LifeLine aims to prevent and assist
“We do not aim to only assist people who are facing a crisis, we also aim to prevent the crisis from happening,” are the words of LifeLine Ekurhuleni director Debbie Richards.
The centre is one of the two deserving beneficiaries of the Benoni City Times Buco Rietpan Charity Golf Day, which will take place over the Ebotse Links, on September 1.
LifeLine Ekurhuleni headquarters, in Western Extension, has been operational since 1970 and has, since then, evolved from being only a suicide lifeline to a 24-hour helpline, conducting face-to-face sessions, trauma counselling and victim empowerment projects (VEP).
The centre also aims to prevent crises by educating community members on various issues, and having campaigns to raise awareness about issues victims face.
“We have five sites in the Ekurhuleni region, two of which conduct lay counselling (one is in Benoni) while the other three focus on victim empowerment projects,” Richards explained.
Lay counselling refers to counsellors who are volunteers at the centre, but do not have a psychology degree.
“We have three modules which take place over nine months at this site in Benoni,” Richards added.
“Each site runs their projects and programmes.
“Here, volunteers need to complete all three modules before becoming counsellors at the centre.”
The three modules include:
• Personal Growth: Anyone may join this course for a fee of R2 500.
This course entails 11 sessions, in which the volunteers familiarise themselves with their own emotions and struggles.
• Basic Counselling Skills: Those who complete the first module may apply to be volunteers.
This module teaches volunteers how to counsel, for a fee of R500.
• Co-pilot Counselling: This is a free course, involving practical counselling for volunteers from module two, who are selected by the centre.
“We have 20 volunteers who have almost completed their third module,” Richards said.
“So now we will have 28 counsellors.”
Those who visit the Benoni centre for a face-to-face session need to make an appointment.
“Sometimes our counsellors are not on the premises, so when the person who is in need calls the helpline, they are referred to the main office to make an appointment,” Richards said.
The other three sites (VEP) based in various locations in the Ekurhuleni area, are funded by the Department of Social Development.
These projects cater for the needs of all rape and abuse victims.
Ekurhuleni LifeLine also conducts intermediary projects, whereby four intermediaries and one social worker visit a sum of 12 courts, to serve as the middle man in cases involving a minor, where the minor has to testify.
“We also have corporate counselling, where company trauma such as a hijacking or death can be dealt with,” Richards added.
Although LifeLine services are free for individuals who call seeking counselling, companies do pay for corporate counselling.
“We also do not rely on companies for funding, because if one stops funding us, then we have a problem,” Richards added.
“So we have two or three fund-raising campaigns a month, to sustain the centre.”
Also read:
Support LifeLine and Alps at charity golf day
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