The Handy Guide of Women's Support Services
An information and service directory for Queensland women in need.
The Handy Guide of Women's Support Services
An information and service directory for Queensland women in need.
About The Handy Guide
Providing support services for women in need.
The Handy Guide of Women’s Support Services in Brisbane (including Ipswich, Logan and the Redlands) is updated annually in print, with online updates through the year.
The homelessness service directory for Brisbane was started by The Lady Musgrave Trust in 2009 and is now is the most highly regarded directory of its kind for women in need in the Brisbane area.
The Handy Guide is used by women in need, governments, private and not-for-profit organisations right across the city.
The Handy Guide of Women’s Support Services has been developed to provide a directory of support services for women who are without shelter or at risk of becoming homeless. It provides details for vital services including:
- Emergency phone numbers
- Accommodation such as emergency accommodation, short and long-term accommodation units and housing services
- Food and welfare such as food vans, kitchens, laundry, showers, and Centrelink
Support centres such as Drop-in Centres, Community Centres, and Assessment and Referral Services - Health services such as emergency choices, street doctors, and specialty services
- Legal assistance for tenancy/housing problems, victims of crime, Centrelink and more
Community and specialist services for domestic violence support, family support and immigration support - Employment
Facilities such as public libraries, lockers, free transport and toilets
The 2021/22 Brisbane & Regional Handy Guides are free to download using the links below.
Thanks to funding from the Queensland Community Foundation and a project with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation, an online version of The Handy Guide is now available.
This online resource gives Queensland women access to up-to-date information and tools so they are able to better understand their relationship and housing situation; as well as search for community organisations and services that can support them. It combines the information available in the hard copy Handy Guides, and is regularly updated.
The Handy Guide for Older Women is now also available on the new website as well as a section to assist women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Information for Service Providers
The information contained in the online Handy Guide has been developed in consultation and in partnership with large numbers of individuals and community organisations across Queensland. If you would like to contribute content to the Handy Guide please get in touch with us at orders@ladymusgravetrust.org.au. The directory search data is provided and kept current by Infoxchange Service Seeker.
The latest version of The Handy Guide – Brisbane is available online as an Interactive PDF, where it is updated every few months (see the version number printed on the cover and inside pages). Where possible all web links work, opening a new window to the service provider.
Single printed copies of the 2023 edition for women in need or multiple copies for service providers will be available for order here soon. Each year over 12,000 copies of this A5 hardcopy booklet are printed and distributed free for the recipient, thanks to the supporters of The Lady Musgrave Trust.
The latest version of The Handy Guide – Brisbane is available online as an Interactive PDF, where it is updated every few months (see the version number printed on the cover and inside pages). Where possible all web links work, opening a new window to the service provider.
Single printed copies of the 2023 edition for women in need or multiple copies for service providers will be available for order here soon. Each year over 12,000 copies of this A5 hardcopy booklet are printed and distributed free for the recipient, thanks to the supporters of The Lady Musgrave Trust.
The Handy Guide – Regional Queensland covers:
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba & The Darling
- Downs
- Cairns
- Townsville
- Ayr / Bowen / Whitsunday
- Mackay
- Rockhampton
- Gladstone
- Bundaberg
- Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay / Maryborough)
- Kingaroy
- Maranoa & South West QLD
- Mount Isa, Longreach & Central West
- Cape York
- Torres Strait
The latest version of The Handy Guide – Regional Queensland is available online, where it is updated semi-annually (see the version number printed on the cover and inside pages). Where possible all weblinks work, opening a new window to the service provider.
Single copies of the 2023 edition for women in need or multiple copies for service providers will be available for order here soon. Each two years over 8,000 copies of this A5 hardcopy booklet are printed and distributed free for the recipient, thanks to the supporters of The Lady Musgrave Trust.
The Handy Guide – Regional Queensland covers:
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba & The Darling
- Downs
- Cairns
- Townsville
- Ayr / Bowen / Whitsunday
- Mackay
- Rockhampton
- Gladstone
- Bundaberg
- Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay / Maryborough)
- Kingaroy
- Maranoa & South West QLD
- Mount Isa, Longreach & Central West
- Cape York
- Torres Strait
The latest version of The Handy Guide – Regional Queensland is available online, where it is updated semi-annually (see the version number printed on the cover and inside pages). Where possible all weblinks work, opening a new window to the service provider.
Single copies of the 2023 edition for women in need or multiple copies for service providers will be available for order here soon. Each two years over 8,000 copies of this A5 hardcopy booklet are printed and distributed free for the recipient, thanks to the supporters of The Lady Musgrave Trust.
The Handy Guide for Older Women is available now on the Housing Older Women’s Support Services (HOWSS) website
The purpose of the guide is to educate, inform and empower older women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness; support their self-determination; and connect them with essential services.
We will be continuing to provide support to young Queensland women and children, while Footprints Community takes ownership of supporting older women at risk of homelessness by developing The Handy Guide for Older Women and empowering these women to access housing options and support.
The Handy Guide for Older Women is available now on the Housing Older Women’s Support Services (HOWSS) website
The purpose of the guide is to educate, inform and empower older women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness; support their self-determination; and connect them with essential services.
We will be continuing to provide support to young Queensland women and children, while Footprints Community takes ownership of supporting older women at risk of homelessness by developing The Handy Guide for Older Women and empowering these women to access housing options and support.