For the past 40 years LifeLine Vaal has been providing emotional and mental wellness in the Vaal Triangle. LifeLine was established in 1984 by a group of community members who saw the need for a 24/7 telephone service.
Most LifeLine Centres are established by Methodist Ministers and the Vaal was no exception: Rev Rudyard Harrison together with Sue Thonell and Anne Sperring started the Centre in Darbez Street in Vanderbijlpark in January 1984. A shelter for abused women, known then as Bella Maria, was established in 1988. The name changed to LifeLine Shelter in 2012.

For forty years a small group of staff and many volunteers have been in the service of providing lay counselling to any person in distress. For forty years it has proved its credibility in governance and quality services, free to the public, with the aim and mission to empower people towards mental health and wellness. And further, to provide training and development of personal skills to face the challenges of South Africa.
All counselling is confidential. LifeLine has always been an a-political organisation but has also evolved into an a-religious organisation to cater for all communities.

In 1998 there were no funds at LifeLine Vaal, resulting in the sale of its premises in Vanderbijlpark and renting premises at the Eventide Old Age Home in Vereeniging. Through the years centres were also opened in Sebokeng, Sharpeville, Palm Springs and Sicelo township in Midvaal. Some Lay Counsellors provide weekly counselling services or wellness days at companies or organisations. Trauma debriefing is also provided when requested by companies or organisations.

LifeLine staff members provide all psychosocial and HCT services at the Kopanong Thuthuzela Care Centre in Vereeniging. Services commenced there in 2009. This centre, the only one in Sedibeng, is a one-stop medico-legal facility for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence operating 24/7. LifeLine aims to change attitudes and behaviour of all its communities in order to rid our wonderful country of the GBV scourge and other psychosocial ills facing families.

For 40 years this LifeLine NGO has known the need for its free services in our community, of which less than 10% can afford professional services. It is tragic that for 40 years no government department, no metropolitan body and no funder has seen it fit to assist in major and longer-term funding or services. The Department of Social Development has funded LifeLine for the past 14 years, but it is a year-by-year contract and mostly for professional posts. Gratefully some lottery grants, businesses and individuals have assisted from time to time. It’s a deafening tragedy that LifeLine, with its meagre funds, can only do the little that it does, when it could do so much more! Any donation that can help LifeLine continue its good work will be highly appreciated. Anyone who would like to get involved, can contact Life Line (Vaal) Director, Colleen Rogers, on (016) 428 1740.