'We know it's working': Social workers transforming lives at Victorian train stations

A group of dedicated social workers are helping stamp out anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable Victorians at Frankston and Dandenong railway stations. 

South-East Community Links' "Community Connectors" program aims to assist people facing challenges such as homelessness, drug and alcohol issues, and mental health concerns. 

The initiative, which began at Dandenong Station in July 2023 and recently expanded to Frankston, has helped more than 7000 people.

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It's also stopped 280 violent or risky situations and referred 254 people to various support services.

The program's impact is evident in the experiences of people like Sharon, who for 13 years lived on the footpath outside Frankston Station. 

"It gets hard because you move on, but where else are you going to go… rough, it's rough, very rough," she said.

Her circumstances changed after engaging with a Community Connector. 

"They asked 'are you homeless? and I said 'yes I am'," she said.

"I don't normally open up to anybody… 

"Thanks to these guys, your life has changed dramatically. I can't say 100 per cent, nothing is 100 per cent, but 99.9 they've helped me… believe me."

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Since the service began, there's been a significant decrease in crime around Dandenong Station.

Disorderly conduct has dropped 79 per cent, security offences are down 59 per cent, and there's been a 43 per cent reduction in drug use.

"We know it's working," South-East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara said.

"We have the evidence as well as trust of the community."

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.