Emergency Relief

St George’s Emergency Relief (ER) aims to provide a place where people feel respected and non-judged in a welcoming space set amongst natural surrounds.

History

The ER service has been operating since 2008 with the help of volunteers who are skilled in service delivery at the helm. It started when the Op Shop operated from the Church verandah. The volunteers would meet people who came to shop and would chat about what was going on in their lives. It soon became apparent that there was a need for emergency relief services. People were interviewed at that time in the church kitchen or office. An application for funding was successfully submitted to Lotterywest and a small amount, administered by AnglicareWA, was received.

The funding enabled ER to provide, as well as food from our pantry, clothes and other offerings from our on-site Op Shop, vouchers for food and fuel from AnglicareWA, part payment of bills and always a listening ear. That’s perhaps what people needed the most; someone who would just listen to their story. The funding has increased over the years, enabling the service to provide help to an increasing number of people seeking assistance.

Skip forward a few years and thanks to the generosity of the local community, the dedication of the St George’s Anglican Church parishioners and a successful bid to Lotterywest, a fantastic community facility, the St George’s Family Centre, was built. The centre has become a hub of activity and ER is a central part of it. The office is now located here and through the vision and on-going efforts of many, an Emergency Relief Facilitator, is employed on a part-time basis.

Services

If you or a family that you know needs assistance, you can make a confidential appointment to see the facilitator. She is fully trained and qualified in community services and will assess the individual’s or family’s situation and help provide assistance to meet the immediate crisis. This includes food, clothing, help with part payment of utility bills and vouchers. Resources are limited somewhat and so the aim is to enable clients to help themselves, thereby empowering them.

You may also be eligible for Anglicare Financial Counselling, where you will receive personalised help with budgeting and money difficulties and can make applications for HUGS & NILS grants/loans.

Another initiative available to those in need is The Fruit & Veggie Boxes where we use the Coles Secondbite produce to put together on a twice weekly basis fresh fruit and veggies.

Finally, there is a range of clothing and goods available at our Op Shop for both children and adults where, for a small cost, good quality items can be purchased, with proceeds going back into the community care programs.

If you would like to make an appointment please call us on 0424 074 411. We’d also encourage you to tell others about our ER service if you feel they may need a helping hand; are experiencing financial hardship or are isolated and could prosper from connecting with others.