Work to establish a dedicated ‘Safe Space’ in Castlemaine to assist community members facing mental health and emotional challenges is gaining momentum.
A Safe Space is a non-clinical open-door drop-in centre staffed by peers with lived experience, trained to respond to anyone who chooses to attend the Space to talk, discuss emotional challenges or suicidal thinking. This also includes carers and loved ones looking after others.
Castlemaine Safe Space Working Group chair, Rachel Stewart, said all were welcome to attend the Space, no referrals or appointments were necessary, and everyone who attended was treated with respect.
“Our Working Group is currently looking for a suitable location to hold our Space and we’d love to hear from anyone who may have a place that would be suitable,” she said.
“We hope to open our Safe Space in the coming months, and ideally it will be open initially for three sessions of three hours a week.
“We would love our location to be central, accessible, and friendly, with a safe and welcoming feel.
“We do have some funding to put towards equipment and would be happy to create our own internal set up.”
The Castlemaine Safe Space Working Group are also now putting a call out to community members who are interested in becoming a trained volunteer to work in the Space.
“People who have had experience with emotional distress, suicidal thinking, or caring for or losing someone close to them in distress often want to help others in similar circumstances,” Rachel said.
“Depending on the number of volunteers who are interested, we envisage the time commitment would be a minimum of one shift of three hours each month.”
Training will be provided free of charge to volunteers so they feel equipped to assist others in a holistic, respectful and meaningful way.
Are you interested in being a volunteer? If so the working group would love to hear from you.
Volunteers are invited to register their interest and complete a short registration form.
The Working Group will contact you for a longer chat, provide more information about the Safe Space concept and discuss the training involved.
“We want to help all members of the community feel supported, listened to and heard, and if this appeals to you, please contact us,” Rachel said.
Registrations of interest close on April 21 and can be emailed to castlemainesafespace@gmail.com or call Castlemaine Community House on 5472 4842 Monday-Friday between 9am-3pm.
Keep an eye out for Safe Space posters around town too, which will feature QR Code registration.
