By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IN an effort to combat the loneliness crisis, and more so the homelessness crisis regionally, a group of selfless and caring individuals have set up shop in Moe’s Apex Park to provide a safe space for those who need it.
Mental health support organisation Bettermentall Together began opening up their services more broadly through their Community Outreach Program, interchanging between Moe and Warragul every week.
Offering free food and drinks along with a host of essential resources for those struggling and disadvantaged – the program is seeking to be a hive for all within the community.
Founder of Bettermentall Together and senior support worker, Jason Rantall said that to see people come to them, they’ve purposefully introduced themselves by going around the area.
“It’s always a slow uptake. Obviously you’ve got to build rapport and trust, so a couple of us have been walking around the streets with food packs and just having a conversation with people just to build that rapport,” he told the Express.
“To walk into something new, especially if you struggle with crowds and meeting new people, which a lot of people do, if we can give them a face to it then they’re more likely to come along.”
Since the program is offered only fortnightly in Moe, it makes it difficult to see both identified people and volunteers filter through continuously. Mr Rantall says they’ll look to do weekly meetings into the new year.
Many of the volunteers who come around are initially seeking support from Bettermentall Together, before finding their own worth in helping others.
“They’re a part of what we do now, so they come for support and they feel their sense of belonging and they feel significant,” Mr Rantall said.
Once the program gains more traction, a portable shower will even be available for those who don’t have access to that basic necessity.
Food boxes are provided by Baw Baw Food Relief, while other items are also donated.
Much like Bettermentall Together’s community hub in Trafalgar, the items come secondary to the real purpose – ensuring those out there who otherwise wouldn’t have someone to open up with do.
“What we do with the food and the barbecues and all that, that’s just to get people in to build some rapport,” Mr Rantall said.
“People aren’t open to support and service that help until you builds that rapport.
“It’s about the person reaching for help, coming in, getting involved, and then we help them to find their way.
“We don’t tell them how to do anything, because we support them on their journey.
“Providing all this as a service for them to then (receive) that emotional and mental support outside of that.”
Alongside his wife Kerry, Mr Rantall founded Bettermentall Together with the aim to empower people through their most difficult times.
The Trafalgar community hub has been a successful venture over the last three years, attracting many people every week for connection and stress reducing techniques, which has now led to further initiatives such as the Community Outreach Program.
