The impacts of COVID-19 on communities across Australia have been far reaching and while life has started to return to what we once knew as normal, many support groups are still experiencing a great demand for their services.
Lifeline Central West is one such organisation, which has won the October round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterCentralWest community funding program, which this month focused on organisations providing COVID-related support across the region.
Lifeline Central West has received $2000, with runners up Veritas House (Bathurst) and Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network both receiving $500.
Lifeline Central West CEO, Stephanie Robinson, says the money will help them provide the supports to manage the sharp rise in demand for assistance.
“Lifeline Central West has been supporting our community for more than 45 years but the last couple of years has seen more people than ever in need of support,” Stephanie said.
“Our communities have had to deal with prolonged drought, closely followed by the Black Summer bushfires. And if that wasn’t enough, then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lifeline is breaking all records regarding the number of people we are supporting each day. Locally, we have more than doubled the number of calls our crisis supporters are taking each month, while the calls are taking longer to deal with as people are facing more complex issues.
Stephanie Robinson, Lifeline Central West CEO
“The Greater funding will help to cover the costs of providing the assistance our community needs.”
Greater Bank’s Central West Regional Sales Manager, Greg Creagan, said that he was thrilled that the Community Funding Program was supporting an organisation that provides an invaluable service to the region.
“The past couple of years has been extremely difficult for so many people across the Central West with the impacts of the drought compounded by the fires and the pandemic,” Greg said.
“Lifeline does an amazing job with its counselling services and workshops around mental health and wellbeing, and we are proud to play a small role in supporting their work through the #GreaterCentralWest Community Funding Program.”
Voting is now open for the November round of the #GreaterCentralWest community funding program, with Quota Bathurst Inc, Dubbo Legacy and Cancer Council NSW (Western Division) in the running for a share of $3,000 in monthly funding.
The public can cast their vote online at greater.com.au/greatercentralwest. Voting for the October funding round closes at 5:00pm, Wednesday, 24 November 2021.