By JESSE GRAHAM
WHEN the Salvos announced it would be ending its weekly church service, the reactions of some were negative.
But, with the final stages of the organisation’s redevelopment about to take place, the iconic Salvation Army Hall is getting a facelift and could become a priceless asset for Healesville teenagers.
The Lounge is a working title for the new layout of the hall, which is currently being redeveloped and refurbished by a passionate team of Salvos staff.
The idea, according to Salvation Army Minister, Sarah Eldridge, is to turn the hall into a safe place for teenagers to just hang out with friends and relax.
She said the idea came earlier in the year, when the organisation announced it would no longer be offering weekly church services.
The announcement, which was said to affect around 10 people, was met with anger by some residents, who wrote to the Mail to express their disappointment.
But Ms Eldridge said the change was the first step in an overall restructure of what the Salvos were doing in Healesville.
The second step, she said, was finding out what should be done next.
“We thought ‘well, there’s not a lot in our town for young people’,” she said.
“I thought ‘what if we open our space and said you guys get to come and hang out here when you want?’ and the idea for the Lounge was born.”
Since then, Ms Eldridge said the youth work students at the Salvos had been taking the initiative to re-paint the entirety of the hall and re-decorate to make the dream into a reality. With a pool table, video games consoles, a television, couches and more, the aim is to have the Lounge looking like a lounge room or a family room, where teenagers can hang out with friends over the holidays and on some weekends.
Youth workers and Healesville residents Eliza Owen and Rhyannon Dixon are spearheading the redevelopment, and said that, once opened, the Lounge would be a safe haven for teenagers who end up bored after school hours.
“Our plan is to open somewhere where they feel safe, comfortable and relaxed,” Ms Owen said.
“It’s a place for them to hang out that’s safer than down the street.
“They’ll also have myself, Rhyannon and Sarah as qualified youth workers.”
Ms Eldridge said the space would be a reassurance for parents, who can know their children will be in a safe and supervised place with friends.
“We’ll have trained youth workers available, if there’s any issues people want to chat through,” she said.
“But it’s not about fixing problems, it’s about having an area that is theirs and that they’re able to meet with their friends and spend time with them.”
The works at the hall are expected to be completed in December, with the Lounge area opening for teenagers through the school holidays and fortnightly on weekends.
To keep track of the works, or to volunteer to help out, visit www.facebook.com/hvillesalvos or search for The Lounge Healesville on Facebook.
