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Support for the Midwest’s most vulnerable people has become more accessible following the relocation of two of the region’s leading community service organisations.
HOPE Community Services (HOPE) and Ruah Community Services (Ruah) are sharing new premises at 80A Forrest Street in Geraldton.
Located next to WA Primary Health Alliance, and close to Helping Minds, the move creates a convenient Geraldton community services hub at the top end of town.
HOPE provides programs, services and interventions to support individuals, families and communities in WA to address issues around mental health, alcohol and other drugs, family and domestic violence and youth justice. HOPE has been working in WA for around 120 years.
In the Midwest, HOPE also operates the Hope Springs Therapeutic Community, a long-term, mixed gender therapeutic community and rehabilitation facility for those experiencing alcohol and other drug dependency.
HOPE Chief Services Officer, Pam Bubrzycki, who is responsible for HOPE’s frontline service delivery, said the team was excited about the opportunities for collaboration that would likely arise from establishment of the Geraldton community services hub.
“We look forward to working more closely with Ruah in the Midwest. Our shared values and similar ethos mean that, in our co-located premises, we can offer more holistic, culturally-safe and fully inclusive services, which will result in in better outcomes for individuals, families and the entire Geraldton community,” she said.
A natural alignment
Ruah has been part of the Geraldton community since 2016, offering personalised mental health support for people with severe and persistent mental health challenges as well as operating a residential respite facility.
However, this is the first time it has occupied a ‘shop-front’ premises.
Ruah Chief Executive Officer, Debra Zanella, said that the decision to co-locate with HOPE was an easy one.
“The services we offer share a natural alignment with HOPE. We know that mental health challenges often co-occur with alcohol and other drug dependencies, and we both share the same person-centred approach, walking alongside our clients throughout their recovery journey,” she said.
“Both organisations are committed to continuing to refine and improve our unique outreach models of care and service delivery for those in need so that we can improve access to community services in the Midwest Gascoyne region.”
No wrong door
Both HOPE and Ruah have a ‘no-wrong door’ approach to service entry, meaning any person needing support can access services through a variety of referral methods.
Co-locating the two organisations in the centre of Geraldton will enhance the accessibility of vital supports in a region where risk of mental illness and harmful levels of AOD consumption are both statistically higher than the WA average.
“Increased visibility will heighten awareness that help is readily available,” Ms Zanella said. “We know some people in the community are hesitant to seek support, and missing out on services that can make a substantial improvement to their wellbeing. We look forward to working alongside HOPE to deliver more services and support to those in need.”
