Destination Accessible

30/10/2025

Our CEO, Christine Smith, has joined the Bellarine Community Support Register, bringing over 20 years of experience in law enforcement alongside her strong commitment to disability advocacy. Her unique combination of professional insight and lived experience will help strengthen community safety, inclusion, and support across the Bellarine region. Christine’s involvement ensures that people of all abilities are better represented and supported in local initiatives.

28/10/2025

Destination Accessible is a crisis accommodation service based across the Greater Geelong and Surf coast areas.

While we love our community, it is important to point out the pain, violence and heartbreak that is still taking place across our towns.

Please look out for one another, check in on your loved ones, and when you can and if you need to please reach out to our wonderful services.

Safe Steps:
📱 : 1800 015 188
💻: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
🤳 : live chat: safesteps.org.au/live-chat


📱: 13 11 14, or text on 0477 13 11 14
💻: www.lifeline.org.au

Destination Accessible:
Link in bio

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.

22/10/2025

Reminder: Applications close 30th October!

If you or someone you know is looking for a welcoming Supported Independent Living (SIL) home in Newtown, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Email intake@destinationaccessible.com.au
to learn more or apply today!

🏡 SIL Vacancy – Newtown, Geelong

We’re excited to share a Supported Independent Living (SIL) opportunity in a comfortable, fully wheelchair-accessible home located in Newtown, just minutes from Geelong CBD.

✨ Key features:
📍Located in a quiet, friendly neighbourhood
🏥Close to medical services, shops, and local amenities
🦼Fully wheelchair accessible throughout

Open to male or female participants — the household will be finalised once applications are received

📅 Applications close: 30th October

📩 To apply, please email: intake@destinationaccessible.com.au

If you or someone you support is looking for a welcoming and accessible home in Geelong, we’d love to hear from you.

16/10/2025

🏡 SIL Vacancy – Newtown, Geelong

We’re excited to share a Supported Independent Living (SIL) opportunity in a comfortable, fully wheelchair-accessible home located in Newtown, just minutes from Geelong CBD.

✨ Key features:
📍Located in a quiet, friendly neighbourhood
🏥Close to medical services, shops, and local amenities
🦼Fully wheelchair accessible throughout

Open to male or female participants — the household will be finalised once applications are received

📅 Applications close: 30th October

📩 To apply, please email: intake@destinationaccessible.com.au

If you or someone you support is looking for a welcoming and accessible home in Geelong, we’d love to hear from you.

14/10/2025

Leaving a domestic and family violence situation can be very complicated, and it can be hard to know where to start, or where to turn.

Thankfully services like @ Safe Steps are able to provide 24/7 support, no matter where you are at with your journey or what you decide to do next, help is available 💚🤍💜

📞 : 1800 015 188
🖥 : safesteps@safesteps.org.au
📲 : live chat: safesteps.org.au/live-chat
If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.

The choice to escape family and domestic violence is not always simple.
Nobody should have to live with violence. Everybody should have a choice.
Safe Steps is here to help you escape family violence and have a safe place to take a breath as you plan your next move. Contact us any time of the day or night:
📞 : 1800 015 188
🖥️ : safesteps@safesteps.org.au
📲 : live chat: safesteps.org.au/live-chat
If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.

Share this post to raise awareness for those who may need it.

13/10/2025

This October is national mental health month 🧠💓

Now is the time for our community to rally together and support one another. Let this be the month you challenge yourself to learn from others and the wonderful services we have available here in the region. Let’s promote mental wellbeing whenever we can, and remember to check in on those who may be struggling.

Every mind matters 💫

25/09/2025

With the AFL Grand Final weekend upon us, it is a time for fun, excitement and maybe relaxation for some, but it is also an incredibly scary and violent time for others.

Last year the ABC wrote an article that found in 2023:
▪️Berry Street, a domestic violence support service, saw a 30 to 40 per cent increase in demand during AFL and NRL grand final weekends.

▪️Victoria Police also reported a 20 per cent increase in Domestic and Family Violence on AFL grand final day.

We know that this was not a once off situation, historically family and domestic violence has increased in Australia over this weekend, becoming a devastating pattern.
This year, we are all getting the call up to play a role in keeping each other safe. Here’s what we can do:

🔺Call out bad behaviour when you see it, as long as it is safe to do so.
🔺Check in on your friends and loved ones, especially those you may be concerned for
🔺If you are someone who is concerned and can seek safety elsewhere, please do so, either with friends, family, alternate accommodation or support services like Destination Accessible.
🔺And remember to ALWAYS drink and gamble responsibly.

22/09/2025

💡 What is SIL?

SIL stands for Supported Independent Living – an NDIS support that helps people with disability live as independently as possible, while still receiving the assistance they need day-to-day. 🏡✨

At Destination Accessible, SIL can include:
✔️ Help with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or personal care
✔️ Support to build life skills and confidence
✔️ Assistance with community access and social activities
✔️ A safe and supportive home environment

We currently have availability for 1:2 and 1:3 SIL supports, providing the right balance of independence and care. 💙

📩 Get in touch with us today to learn more!

15/09/2025

🌟 Team Spotlight 🌟
Today we’re celebrating Melinda, the incredible person who keeps all of our Destination Accessible homes sparkling clean! ✨

Melinda has been working alongside Chris for an amazing 20 years, and her dedication, care, and hard work make a huge difference every single day. 🏡💙

We’re so grateful for everything you do, Melinda!

10/09/2025

Reaching out could be enough to save a life, so let’s take a look at what that involves:

1. Ask someone in your life if they are ok, maybe you have noticed they have not been themselves of late, or perhaps withdrawn. This is the perfect time to check in on them

2. Listen with an open-mind- sometimes it can be hard to hear that a loved one is struggling, and sometimes it is hard for them to open up, but be patient and be engaged.

3. Encourage action- can you work together to find a path forward?

4. Check-in again- ongoing social support and connection makes a world of difference.

If you are worried for yourself or for a loved one please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or 000 for immediate danger.

It is ok not be ok 💜💚🤍

08/09/2025

🌟 SIL Vacancy –1:3 Female Preferred 🌟

A fantastic Supported Independent Living (SIL) opportunity is available in Ocean Grove! This beautifully designed home offers comfort, accessibility, and a prime location near local attractions.

🏡 About the Home
✅ 1:2 or 1:3 SIL arrangement for female-preferred participants
✅ Fully accessible downstairs area with a roll-in bathroom and a spacious, modern living area
✅ Upstairs accessible via stairs
✅ Prime location – within:

100m to The Groove Café ☕
400m to the Barwon River 🌊
100m to Blue Waters Lake 🦆 for a peaceful nature experience

🔹 Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking female participants who will feel at home in this environment. To help us find the right fit, please share:
📌 Age range
📌 Any behaviors of concern
📌 Any restrictive practices

📩 Enquire now: intake@destinationaccessible.com.au or click the link in bio.

03/09/2025

How to respond to someone disclosing that they are experiencing family violence… Let’s talk about it.

Knowing how to respond when someone shares their experience can make a huge difference in what happens next. If it isn’t a conversation you’re prepared for, maybe it should be, in Australia:

* 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabitating partner since the age of 15
* 1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or previous cohabitating partner since the age of 15
* 1 in 6 women have experienced economic abuse by a current or previous cohabitating partner since the age of 15
* 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

This article provides great insight into how to manage this conversation and put your best foot forward. This short read could be enough to ensure that you can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please call 000.

For more information call 1800 Respect 1800 737 732

Or visit: https://1800respect.org.au/

https://www.destinationaccessible.com.au/