Lifeline pair eye new ways to help

COMMUNITY-MINDED: Val and Kevin Ball, of Masterton, former Lifeline counsellors.PHOTO/ LYNDA FERINGA

If you've found yourself in strife in Wairarapa, chances are Lifeline counsellors Val and Kevin Ball will have held out a helping hand to you.

Lifeline is a nationwide counselling service people in emotional strife can ring.

Operators such as Mr and Mrs Ball are stationed in each region to field the calls.

The couple have been involved with Lifeline in Whangarei and the Kapiti Coast. They have been involved with it in Wairarapa and many other community projects since the late 70s but now feel it is time to step down from their Lifeline role.

The couple have reached out in their community, fostering 10 children while having three of their own.

Mr Ball was a founding member of Lifeline Wairarapa, serving as a director [twice], chairman and training officer.

He said he got involved because of a genuine desire to connect with people.

"Lifeliners tend to be ordinary people without formal qualifications, with just a wish to help their fellow man," Mr Ball said.

Mrs Ball started her training in a long career of community projects in Masterton with Totara Trust as a drug and alcohol counsellor, but has been involved in the community in many areas including working for the SPCA, Victim Support and the Women's Refuge.

The appeal of Lifeline for Mrs Ball has been helping train people up to be active members of the community.

"The big buzz for me about Lifeline is that so many people who have come through the training have gone on to vocational employment and study and now work in our community," she said.

"I am also aware of the many lives I have reached out to and been a strength when it was needed."

The couple feel it is time to leave Lifeline and look forward to being involved in other community projects in Wairarapa.