Lifeline Services

24hr/7days Telephone Counselling

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) currently has approximately 80-90 trained volunteer telephone counsellors 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; men's issues and suicide.

This valuable community service supports regular callers as well as those who ring in a time of crisis. Lifeline counsellors have excellent listening skills and are trained to respond to all people in a non-judgemental and accepting manner. While the counselling is not directive or intrusive, the counsellor is trained to encourage the client to explore possible problem-solving options.

The counsellors 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.

Suicide Helpline free call 1800 191919

The suicide helpline number is a free call also staffed by trained volunteer telephone counsellors.

Although initially set up as Youth Suicide Helpline, this line is for members of the community who feel they, or someone they know, are at risk of suicide. Parents, for example, often phone concerned about their children. The line is also for people who are trying to come to terms with a death from suicide.

All Lifeline Telephone Counsellors 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 counselling line for people who are lonely or isolated in the community. The service is staffed by trained volunteers, who will telephone clients on an average of twice a week, 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, therfore, was set up as a separate division of our services. It provides 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 illnesses or trauma, from the more serious mental illnesses, to drug and alcohol and other addictions; anxiety; depression and many have also been survivors of child sexual or physical abuse. There are others who have medical conditions and are physically incapable of participating in what many of us see as normal, social and daily activities.

By providing this service, we intend to bring some light into the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves, and to communicate that there is someone out there who genuinely cares.

Financial Counselling

This is a new service which has commenced at Lifeline Central Coast in May 2004.

Totally free of charge, this face to face Financial Counselling service is now available to all members of the community who are experiencing financial hardship or difficulties.

The Counsellor will discuss the client's financial concerns and plan possible solutions in the following areas:

Bankruptcy
Basic Budgeting Methods
Centrelink
Compensation
Contracts
Consumer Rights
Court Issues
Credit
Debt
Utility Bills
Superannuation
Tenancy
Tribunals

The client areas covered by the Financial Counsellor are Gosford; Wyoming; Woy Woy; Kincumber and Avoca Beach to as far south as the Hawkesbury River.

Please call our Administration Office on (02) 4323-6105 to make an appointment.

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.

Volunteer Telephone Counsellor Training

Lifeline Central Coast (NSW) provides a 16 week course to train new counsellors, 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, which is compulsory.

Participation is by application and interview.

Courses are held in February and July each year.

Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling

All trained telephone counsellors 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 assessment costs $390.00 and the training can be done at your own pace. Contact our Training Officer for more information.

Beyond Blue Depression Awareness Training

This one day course can be offered to the community on or off-site. On completion, a statement of attendance will be issued. Contact our Training Officer for more information.

Working Effectively - Handling Challenging Behaviours or Situations

This course is available on request to community groups on or off-site. On completion, a statement of attendance will be issued. Contact our Training Officer for more information.

Outlets

Six Clothing Stores
Furniture Shop
Distribution Centre (Warehouse)

Training Centre Hire

The facilities include whiteboards; kitchens and toilets; TV and video and the rooms are air-conditioned / heated. There is a car-park with 9 spaces, and further parking on Cary Street is available.

The environment is light; airy and clean and is regarded by many organisations as an appealing place to meet.

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

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

Organisations such as Weightwatchers hire our rooms on a regular basis. See below for other groups meeting here.

The Following Groups Meet at Lifeline

15 Cary Street,Wyoming

• Mental Health Consultative Committee Central Coast (MHCCC)
• Central Coast Sudden Traumatic Death Response Team
• Suicide Safety Network Central Coast
• Bereaved by Suicide Support Group
  Thursday evenings 7-8.30pm.
  Four groups a year of 8 week duration.

Contact Lesley 43236105.

For more information contact us at:
Telephone: 02 4323-6105
Email: ceocc@lifelinecentralcoastnsw.org