Welfare checks to strengthen recovery partnership

Council is partnering with recovery provider Windermere to help connect fire-affected residents to free and confidential support services.

Windemere team members will soon begin telephoning residents in fire areas over coming weeks to check in on locals and approach anyone who hasn’t yet linked into emergency recovery support.

Strathbogie Shire CEO Rachelle Quattrocchi said effective and streamlined information sharing would facilitate timely engagement with isolated and vulnerable members of the community.

A new Memorandum of Understanding signed off on 19 May allows the sharing of contact details and relevant information between Council and Windermere, under strict privacy legislation.

Residents can choose to accept or decline recovery assistance and service referrals as well as consent to this information being shared between recovery agencies.

Council is urging fire-affected residents to take the time to share their needs and concerns with Windermere’s team and explore their eligibility and access to available services.

“These calls are a valuable winter welfare check and will help us assess and plan recovery services over the next two years, Ms Quattrocchi said. “Even if you’ve moved away from the emergency area, you can still get help. Support may be available near where you live now.”

Ms Quattrocchi said all levels of government and multiple disaster recovery agencies continued to commit time, energy and resources to support services.

“It’s inevitable that personal circumstances for some individuals may change over time,” she said. “Some may now need extra assistance or feel a bit stuck not knowing what steps to tackle next.”

Windermere’s intake team can guide people through available supports including:

• finding local support services
• insurance and legal questions
• financial pressures
• health and wellbeing support
• registering for government services.