Wests & Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney work together to deliver in demand counselling services
Wests Group Macarthur is pleased to offer $20,000 to Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney to help deliver much needed crisis support and financial counselling services within the Macarthur region in the coming months. The timely funds offered via ClubGRANTS aims to alleviate some of the stress associated with the challenging times that individuals and families within the Macarthur LGA are facing right now.
Lifeline share there has been a significant increase in calls over the past 18 months and notable growth of calls amid recent lockdowns – recently recording over 3,345 calls on August 3rd, the highest daily number in the organisation’s history.
The range of services include 24/7 Crisis Support Telephone Line to support those experiencing distress and anxiety as well as Financial Counselling services offering professional and confidential services advocating for clients experiencing financial difficulties. Together Wests and Lifeline hope that by making further services available that the risk of suicide incidence and ideation is reduced, and the overall health and wellbeing of the community is improved.
Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney CEO, Brad Hannagan, comments, “We are facing extraordinary times. From bushfires, to floods, to the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has never had it so tough. Demand for Lifeline’s services is the highest it has been in our 57 year history. We remain particularly grateful to community partners like the Wests Group Macarthur for their unwavering support”
Wests Group Macarthur Chairman Alan Buxton says “Part of the Wests community mission is to recognise where the key challenges lie in the community and work hard to support partners, like Lifeline Macarthur that can really make a difference. We are proud to be able to support Lifeline to support individuals and families in such exceptionally challenging times”.
Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney is a leading charity that serves South West Sydney, Western Sydney, Macarthur, and the Southern Highlands with the purpose of empowering and supporting individuals and communities to be resilient and suicide safe.
For more information on our community support endeavours please visit www.westslc.com.au
Pictured: CEO Brad Hannagan at the Macarthur Crisis Support Centre.
If you, or someone you care for, needs support or is thinking about ending their life, contact Lifeline. Call 13 11 14 (24/7) or chat to a crisis supporter online at lifeline.org.au (7pm – midnight, every night).
