Picture by Peter Weaving
HALT has joined forces with Bendigo Community Health Services.The move will enable HALT – Hope, Assistance, Local Tradies – to expand across the Loddon Mallee region and, eventually, throughout Victoria.
HALT co-founder Jeremy Forbes is now working from Bendigo Community Health Services’ offices three days a week, drawing on its infrastructure and resources.
“I remember the day after the HALT ‘Save Your Bacon’ breakfast in Bendigo the headline in the Bendigo Advertiser read ‘bold vision’,” he said.
“Well, this bold vision is now coming to fruition, thanks to the help and assistance of Bendigo Community Health Services.
“We will expand throughout regional Victoria with our breakfasts.”
Backing from health service
WE WILL EXPAND THROUGHOUT REGIONAL VICTORIA WITH OUR BREAKFASTS.
– JEREMY FORBES
HALT is designed to raise awareness about anxiety, depression and well-being in the tradie community and was formed last year in response to the impact of suicides in the Mount Alexander Shire.
“HALT could only have come this far with the support and belief of the Bendigo and Castlemaine communities,” Mr Forbes said.
“HALT is a community-based organisation and without the strength, solidarity and understanding of the community it certainly would have never got this far.”
Bendigo Community Health Services chief executive Kim Sykes said the partnership aimed to build a self-sustaining social enterprise model.
“We want to increase its reach and its depth,” she said.
“We want to not only raise awareness but be sure people then know where and how to access help.
“In terms of extending its reach, once it’s well embedded across the Loddon Mallee region, we would seek, through Jeremy to expand it.
“The community health network that exists across Victoria is a great way of supporting that, it’s a great platform with which halt fits really well.”
About 250 people attended Bendigo’s HALT tradie breakie at Hume and Iser in March. Free goodie bags with tools, stubbie holders and health and well-being information were also given to tradies along with a food hamper from Bendigo foodshare.
Article taken from our proud supporter the Bendigo Advertiser
