NURTURE: Support for Female Caregivers
NURTURE is a FREE relational support service designed to create a safe and welcoming space for single female caregivers to connect, build community, and access ongoing support. It recognises that many families benefit not only from practical assistance, but from consistent relationships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.
At the heart of NURTURE are small group gatherings, where mums and caregivers are invited to come together every other week in a relaxed and supportive environment. These groups are facilitated by our social workers who are committed to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and encouraged. Through conversation, shared activities, and mutual support, NURTURE fosters meaningful connections that often extend beyond the gatherings themselves.
In addition to relational connection, NURTURE provides access to practical support through workshops, shared resources, and community partnerships. These may include conversations around parenting, wellbeing, and navigating everyday challenges – all delivered in a way that is approachable and relevant to each family’s context.
NURTURE is often hosted in partnership with local community organisations and churches, allowing support to be embedded within familiar and accessible spaces. This localised approach helps strengthen community ties and ensures that families can engage consistently over time.
For many, NURTURE becomes a natural entry point into Temcare’s wider network of support. As relationships deepen, families may be connected to other free initiatives such as family camps, educational support programs, food assistance, and seasonal activities. In this way, NURTURE provides both immediate connection and a pathway into longer-term support.
Ultimately, NURTURE is about creating spaces where families can feel supported, build confidence, and grow in community, knowing they do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
To inquire of the following free service from Temcare please simply email office@temcare.org.au or call us on 03 9877 7729 during office hours.
If you would like to be part of NURTURE or know of someone who would, you are welcome to register your interest or refer them with us through:
- Contacting our Social Worker, Sandra Peachey, by emailing sandra@temcare.org.au or calling 0493 981 644.
- Submitting an interest or referral form online by clicking the button below.
ANCHOR: Support for Male Caregivers
ANCHOR is a FREE developing initiative focused on supporting single fathers and father figures as they navigate significant life transitions, parenting responsibilities, and periods of reintegration. It recognises that many men face these challenges with limited support, and seeks to create spaces where they can connect, reflect, and grow.
Through small group gatherings and guided conversations, ANCHOR provides a respectful and supportive environment where men can engage with others who share similar experiences. These spaces are designed to encourage openness, build trust, and foster a sense of connection that can often be difficult to find elsewhere.
The program also places a strong emphasis on practical support. Participants are invited to engage in workshops and discussions that explore topics such as parenting, resilience, relationships, and managing everyday responsibilities. These sessions aim to equip men with tools and confidence to navigate their roles as fathers and caregivers more effectively.
As ANCHOR continues to develop, trained facilitators and community partners will play a key role in ensuring that each group is both supportive and sustainable. Partnerships with local organisations and churches will also help create accessible and consistent meeting spaces for participants.
Beyond the group setting, ANCHOR serves as a pathway into Temcare’s broader support network. Participants may be connected to family camps, workshops, and other initiatives that support both individual growth and family wellbeing.
At its core, ANCHOR seeks to walk alongside men with consistency and respect, supporting them as they strengthen relationships with their children, build confidence, and move towards healthier and more stable family dynamics.
To inquire of the following free service from Temcare please simply email office@temcare.org.au or call us on 03 9877 7729 during office hours.
If you would like to be part of ANCHOR or know of someone who would, you are welcome to register your interest or refer them with us through:
- Contacting our Social Worker, Sandra Peachey, by emailing sandra@temcare.org.au or calling 0493 981 644.
- Submitting an interest or referral form online by clicking the button below.
HOPE: Support for Incarcerated Families
HOPE is a FREE support initiative for parents / caregivers and children navigating the impacts of imprisonment. We recognise that this season can bring significant emotional, social, and practical challenges, and HOPE exists to ensure that families do not have to walk through it alone.
Through referral partnerships with correctional facilities, chaplaincy services, and welfare agencies, families are gently connected into a supportive community where they can access both relational and practical care. HOPE creates space for caregivers to be heard, supported, and encouraged, while also focusing on the wellbeing and development of children.
Families are invited to participate in regular gatherings, conversations, and community activities designed to foster connection and reduce isolation. These moments are complemented by more practical forms of support, including guidance around school readiness, parenting, and navigating day-to-day challenges.
HOPE also serves as a gateway into Temcare’s wider network of support. As relationships grow, families may be connected to family camps, back-to-school initiatives, food support programs, and workshops that build resilience and strengthen family life. This ongoing journey allows support to extend beyond immediate needs, creating opportunities for longer-term stability and growth.
At its heart, HOPE is about restoring connection, nurturing resilience, and walking alongside families as they rebuild and move forward. Progress is seen not only in participation, but in the quiet and meaningful changes within families — growing confidence, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of possibility.
To inquire of the following free service from Temcare please simply email office@temcare.org.au or call us on 03 9877 7729 during office hours.
Please note: To register children of prisoners for free school holiday camps please contact Ronelle Ross by emailing ronelle@temcare.org.au for fast-track registration assistance.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
Hebrews 13:1-3
If you would like to be part of HOPE or know of someone who would, you are welcome to register your interest or refer them with us through:
- Contacting our Social Worker, Sandra Peachey, by emailing sandra@temcare.org.au or calling 0493 981 644.
- Submitting an interest or referral form online by clicking the button below.
Temcare Family Camps
Family Camps are a central part of Temcare’s approach to supporting families, offering a unique opportunity to step away from the pressures of daily life and experience rest, connection, and community in a supportive environment.
These camps are FREE and designed to create space for families to spend meaningful time together, free from many of the usual stresses and demands. Through a combination of shared activities, programs, and unhurried moments, families are able to reconnect, strengthen relationships, and create positive memories.
Alongside family time, camps provide opportunities for individuals to build connections with other families and with the wider Temcare community. These relationships often become an important source of encouragement and support, extending well beyond the camp experience itself.
Family Camps are supported by dedicated volunteers who help create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Their presence ensures that families feel cared for and able to fully participate in the experience, regardless of their circumstances.
For many families, attending a camp is more than a one-time event. It often becomes a meaningful starting point for deeper engagement with Temcare’s broader range of programs and support services, including ongoing community groups, workshops, and practical assistance initiatives.
At their heart, Family Camps are about creating moments of joy, rest, and togetherness, while gently opening the door to longer-term support and a stronger sense of community.
To inquire of the following free service from Temcare please simply email office@temcare.org.au or call us on 03 9877 7729 during office hours.
Separate to our own annual camps, Temcare also facilitates free school holiday camps in partnership with CYC campsites throughout Victoria for children from families in registered in our services.
To register children for available free school holiday camps please contact Ronelle Ross by emailing ronelle@temcare.org.au for fast-track registration assistance.
Respite Care
Notice: Temcare’s Respite Care program is currently on hold and we are not accepting new referrals at this time. We are also unable to maintain a waiting list and kindly encourage families to seek support through other agencies for now. We understand this may be disappointing and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. This notice will be updated once the program resumes. (August 2025)
Respite Care at Temcare is designed to provide families with a much-needed period of rest, while offering children a safe, caring, and supportive environment. The program supports children aged 0–15 years, typically for short stays of one to two days at a time.
Where possible, siblings are cared for together, reflecting Temcare’s commitment to supporting family unity and wellbeing. The program is grounded in the belief that families are best supported when they are strengthened and kept connected.
Temcare partners families with carefully assessed and accredited carers. All carers are required to hold a current Working with Children Check and undergo regular National Criminal History Checks and home visits by our social worker to ensure a safe and supportive environment for every child.
As a Christian charity, Temcare provides this service free of charge, with donations helping to sustain and extend support to families in need.
Mates Mentoring
Notice: Temcare’s MATES Mentoring program is currently on hold and we are not accepting new mentor applications or facilitating placements at this time. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to check back in the future for updates when the program resumes. (August 2025)
Mates one-to-one mentoring is very rewarding! A Christian Mates Mentor Volunteer not only becomes a positive role model for a young person but also gets to share and experience life’s journey with them. Sometimes a young person just needs someone to listen and, at other times, a friend to share in everyday activities. As you bond with your mentee, Temcare is here to support you every step of the way.
What is the role of a Mentor?
Through regular activities, the Temcare Mentor aims to build a positive and meaningful relationship with young people, making a difference on a behavioural, personal, and spiritual level.
Does this sound like you?
You have a personal relationship with Jesus and demonstrate it in everyday life. You consider yourself a good listener, and you are patient. You can be supportive when a child needs you and flexible in your approach. A mentor needs to be respectful of the child and family, and equally as important reliable and consistent with your time.
What would I need to do as a Mates Mentor?
- Take the lead in supporting the mentee through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
- Serve as a positive role model and friend
- Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
- Organise low-cost activities for the mentee
- Demonstrate a mutual respect for the mentee and their parent/guardian
- Report all forms of contact to the Mates coordinator
- Attend the Temcare orientation training
- Participate in a 2-hour training session twice yearly
- Attend optional group outings with other mentors and mentees
- Help mentees make positive changes and reach academic, social, career and personal goals.
Want to find out more?
The first step is for us to get to know each other, and you can start by completing our secure online form, and we will guide you through the process.
Like to give someone a call to have a chat first?
Phone: 03 9877 7729