Tasmanian street project set to expand after funding boost
Tasmanian street project set to expand after funding boost
16 January 2018
The Street Teams project in Tasmania is making an impact in Hobart, and Launceston, to some of the cities' most vulnerable.
The Salvation Army’s Street Teams project in Tasmania has received an additional $110,000 in funding from the State Government that will allow the program to continue in Hobart, and expand in Launceston, in the state’s north east.
The Street Teams Project is a partnership between Hobart City Council, The Salvation Army and Tasmania Police, modelled on a similar project run from the Army’s Project 614 in Melbourne.
The project involves teams of trained volunteers and a Salvation Army staff member being present in the Hobart entertainment district around the waterfront area and adjacent Salamanca Place on Friday and Saturday nights between 10.30pm and 3am.
The teams provide support, care and assistance to vulnerable people who may be at risk of harm or causing harm to others due to alcohol, and other drug, misuse.
“The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to supporting vulnerable Tasmanians and organisations like The Salvation Army who help give those in need a hand-up,” Tasmanian Police Minister Rene Hidding said.
The Street Teams project has been running for three years.
“The project focuses on harm minimisation,” explained Guy Stainsby, Street Teams Project Officer.
“We make friends with people, give out ‘high end’ lollies such as chupa chups, bottles of water and footwear for girls who’ve taken off their high heels.
“We also run a high-quality coffee cart close to the secure Castray Esplanade taxi rank, providing hot drinks, a place to relax, and further help and support for those experiencing a range of health and social problems.”
A calming presence
Through the partnership with Hobart City Council, three security guards are employed to work in the teams’ area. They keep an eye on the taxi rank, and often let the team know where vulnerable people are, or bring them to the coffee cart.
“When we see someone at risk to themselves or others, we approach them without being pushy and help them make a plan to get home, out of the area, or make contact with the police,” said Guy.
“Everyone gets to know us. The volunteers drive this project and I am continually amazed at people’s generosity in coming out and doing what they do. It’s not easy and can be challenging, and they make a vital difference.
“Our teams have been able to help many people, including some high-risk people where the situation, had we not been there, would not have ended well.”
The volunteers come from a range of backgrounds. Some are members of The Salvation Army in Tasmania, others are students studying medicine, nursing, or community services, and others are from the local community wanting to help.
In Launceston, the Street Teams presence is smaller and less regular. The teams go out on “special occasions”, such as when there are major football games, concerts or public events. “With the new funding, the teams will be able to broaden their outreach there,” said Guy.
The Street Teams are highly regarded and supported by the public.
The Hobart City Council also independently evaluated the project, which highlighted the effectiveness of the teams and the impact they are having.
This impact includes:
• Having a calming presence and preventing violent incidents. The council cited an incident where the teams noticed a young man walking behind two police officers with fists clenched and arms out from sides in an aggressive posture. They gently approached him and asked him if he was okay. He stopped and talked with one of the team and said he hadn’t liked the way he’d been spoken to by the police earlier and was going to “sort them out”. The team felt it was an unlikely threat but they distracted him, took him to the taxi rank, and put him in a taxi. He thanked the team for stopping him from doing something stupid.
• Care and compassion.
• Support for individuals without the resources to get home. The council cited an incident where two young men in their late teens were driven home to an urban fringe suburb. One of the men had been acting out violently on the Salamanca lawn. Security had managed to get him and his friend to the coffee cart and asked if the team wanted to try to help them or whether they should call the police. The team agreed to assess him and during the conversation the angry youth burst into tears. He had broken his dental plate that had cost his mother $4000. He had also lost his credit card that had the funds to pay for a cab home. A team member drove them home and the voiced their sincere gratitude and also disbelief that the team was prepared to go to such lengths to help them out.
• Application of first aid. This includes an incident where an intoxicated man had fallen off his bike onto the road and was in danger of being run over. The team applied first aid and directed traffic until an ambulance and the police arrived.
• It also included an incident of keeping open the airways of an extremely intoxicated young woman who had vomited and was unable to do anything to help herself.
• Surveillance support for Tasmania Police.
• Support for young women on their own to remain safe.
• Early intervention in cases of assault towards women, and arguments between men and women (couples).
• Support and assistance where mental ill health may be an underlying factor.
• Identification of individuals in need of follow up support services.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.