Additional Resources

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Sometimes you might need help to say what you want, secure your rights, or to help you be involved in decisions that affect your life. An advocacy service can help you with this. 

• Disability Advocacy Pathways (https://disabilitypathways.org.au/) is a state-wide information and referral service, funded by the Queensland Government to connect Queenslanders with disability advocacy services. 
• Independent Advocacy NQ (https://independentadvocacy.org.au/) can help you to build capacity to identify your needs and goals, ensure that you understand your rights and responsibilities, make sure that you understand your decisisions and how they will affect your life, and provide support with reviews and appeals. 

If things seem out of control and you're feeling unsafe, help is available!

• Emergency services. If you or another person's life is in danger, or when you need help quickly from the policy, fire, or ambulance services, call 000 without delay. 
• Beyond Blue, ph: 1300 22 4636, provides 24/7 brief counselling support to help you through hard times. 
• The Acute Care Team, ph: 1300 64 2255, is the first point of contact for public mental health services. The specialist team is available 24/7 for support and referral to the most appropriate mental health care service. 
• Sexual assualt response team (Townsville), ph: (07) 4759 9743.
• Queensland sexual assault helpline, ph: 1800 010 120 (until 11.30pm).
• DV Connect, ph: 1800 811 811
• Kids Helpline, ph: 1800 55 1800, 24/7 phone and real-time webchat services. 
• Lifeline Australia, ph: 13 11 14, 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. 

The following Townsville-based organisations may be an additional source of support for you:

• Head to Health (https://headtohealth.neaminational.org.au/townsville/townsville-head-to-health).
• CentacareNQ (www.centacarenq.org.au or ph: 1300 672 273). 
• Act for kids (https://www.actforkids.com.au/locations/townsville/), ph: (07) 4755 8777).

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission can help you, your families and carers, by responding to your concerns or complaints. You can make a complaint by phone (1800 035 544) or via the online form (https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/contact-us).

Townsville has so much to offer! Check out the list of ideas below for some new ideas.

• Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association: Multi-sport program where children and teens with any type of disability have the opportunity to try different adapted sports and activities, including boccia and wheelchair basketball. 
• Sailability: All abilities sailing club. 
• Townsville Folk Festival (mid-year). 
• Strand night markets. 
• Riverway all abilities playground.
• Accessible beaches: Townsville City Council has beach access mats to help improve accessibility for anyone in the community with a mobility issue. The mats are out every Friday 10.30am to Saturday 3pm and during special events on at Strand Park. 
• Inspire Clubhouse, ph: 1800 133 123.