The Tawny recently chatted with Sarah Grattan, councillor, economist, mother, award winning dancer, and the newly appointed CEO of Lifeline Northern Beaches.
Who is Sarah Grattan?
Many readers may know me as their local (independent) Northern Beaches Council Manly Ward Councillor, but for the last six years my day job has been in not-for-profit leadership. I’m an economist at heart, interested in governance, risk, strategy and finances. Perhaps more interestingly, my husband and I parent three delightful young women, I recently was a winner of the “Stars of the Beaches” dance competition (my genre was disco), and I love helping with the costume creation for my girl’s school musicals!
What brought you to Lifeline Northern Beaches?
This organisation is very much about locals supporting locals, and this role brings together my leadership skills in the not-for-profit sector, together with my deep love of community – a perfect match. Our purpose is to create connection with people in crisis and empower individuals and communities to be safe from suicide. What a powerful way to make a difference!
What most surprised you when starting in the role?
I didn’t know a lot about our work beyond the telephone crisis support – but Lifeline Northern Beaches provides so much more. We provide low cost ($30) Counselling and free Financial Counselling. We have an amazing team of qualified and registered counsellors, mostly volunteers, who give their time to support members of our community and work on wellbeing and crisis prevention.
We have over 780 Volunteers! These wonderful people support LLNB as crisis support workers in our call centre, providing counselling or training services, working in our retail stores and warehouse, at the book depot, at book fairs and at events. We are so privileged that so many in our community donate their time, their goods, their skills and their assets to Lifeline. Our work is predominately funded by our retail network, book fairs, events, and our fundraising partners who generously sponsor a call centre seat. We really rely on the support of our community to provide us with the resources to continue our work. It’s about locals supporting locals.
What would you say to someone struggling and looking for support?
There can be moments in life where things get really tough and sometimes, we can’t see a way through. It can be daunting to ask for support, but it’s moments like these where Lifeline is always available to listen without judgement and to help find hope. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 anytime. You can also make an enquiry to access our local counselling service by emailing counselling@lifelinenb.org.au
How can people support Lifeline Northern Beaches?
We rely on the support of our community to be able to provide local crisis support and suicide prevention services, and are predominantly funded through retail, book fairs and donations – so anything that you can do to help enables Lifeline to provide what can be a life-changing impact in someone’s life.
You can support Lifeline Northern Beaches by:
1. Getting involved.
Volunteer to be a Crisis Supporter or in our retail stores or our book fairs and events.
2. Giving unwanted items.
Make a donation to our Lifeline Shops from Neutral Bay to Mona Vale, or to our book fairs.
3. Donating.
Visit www.lifelinenb.org.au or call our giving team on 9949 5522
4. Fundraising through a local event.
In the new year there are several events that you can join to fundraise for Lifeline Northern Beaches, such as the Ocean Rockpool Swim on 13 and 14 January, the Cole Classic on 4 February, and the Sun Run on 3 February. Check out the full list at lifelinenb.org.au/fundraise