Report of visit to LifeLine New Zealand

23 rd . June - 8 th . July 2002

Introduction:

This visit was initiated by the National Board of LifeLine New Zealand as a follow up to my previous informal visit in Nov. 2000.

At that time I reported (see report visit - 2) that LifeLine New Zealand was in the middle of some major changes both structurally and clinically. There was a sense in the organisation that the National Board needed to give direction and leadership. The proposed joint adventure 'ChAuk' i.e LifeLine in Christchurch and LifeLine in Auckland setting up a joint service with a National Telephone Number; was perceived as a serious threat to the existence of 'smaller centres'. General mistrust and anxiety were being expressed at all levels and overshadowed the incredible vision and dedicated commitment that many were trying to embrace.

I shared much with the centres I visited, and the National Board, about the general international concerns that LifeLine centres need to engage in proactive community projects that fit with their 'core business' or face abrupt redundancy.

During my visit the National Board asked that I consider and plan to visit LifeLine New Zealand again in July 2002 to attend their National Conference and possibly present workshops at the Conference and visit centres, where possible.

The National Representative to the International Board - Barbara Bowyer was able to obtain sponsorship for my airfare as a grant for 'training'. Home stay and inter city travel was kindly funded by individuals and centres.

New Zealand Centres:

The 10 days prior to the Conference I visited LifeLine Taranaki, LifeLine Auckland, LifeLine Nelson, LifeLine Marborough and Life Line Wairarapa giving me the opportunity to meet with groups of members, counsellors and staff. I was privileged to attend 'Christmas in June' with LifeLine Taranaki and the annual plenary evening with LifeLine Auckland.

In every centre I was able to share my experience working with International and some of the trends that are emerging in the world of telephone counselling and volunteer management (see my Key Note Address, under separate cover).

Concerns were expressed about how difficult it is to recruit and retain volunteer counsellors and yet in every centre there are still a number of dedicated counsellors who have given of their time and service for many years. Centres were also very interested in what I had to say about listening to our communities and connecting with other agencies or linking into Government initiatives to develop proactive projects that meet the needs of the community. Time was given for questions and answers this proved very constructive and facilitated some really lively discussion and ideas. In Auckland I was also able to meet with members of Kids Line, Mens Line and Chinese Line. These services have developed out of a true need in the community and are well structured and managed for future development.

There was good media coverage of my visit in most Centres. I was interviewed for both print and radio.

The National Conference was hosted by LifeLine Whangarei 4 th -7 th July. I was invited to attend the National Board Meeting prior to the Conference. It was inspiring to experience the change in energy, direction and acceptance of Governance in the Board. Congratulations to the Board Members who had prepared an excellent Constitution, Policy on Membership for Centres and other Guideline Documents. All these had been thoroughly prepared and circulated to Centre's Boards prior to Conference and at the AGM all the changes were accepted unanimously. As the National representative to the International Board, Barbara Bowyer is resigning her position at the Int. Conference in Nov. 2002, the need to nominate a new Representative was discussed.

Besides delivering the Key Note Address, I ran a workshop 'Training for Trainers', which gave me the opportunity to look carefully at the training that has been developed for L/L New Zealand and to share in open discussion some of my own experience in this field. One aspect that was explored was the possibility of developing Counsellor Advancement Programmes and working with the existing Counsellor Registration Process. Also looking at the use of appropriate 'language' when advertising to recruit possible counsellors.

The second workshop that I presented was 'LifeLine International' where I asked for specific aspects to be identified. I then gave my input to these aspects and encouraged discussion. One of the issues raised was 'LifeLine in the Pacific Islands'. Bruce Mackie attended this workshop and gave valuable input as to the process that had taken place in the past including his visit to the islands and his observations and concerns. Is LifeLine as a telephone counselling service appropriate in these communities? It is important to listen to the needs of these communities and work within the frame work of what is acceptable and possible for them. Other topics that were discussed were communication between International - National - Centres and ways in which information can be circulated as widely as possible.

Conclusion

LifeLine New Zealand is really in a creative and dynamic space. The Board is working with its mandate. Centres are accepting the lead and open to thinking 'opportunity' rather than 'disaster'. One of the biggest concerns is that LifeLine Auckland could loose their premises and they are looking at raising approx. NZ $ 1 1/2 milj. to buy the building.

Thank you to the National Board, The National Rep. Barbara Bowyer and all those LifeLiners who hosted me during my visit.

Sue Thönell

Exec. Director
LifeLine International 2002.07.18