FROM burned-out to lonely, fearful to jobless, across the generations people are finding life tough today.

In everyday conversations friends, family and colleagues are turning to each other sharing their daily-life experiences and any one of us can find ourselves stepping into a supportive role with a listening ear.

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With the best of intentions to help, many of us find we’re feeling inept at doing anything more than giving them a hug and some well-meant words.

However, support may be on its way.

Introducing the Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop brought to the area through Healthy Bellingen group in conjunction with Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Valley and funding from Bellingen’s Bushfire Recovery and Resilience grant.

This one-day workshop aims to empower people who may find themselves momentarily stepping into the shoes of the accidental counsellor to provide support to anyone in a situation of distress or crisis.

The training will be delivered by Lifeline North Coast at three venues across the shire: Urunga C.Ex, the Never Never Mind café in Dorrigo and Bellingen’s Cedar Bar & Kitchen.

Facilitator Liz Yazbek, Trainer at Lifeline North Coast told News Of The Area, “Accidental Counsellor Foundations is an emotional crisis awareness training program designed to provide participants with some knowledge and skills to recognise, respond and refer when supporting someone who is experiencing an emotional crisis.

“There is also a module on self-care to ensure that participants take responsibility for their own wellbeing.

“The pressures created by COVID and local disasters such as flood, storms and bushfire can take their toll in many ways.

“This training will empower you to help others – be it our neighbours, colleagues or clients – in ways that can really make a difference.”

Lifeline says this training is ideal for those working and volunteering in community services, as well as other professions such as education, hospitality and the service industry, and indeed anyone who would like to learn skills to communicate effectively and reach out when needed.

Participants will meet up with other locals in a relaxed learning atmosphere in one of the three beautiful local venues: Urunga C.Ex in Urunga 8 December, the Never Never Mind café in Dorrigo 9 December and Cedar Bar & Kitchen in Bellingen 10 December.

Lifeline North Coast plans further dates in Coffs Harbour and surrounding communities in 2022.

For information, call Lifeline North Coast’s office on 02 6651 4093.

By Andrea FERRARI