History and Background
Lifeline began in March 1963 in Sydney when the Rev. Alan Walker created a telephone ministry to provide what he called a "mantle of care for the community". Alan Walker was deeply touched by the suicide of man who was alone, depressed and had no one to turn to. Thus Lifeline was born.
From the one centre in Sydney, Lifeline has now grown to an organisation that includes 42 Lifeline Centres throughout Australia. Each Centre is accredited through Lifeline Australia, the National body. Lifeline is also part of Lifeline International, which now operates internationally with over 230 Centres through out the world.
Lifeline began from the simple that listeners would be available day and night for people experience emotional distress and despair.
Since 1973 Lifeline Hobart has been the listening ear of the community. Not only is the telephone counselling service available 24 hours per day, but Lifeline is committed to responding to people in crisis through a range of counselling related services.
These services are provided free of charge and focus on helping people through times of crisis.
- The 13 11 14 Telephone Counselling Service since 1973 (24 hours)
- The Community Visitors Scheme since 1993
- CHATS Service since 2003
- Support After Suicide Group since 2008
- StandBy Response Service 2009
- Tasmanian LifeForce Memorial Service in 2010 & 2011 (in partnership with Wesley Mission Sydney)
- 'Out of the Shadows' Walk since 2011
We look forward to being able to remain responsive to community needs. For more information on what Lifeline is currently planning please see our strategic plan below.
OUR PURPOSE
To be an enduring provider of telephone counselling and related services that enhances the social fabric and emotional wellbeing of Tasmanians. These accessible services "connect people with care" by providing:
- Personal crisis counselling
- Visitation and social activities
- Education and community awareness
- Low cost clothing and goods.
The CORE VALUES Lifeline Hobart holds:
- Engendering Resilience: We strengthen the resources of people and communities.We help people to help themselves.
- Valuing Individuals: We treat every person with respect, care and acceptance.
- Instilling Optimism: We assist people to find their own way forward.
We believe everyone has the possibility of creating a better future for themselves.
OUR ANNUAL REPORT'S
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In this report we hope to give you a basic outline of Board, Business, Service, Financial and statistical matters. For further information please contact the Chief Executive Officer, Christopher John on 6224 3450.
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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 2008-2013
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To view Lifeline Hobart's current strategic plan please click here... "Connecting People with Care"
Lifeline Hobart's KEY ATTRIBUTES:
We all encourage and value the attributes of Honesty, Acceptance, Integrity, Compassion, Responsiveness, Respect, Humour and Commitment in everything we say, decide or do...
The following specific attributes apply particulary strongly to Lifeline Hobart and to the behaviours of our people ...
EMPATHY... DEDICATION... CONFIDENTIALITY...
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RECOGNITION
Lifeline Hobart and its people have received 12 recognitions / awards over the past few years:
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- Jenny Piemontese (One of our many valued volunteers) was awarded the “Inaugural ‘Care and Compassion Award’ in the Pride of Australia National awards”
- Lib Cooper was awarded a Highly Commended Recognition Award (in the ‘Can Do’ category) as part of the inaugural Aged Care Services Tasmania for the work she has done in supporting CVS volunteers within Aged Care homes in Tasmania
- Helen Scarr was awarded WINNER of the ‘LIFE Award – AAMI Individual Recognition’ for her personal contribution to Suicide Prevention in Tasmania (Helen is a facilitator in Lifeline Hobart’s Support After Suicide [SAS] Group)
- Connie Alomes was award a Outstanding Contribution Award in the ‘LIFE Award – AAMI Individual Recognition’ awards for her 20 years experience in the area of Suicide Prevention work in Tasmania.
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- Lifeline Hobart - Semi Finalist, in “2009 Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Award” in the Community Achievement Awards
- Christopher John - "Finalist - Young Manager of 2009” in the Tasmanian Business Leaders Awards
- Lifeline Hobart - "WINNER- Volunteer Organisation of 2009 - Award for Best Practice" in the Hobart City Council Volunteering Awards
- Chris Kettleton - "Finalist – Small to Medium Business Manager of 2010” in the Tasmanian Business Leaders Awards
- Vikki Lutan - "WINNER 2010” in the Lifeline Outstanding Volunteer recognition awards
- David Hayden - "Finalist 2010” in the Lifeline Outstanding Volunteer recognition awards (1 of 6 nationally)
- Mary Parsissons (Board member) - "Senior Tasmanian of the Year 2010"
- David Hayden - Semi-Finalist in the "Pride of Australia Award" Year 2011
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Standards
All Lifelines counselling staff in face-to-face work is trained to a high standard of professional development and hold qualifications in social work, psychology, and Counselling. Our telephone counsellors are volunteers who have undergone a 18-week intensive training program. Following this they are trialed for twelve months before becoming accredited as telephone counsellors. They are closely supervised during and after this period by experienced counsellors and must also attend regular "In Service" information sessions to further refine and update their skills. All Lifeline Hobart telephone counsellors are assessed yearly for re-accreditation and all Lifeline Centres must be re-accredited by Lifeline Australia every four years. These measures ensure that standards in all areas of Lifeline's work continue to be of a very high level.
Lifeline in Australia Beliefs and Shared Values
WE AFFIRM OUR LIVING HERITAGE
- Lifeline affirms its founding vision to make care accessible to all, in every community. The Christian heritage that shapes that vision views our neighbour as anyone in need.
- Lifeline invites any who share this vision to help provide accessible support and strengthen our community.
- Lifeline creates opportunities for community participation. We value the unique way volunteers and staff serve together, enriching Lifeline and the wider community.
- Within Lifeline, people of differing beliefs and backgrounds work respectfully together, to create spirit of support and service.
WE SUPPORT PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY
- We believe in caring for the whole person - mind, body, spirit and relationships. We seek to instil hope and sustain living, journeying with people through the problems and possibilities in their lives, nurturing healing and growth.
- We believe in inclusive communities - where everyone can belong and contribute. We seek to embrace diversity by kindling a spirit of fairness and openness that overcomes prejudice, builds understanding and promotes wellbeing.
- We believe people can grow through crises - finding resources to see and respond to painful situations in new ways. We seek to hear what is hurtful to people, inform healthy choices and support them in actions that enhance their wellbeing.
OUR VALUES RESPECT EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO BE HEARD, UNDERSTOOD AND CARED FOR.
Therefore we:
- embrace diversity, working with and for people from all beliefs, cultures and backgrounds;
- show compassion through respectful relationships that give competent care;
- invite trust through active listening that seeks understanding;
- instil hope by nurturing growth through the pain and possibilities of crises;
- inform choices that increase safety, enhance wellness and sustain living;
- empower people by enabling their ability to care for themselves and others;
- build communities that show fairness, enhance resilience and promote belonging.
FUNDING BODIES
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State Department of Health and Human Services (13 11 14)
State Department of Health and Human Services (CHATS)
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (CVS)
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing through United Synergies (StandBy Response Service)
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PRIVACY POLICY (Lifeline Hobart)
Rationale
The Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 (Cwealth) amended the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwealth) to include certain private sector organisations. As a private sector organisation that collects health information, Lifeline Hobart is covered by these amendments.
Additionally, Lifeline Australia Inc has a policy that all accredited Lifeline Centres will have a privacy policy.
Policy
Lifeline Hobart will comply with the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwealth), which impose minimum privacy standards for the handling of personal and sensitive information (including health information) of an individual.
A summarised version of the NPPs forms an attachment to this policy.
While Lifeline Hobart generally treats personal and health information confidentially, it recognises that there are certain situations in which the National Privacy Principles authorise the collection, use or disclosure of personal or health information. This includes, but is not limited to situations where:
- Lifeline Hobart believes that the use or disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and imminent threat to an individual's life, health or safety or a serious threat to public safety;
- The use or disclosure is authorised by law; or collection of the information is necessary to provide a health service to the individual. Lifeline Hobart notes that individuals generally have the right to request access to any personal information held about them and to request amendments if there are any inaccuracies in this information. Any individual wishing to inquire about any personal information held about them should contact the Chief Executive Officer in writing.
- Lifeline Hobart collects certain information on clients for statistical and professional purposes. This information is not necessarily considered personal or sensitive information. (Information is only considered to be personal information if the identity of the individual is apparent or can be reasonably ascertained from the information.)
Any individual wishing to make a complaint about a privacy issue should follow the Grievance Policy.
Lifeline Hobart Inc Disclaimer
This site has been created and managed by Lifeline Hobart Inc. as information service to the community, and is for reference only. While Lifeline Hobart Inc. makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information; persons are advised not to rely on the contents without making their own enquiries. Lifeline Hobart Inc. will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on this information. Users should also note that Lifeline Hobart Inc. does not endorse, nor attest to the accuracy or the content of any links on its web pages to external Internet sites not published or maintained by it.