What is “Ask Izzy”?

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.

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It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.

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Ask Izzy can also be accessed on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to wifi.

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What is the purpose of “Ask Izzy”?

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.

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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.

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Example: Ralph uses “Ask Izzy”

Ralph**, had recently finished his prison sentence and sought help from his Case Manager, Claire.

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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?”

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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.

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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.

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Case Workers use Ask Izzy

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.

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“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.

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Thank you Claire for talking with us, and we hope people find help with Ask Izzy when they get out.