Volunteering its own reward for Lifeline’s Kylie and Mabel

Mother and daughter team of Kylie and Mabel Brockmann are proof that, compassion can be a family trait!

Both Forbes women selflessly offer their free time as volunteers at Lifeline Central West.

Mabel, a third-year paramedic student at Charles Sturt University, started volunteering in Bathurst and said the experience at Lifeline had “opened her eyes” to what’s normal for other people.

“Just to chat to people I normally wouldn’t chat to, younger and older people, a wide variety of people, every interaction is different, and you can find bits of joy and gold,” she said.

“I really love it. It’s been so important for my growth as a person.”

Mabel’s example then inspired her mother Kylie to pitch in as well, she now also volunteers regularly for Lifeline in Orange.

“I would 100 per cent encourage anyone with some time, or who wants to give back to the community, or even grow personally, to volunteer,” said Kylie.

“This certainly helps you grow as an individual, no matter how old you are.”

Volunteering on the phones for Lifeline often means helping people who are struggling with their mental health, something that too many people find difficult to talk about, she said.

“It’s just making it ‘okay’ to talk about it. You want to be able to talk to a health-seeker, and not feel shame or stigma around it,” Kylie added.

“It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience, to be honoured enough to be able to share people’s stories and help them move through a crisis they’re experiencing. That’s incredibly special and definitely rewarding as a human.”

Mabel and Kylie both undertook their training online consisting of two three-hour Zoom sessions a week.

“We did a module based on that week. Depending on what we learned that week, it could be about caller interaction to suicide awareness. We come into the Zoom session and put it into practise,” Mabel said.

“There was a day dedicated to come together and go through a specific module which was a heavy and tough topic. We learnt about it, and it was good to be face-to-face, knowing we had support around us to be able to speak and learn about it in an environment where we felt safe.

“The training provided and constant support gives you all the tools you need to help callers through the crisis they are experiencing.

“You’re taught to be direct and not ‘beat around the bush’. Lifeline is great with support and provides really great mentors, great teachers, and you are constantly reassured there’s support there and you can access it at any time.”

Lifeline Central West are currently on the lookout for volunteers to answer calls at their Orange Centre. They are holding an information evening Zoom Session on Monday, June 20 for anyone interested in helping support others in crisis.

To find out more, contact Vanessa on 1300 798 258 or email: training@lifelinecentralwest.org.au

If you or someone you know needs support, please call: 131114 Lifeline, lifeline.org.au 1300 224 636 Beyond Blue, beyondblue.org.au/forums, or 1800 551 800 Kids Helpline, kidshelpine.com.au