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MARCH 2020
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CEO Update
It has been a significant few months for our communities, our nation and the world. The bushfires, floods and coronavirus are sad and concerning. Closer to home, we know that high temperatures and a warming environment has a heavy impact, particularly on people with few resources and who are in poverty. Anglicare NT is working to not only reduce our carbon footprint but also to speak up for the rights and needs of vulnerable communities.
This newsletter continues to tell stories of our diverse work and the positive impact on people in the NT. We were thrilled to receive the Corrections Commissioner’s Commendation Award for the work of our OutCARE post-release accommodation and support service in Alice Springs. The success of this program is bound up with the commitment of staff in the team - congratulations to Adam, Jason, Adrian and Jason in particular.
If you get the opportunity and have internet access, please take the time to look at our 2018-19 Annual Report on our website or contact us and we can mail you a printed copy.
Thank you for your interest in our work and I encourage you to make contact with me for feedback or advice.
Dave Pugh
Chief Executive Officer |
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Important information about our services
Anglicare NT remains
committed to continuing to provide services to individuals, families and
communities across the Territory. We care about you, our community, our staff and
volunteers. We are complying with government directives and taking extra health
and safety precautions.
We are continuously reviewing how we deliver services and how
we can best help keep everyone safe. The way we do some things might have to
change. If we make significant changes, we will provide updates via social
media (Facebook and LinkedIn) and our website. If we have to adapt the way we
provide specific support to individuals, we will contact you by phone, email or
talk with you face to face.
These are challenging times – remember to be kind and
thoughtful as everyone is a bit worried. Please
take precautions, be responsible and comply with government and medical advice.
If you have any
concerns about your health, you can contact the NT COVID-19 Hotline on 1800
008 002 or Health Direct on 1800 022 222. Further information about
the Coronavirus can be found at Australian Government Department of Health and SecureNT.
Contact us for
more details about our services on 08 8985 0000. |
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OutCARE post-release service recognised
Alice Springs based OutCARE service received the Commissioner's Commendation Award, as part of National Corrections Day celebrations in January. Minister Dale Wakefield acknowledged the team for delivering pre and post release supported accommodation and for their invaluable assistance to offenders and parolees.
OutCARE supports people leaving prison to rebuild their lives, reconnect with family and work towards a positive future. This includes helping with immediate practical needs on release, linking with employment, training and community supports and exploring longer term goals. The program has contributed to a reduction of recidivism and helps address the over representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system. |
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Helping families reconnect and start a new life together
Tan
arrived
in Darwin by boat in 2010 and was granted an onshore humanitarian visa. While Tan
began to settle into Australia, his life would never be complete without his
wife and three children, who remained in their home country.
With
support
working through legal processes, Tan was eventually granted Australian
citizenship. Shortly after, his partner visa application was approved. Nine long years after his arrival, Tan was finally reunited with his wife and
children.
In
Darwin, our Refugee and Migrant Settlement Service (RAMSS) provides wraparound
settlement support that helps people like Tan to reconnect with family. They
also assist with accommodation, access to health services, legal support,
education and employment.
To
help rebuild their lives in Australia, families like Tan’s need your support.
Your
donation can provide:
- Emergency relief vouchers for vulnerable refugees and
migrants
- Household items for migrant women and children who have
fled domestic violence
- Brokerage fees for emergency housing
Donate
online today or call us on
08 8985 0000.
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Keeping children and vulnerable people safe
Anglicare NT commenced the new year with the establishment of a 'Keeping Children and Vulnerable People Safe Committee'. The Committee will champion our planning, compliance and continuous improvement activities focused on keeping the children, young people and vulnerable people accessing our services safe.
A 'Child Safe Organisation Working Party' has also been established to coordinate an organisational self- assessment against the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The Principles provide a nationally consistent approach to embedding child safe cultures within organisations.
To help us understand what Anglicare NT is doing well and what else we need to do to keep children and young people safe and promote their wellbeing, we will:
- undertake a survey of all staff
- complete a review of policies and procedures
- action a rolling audit of regional program reviews
- interview key volunteers and stakeholders
- continue to raise awareness of the Child Safe Principles
We are also exploring ways to learn more about children and young people’s perceptions of safety and what else we need to do from their unique perspective.
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Recognition for bi-cultural parenting program
The Play and Learn Support (PALS) resource is a bi-cultural tool for facilitating conversations about effective parenting to meet children’s developmental needs. The resource, developed by Anglicare NT staff through long-term partnerships with Elders, families and organisations in the East Arnhem region, recently met Promising Practice Program status with the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
The
PALS resource brings together the knowledge and experience of staff from
several Anglicare NT services, as well as other early childhood, health and
education practitioners. It builds on Yolngu pedagogy and includes metaphors embedded
in local people’s identity and life experiences. A series of cards depict East
Arnhem flora and fauna and a pictorial overview of children’s skills from birth
to three years of age.
PALS trainers and mentors facilitate discussions on stages of early childhood,
brain development and neural pathways. As Elders and younger parents reflect on
childhood memories, often recalling experiences of walking and hunting
together, they are reminded of the significance of their upbringing and
motivated to give their own children the best possible start in life.
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New Community Housing option in Alice Springs
The Northern Territory has the highest rate of homelessness in Australia. At almost 12 times the national average, it is important that more safe and affordable housing options are created. After extensive renovations, a new Community Housing complex has significantly increased access to affordable housing for people on low-moderate incomes living in Alice Springs.
The 22 two-bedroom townhouses, managed by Anglicare NT, provide secure, affordable and welcoming homes. The complex unlocks a much appreciated housing option for people on a low income who are no longer eligible for public housing but have found it hard to obtain an affordable and suitable private rental property.
Jeremy is relieved to have secured a more permanent home in the Community Housing complex. After initially staying in short-term transitional housing managed by Anglicare NT, Jeremy gained work as a cultural guide. The change in his financial circumstances meant Jeremy was no longer eligible to look for public housing and had to search for private rentals. After several unsuccessful applications, Jeremy was confronting housing uncertainty. When he became aware of the long-term Community Housing complex, he was eager to apply.
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People living in our transitional housing complexes in Alice Springs are developing skills and knowledge to manage their own housing property through weekly life skills sessions. The sessions, which focus on health, wellbeing and community, are followed by a hands-on cooking lesson, which incorporates budgeting and nutrition information.
The program is facilitated by a network of local organisations and Anglicare NT staff. Our financial inclusion staff share information on budgeting, understanding bills and no/low interest loans. The housing team builds on people's understanding of the expectations and requirements of living in transitional accommodation.
Public Housing Safety Officers from the Department of Housing explain their roles and how they can support tenants. Congress Health staff facilitate positive, respectful discussions around alcohol and other drugs, smoking, personal health and sexual health. St Johns Ambulance officers teach first aid skills for the home environment and how to respond in an emergency. Bunnings staff have also run practical workshops on home maintenance skills.
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Celebrating International Women's Day
International Women's Day was celebrated in Darwin with a high tea event. Women reflected on this year's theme #EachforEqual and competed in a woman-focused quiz. They spoke about the importance of International Women’s Day, including what the day represents and what they believe Anglicare NT does to address gender equality in the workplace.
Women wrote specific and tangible actions that were pinned up on a gender pledge wall. CEO Dave Pugh was invited to speak, and he highlighted the importance of raising awareness of domestic violence and the important role Anglicare NT has in advocating to end domestic violence in our communities.
The Katherine team, together with Sprout the rescue wallaby, also gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day. The group spoke about significant women leaders and how women had influenced their own lives.
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Copyright © 2020 Anglicare NT
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