Helping hand in time of crisis

Listen

Thursday, 1 May 2025

Knox residents walking in off the street to access crisis support from Knox Infolink will be able to receive immediate help thanks to a Council grant to the emergency relief service.

Council has awarded a $20,000 Community Development Fund grant to the Boronia-based organisation for extra case work hours for clients with complex needs.

Established 32 years ago, Knox Infolink is run by a small staff team and over 65 volunteers who provide emergency food and material aid and confidential, impartial information, referral and community support.

Manager Penny Robinson says more Knox residents have been accessing the service for support with more complex issues.

“We offer free, walk-in assistance with no appointment needed,” she says. “This funding will enable a professionally trained case worker to provide short term interventions and support for community members facing more complex issues that are beyond the level of expertise reasonably expected from a trained volunteer.

“Knox Infolink is then better positioned to provide appropriate support to the increasing number of community members facing housing insecurity, homelessness, struggling with addiction issues, mental health complexities and experiencing family violence.

“Volunteers can then focus on supporting those facing important but less complex issues, including assistance with emergency relief in form of material aid, utility advocacy, No Interest Loan applications, food and referrals.”

Community Partnership Fund support in 2023-24 enabled Knox Infolink to provide 784 case work sessions, which was a massive 88% increase on the previous year.

“The number of Knox residents able to access short term case work support more than doubled on the previous year,” Penny says. “For these 94 community members, access to immediate case work support and interventions often reduced the domino effect of facing a crisis experience.”

Half of those who sought support in 2023-24 did so for the first time.

“The number of working poor seeking help increased by 58%,” Penny says. “In terms of housing, Knox Infolink saw the largest increases in people experiencing mortgage stress or in private rental.”

The latest funding will increase the hours that a case worker is available to support Knox residents.

Knox Infolink relies on the generosity of the community for donations to help meet increasing needs. Knox Infolink is at 136 Boronia Road, Boronia. Visit knoxinfolink.org.au

Image: Knox Infolink manager Penny Robinson.

Helping hand in time of crisis

What's happening

Newsletter