Pivot Support Services, the Albany organisation that helps individuals and families who are doing it tough, has moved premises to a highly visible office on York Street.

Established in 2005 to work with the Department of Corrective Services around the rehabilitation of prisoners, Pivot now helps about 2000 clients a year directly.

The numbers swell to around 6000 once clients’ children and vulnerable family members are included.

Leaving Aberdeen Street for a more high-profile office has really put the organisation on the map, according to chief executive Moira Watson.

“The opportunity to make a move to a main street was an opportunity to increase visibility and accessibility for the vulnerable clients we deal with,” she said.

“It makes it significantly easier for individuals to access our emergency relief and employment services and having a storefront location reduces the stigma and emphasises the nature of our support.

“We are open and there is no judgement.

“We are not hiding away; we are big and bold on York Street.”

Being a visible part of the community is also going to bolster collaborations with government and other agencies, as well as speed up referrals, said Ms Watson.

“We are grateful for the community support – we cannot do it on our own; we need collaborations and strategic partnerships,” she said.

“We deliver a range of programs which respond to local need; this includes the Community Hub which provides immediate emergency relief such as food and essential items to individuals and families in hardship.

“Making the move is about continuing to support the community in new ways that will directly reduce long-term social costs thus benefiting the entire region.”

The move was undertaken in double-quick time, over four or five weeks, as the organisation left behind a building which was going to need substantial maintenance.

While the Great Southern is the only region with a maximum security prison and the only one with three facilities – the Albany Regional Prison, Pardelup Prison Farm and the Walpole Work Camp – Pivot now provides services to those in the community suffering disadvantage or crisis.

Ms Watson said accessing support services had become a key part of community living.

“People needing help or support services on the main street are a standard part of a thriving community,” she said.

“Because of the visibility, people walk by, see us and make contact.”

Pivot is now open at Unit 1, 265 York Street, Albany.