About us What we do What we do Our Vision Thriving Individuals and Communities People in communities thrive when they have safe, resilient, healthy and sustainable lives. Our Mission and Motto Strengthening Communities and Empowering People To strengthen and empower people to thrive, by engaging with our communities to promote and support social inclusion, healthy relationships and to support good mental health that reduces suicide rates in our region. Our Values Board members, Staff and Volunteers hold ourselves, as an organisation and as individuals, accountable to these values Integrity – by promoting honesty, and demonstrating strong morals and ethical principles and values. Dignity– is displayed by being able to engage with all levels of society, with calmness, seriousness and controlled behaviour during challenging times. Accountability and Responsiveness – by holding ourselves accountable for our actions and being responsible to constantly changing community needs. Respect– by accepting and honouring diversity, uniqueness and the contribution of others. Inclusion – to help embrace all people irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other needs. Compassion and Empathy - by demonstrating understanding for others, that brings hope and inspiration. Our Organisational Culture We aim to keep developing our culture to make our organisation the employer of first choice and an example of best practices by: Promoting the visibility of the Board, Senior management to all sectors of the staff and volunteers to develop the personal identity and value of each member. Promoting openness and clear 360-degree communication to all areas of the organisation. Thus, empowering and facilitating ownership from all members and encouraging innovation Promoting a safe, flexible, supportive, and family friendly environment that allows the individual to feel valued, respected and have a personally rewarding career. Promoting and developing a passionate and engaged staff that cares for the community it serves Promoting due diligence and responsibility to our stakeholders in how we spend our income Promoting and designing our work practices to be sensitive to our environment. Our Operational Principles We will provide regional sustainability through community based, culturally inclusive engagement and continuous development of our people (employees, volunteers and donors) which is supported by: Sound financial management Accredited quality management systems Recognized and respected professional practice Robust infrastructure Innovative regional leadership responding to ever changing local priorities such as: Domestic & Family Violence Disability Services Emergency Relief Emergency Accommodation Child and Youth Issues Migrant and Refugees History July 1975 - Lifeline Toowoomba opened at Matilda House, 88 Russell Street, Toowoomba (receiving 600 to 700 calls per annum) January 1979 - Family Support Service funded July 1980 - Material Aid Service (now Emergency Relief) established 1987 - Lifeline Farmline is established to help farmers cope with high interest rates 1991 - Dalby office opened July 1993 – National crisis number – 13 11 14 – launched 1995 - Rural Family Counselling Service established 1997 - Warwick counselling rooms and shop opened 1998 - St George counselling rooms and shop opened July 1999 - Charleville office opened April 2010 – Roma office opened June 2010 – Cunnamulla office opens December 2012 - Official opening of Head Office at 33 Russell Street, Toowoomba October 2015 – Lifeline Darling Downs is the first not-for-profit enterprise to be awarded the Heritage Bank Business Excellence Award for Business of the Year. May 2016 - Official opening of the Flexi School Intergenerational Mentoring Hub, Toowoomba. November 2018 – Containers for Change opened in Toowoomba July 2019 – Containers for change opened in Dalby October 2020 – Highfields shop opened If you would like to support the work we do at Lifeline Darling Downs, please consider a donation or volunteering your time.