Living Works Admin co-ordinator and database manager Chris, has gone on holiday for two weeks to Germany and we are very lucky to have Shanis looking after Living Works while he is away.  Shanis also works as a counsellor and volunteer for Lifeline and we very much appreciate her help.

Mental Health Line

A big welcome to Dr Stephen Edwards who has relocated from Perth to Auckland.  Stephen will be looking after the Mental Health Portfolio for 12 months.  Stephen has a Bachelor of Social Work and a PhD from the University of Australia.  We are very lucky to have his knowledge and expertise.  Stephen is also the author of several publications on managing youth suicide behaviour.  His background is rich and varied and we warmly welcome him to Lifeline.

That was our happy note, now our sad note.  Samantha Hoyle who has been our operations manager on the Mental Health Line is returning to nursing.  She will be sadly missed by her team and co-workers.  The lucky people will be those who will be tended by her when she returns to nursing.  We wish Sam all the very best in her new job.

Congratulations to Jenny Marshall who transfers from Call Handler to Clinical Advisor, a challenge she will do well at.  Clinical Advisors look after the Call Handlers and are on hand to give support when and if required

In June we formalised the plans for Kidsline’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations. Our three aims are:
1. Reconnecting all alumni – past Buddies, resource team and supervisors.
2. Holding a reunion weekend in Auckland in September (weekend of 6 -7 September 2008)
3. Adding the names of all past Buddies to the Kidsline Leavers Tree.

We are well on our way to connecting with a large majority of the approx 550 past Buddies – at this point 300 are connected through our Facebook page. If you know of Kidsline alumni we may not yet have contact with, please let the Kidsline office know: richardt@lifeline.org.nz.

FVIL

The Family Violence Information Line (FVIL) is enjoying increased calls with the next round of advertising on TV.  The guys are doing a great job as more people become familiar with the line and find the courage to call on an often difficult subject. 

The Lowdown

The Lowdown also has an extensive round of advertising coming up.  There will be a brochure and poster drop to every secondary school in New Zealand which should see a huge increase in the use of an already growing line.  Recent figures show the line provided support to over 800 people and sent and received over 30,000 text messages and over 2000 emails for the last six months.  Great work for a line with very little advertising to date!

Anil Thapliyal is in the States and USA talking about The Lowdown as a the cutting edge website and support service – pretty good for a little island in the south pacific.  A lot to be proud of guys, thanks for your work.  If you haven’t seen the website go to www.thelowdown.co.nz

NDI

The NDI website is undergoing a facelift.  It is adding a self-help function whereby people can go through a six-module self-help option.   They can simply gather information or complete a self-help course and at any time during this, text or email counsellors for help. 

There is also another round of advertising planned using John Kirwan which will no doubt increase traffic to the line as it has done in the past.

We welcome newcomers to the team, Sue Friis, Krys Lanigan and Jan Lovich, it’s great to have your experience and expertise!

Lifeline 24/7

Congratulation to the winners of Lifeline’s Winter Getaway raffle:

Mrs E M Coker of Blockhouse Bay
             
Mrs Judy Matthews of Remuera

Thanks to the generosity of Umoya Lodge, the first prize was one night for two people in the Luxury Suite at Umoya Lodge, Miranda.