All the help in one place

What if you could find all the help you need, right in one place, just when you are looking for it? That’s exactly what happened recently during the first “Hall Full of Help” expo in Ballarat’s St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Spearheaded by the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s Ballarat conferences and their member Alan West, the event brought together around 45 organisations offering a wide range of support – from meal programs to mental health assistance. Each organisation had a stall, ready to engage with attendees and provide valuable information about their services.

In just a few hours, nearly 500 visited the expo, taking advantage of the opportunity to find help all under one roof.

This overwhelming response highlighted not only the urgent need for support in the Ballarat community. It also demonstrated that the event was far more than just an expo – it served as a lifeline for many.

“The Pocket full of Help* information is an authentic demonstration of the Society’s mission, vision and aspiration. It is a living, practical way to shape a more just and compassionate society in Ballarat and beyond. Well done to all involved in the Hall full of Help,” says Michael Ryan, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s Ballarat Regional President.

True to the Vincentian spirit, one of the most powerful aspects of the Hall Full of Help was the opportunity for attendees to have real conversations with the people behind the services.

Unlike navigating websites, filling in online-forms or calling helplines, these face-to-face interactions provided clarity and compassionate. Particularly for people who might struggle with language barriers or complex issues that can be hard to explain over the phone, this was a valuable experience.

The Hall Full of Help expo evolved from a simple yet highly impactful idea: the Pocket Full of Help.

Created by Ballarat’s St Patrick’s St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria member Alan West, this compact, foldable directory – small enough to fit in your wallet – lists all essential services available in the Ballarat region.

With contributions from a variety of local organisations, the Pocket Full of Help has become an indispensable resource for everyone needing support, offering clear guidance on where to find meals, crisis accommodation, Family Violence Support, financial advice, support with utilities payments and No Interest Loans (NILS), legal help, migrant and refugee support and more.

Driven by the success of this directory, the idea for the Hall Full of Help was born, bringing written information to live. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s Ballarat Conference, always at the forefront of providing assistance to the community, embraced the initiative, partnered with other conferences and local organisations, helping drive the event forward.

More than just an expo, the Hall Full of Help was a celebration of community spirit, with the chance of winning door prizes, a sausage sizzle, coffee and bags of free fruits and vegetables available for attendees. These thoughtful touches created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making everyone feel supported and the day a huge success.

*Pocket full of Help is a compact information resource with a directory of local community contacts for people requiring assistance.