Friday, March 29, 2024

Launching Castlemaine Safe Space

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The first rural Safe Space in Victoria, Castlemaine Safe Space (CaSS) is a non-clinical support service, staffed by trained Peer Volunteers, who have lived experience of emotional distress and/or suicidality.

The pop-up Safe Space will initially be operated from two venues in Castlemaine, the Senior Citizens Centre and the Salvation Army hall on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The spaces have an open-door policy and are designed to feel comfortable and welcoming, with soft lighting, bean bags and locally sourced artwork.

Guests are welcome to visit, have a cup of tea, relax and if they choose, chat with one, of the two, Peer Volunteers available on each shift.

CaSS is based on a model first used in 2014 in the UK, which has been since trialled in a number of states in Australia and operates on a Tier 4 model, which is a non-conventional approach to support.

The model is vastly different to current mental health and hospital services and has been specifically designed, based on feedback from the Castlemaine community, to fill gaps in current services.

Somewhat controversially, Peer Volunteers will not contact external or emergency services unless asked by the guests, rather they will try to encourage the person to accept help if necessary.

Chair of CaSS working group, Rachel Stuart, initiated the safe space concept in 2015, following the loss of her father and brother to suicide.

“We do whatever we can to respect a person’s autonomy, rights and self-determination,” said Rachel.

“We welcome anyone, with any problems, no matter how small, through to people with risk of immediate suicidality.”

“The program has received funding from Mount Alexander Shire Council, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership, to set up the spaces and will continue to receive yearly funds from Roses in the Ocean, which means the program is self-sustaining.

“Once we’re up and running we’d love to run some pop-up Safe Spaces in Maldon and other areas,” Rachel told the Times.

Peer Volunteer Coordinator Amy Sonsie said, “At the moment we have seven fully trained Peer Volunteers and another 15 soon to be trained.

“The training consists of two days of online and two days of face-to-face ASSIST training. “Volunteers are provided with regular ongoing support and we ensure there are always two volunteers on each shift, which runs for a minimum of two hours.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering with Castlemaine Safe Spaces call Amy Sonsie on 0433 364 025.

Castlemaine Safe Spaces will initially be located at:

  • Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane (next to the library) and will run Tuesdays from 6pm-8.30pm, from 19 July.
  • Salvation Army Hall (next to the Castlemaine train station) will run Saturdays from 1.30pm-4pm, from Saturday 23 July.

No appointment or referrals are required and all are welcome to attend.

Tarrangower Times 22 July 2022

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 22 July 2022.

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