As a community health organisation we are actively involved in improving the health of individuals and communities and promoting better health outcomes for the general public. A core part of our work involves providing education programs, strengthening community action, creating supportive environments and improving personal skills. 

Initiatives we run to support our community include: 

Contact our friendly team on

Baby Makes 3

Parenting program

We welcome all families to our Baby Makes 3 program, which is designed to help you with the transition to parenthood and adjust to the responsibilities and changes in your lifestyle as you become new parents.

How does it work?

Baby Makes 3 is run by maternal and child health services as part of new parents’ group programs. It is led by female and male facilitators trained by healthAbility.

The program invites all parents and babies to attend the curated sessions which run for two-hours every week, for three weeks. Throughout the sessions, new parents will share their experiences and challenges in a relaxing and informal setting to provoke a feeling of empathy and support. The sessions also provide the opportunity to socialise, form bonds and communicate with people who are experiencing similar situations as they navigate their way through parenthood. For many, especially parents who remain in the workforce, this is the first time they get to meet other new families in a group setting.

What do we talk about?

  • The transition to parenthood
  • Expectations of parents and carers
  • Who does what? The role of gender in parenting
  • Healthy relationships
  • Meaningful equality
  • Sex and intimacy
  • Dealing with conflict
  • Communication

Are you a professional organisation, interested in delivering the Baby Makes 3 program? Read More

healthAbility Baby Makes 3 image

School Focused Youth Service

Support for young people

Our School Focused Youth Service works with young people who leave secondary school early or may be disengaged from their education to provide additional support to help them remain actively involved in their learning and achieve their goals.

Students may be disengaged from their secondary education for a variety of reasons including

  • Personal factors – physical or mental health issues, disability, run ins with the law, drug and alcohol issues, pregnancy or parenting responsibilities, caring responsibilities or learning difficulties
  • Family and community factors – social or economic hardship, homelessness, living in out-of-home care, family breakdown or family violence
  • School related factors – challenging relationships with teachers or other students which have a negative impact on experiences of learning

We work with local schools to support these students by actively engaging them with our broad range of health and wellbeing services.

A group of teenagers sitting on a bench in front of a water fountain, socialising with one another

Good Life Cancer Survivorship

Thrive and live well

With the help of The Victorian Cancer Survivorship Program, we have created a program to support people who’ve survived cancer, to thrive and live well with a cancer diagnosis.

How does it work?

We work in partnership with Eastern Health, North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service and consumers, to provide facilitated access to community health services for people moving from acute treatments to post treatment and beyond. When the time is right a tailored plan is developed in discussion with the individual, based on their unique circumstance. A Care Coordinator discusses their needs, identifies any priority areas for support and designs a staged approach to care. At all times the person receiving care has the final say in their care plan and is at the centre of decision-making.

The aim is to improve the quality of life, physical fitness, wellbeing, mental health, mobility, functioning, and nutrition of people with a cancer diagnosis, and to reduce any fatigue and pain.

A dietitian writing out a meal plan with fruit and vegetables on the table

Needle and Syringe Program

Protecting our community with safe disposal

Our Needle and Syringe program (NSP) provides safe disposal of used syringes for all members of the public. For people who inject drugs we offer a confidential service including free information, needles and syringes, disposal containers, swabs and condoms as part of our commitment to harm minimisation. The service is operated in a friendly, practical and non-judgemental manner.

Find out more

A collection of items from our Needle Syringe Program

CHOPER – nightly needle syringe service

Our free, confidential and anonymous Community Health Outreach Program Eastern Region (CHOPER) team operate 7.30pm to 11.00pm, 7 days a week, every day of the year.

Find out more 

View from front seat of a car at night showing steering wheel and city lights out the front windscreen

Get in touch

Contact our team on (03) 9430 9100 or make an online enquiry
healthAbility is by your side, supporting you to live your best life.