Survivors R Us was founded in 2017 by Ann-Maria Martin to support survivors of domestic violence.

"We are a centre for people to get free counselling, support, clothing and anything them might need to get by," Ms Martin said.

As a survivor of domestic violence, Ms Martin said the group stemmed from her realisation that "the support just wasn't there".

"We now help homeless people and just about anyone who needs that extra bit of support," she said.

"We retrain people to get back into the workforce, to give them confidence and to teach them basic life skills that many of these people may not have had access to."

As a volunteer organisation devastated by the mental health effects of COVID-19, Ms Martin said a recent $15,000 grant from the IMB Bank Community Foundation couldn't have come at a better time.

"Suicide rates have increased dramatically during the pandemic and sadly we lost one of our beautiful staff members to suicide last year" Ms Martin said.

"It got to a stage where our staff though it might be too hard to continue.

"This money will go towards suicide prevention training and give us the skills and resources to help people who are suffering."

IN THE NEWS:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: