IN a few days time, Lifeline Central West will fully occupy a new building in Bathurst.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The local team will be relocating from its Stewart Street premises to the former Steele and Co building on the corner of Howick and Rankin streets.
Lifeline Central West announced the move in December last year, after the organisation was able to finally purchase a building following around four decades of renting.
Executive director Alex Ferguson initially anticipated occupying the building by the end of the first quarter of 2018, however a slight delay will see the team in its new space on Monday.
“After 41 years in Bathurst, this is our first owned building, which we are very happy about,” he said.
In order to have the new building set up on time, the team had to start unplugging everything from the old office on Thursday.
While the office will be shut until Monday, Mr Ferguson said the national 13 11 14 number would remain available for people who required assistance.
"It won't make any difference at all, that will keep plugging along," he said.
The new building will provide Lifeline Central West with a number of offices for staff members, meeting rooms, work stations and a training area.
It will also allow crisis support volunteers will answer calls from people who are struggling.
In the old building, there was just one meeting room, but now Lifeline staff has access to three.
Mr Ferguson said it was good to be able to offer counsellors and the organisation’s volunteers a better work environment.
However, one of the most significant aspects of the new building is moving Lifeline's Bathurst office into a more visible location.
“We are delighted and we are smack in the middle of town,” Mr Ferguson said.
“We’re delighted to have such a prominent place.”
The other two factors that have made the move and new building ideal for Lifeline is the potential to grow and the financial security that comes along with owning something.
Lifeline was able to have the signage placed on the building on Friday and furniture has started to be moved across.
Mr Ferguson said the phones will all be connected on Monday.