Hall Full of Help a glimmer of hope in Ballarat

The Hall Full of Help expo on 17 October attracted almost 500 people. Image: Veronica Bajkiewicz

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE

A multi-organisational initiative originally planned for during the COVID-19 pandemic has launched in rural Victoria. The Hall Full of Help brought nearly 500 attendees and about 45 different community service providers to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat on 17 October for an expo showcasing the various assistance available.

Spearheaded by St Vincent De Paul’s Alan West, the Hall Full of Help is an extension of Alan’s other initiative, Pocket Full of Help, an online directory for finding support services in the region. The Salvation Army, as well as Anglicare Victoria, Uniting, Jobs Victoria and Central Highlands Water have all been involved in the two projects alongside St Vincent De Paul.

In the Pocket and Hall Full of Help initiatives, Alan was able to realise his vision of a one-stop shop for community services. The inaugural expo was originally planned during COVID-19 but had to be postponed two weeks before its original date due to restrictions.

Moneycare's Veronica Bajkiewicz at the expo. Image: Supplied

Leaders from both TSA’s Doorways and Moneycare teams attended the event. Moneycare Financial Counsellor Veronica Bajkiewicz said it made for a busy, really “feel-good day” where attendees were surprised by what was available to them. She said of the community members she met, some were there looking for assistance for those they knew, while others were looking for assistance for themselves.

Veronica said it was helpful for everyone attending for different reasons.

“What I found really good was connecting and networking with the local organisations, putting a face to names and also finding out, ‘Oh, that is available as well’,” she said.

“It added to all of our resources, including [those of] community members.”

The event was accessible via shuttle bus from the city centre and featured bags of free food, a sausage sizzle and a coffee stand.

Other organisations that attended specialise in family and domestic violence support, mental health, housing and rent, food assistance, legal assistance and many other community needs.