Working Together: ADACAS and Meridian Supporting Canberra Communities

  • Working Together: ADACAS and Meridian Supporting Canberra Communities image

At ADACAS, our role is to stand alongside people as they navigate aged care, disability, and mental health care systems, ensuring rights are protected, voices are heard, and support is accessible. We know advocacy is most effective when it sits alongside services that address broader health and wellbeing.

That’s why our collaboration with Meridian, Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ peer-led organisation, is such a natural and valuable fit.

Meridian has deep roots in the ACT, offering services that span sexual health, HIV prevention and support, counselling, healthy ageing, alcohol and drug programs, and inclusive community connections. Their focus on holistic wellbeing complements ADACAS’s mission to provide independent, rights-based advocacy for people living with disability, experiencing mental ill health, older persons, and their carers.

Together, ADACAS and Meridian blend of advocacy and health support. Our joint clinics and shared activities mean community members who come to us with questions about aged care services, housing, mental health rights, or NDIS appeals can also be connected with Meridian’s wellbeing programs. Likewise, those engaging with Meridian’s health and community services can be linked with ADACAS advocates when they need independent support to navigate complex systems or resolve issues.

This partnership matters because it brings:

  • Complementary expertise: ADACAS ensures rights and choices are protected + Meridian provides direct health and wellbeing supports.
  • Accessibility: Clinics and outreach activities meet people where they are, creating safe, approachable spaces.
  • Stronger pathways: Each organisation can link clients seamlessly to the other, so nobody is left without support.
  • Shared values: Both ADACAS and Meridian are committed to dignity, respect, autonomy and inclusion.

In practice, that means a person living with disability, experiencing mental ill health, navigating the aged care system, or caring for someone else might connect with ADACAS to understand their rights and options, while also being introduced to Meridian’s health, wellbeing or counselling programs. It means anyone concerned about their safety, inclusion, or overall wellbeing has access not just to one service, but to a connected network of support.

ADACAS & Meridian hold a clinic on the third Thursday of each month, 9.30 – 11.30am.

This is now an appointment-based service.

Appointments can be made by you, your case worker, or a Meridian/ADACAS staff member, and you’re welcome to have someone attend with you if you prefer.

To book an appointment, call:

ADACAS: 02 6242 5060 or email adacas@adacas.org.au

Meridian: 02 6257 2855 or email contact@meridianact.org.au

Don’t hesitate to reach out.

We’re here to support you.

For the Canberra community, partnerships like this create a stronger, more responsive support system. For ADACAS and Meridian, it’s about working together to ensure everyone can live with dignity, choice, and connection.

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