Bellarine team to 'coach' Parks Victoria
Bellarine team to 'coach' Parks Victoria
6 August 2020
Captain Peter Hobbs (right) with his team (left) and a Parks Victoria representative. (Photo taken before the introduction of COVID-19 social distancing requirements.)
A relationship with Parks Victoria has enabled Bellarine Peninsula Salvos to reach people experiencing homelessness in the You Yangs Regional Park.
After realising multiple people were living from their cars in the area just north of Geelong, Parks Victoria invited Captain Peter Hobbs to ‘coach’ staff on how to best treat homeless people.
“That’s where we are in The Salvation Army now. We have to be in a relational space. The programs are nice, but they’re are not going transform people. Only relationships do that,” said Peter.
The relationship with Parks Victoria has expanded to include interaction with people across Bacchus Marsh and Queenscliff, and the Bellarine Peninsula Salvos continue to facilitate relationships with local authorities to best support people experiencing homelessness. “We meet the vunerable and build trust, and help heal them, and do whatever they need,” said Peter.