Community Support Financial stress social isolation”

The Spiers Centre is a not-for-profit service based in the northern suburbs of Perth, which serves individuals under financial stress, precarity in housing and social isolation. This makes it recovery centred, and trauma informed, such that the staff put the safety of the client, his dignity and choice first, and assist the client in putting their circumstances on their own time. The focus of this approach is on education since stigmatization is minimized by providing clear information, and timely help-seeking is possible. The initial contact will assist in avoiding the escalation of crisis and options becoming increasingly difficult to access in cases when the arrears or housing risk becomes more profound. People-first and judgement-free listening are used in the Centre, which ensures that the clients do not have to re-tell traumatic pasts. Confidentiality is emphasized in every step and information is only disclosed to facilitate in coordination of services that was agreed by the client.

What help is available

The Centre provides free and confidential financial counselling, emergency relief, No Interest Loans, parenting support, and children activities and community programs including peer group and weekly community closet. Most clients are offering interconnected needs and therefore staff organize referrals to partner organizations where the need be. Warm referrals are also supported by the staff in case there is another provider that would be more appropriate to assist rather than giving out a list of phone numbers that a client would call.

The experience of the first appointment.

The appointments are realistic and informal. A counsellor listens without prejudice, clears up the immediate problem and concurs the next steps that suit the situation of the person. The Centre can advocate creditors where necessary, describe debt options and make referrals to other supports.

What to bring?

 It will be possible to keep a few documents and act fast with the support of the team:

§  Photo ID

§  Recent bills or notices

§  A recent bank statement

§  Any supporting/referral letter.

In case of a lack of some documents, employees will propose options. Do not take your time to seek help as you locate paperwork.

Why education matters

Ease of finding information about eligibility, process and documents will result in people getting involved sooner and less anxiously. Education reduces the length of time to the first appointment and information is transformed into action, and the fourth step is a booking, a call or a referral. The stressed individuals experience simpler services due to simple headings, brief sentences and checklists. The similarity of words used in the site; social and printed media helps to make the reader aware of the same message and induce them to act within a limited time frame.

Call to action

A phone call or paying a visit to greet someone is normally the difference between the wavering and the doing. In case you are short of money, or at home there is more food to eat, and you require assistance with support and booking procedures, go to The Spiers Centre: https://www.thespierscentre.com.au/

Student No. 10619298

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(Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University).