THE doors of the Salvation Army Cooma ‘Community of Hope’ in Vale Street have been open now for four months, and the demand for this space is increasing.

To meet this need, the Salvation Army is asking for more volunteer assistance to ensure the multi-use space can continue benefiting the region.

The service is currently open on a Tuesday and Wednesday between 9.30am-12.30pm; known as drop-in days open for community members to visit and have a chat.

“In the last six to eight months we are seeing more need in the area to assist the community,” Salvation Army Cooma auxiliary lieutenant, Debbie Bartlett, said.

Some of the space is used for offices, but it is also used for small group meets.

“We want to make it a place where people can connect and they feel like the belong, and a part of something,” Lieutenant Bartlett said.

“It’s a place for someone who is looking for something to do, where they can play games, have a coffee and connect with people...it’s a non-confrontational, comfortable space, it doesn’t feel like a traditional church. There are a lot of different things we can do with the space. It also has all-ability access and bathroom.”

There isn’t a youth drop-in or support program yet as the Salvation Army is building its volunteer base.

“Anyone can help us out,” Lieutenant Bartlett said, “we’d like to create a very safe and welcoming space for everyone, we love all people and we want to show Jesus’s love to others.

“We need volunteers who can be a listening ear, are comfortable to talk to others, make a cuppa, run a program for people - the opportunities are endless.

“We would love to see how we can partner together and expand our service.

“We have NDIS workers who call in on our drop-in days and have a coffee with their clients - which gets the clients out to a different place, talking to others and somewhere to go.

“We also do financial assistance, and connect with other services - there might be someone who needs help with electricity bills, we can connect them to the people who can help.

“We’ve had a few people in who are living rough or on the verge of homelessness so we have connected them to the homeless support services in the area.”

The community facility is funded and run by The Salvation Army.

“We are self-funded; what we raise locally, stays local,” Lieutenant Bartlett said.

“Any money we have is used to help people who are in need of financial assistance.

“We have seen a massive increase in this, so we are always needing more funds.”

One of The Salvation Army Australia’s best known fundraising events is the annual Red Shield Appeal.

The Red Shield Appeal runs through the months of April, May and June each year.

In 2025, the national door knock will take place on 24 and 25 May.

The appeal is an opportunity for the community to support the work their local Salvation Army branch does in delivering vital community programs and social services.

There are many ways to get involved - whether it be knocking on doors, collecting in local shopping centres or starting a digital fundraising page.