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Ask Izzy is a website and an app that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more.
It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.
Ask Izzy can also be accessed on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to wifi.
People leaving prison often need support such as housing and don’t know what’s out there to help get their lives back on track.
Coming out of prison can be really hard, and lots of things can be extremely overwhelming. For example, not knowing where to top up public transport cards or phone credit can be tough. An app like Ask Izzy lists all these places, so it’s a one-stop shop for things people might need.
Ralph**, had recently finished his prison sentence and sought help from his Case Manager, Claire.
Ralph’s family, mother and friends still lived in Bendigo, but the only support housing available for him was in Sunshine, nearly 2 hours drive, and he didn’t have a car. He’d got through the first week since his release date but suddenly realised he wouldn’t have any food for the weekend. He called Claire on Friday afternoon, “I’ve got no money for food. I don’t know where to get food. What should I do?”
Claire got on the phone with Ralph, opened up the Ask Izzy website, entered his postcode and listed off the local places he could go. She then sent the most appropriate services as a hyperlink to Ralph’s email. The app allows you to share things to emails and phone numbers easily. Since then, Ralph has been able to access any emergency support service he needs and continues to use Ask Izzy by himself.
Many people returning to community after prison can find themselves feeling shocked, overwhelmed and isolated. Ask Izzy is a place for people when it feels like there is nowhere else to turn.
Case workers, like Claire at the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO), can help you navigate Ask Izzy and other challenges when you get out. They can also link you up with more programs, advocate for you and respond to what your individual needs are.
“Everyone is different. It’s not a one size fits all. We have so many types of services for so many different types of people. For example, if a frontline worker calls me to ask whether I know of housing for a transgender person, I’ll recommend they start with Ask Izzy. The platform will provide a list of places they can start ringing on behalf of their client. That’s another function of the website and app: it filters not just local but also the most appropriate, vetted services for people and their specific needs.” Claire shared.
Thank you Claire for talking with us, and we hope people find help with Ask Izzy when they get out.
Ask Izzy is a website and an app that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more.
It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.
Ask Izzy can also be accessed on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to wifi.
People leaving prison often need support such as housing and don’t know what’s out there to help get their lives back on track.
Coming out of prison can be really hard, and lots of things can be extremely overwhelming. For example, not knowing where to top up public transport cards or phone credit can be tough. An app like Ask Izzy lists all these places, so it’s a one-stop shop for things people might need.
Ralph**, had recently finished his prison sentence and sought help from his Case Manager, Claire.
Ralph’s family, mother and friends still lived in Bendigo, but the only support housing available for him was in Sunshine, nearly 2 hours drive, and he didn’t have a car. He’d got through the first week since his release date but suddenly realised he wouldn’t have any food for the weekend. He called Claire on Friday afternoon, “I’ve got no money for food. I don’t know where to get food. What should I do?”
Claire got on the phone with Ralph, opened up the Ask Izzy website, entered his postcode and listed off the local places he could go. She then sent the most appropriate services as a hyperlink to Ralph’s email. The app allows you to share things to emails and phone numbers easily. Since then, Ralph has been able to access any emergency support service he needs and continues to use Ask Izzy by himself.
Many people returning to community after prison can find themselves feeling shocked, overwhelmed and isolated. Ask Izzy is a place for people when it feels like there is nowhere else to turn.
Case workers, like Claire at the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO), can help you navigate Ask Izzy and other challenges when you get out. They can also link you up with more programs, advocate for you and respond to what your individual needs are.
“Everyone is different. It’s not a one size fits all. We have so many types of services for so many different types of people. For example, if a frontline worker calls me to ask whether I know of housing for a transgender person, I’ll recommend they start with Ask Izzy. The platform will provide a list of places they can start ringing on behalf of their client. That’s another function of the website and app: it filters not just local but also the most appropriate, vetted services for people and their specific needs.” Claire shared.
Thank you Claire for talking with us, and we hope people find help with Ask Izzy when they get out.
Visit askizzy.org.au, powered by Infoxchange, a not-for-profit social enterprise tackling the biggest social challenges through the smart use of technology.
Homelessness is often the biggest worry that people have when being released from custody. A lot of people leave prison not sure of where they will live. This section gives a rough outline of how people can look for homelessness services and different types of accommodation.
Release can feel like a distant flicker – filled with both hope and uncertainty. But, when the gates open, freedom isn’t just liberating; it can be overwhelming.
Feeling isolated and lonely is very common after you’ve left prison. In prison you didn’t expect to open up to people and enjoy their company. Now you’re outside, it takes time to relax and be friendly to people.
Everyone has the right to dream. To expect. To imagine a version of life where we get to decide who we are – not just live with who we’ve been told we are. That kind of dreaming is powerful. It keeps something alive in us. Something worth fighting for.
I was released about four weeks ago and I was quite stressed. To be completely honest, I didn't really want to leave. The truth is, I loved prison and it became part of my identity.
Getting a job after prison is hard for most people. If you had a job before you went in, you may not be able to go back to it, or you might not want to.
For many of us, the idea of re-entering society after incarceration can feel like standing at a crossroad, unsure of which way to go.
As well as feeling excited about your release, you may also be feeling fearful that something will go wrong so that your release will be delayed, or that you won’t be able to make it once you’re released.
Help keep the momentum going. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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