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CEO Update
I learnt a new phrase this week – ‘effective altruism’. I encourage you to Google it. It’s a term used by people committed to finding the best ways to make a difference in improving the world.
This newsletter acknowledges many projects and people who make a difference. Terry Cleary worked incredibly hard as an Executive Manager to make sure services, particularly for people with disabilities, were available across the NT. Wendy Portlouis has shown her effective altruism through her 20 year voluntary commitment to visiting and caring for older people in nursing homes.
The word ‘effective’ reminds us of the importance to evaluate and research the impact of our services. Anglicare NT employees an Evaluation Manager to ensure all programs are measuring their impact. Services like OutCARE for released prisoners are monitored to ensure they are constantly improving. HIPPY Darwin was recently cited as a national example of effective and creative responsiveness to three year old’s and their parents.
We undertake a range of quality assurance and evaluation processes. This helps us stay focused on continuously improving our service delivery, advocacy, internal processes, partnership approaches and community engagement activities. These efforts in quality and evaluation help us stay up to date and effective.
Kind regards,
Dave Pugh
Chief Executive Officer |
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25 years of volunteer visits
Anglicare NT is excited to celebrate 25 years of providing the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) in the Northern Territory. Since 1996, we have recruited, trained and supported volunteers to visit older people at risk of social or cultural isolation.
Volunteer visitors make a world of difference through conversation, news, fun activities and friendship. Some people also bring a special connection through a shared language, life experience or deep cultural understanding. Many great friendships have been kindled over the years between our volunteers and the older people they spend time with.
We recognise and celebrate Wendy Portlouis’ 20 years volunteering with CVS. The idea of visiting older people who may be lonely resonated with Wendy after she moved to Darwin from Melbourne and experienced the complexities of making new friends in a transient city. Wendy felt she could make a small difference to older people by providing companionship and connection to community, and says she will never forget some of the people she has visited over the years.
“Volunteering allows you to make a meaningful contribution, stay engaged and connected to your community.” Wendy Portlouis.
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Post-release service opens in Darwin
OutCARE supports people leaving prison to rebuild their lives, reconnect with family and work towards a positive future. Through tailored accommodation and individual support, we assist with practical needs on release such as employment, training, community supports and exploring longer term goals.
Anglicare NT has provided OutCARE for men leaving prison in Alice Springs since 2013. In 2020 the service was recognised by the Commissioner of Corrections for reducing recidivism and helping address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system. This year we have been thrilled to expand the OutCARE service into the Darwin/Palmerston region.
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headspace centres complete The Push-Up Challenge
Through motivating Territorians to complete thousands of push-ups, headspace Darwin and headspace Katherine have raised a massive $32,000 to support youth mental health services.
The Push-Up Challenge is a national mental health and fitness campaign which took place over 25 days in June. It saw over 170,000 Australians of all ages and from all walks of life each aim to complete 3,318 push-ups, which tragically represents the lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2019.
We are grateful to everyone who got involved including ARC Fitness, NT Fire and Rescue Service, Top End Wrestling, NT Department of Health, Katherine Sober Pushers, Katherine Hospital, Katherine West Health Board and many more. |
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Midawarr wellbeing event
Members of the Rirratjingu clan welcomed people from Nhulunbuy and surrounding communities to the second annual Midawarr Day Out – a networking and wellbeing event which celebrates the role and unique contributions of older people, people with a disability and service providers. The group enjoyed a catered lunch, singing and dancing and a variety of interactive games and wellbeing activities beachside at the Nhulunbuy Surf Club.
This collaborative annual event brings together numerous service providers including our Respite Aged and Disability team, East Arnhem Regional Council, Carers NT, ARRCS, Miwatj, Families as First Teachers (FaFT) and Dhupuma Barker College.
Photo credit: Scorched Retina Photography. |
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Governor-General meets headspace Katherine team
Our headspace Katherine team was honoured to meet with His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley over video call in August. Local young people, a family member and Elder Miliwanga Wurrben joined the team, sharing theirinsights on the joys, opportunities and challenges of living in Katherine.
We thank the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley for their reflections, time and commitment to supporting young Australians.
headspace Katherine is a free service that supports young people aged 12 to 25 years with their mental health and wellbeing. The centre is based in the main street of Katherine and includes regular outreach to the communities of Beswick, Jilkminggan, Binjari and Pine Creek/Kybrook Farm.
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Datjala Parenting Program
The Family Skills Facilitation Service (FSFS) is an activity under the East Arnhem Communities for Children initiative. FSFS works with our Nhulunbuy based Resolve Counsellor to deliver the Datjala Parenting Program for men transitioning from prison.
The program started last year and has received great feedback from participants. The program was developed in collaboration with the Correctional Services Datjala Work Camp and focuses on strengthening parenting and community child rearing practices through an Aboriginal cultural lens.
The program uses reflection, knowledge sharing and two way learning rather than direct teaching. Sessions cover role models, brain development, family, healthy relationships and respect, planning for the future and returning to family and community.
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Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Even in the midst of lockdowns, powerful and persistent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders across the Territory ensured that NAIDOC Week was rightfully celebrated when communities re-opened.
In Darwin, Anglicare NT celebrated NAIDOC Week at our Ludmilla Community Services Hub with a flag raising ceremony, Welcome to Country from Larrakia artist Lynette Fejo, entertainment from Midnight Cruz and a dance performance from Upai Purai. headspace Darwin staff participated in a smoking ceremony with Larrakia men Uncle Tony ‘Duwun’ Lee and Trent Lee.
Staff and volunteers from the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) attended NAIDOC celebrations at the Juninga ARRCS Aged Care Facility. Together, they joined residents for a buffet of roo stew, lamb curry and seafood, country music and a gorgeous cake. CVS volunteer, Phillip, has been visiting older people at Juninga for over 20 years!
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Subscribe to our PSS eBulletin!
The Partnership Support Service (PSS) is an Anglicare NT social enterprise that works together with Aboriginal organisations to deliver stronger services for community. The service provides resources, project assistance and training to build on organisational strengths.
Subscribe here to receive our fortnightly eBulletin with the latest news, grant opportunities, resources and sector updates.
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Territorians need safe, affordable housing
Access to safe, adequate and affordable housing is a challenge across the Northern Territory. There is a shortfall of affordable rental accommodation, many people live in overcrowded conditions and we have the highest rate of youth homelessness in Australia.
Territorians become and stay homeless for many reasons including domestic and family violence, financial crisis and a lack of or sudden loss of employment. Relationship breakdowns, mental health issues, and alcohol and drug abuse can also affect people’s ability to cope and find a way out of homelessness.
Anglicare NT services help young people, adults and families establish stable home environments, maintain tenancies, access transitional accommodation and secure long-term housing options as required. We continuously advocate for additional resources to support the increasing numbers of homeless people and for additional social and affordable housing stock.
As part of Homelessness Week in August, our staff supported a collaborative Homelessness Link Up event in Darwin and joined with the Salvation Army Doorways Hub in Katherine to screen a movie and serve free meals to around 100 people.
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 | Farewell Terry from the Territory
Terry commenced as an Executive Manager at Anglicare NT in March 2013 and most recently oversighted our youth, pre & post release, aged and disability portfolios and regional development activities in Alice Springs and East Arnhem.
Terry’s knowledge, commitment, passion, hard work and NDIS advocacy efforts formed a unique package that gave him a national reputation as ‘Terry from The Territory!’
As Terry relocates to be with family and grandchildren in Adelaide, he leaves Anglicare NT with a legacy of improvements in our actions, programs and our ‘being’. Thank you Terry for your wise leadership, compassion and hard work over the last 8+ years. |
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Families learn first aid skills
The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a free, home based early childhood learning and parenting program. A home tutor supports parents to create a learning environment at home by reading, playing and doing fun activities with their child. Families also attend regular group activities where they can meet local families, build new friendships and develop new skills.
St John Ambulance were recently invited to run a series of Family First Aid sessions for participants at our Garaworra transitional accommodation complex. The group of mothers, grandparents, aunts and older siblings learnt what to do in an emergency, how to perform CPR (to the tune of Staying Alive), wound care and treating fevers in children.
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Get your Christmas cards ready!
With so many of us separated from loved ones this year, it's never been more important to keep in touch. This Christmas, send your best wishes with our Anglicare NT Christmas cards.
There are four designs to choose from as pictured above including Birth of Jesus, Christmas Baubles, Joy to the World and Territory Christmas. This locally made card features our beautiful Territory frangipanis captured by Tavis Beer. Cards are sold in packs of 10 for $12.
All proceeds support our ongoing work in the community. To place an order or donate, visit our website anglicare-nt.org.au/cards or phone us on 08 8985 0000.
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Copyright © 2021 Anglicare NT
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