Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2022..

We can Assist with * Food* Bills* Housing C o s t - o f - l i v i n g concerns are increasing as home Struggling to make ends meet?

loan rates and rents rise at their fastest levels in decades and forcing many to the brink of their budgets. As the price of everyday items also continues to soar, more and more are finding that it is harder than ever to just get by. Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford encourages locals under financial stress to reach out and ask for help. Ms Tesch commends the efforts of the many local organisations and charities across the Central Coast that are

I know I need support, but howdo I ask for it? Many of us find it hard to ask for support. It can be difficult finding the right words to describe how you feel – and even harder, finding the right person to talk to. But having the support of others can help you cope with whatever it is you’re experiencing. Why should I talk to someone? Talking to someone in a safe space can help you figure out what you’re feeling. It’s a release that helps ease the burden of keeping whatever it is that’s bothering you a secret. By talking to someone and sharing your experience, you’re also forming closer connections with your friends, family, and the people you trust. If you’re nervous about talking to someone about your feelings, try practising what you will say and how you will say it. Choosing a location that makes you feel relaxed and uninterrupted will also help you remain calm and overcome some of the fears you might have about sharing your feelings. But I don’t knowwhat to say! What should I say? A lot of people struggle with this part. It can be overwhelming especially if you’re not sure how to describe what you’re feeling – or if the person you’re talking to understands. Sometimes it helps acknowledging that you don’t know what to say and that it is hard for you to talk about what you’re going through. "I don’t really know how to say this and I find it really difficult to talk about what I’m feeling." "This isn’t easy for me to talk about…I will do my best to explain." Decide what you want to share and try giving examples of what you’re experiencing; “I used to really look forward to footy training – but when it rolls around each Tuesday night, I just don’t care anymore.” “I enjoy hanging out with you, but when it comes to catching up, I get so overwhelmed that I don’t want to leave the house. And so, I cancel.” Be gentle with yourself and take as much time as you need. Share your thoughts and feelings in a way that is comfortable for you. If you are seeing a GP for the first time and know that you may feel daunted by the experience, a useful tip is to write down how you're feeling ahead of time. Here's a quote from one of our Forum members: "I frequently suggest to people that they write down their symptoms, feelings, thoughts etc before attending their appointments. That way you can refer to your paper without having to think about what to say. Trying to put into words your thoughts when you are already nervous can make you more nervous. So prepare ahead. The doctor will understand. If you still cannot speak then just give the paper to the doctor to read. I have done this on several occasions and it makes life a bit easier." I know how I feel but I don’t knowwhat I need You may need support, or you may just want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Either way, this conversation is a good opportunity to let people know what you need; “I don’t need solutions at the moment. I just need someone to listen. I’d just like to keep this between you and me at the moment.” Communicate as clearly as you can about what support you think you might need; “I’m not coping, and I need help figuring out what to do about it.” You or the person you’re talking to may not have the answers, and that's fine. But what if they’re not helpful? People process news and information differently. If you ask someone for support and they are not helpful, it can hurt. This could be a sign that the person you’re talking to doesn’t understand what you’re experiencing – it’s not a reflection of you. Try talking to someone else to get the support you need. Consider talking to your GP or you can also try using spaces like Beyond Blue Online Forums to chat online and share your experience anonymously with other people experiencing something similar to you. Beyond Blue Email can answer your questions about mental health for free and help you find services or resources. If you need support right now, you can talk or chat online to a counsellor Phone: 1300 224 636 Anytime 24/7

working hard throughout this crisis to ensure no one is left behind. “Many are dealing with significant strains on their budgets as keeping a roof over our heads, stocking the pantry, and filling up the car become more and more difficult. “It is important to remember that so many of us are dealing with these issues and needing and asking for help is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, especially when there are so many fellow Coasties willing to help. “I think what is important is knowledge – ensuring that we all know where to go when times are tough to access food, shelter, and assistance with rising bills.” Megan Maher at the Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Inc agrees that it is important for people to know that help is out there. “We are seeing a lot more people who would not normally use our services come in due to high rent increases or job losses. We offer them food assistance, as either pantry items or vouchers, and targeted intervention by referring them on to other services that can assist in terms of housing and financial help.” On the other end of the Central Coast inWoyWoy, Sean Mackinnon from Mary Mac’s Place is seeing the impact of the cost-of-living and housing crisis too, while also reminding that their doors remain open to those in need of food and temporary accommodation. “Here at Mary Mac’s you can see the struggle and the absolute generosity of the community. I want to see our visitors walk out of here in a better place than when they came in.” “We all have a social responsibility, and for those who can help we really need donations of food and money as well really do rely on the kindness of the community.” Ms Tesch says it is equally important that as more people find their budgets are not going as far as it used to, free financial counselling is a worthwhile tool available to stretch the value of a dollar. “The National Debt Helpline is a fantastic tool to help individuals and households to better manage their finances, particularly as mortgage repayments and rents take larger chunks each week out of our budgets.” For more information on how to contact a free financial counsellor, the National Debt Helpline is available weekdays 9:30am – 4:30pm by calling 1800 007 007. Services available across the Central Coast to assist in either food, housing, or bill vouchers at: • Coast Shelter, Mann St, North Gosford • Gosford CBD Community Hub, Mann St, Gosford • Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre, Kincumber St, Kincumber • Mary Mac’s Place, Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy • St Vincent’s de Paul, sites available across the Central Coast • The Epicentre at San Remo Neighbourhood Centre, Brava Ave, Sane Remo • Wyong Neighbourhood Centre, Alison Rd, Wyong Service NSW also offers Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers to help pay for home electricity and gas bills. For further information, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au

15 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2022