All of the services of Lifeline North Coast are now housed under the one roof after the recent opening of their new head office in Coffs Harbour, including a professional new training facility.
The service which has been operating in the area for over 25 years, was previously split up across different locations.
“We were having to rent rooms which was very costly and time consuming having to move equipment around,” said Allister Donald Lifeline North Coast CEO.
“Now we’re one big happy Lifeline family all in the same location in West High Street – which is a complete fit for purpose entity.”
Averaging 15,000 calls a year, Lifeline North Coast now has comfortable air-conditioned, sound-proof telephone answering rooms for the volunteer crisis supporters to handle each incoming call.
“It means that the Centre’s operating dynamics are much friendlier with everyone knowing everyone else, especially our volunteers on the phones who often work evenings and night shifts and therefore are more visible when day work sessions are scheduled. This will translate into longer retention service from these very valuable and incredible volunteers. Bringing everyone together in the same building has already helped enormously,” Mr Donald said.
“Also, thanks to a grant from the ETC Community Support Fund, we now have our very own on-site training room and full spectrum of training facilities. This has enabled us to hold our Domestic Violence workshops, Suicide Prevention Training and Accidental Counsellor courses without the need to hire outside training venues. This also provides a venue where we can offer a pleasant environment for people who attend our Suicide Bereavement Group sessions, as well as our own staff training needs, staff meetings, Board meetings, Group Supervision sessions and many other group related activities we participate in as part of continual improvement processes.”
ETC Board Chairman Rod McKelvey said it was a pleasure to be able to support Lifeline North Coast with $14,988 towards their new training facility in Coffs Harbour.
“The ETC Community Support Fund is designed to help organisations reduce disadvantage, generate opportunity, increase support services and/or build capacity in the communities in which we operate,” Mr McKelvey said.
“ETC is proud to be a not-for-profit company and we are confident the money we are donating to Lifeline will help make a more positive future for our community.
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