Epping joins Orange Door Network

Deb Carrin, Pina Molea, Gabrielle Williams MP, James Stubbs, Kate Wait, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Don Tilbury at the Orange Door Network in Epping (Supplied).

Families across Melbourne will have more access to family violence, child and family wellbeing services they need with the expansion of the North Eastern Orange Door Network opening in Epping.

Prevention of family violence minister Gabrielle Williams officially opened the access point on Wednesday, June 15.

The Orange Door Network is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, and families needing support with the wellbeing and development of their children.

The service brings together workers from specialist family violence, men’s, Aboriginal and child and family services, to provide coordinated, multi-disciplinary support, including crisis assistance and support, risk assessments, safety planning and wellbeing support.

Ms Williams said the network was imperative in assisting families access services they need.

“When experiencing family violence, reaching out for help can be the hardest thing a person will do. We are making sure that accessing advice and support is as easy as possible, no matter where you live,” Ms Williams said.

“We are already seeing the power of services working together to support child and family wellbeing, with thousands of residents accessing the North Eastern Melbourne Orange Door Network since it opened.”

Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny said families could now directly get the help they need.

“The new access point in Epping means local families can access the coordinated family violence, child and family wellbeing services and support they need, closer to home,” Ms Halfpenny said.

The North Eastern Orange Door Network is a partnership between DPV Health, Berry Street Victoria, Kids First Australia, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and the Victorian Government.

Since opening in 2018, the North Eastern Orange Door Network has helped more than 40,000 people, including more than 15,000 children.

The Orange Door can be accessed by phone, email or face to face in Epping and Heidelberg – with outreach available across the region.

Details: orangedoor.vic.gov.au.