National Help Line for 'High Care' Youth

Brisbane-based charity, Youngcare has launched a new national support help line providing the first single point of contact for young people with high care needs, and their families.

The organisation’s platform is to work to redress the issue of 6,500 young people currently residing in aged care, however Youngcare says it has been so overwhelmed with requests for information, advice and support, they’ve launched a dedicated phone counselling line called Youngcare Connect.

Youngcare CEO Marina Vit says the help line has been launched in direct response to the thousands of people who have approached the organisation desperate for advice and assistance relating to young people with high care needs.

Youngcare Connect is funded by sponsorship from Suncorp Insurance.

Suncorp Executive General Manager CTP Insurance, Neil Singleton says his company is proud to be the sponsor of Youngcare Connect.

Singleton says the sad reality is that the Suncorp team sees a substantial number of victims of serious road accidents who are in their 20s, 30s or 40s, and living in aged care nursing homes.

He says in 2006, Suncorp CTP partnered with Youngcare to assist young people who need long-term and full time care and the sponsorship means that this very important community service has come to fruition.

The dedicated counselling and referral line will be aimed at helping those in immediate need of disability information, advice and support.

Youngcare Connect will initially be staffed by Melissa James with the support of dedicated volunteers.

The Youngcare Connect help line is 1300 844 727.

www.youngcare.com.au