When you receive a terminal diagnosis, life can suddenly feel uncertain and overwhelming. Questions arise, roles change, and you may find yourself moving from one medical team to the next. It’s not uncommon to feel as though your whole identity has become centred on illness.
Crossroad Companions is a non-clinical pastoral support service that walks alongside you during this time. From the moment of diagnosis and throughout your journey, our companions offer a steady, compassionate presence through the ups and downs. We listen, we sit with you, and we honour what matters most to you, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. We don’t try to fix problems or make decisions for you. Our role is to be with you, offering choices, information, and support so you can live as fully and meaningfully as possible. We are also there for your family members and carers, supporting them as they adjust to the emotional and practical realities of this time.
People facing the end of life, family members and carers and those feeling isolated, uncertain, or overwhelmed can all use this service. And you do not need to be Catholic, or religious at all to receive support.
A Crossroad Companion may:
- Spend time with you in conversation or quiet presence.
- Listen to your fears, hopes, and questions.
- Support reflection, meaning-making, prayer, or spiritual practices.
- Explore relationships, legacy, unfinished matters, and personal wishes.
- Provide information about palliative care and what to expect as illness progresses.
- Advocate for you and your family so your wishes are heard.
- Guide conversations about after-death considerations and rituals.
- Connect you with priests or pastoral support for sacraments if desired.
- Offer early bereavement support and grief resources for your family.
You choose how your time is used and what is shared. Support may be provided in person or over the phone, visits are arranged by agreement and within clear boundaries and the service works alongside your healthcare and support teams. You may stop the service at any time.
Varied packages and payment plans are available. Your financial capacity should not prevent anyone from accessing support, so please let us know if this is a concern.
For more information:
P: 1800 324 924
E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.au
Meet Ashleigh & learn more about program
Ashleigh is one of our Crossroad Companions. She accompanies individuals and families as they navigate their end of life journey. She’s deeply passionate about helping people live as fully as possible, right up to their final chapter. Here she talks you through what this might look like for families. In Western culture, we’ve sterilised death, medicalised it, pushed it out of everyday life. It happens in hospitals and behind closed doors. So when it does happen – to us, or someone we love – it’s shocking. We’re not equipped. We don’t know what to expect, what to say, or how to sit with it. Talking about death and dying openly doesn’t make it less sad. But it makes it less frightening.
Crossroad Companions is not a medical or clinical service. The service does not:
- Provide medical, nursing, or personal care.
- Offer counselling, therapy, or psychological treatment.
- Give legal, financial, or medical advice.
- Influence healthcare decisions.
- Provide emergency or after-hours support.
- Assist with voluntary assisted dying.
Medical care, nursing, counselling, and funeral services remain the responsibility of appropriately qualified professionals.
This program can be accessed through different funding pathways depending on eligibility, goals and the type of support needed including:
NDIS Funding
For eligible NDIS participants
Crossroads Companions may be funded where the support is reasonable and necessary and linked to the participant’s NDIS goals.
May align with:
- Assistance with social and community participation
- Daily living and capacity-building goals
- Choice, control, planning and connection at end of life
Access with CatholicCare support:
- Review participant goals and plan funding
- Prepare a quote and service agreement
- Support plan manager, support coordinator or nominee discussions
- Invoice in line with approved NDIS arrangements
Support at Home Program
For older people with approved aged care funding
Crossroads Companions may be funded where support is identified in the care plan and connected to assessed needs.
May align with:
- Independence and social support goals
- Respite and carer support
- End-of-life pathway planning and care management conversations
Access with CatholicCare support:
- Review the care plan, budget and contribution settings
- Help identify whether the service fits Support at Home categories
- Guide My Aged Care or reassessment conversations where needed
- Arrange services and review support over time
Private Funding
For individuals, families and carers
Private funding is available where government funding is not available, not yet approved, or the person prefers direct access.
May include:
- Face-to-face, phone or telehealth companion support
- Family conversations and advance planning
- Bereavement support and group sessions
Access with CatholicCare support:
- Simple enquiry and intake
- Clear options and transparent pricing
- Flexible support matched to the person and family
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be Catholic?
What is the process for signing up?
Can I choose my Crossroad Companion?
Can you help my family too?
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