The Women’s Information Service is setting up a ‘Haven’ in Goolwa and is looking for volunteers.

The WIS provides information and assistance to women in areas such as domestic violence, health and wellbeing, sexual assault and safety, financial security and independence, accommodation and housing and education, training and employment.

Volunteers will be provided with comprehensive training to help them assist women.

They would need to be able to attend at least one four-hour shift per week.

An online information session for those interested will be held on Monday 11 October from 1.30pm to 2.30pm and you can register by contacting [email protected].

More information about the Haven and the volunteer role is available via officeforwomen.sa.gov.au. People interesting in volunteering can also contact the Women’s Information Service on 8303 0590.

Havens are already in place at Murray Bridge, Gawler, Mount Gambier and Mount Barker and operate from 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.

The Women’s Information Service started operating in 1978 when women from over 70 groups came together to organise and staff its first volunteer run switchboard from a Kintore Avenue office in the city.

When announcing the opening of the Mount Barker and Mount Gambier hubs earlier this year Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensink said, “It’s vital that women and their children living in regional South Australia have the same opportunity to feel safe and supported as those living in inner Adelaide.”

“Our safety hubs are not only boosting community understanding about domestic violence and are a safe haven for support, they are empowering women to help each other by training and up-skilling local volunteers.”