Wellways is saddened to learn that the Victorian Government has decided to unexpectedly cease funding the Latrobe Health Assembly, which funds the Wellbeing and Emotional Support walk-in service ‘The WES’ in Morwell.
Led by Wellways since August 2024, The WES provides the Latrobe Valley community with a unique space to connect and talk to someone with a lived experience of mental health challenges without the need for a referral or an appointment, all during hours when most other services are closed.
Developed and delivered with and for the Latrobe Valley community, The WES offers a unique non-clinical model of wellbeing support in the Latrobe Valley which has supported over 700 community members in the last year. That’s 700 moments of genuine connection, early intervention and community-based care.
The sudden defunding of the Latrobe Health Assembly poses an imminent threat to the delivery of services at The WES and, therefore, the wellbeing of many community members in the region. It would mean the loss of a lifeline, a place of belonging, hope, and real support.
With the breaking news from the Government attracting media attention, The WES Team Leader Rachel Matthews Ikin was asked by journalists how the cuts may impact her community.
“There needs to be more spaces like this where if people are needing support, they can get it instantly”, Ms Matthews Ikin said.
Wellways calls on the Victorian Government to continue funding this vital community-based service, which provides services the community designed to meet their needs.
Daniel B. from Morwell is a regular at The WES and he believes the government doesn’t quite realise how vital the service is and what gap in the mental health systems it fills.
“I’ve come into the WES in a bad place, and a mess, and the staff have been so wonderful, supportive, and caring, and helped me come out the other side. The staff can empathise and understand because they know how to use their experiences to help. Each person offers something. It’s the only place like it. It offers a safe space that provides an opportunity for connection. The WES really needs to be open more. If it wasn’t for the WES, I would’ve ended up in emergency”, visitor Daniel said.
Wellways is currently exploring every possible avenue to keep The WES open beyond the December deadline posed by the Department of Health.
We strongly believe that the community deserves access to mental health support that meets their needs, when they need it, not just in times of crisis but in everyday moments, outside of regular business hours.
To learn more about the vital work of The WES service, please visit our WES service page.