Compass Report
Covid has continued to impact on our clients over this financial year, but in saying this, clients have continued to reach out for assistance and have accepted the ongoing use of the telephone and video conferencing rather than face to face services.
Domestic violence, mental health and homelessness are still the main presenting issues, but more recently with the cost of living increasing, we are seeing mortgage rate rises, rental increases, amenities on the rise yet again and more to come and of course, the ongoing issue with petrol remains.
What was once thought of as necessities are now sending people into financial hardship, they are having to make choices between paying these added increases just to keep a roof over their heads or putting enough food on the table to feed their families and as for a car, the decision is to keep it or get rid of it, or only use it when it becomes a need, When you add these pressures on to what people are going through with, say, dealing with domestic violence or mental health, it can truly exacerbate their lives and their health. These pressures can often lead to making poor choices.
Unfortunately, those poor choices may include the temptation to use Zip Pay, Pay Day Loans, After Pay and taking out the Centrelink Advancement as soon as they are eligible, the worry of paying back these loans comes later.
With the increase in complex and often complicated client issues, I have been able to reach out to other services, for advice or referral assistance, so, even though Covid has been an issue, we as a service have still been able to maintain our connections with other services and in turn continue working from a Holistic and Strength Based approach with clients.
Lynne Peace - Client Support & Advocacy Worker
Domestic violence, mental health and homelessness are still the main presenting issues, but more recently with the cost of living increasing, we are seeing mortgage rate rises, rental increases, amenities on the rise yet again and more to come and of course, the ongoing issue with petrol remains.
What was once thought of as necessities are now sending people into financial hardship, they are having to make choices between paying these added increases just to keep a roof over their heads or putting enough food on the table to feed their families and as for a car, the decision is to keep it or get rid of it, or only use it when it becomes a need, When you add these pressures on to what people are going through with, say, dealing with domestic violence or mental health, it can truly exacerbate their lives and their health. These pressures can often lead to making poor choices.
Unfortunately, those poor choices may include the temptation to use Zip Pay, Pay Day Loans, After Pay and taking out the Centrelink Advancement as soon as they are eligible, the worry of paying back these loans comes later.
With the increase in complex and often complicated client issues, I have been able to reach out to other services, for advice or referral assistance, so, even though Covid has been an issue, we as a service have still been able to maintain our connections with other services and in turn continue working from a Holistic and Strength Based approach with clients.
Lynne Peace - Client Support & Advocacy Worker
Silvia's Story |
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To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/