Demand for help increases

Help is available for people facing job loss, financial hardship, family stress and mental health concerns across West Gippsland during COVID-19.

CatholicCare Gippsland regional manager Denise Lacey said the organisation was busy helping locals pay rent and utility bills as well as providing food and fuel vouchers, whilst the need for counselling services was “going through the roof”.

“We are seeing people who are probably a little more challenged than we used to see,” said Ms Lacey. “Certainly there’s a change in people trying to manage rent, that’s been significant.”

“We don’t want people going hungry, we don’t want people not having a home. We will do our best to make sure, first of all, they can stay in their own home. We can help with food and bills.”

Staff have stepped up to cover usual volunteers and ensure emergency relief is provided across the Gippsland region, covering Pakenham, Warragul, Traralgon and all the way up to the border. The Federal Government has also increased its funding support to help with additional demand as job losses and isolation hit hard.

Ms Lacey emphasised “we are a service for all people” as the impact of lockdown, financial pressures, job loss, relationships and even kids at home doing schooling exacerbate burdens already being faced by many locals.

“It’s just one step too far for some,” she said. The workload for its five counsellors working across Warragul, Traralgon and Pakenham is high as more complex cases present. Specifically, family and couples counselling, family violence referrals and mental health cases are all on the rise.

“We are getting more referrals for family violence now,” said Ms Lacey. “That has definitely increased to the point that we have closed off referrals for four weeks. That’s a major concern for us. The reality is, we are truly booked out.”

Counsellors are also unable to provide the usual face-to-face children’s counselling services. Whilst support is available to parents, Ms Lacey admits this was also of big concern.

Ms Lacey said CatholicCare offers emergency relief on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Whether you are struggling to pay utility bills, facing the prospect of no food on the table or if you have lost a job just as urgent car repairs have presented themselves, Ms Lacey said CatholicCare can help lessen the burden at this time.

To find out more about emergency relief, or perhaps if you wish to donate to a local in need, call the Warragul office on 5622 1188.

Led by Drouin Rotary, three local Rotary clubs and seven local Lions clubs with Baw Baw have joined forces for “Keeping Baw Baw Warm”.

The clubs have purchased warm clothing and blankets from local opportunity shops to donate to Longwarry and District Lions Club’s Food Relief and Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief in Warragul.

The Longwarry food relief is currently supporting about 150 families each week across the wider district with food hampers.

Warragul Community House is also partnering with Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief to provide an after-hours distribution point for food boxes.

Boxes can be collected from 138 Normanby St, Warragul on Monday to Thursday nights between 5pm and 7pm. To find out more, call 5623 6032.