Key Messages - Lifeline Auckland


	(09) 5222 999 within Auckland

	0800 543 354 outside Auckland

Key Messages By Bryan Wilshire
Now and again we get asked by people what Lifeline is “about” and what our key messages are; and there are a few people (just a few!) who have not yet heard of, used or referred people to Lifeline Over recent months we have continued “bucket rattling” as a fundraiser on street corners and in shopping malls - the recognition by the Auckland public has been outstanding and the financial contributions to help support Lifeline’s services most welcome. While approaching people – banners in the background, a well set out display – very few needed an explanation as to what Lifeline is all about. Indeed, some people had stories of their own to share of the support they or a loved one had received from one of Lifeline’s services – encounters with Lifeline that were often life changing. Such stories were all the feedback needed by the volunteers on the day to feel the appreciation from the public for all those who are, or have been, involved with Lifeline over the last 44 years. As CEO of Lifeline Auckland, I recently had the pleasure of hosting visitors from The Department of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Social Development. As part of preparation for thier visit I was able to reflect upon key messages for Lifeline Auckland’s 24/7 and Kidsline services. Below are the key messages communicated to that group of decision makers…
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1. Lifeline 24/7 facilitates and supports timely positive change that encourages the development of responsible self help behaviours and attitudes to enable the growth of a healthy and affirming contribution to society. (Lifeline 24/7 supports people in their time of need helping them make positive changes in their lives) 2. Lifeline 24/7 seeds the community with skilled and self aware people, creating opportunities for volunteers to do good work and building stronger, healthier more resilient families and communities. (Lifeline 24/7’s volunteers profoundly benefit from the skills and experiences they gain and through interactions with callers who they will never meet.)
3. Lifeline 24/7 warrants funding assistance to respond to an ever increasing need and to enable the service to expand its reach. (The demand for a high quality, professional, confidential and effective service is growing, not shrinking, and warrants grassroots community support.)
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1. Kidsline focuses on the emotional needs of pre-teen New Zealanders through a genuinely child-centric counselling and support model using ‘near peer’ Yr 12 and 13 students as counsellors. It helps to build more resilient families and communities for the future. (It “helps to talk” and talking to someone nearer their own age group is an effective way of meeting the emotional needs of our pre-teens.) 2. Kidsline offers over 80 young people a year the opportunity to learn counselling skills, develop self awareness and experience making a ‘real’ difference in a nationwide, grassroots organisation that builds stronger and healthier communities. (Kidsline Buddies profoundly benefit from the experience they gain and the interactions they have with callers.)
3. Kidsline has a strong base of volunteer counsellor and supervision teams with targeted hours and well staffed shifts. It is an extremely reliable and cost effective service to run. Modest funding assistance – e.g $23,000 to cover 0800 phone costs – will make a big impact. (The demand for a high quality, professional, confidential and effective service is growing not shrinking and warrants grassroots community support.)
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Are we proud of what we do and what we achieve? Too right!