ChaplainWatch Bundaberg has opened a Rest and Recovery Centre in Bourbong Street, providing a safe space for people on nights out.
Operating on Friday and Saturday nights between 10.30 pm and 3.30 am, the Rest and Recovery Centre is one of the ways the NightWatch Chaplains aim to reduce antisocial behaviour in the local nightlife precinct.
ChaplainWatch Bundaberg Team Leader Tim Jolliffe said the addition of the centre to Bourbong Street precinct would provide important benefits to the community.
“Rest and Recovery is a great safe space where people who are intoxicated can sleep it off for a couple of hours before they head home,” Tim said.
“We also have the facilities for QPS to have a safe place away from the street to interview those going through a tough time.
“Rest and recovery assisting Bundaberg can look anything like as little as giving you a place to charge your phone to standing and advocating for you when your good times go bad.”
Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn and Councillors Tracey McPhee, May Mitchell and Deb Keslake attended the official opening of the Rest and Recovery Centre last week.
ChaplainWatch volunteers patrol the streets on busy nights, de-escalating arguments before they turn physical and helping people to safely navigate and access transport to get home safely.
Tim praised the dedication of volunteers who give up their time to provide the service.
“As NightWatch Chaplains we are chaplains first however we also act as first responders within the safe night precinct,” he said.
“My team are required to be first aid/CPR qualified and are incredibly selfless in sacrificing their weekends for the community of Bundaberg.
“Bundaberg’s Rest and Recovery Centre is truly a story of locals giving back to locals.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without our incredible volunteers who love Bundaberg enough to sacrifice their time for others, a truly selfless act.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with ChaplainWatch are encouraged to contact the organisation to get involved.
The ChaplainWatch Rest and Recovery Centre is located at 57 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg.
