Richmond Community Services has provided help and advice for Hawkesbury’s residents for 35 years, but many are still unaware of its existence.
It oversees other organisations offering services such as support for families, financial and other counselling, or home visiting for people in need.
If no help is available, they refer clients to other services.
‘‘There’s a myth that community services are about tea and sympathy,’’ Richmond Community Services executive officer Yatra Sherwood said.
‘‘We are highly qualified professionals determined to offer the best service we can.’’
She said about 60 volunteers also gave their time to Richmond Community Services.
‘‘Without volunteers, this couldn’t work, but without our professional staff it couldn’t work either,’’ Ms Sherwood said. She said they sought to identify people in disadvantaged situations and help them before they became more deeply disadvantaged.
She said ‘‘early intervention’’ was the key.
‘‘The non-government organisation sector is constantly being reformed and governments are constantly giving us new hoops to jump through,’’ Ms Sherwood said.
‘‘While I agree there is a need for streamlining, it would be more effective if it were recognised we are experts at getting value for money from every single dollar of funding we receive.’’
Ms Sherwood has worked in community services for more than 40 years. She was worked with RCSI for more than 12 years and before then worked in her native Britain, Greece and India.
She said RCSI always welcomed volunteers. Anyone interested should call 45783934.
Services information: 4588 3555.
