A new partnership between Australian Hotels Association NSW – Newcastle Hunter Sub-Branch and Lifeline Hunter Central Coast will aim to provide support for the community organisation while also
educating hospitality staff on how to better engage with patrons.
The three-year partnership will see AHA NSW – Newcastle Hunter Sub-Branch provide ongoing financial support to the organisation as part of an agreement that includes a number of In
Conversation Lifeline Mental Health Talks. The workshops will help train hospitality staff on how to best engage with patrons who come in looking for a chat and shoulder to lean on.
“As a sub-branch we provide more than $100,000 to charity organisations every year and this partnership with Lifeline is a perfect fit,” AHA NSW – Newcastle Hunter Sub-Branch President
Mick Starkey said.
“Our front-facing staff are at the coalface each and every day interacting with patrons who often come into a pub looking for a friendly face and open ear. We believe this training will be invaluable in teaching them how to provide engagement in a positive way.
“That said, this partnership is about so much more than that. Without organisations like Lifeline there are people in our community who would suffer greatly. We are incredibly proud to lend our support to this incredible organisation and its team.”
“Our front-facing staff are at the coalface each and every day interacting with patrons who often come into a pub looking for a friendly face and open ear. We believe this training will be invaluable in teaching them how to provide engagement in a positive way" - Newcastle Hunter Sub-Branch President, Mick Starkey .
According to Lifeline Corporate and Community Partnerships Coordinator, Joshua Schultz the new partnership will assist in supporting Lifeline Hunter’s Local Crisis Services.
“Our Hunter-based operation services encompass Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Upper Hunter communities,” he said.
“We provide an extensive service offering to help those in need, as well as providing community training and Lifeline Shops, in addition to supporting national crisis support services.”
Mr Schultz agreed the partnership would be of great benefit to local hospitality staff.
“Not only will the In Conversation workshops assist hospitality staff how to best communicate with patrons who might be experiencing a tough day, it will also help in learning how to not take the concerns of others home at the end of the shift.
“We are proud to partner with AHA NSW – Newcastle Hunter Sub-Branch and look forward to making this relationship beneficial to everyone involved.”
If this story raises issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.