By XAVIER SMERDON
DISADVANTAGED Wyndham families are being turned away from critical care service providers as demand outweighs supply.
The Salvation Army’s Community Support Service, managed by Sue Brookshaw, is helping 89 needy families every week with food, financial aid and counselling.
But an average of 15 people are being turned away every day due to a lack of funds and staff.
“This is an essential service for families in Wyndham,” Captain of the Wyndham City Salvation Army Lance Jeffrey said.
“What’s really telling is that we’ve lost a significant amount of funding and demand is constantly increasing.
“Most people just look at the stats but we’ve had some people in tears when they’ve had to turn people away.”
Ms Brookshaw said consultation times with families had been reduced from 20 minutes to 15 and 10 minutes to try and keep up with demand.
“The demand has particularly increased with the amount of asylum seekers that have been relocated to our community,” Ms Brookshaw said.
“Some days we have run out of money and some days we have physically run out of time.”
The Wyndham Rotary Club recently donated blankets to the Community Support Service which will go towards helping families deal with the harsh winter months.
The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, which will be held on 25 and 26 May, will partly fund the vital service.
For more information on the appeal visit www.salvos .org.au
