Lifeline Services

24hr/7days Telephone Crisis Service

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) currently has approximately 60-70 trained volunteer telephone crisis supporters who respond to the many and varied needs of our community, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

The crisis line 13 11 14 has a local call cost, and it is served by the trained volunteers on a rostered shift basis. The calls are confidential and anonymous, and some of the issues regularly dealt with include mental illness; grief; loneliness and isolation; domestic violence; relationship issues and suicide & self harm.

This valuable community service supports those in need who ring at a time of crisis. Lifeline crisis supporters have excellent listening skills and are trained to respond to all people in a non-judgemental and accepting manner. While the support is not directive or intrusive, the supporter is trained to encourage the client to explore possible problem-solving options.

The crisis support team are also equipped with detailed resource files. This is so they can refer clients with specific issues on to other local services that may be able to help. For example, suggested services could be housing; health; drug and alcohol support; legal or women's organisations.

All Lifeline Telephone Crisis Supporters have been trained in Living Works Suicide Intervention and have the support of a supervisor whilst on shift.

Care-ring - Service for lonely and isolated folk

This is a a support  line for people who are lonely or isolated within in the local community. The service is staffed by trained volunteers, who will telephone clients on a weekly basis, to support them in their daily lives.

We find many callers phone the crisis line because of loneliness. While such callers need support, they may not be in emergency situations. Care-ring, therefore, was set up as a separate division of our services for those in the community who may feel lonely or isolated, providing longer-term individual support on a more permanent basis. Our volunteers ring out to our callers to monitor their mental and physical well-being and to be a lifeline to them in times of difficulty.

Many Care-ring clients look forward to these calls, as at times this is the only contact they have with the outside world in their week. These are people who are lonely and isolated due to lack of meaningful relationships or geographically isolated and/or experiencing health issues.  There are others who have barriers rendering them incapable of participating in what many of us see as normal, social and daily activities.

Training

Living Works Suicide Intervention Training

This is a two day suicide intervention course designed to educate people in the community such as parents and teachers, as well as professional counsellors and health workers.

The weekend workshop includes how to assess risk of suicide and how to reach out to any person at risk and become a bridge to further help. The course is now a vital and compulsory part of the Lifeline's Telephone Counselling Training.

SafeTALK

This is a half day program aimed at creating a suicide safer community. Participants are taught how to recognise signs that someone may be experiencing thoughts of suicide and how to help by supporting and referring them through for further help.

Volunteer Crisis Support Training

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) provides a 18 week course to train new volunteers, enabling them to staff our 24 hour crisis line. The course takes place one night a week (Wednesday) and includes a self-awareness weekend residential course.

Participation is by application and interview.

Courses are held in February and July each year.

Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling

All trained telephone crisis supporters have the opportunity to train further and gain their Certificate IV through Lifeline Central Coast(NSW).

Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling is a nationally recognised qualification and can be a pathway to employment in the industry. The training can be done at your own pace. Contact our Training Officer for more information.

Community Education

Numerous short courses are being offered to community or corporate groups on or off-site e.g Effective Communication Skills, Working effectively - handling challenging behaviours or situations, the Accidental Counsellor, Psychological First Aid.

Please contact our Training & Development Manager for further information

Retail Outlets

Five clothing shops, two of which are also furniture shops

Distribution Centre (Warehouse)

Training Centre Hire

The facility includes whiteboard; kitchen and toilets and the rooms are air-conditioned / heated. The environment is light; airy and clean. There is a car-park with 9 spaces, and further parking on Cary Street is available.

The hiring fees are kept to a minimum and we try to cater for most community needs.

We also have rooms available for hire for counselling either on a single or regular basis.

If you are planning a meeting with your organisation; or require a training room on a single or regular basis, do not hesitate to call the Administration Office on (02) 4323 6105 for more details.

For more information please contact us at:

Telephone: 02 4323-6105

Email: admin@lifelinecentralcoastnsw.org