THE LIFELINE Shop in Kempsey is run entirely by passionate people who work tirelessly in an effort to continue making money to support Lifeline's crisis support services.
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Unfortunately, the shop is currently experiencing a shortage of volunteer workers and they need your support.
Volunteering has many amazing benefits. It connects you with people, increasing your relationship and social skills. It is good for your mind, combatting stress, anger and anxiety. It provides a sense of purpose and assists in fighting depression, making you feel happier.
Kempsey shop manager Jill is seeking volunteers who are able to use their skills and experience and share their time and talents.
"Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn retail skills and have fun. Knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of people who really need it, is completely rewarding," Jill said.
Volunteers in the Lifeline shop have the knowledge that they are helping the global environment as well as the local community. Shopping at Lifeline is environmentally friendly and purchasing second hand goods reduces the amount of textiles and household items delivered to land fill.
Lifeline encourages people of all ages to consider volunteering. Lifeline recognises that young people have unique needs and expectations and desire variety, challenge, fun and flexibility and it is happy to accommodate those needs. Lifeline also recognises that it could not operate the shop without the help of older volunteers.
Proceeds of all goods sold through the shops are channeled back into the work of Lifeline. Lifeline receives 2700 telephone calls a day from Australians in need of support. Lifeline provides an Online Crisis Support Chat that is available for people who prefer to seek help this way - one on one 'live' chat with a trained crisis supporter. Lifeline Text is available from 6pm every day.
This is a great opportunity to give something back to the community. To register your interest, contact Jill 6563 1043 or email kempsey@lifelinemidcoast.org.au
Meanwhile, John Brogden, chairman of Lifeline Australia, said the just released 2018-2019 cause of death data by the ABS revealing 3318 lives were lost to suicide is a tragedy and demands more funding urgently from government, business and the community.
"Firstly, we remember the 3318 Australians who died by suicide in 2018-2019 and the many people left behind who are learning to live a life without their loved ones. Every life lost is a tragedy that effects our families, our workplaces and communities," Mr Brogden said.
"Today will be a difficult day for many. I want to remind anyone who is struggling, that Lifeline is here for you, please call us at any time on 13 11 14.
"We need a whole of government, sector and community plan for suicide prevention to move fast towards an Australia free of suicide."
Mr Brogden said Lifeline welcomed the appointment of Christine Morgan as the Prime Minister's National Suicide Prevention Advisor in 2019 and expects a significant increase in funding and initiatives when her report is released next year.
Mr Brogden said Lifeline had identified as a priority the creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support line.
