Hope and Ruah mental health services merge locations near Geraldton CBD for better access to help

Two mental health and wellbeing services have joined forces and will co-locate close to Geraldton’s CBD for better help on the ground.

Ruah Community Services and Hope Community Services have moved to a new premises at 80a Forrest Street in Geraldton, helping to provide a convenient community services hub at the top end of town.

Ruah has offered personalised support for those with persistent or severe mental health challenges in a residential respite facility in Rangeway since 2016, while Hope has provided services for mental health, alcohol and drugs, domestic violence and youth justice for nearly 120 years.

Both organisations offer a “no-wrong door” approach to service entry and believed moving closer to the CBD would enhance accessibility of vital support.

Ruah CEO Debra Zanella said the decision to co-locate with Hope was an easy decision and both services shared a “natural alignment”.

“We know that mental health challenges often co-occur with alcohol and other drug dependencies, and we both share the same person-centred approach, walking alongside our clients throughout their recovery journey,” she said.

“Both organisations are committed to continuing to refine and improve our unique outreach models of care and service delivery for those in need so that we can improve access to community services in the Mid West-Gascoyne region.”

HOPE chief services officer Pam Bubrzycki said the service looked forward to working closely with Ruah in the Mid West.

“Our shared values and similar ethos mean that, in our co-located premises, we can offer more holistic, culturally safe and fully inclusive services, which will result in in better outcomes for individuals, families and the entire Geraldton community,” she said.