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Ruah and HOPE co-locate in Geraldton to create new community services hub.

Support for the Midwest’s most vulnerable people has become more accessible following our Geraldton office’s relocation to co-share with Hope Community Services, one of our state’s leading community service organisations.

Ruah Community Services (Ruah) and HOPE Community Services (HOPE) will now be located at 80A Forrest Street in Geraldton.

Located next to WA Primary Health Alliance, and in close proximity to Helping Minds, the move creates a convenient community services hub at the top end of town.

Ruah has been part of the Geraldton community since 2016, offering personalised mental health support for people with severe and persistent mental health challenges, and operating a residential respite facility, but this is the first time we have occupied ‘shop-front’ premises.

Our CEO, Debra Zanella, said that the decision to co-locate with HOPE, who has been part of the Geraldton community for many years was an easy one.

“The services we offer share a natural alignment with HOPE. We know that mental health challenges often co-occur with alcohol and other drug dependencies, and we both share the same person-centred approach, walking alongside our clients throughout their recovery journey,” she said.

“Both organisations are committed to continuing to refine and improve our unique outreach models of care and service delivery for those in need so that we can improve access to community services in the Midwest Gascoyne region.”

HOPE has been providing programs, services and interventions to support individuals, families and communities to address mental health issues, alcohol and other drugs, family and domestic violence and youth justice for nearly 120 years. They too are excited about what opportunities may arise out of future collaborations.

HOPE Chief Services Officer, Pam Bubrzycki, who is responsible for HOPE’s frontline service delivery across WA, commented “We look forward to working more closely with Ruah in the Midwest. Our shared values and similar ethos mean that, in our co-located premises, we can offer more holistic, culturally-safe and fully inclusive services, which will result in in better outcomes for individuals, families and the entire Geraldton community.”

Both HOPE and Ruah have a ‘no-wrong door’ approach to service entry. Any person needing support can access services through a variety of referral methods. Co-locating in the centre of Geraldton will enhance the accessibility of vital supports in a region where risk of mental illness and harmful levels of AOD consumption are both statistically higher than the WA average.

“Increased visibility will heighten awareness that help is readily available,” Ms Zanella said. “We know some people in the community are hesitant to seek support, and missing out on services that can make a substantial improvement to their wellbeing. We look forward to working alongside HOPE to deliver more services and support to those in need.”