A new facility in Castlemaine is offering a community led, non-clinical, inclusive and comfortable sanctuary to anyone who may be in emotional distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
After more than two years of dedication and perseverance, the Castlemaine Safe Space volunteers officially open the doors to their permanent base at 74 Mostyn Street last Thursday.
The Peace Choir kicked off the intimate opening with songs of home, welcome and warmth.
Two of the original working group members, Rachel Stewart and Cr Rosie Annear, then officially cut the ribbon to open the doors to the welcoming new space.
Rosie told the crowd she was in attendance as “just Rosie” for the purposes of Thursday’s launch.
“I am currently not an official councillor (until the new council is sworn in) but I am here in my capacity as a former Working Group member and as someone with lived experience of mental illness,” Rosie said.
“I want to thank Rachel and the passionate Working Group members who never gave up on the dream of creating a safe space and have worked tirelessly to bring this place into being.”
Rosie explained that her mental health issues began as a teenager and she tried hard to seek support but continually ran into closed doors in the clinical space.
“What really got me through was friends and strangers. I think that sometimes your family can be too close in those situations, but the conversations I had with strangers, such as through helplines, really turned things around. The power of being really listened to and felt heard is so important when people are struggling,” she said.
“I only wish there was a space like this available to me back then.”
Rachel said it was wonderful to see their dream realised.
“We really wanted a place that resembled a family home. And the vibes of a ‘good’ family home – a family that is loving and caring and where every child, every person who comes in the door feels cared about and loved,” she said.
“If you visit the Safe Space you will be greeted at the door by one of our peer volunteers and they will offer you something warm or cool to eat and drink.
“They will offer for you to have a one-on-one conversation with one of our peer volunteers, or you might choose to sit and hang out in our sensory room or lie on our mellow mat, or you might just choose to sit and hang out in our family area around the big table and chat with other people. Everyone is welcome here,” Rachel said.
“We are non-clinical, we don’t keep records of names, you don’t need an appointment or a referral. We are free and most importantly we aim to fill the gap for those who may have had negative experiences in clinical situations and feel they have nowhere to go.
“Our peer volunteers are trained to talk to you about any kind of distress you may be feeling from the smallest to the biggest thing all the way through to feeling suicidal and we will not call emergency services unless you ask us to,” Rachel said.
“I’d like to thank our wonderful peer volunteers who really are the heart of the Safe Space. The support of the community has also been amazing and of course supporters such as Mount Alexander Shire Council, Roses in the Ocean and the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal.”
The space is currently open Tuesdays 6.30pm-8.30pm and Saturdays 1.30pm-4pm and times may be expanded as the volunteer pool grows.
The Castlemaine Safe Space welcome expressions of interest from community members who would like to be part of their Working Group or who would like to train as peer volunteers to man the safe space. For more information email castlemainesafespace@gmail.com
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue at www.beyondblue.org.au
In the event of an emergency dial triple zero (000). For more details about the space visit www.castlemainesafespace.org
