bulli
You can also call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free instant health advice anytime, anywhere.
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 000.