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CEO Update
What a beautiful time of year it is in the Territory, and for me on spectacular Larrakia country whose people continue to show such grace and patience and commitment to relationship.
On National Reconciliation Week my mind is occupied with thoughts of the past, of colonisation and loss, and of anger that my generation were not told the truth during our schooling.
We also have such an opportunity in front of us now to continue to de-colonise our systems and structures and to find ways forward together. In very practical terms this looks like truth telling, it looks like constitutional recognition and the Voice, it looks like reparations for past wrongs. It is both symbolic and practical, recognising injustice and disadvantage and being part of change.
There is some great reading in this newsletter. Once again, the annual Couch Surfing event was hugely successful, highlighting the significant need to immediately invest in very doable solutions, and of course celebrating our amazing young people, their creativity and resilience.
The Anglicare NT Board held staff and stakeholder meetings in Katherine and were impressed with the quality and breadth of work and commitment by the staff to their community and region.
See you next quarter,
Craig Kelly
CEO |
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Supporting older people and people with a disability across our regions
Anglicare NT's aged care services support older people’s aspirations, help meet needs and provide an important point of community connection. For people living with a disability, we offer a range of tailored, flexible and quality services. As a registered NDIS provider, we also provide Support Coordination to anyone living in the Northern Territory.
Program participants in Katherine met for the annual Regional Participant's forum in February. Over twenty people enjoyed morning tea, shared their ideas and heard updates about our programs and information about the importance of registering with My Aged Care.
In Nhulunbuy, the Respite, Aged and Disability team met for a planning day in April, with a focus on aged care quality standards. Other topics included food and nutrition, rostering group activities, infection control and participant safety.
We launched the Community Visitors Scheme in Nhulunbuy during National Volunteers Week with an event at the local library. Anglicare NT has offered this national program for over 25 years in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Our role is to connect volunteers with older people at risk of social or cultural isolation.
In Darwin, we thanked our volunteer visitors to older people with a sunset gathering and fish and chips. Aged care and NDIS staff connected with community members and regular participants at the recent All Abilities Expo and COTA NT's Seniors Expo.
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New Care Finder service launched in NT
The new Care Finder service was launched in May at our Darwin and Alice Springs offices, with a Katherine launch planned for the near future. Care Finder is a free service for older people who are vulnerable or homeless, supporting them to access aged care services.
A morning tea was held in the Ludmilla gardens in Darwin and a lunch at one of our housing complexes in Alice Springs. We were happy to welcome people from local organisations and the wider community to our sites as we commence delivery of this important service.
We look forward to working with other providers as we assist older people to find the care they need through Care Finder in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs.
Care Finder is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, funded through the NT PHN.
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Midwife of the Year
Helen Nenke, Midwife / Child Birth Educator with our Pandanus Childbirth Education and Perinatal Support service was awarded NT Midwife of the Year at the Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards 2023. Helen has worked with Pandanus for 8 years, providing childbirth and early parenting education to young mothers under 25 years and their partners.
Helen's non-judgemental approach has enabled thousands of pregnant young women to access birthing and parental education, equipping them with skills and confidence to be the best mother to their child. Congratulations Helen, a well-deserved award for an amazing person who has given so much to help many young Territory families.
Photo: Helen (left), Santa and Eva at the annual Pandanus Christmas party. |
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Couch Surfing for Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Over 20 teams of young people entered couches for the best dressed and fastest couches at the 11th annual Couch Surfing event. Couch Surfing, held on National Youth Homelessness Matters Day, brings the community together to raise awareness about young people affected by homelessness and to recognise young people’s strengths.
The Northern Territory has almost 12 times the national rate of people experiencing homelessness. On any given night, there are more than 3,000 young Territorians sleeping rough in overcrowded conditions, couch surfing or sleeping on the streets. Almost half of all people experiencing homelessness in the NT are under 25 years of age (ABS 2021).
After a number of action-packed heats, The Shak were declared the race winners with Mission Australia’s two teams rolling in for second and third place. The Young Mums Strong Mums team won the Best Dressed Couch award for their Top End scene of wetland birds and animals.
Nicole Brown gave a moving Welcome to Country, followed by speeches from Anglicare NT CEO Craig Kelly, Minister Lauren Moss, Deputy CEO Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities Ms Jeanette Kerr and Deputy Lord Mayor - Councillor Kim Farrar. His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie Administrator of the Northern Territory opened the competition by waving the starting flag.
Young people and community members enjoyed free food and ice cups, a jumping castle, haircuts, face painting and cultural activities. Over 20 organisations provided information to young people on the ways they can help if they or their friends find themselves homeless or in need.
Many organisations, schools, local businesses and sponsors combine efforts with young people to help make this event happen. Anglicare NT thank our partner City of Darwin and major sponsor First Nations Broadcasting. |
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Rentals out of reach for many Territorians
On the weekend of 19 March 2023, 566 private rentals were advertised for rent in the Northern Territory. Of these properties, none were affordable for singles, single parents or couples with children living on the JobSeeker payment, or affordable for singles aged over 18 on Youth Allowance.
Only 1% of properties were affordable for couples on the Age Pension, with no properties affordable for singles on the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension.
These sobering results were part of Anglicare Australia’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot, which shows people on low incomes right across the Territory struggle to find an affordable place to live.
We must boost social and affordable housing across the Northern Territory. People need a decent income, more housing options, flexible responses and appropriate supports to live safely and with dignity. No person or family should be forced to make impossible sacrifices just to keep a roof over their head.
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 | Donate to help young pregnant women
Preparing to have a first child can be a daunting and isolating time. For younger pregnant women, impending motherhood is a time where supportive networks are critical in reducing isolation and building the skills and confidence to navigate through the next phase of their lives.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care, timely support and to see a pathway forward.
For over 20 years our Pandanus Program has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope.
"15-year-old Lilly* contacted Anglicare NT seeking help when she found out she was pregnant. Lilly wasn’t aware of the Pandanus Program and was excited to find out there was support available during her pregnancy and after the birth of her baby. Lilly received practical support with the Royal Darwin Hospital antenatal appointments, assistance to sort out Centrelink payments, access to baby items, timely childbirth education sessions, employment options and help to develop life skills."
To support pregnant young women, call us on 08 8985 0000 or visit our website:
anglicare-nt.org.au/donate
*name changed for confidentiality |
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Wellbeing comes first at Garaworra
What better way to spend a day of the holidays than focusing purely on wellbeing! Residents at Garaworra transitional accommodation joined a full day of activities coordinated by our HIPPY early learning team and the Housing Options Pathway Program.
Residents were delighted to help Dale and the team from Dingo Cockatoo prepare and cook freshwater crocodile, barramundi, magpie geese, whistling ducks and longbums. They shared knowledge and stories as they worked.
People painted pots and filled them with fresh plant cuttings. Others painted canvas, calico bags and pinwheels, enjoying the time sitting and crafting together. Children participated in water play, uncovering melted toys frozen in ice while splashing around in tubs.
Garaworra houses are looking great with the added colour and plant life, creating a more connected and happy community.
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FASD Workshops for service providers, educators, parents and carers
Communities for Children Alice Springs has partnered with NoFASD Australia to deliver three FREE, one day workshops in Alice Springs. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is estimated to affect 2-5% of Australian children, with much higher rates identified in some populations. FASD is a lifelong, brain-based disability which impacts learning, memory, behaviour, attention, communication, executive functioning, impulse control and other cognitive skills. Children with FASD have complex needs and require FASD-informed support in order to learn, communicate and thrive.
Each workshop has been designed to increase knowledge and skills when working with children 0-12 years and their families.
For registration please follow the below links to book tickets via Eventbrite.
Workshop Wednesday 5 July 2023: Introduction to FASD for service providers
Workshop Thursday 6 July 2023: Introduction to FASD for Early Childhood Educators
Workshop Friday 7 July 2023: Self-regulation strategies for parents and carers of children with FASD
Workshops include all refreshments. Registration is essential.
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Stability makes life easier
After experiencing times of homelessness, Scott and his 7 year old daughter are embracing a more stable routine at one of our transitional accommodation complexes. The pair have moved from house to house, couch surfed with family members and lived in a hostel. Despite all these changes, Scott always managed to get his daughter to school, at one stage driving her 140kms to school on a dirt road!
The challenge of living with constant change was possibly harder for Scott's daughter than those around her imagined. She has been diagnosed with autism, and change and transition can be harder for people with autism.
Scott has settled into the new accommodation and recently found stable employment. His daughter is enjoying her regular routine and a home that is close to her school. Both Scott and his daughter’s teachers agree that she is thriving in all aspects of life since moving into Anglicare NT accommodation.
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headspace Enhanced Care
The headspace Darwin Enhanced Care Program supports young people experiencing complex mental health issues by helping them coordinate care and addressing any challenges in accessing mental health treatments.
The team recently presented at the Youth Enhanced Services (YES) Symposium in Melbourne on the ways they support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the Top End by combining cultural and clinical practices. They suggested changes that can be made at a practitioner and systems level to ensure young people who present with more complex needs have access to culturally safe and appropriate services.
The Enhanced Care Program at headspace Darwin offers cultural healing groups, uses culturally appropriate assessment and treatment tools, translates resources into relevant languages, works with cultural consultants, employs identified Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers and offers staff cultural training and supervision.
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Learning starts at 3 years!
Starting this year, children will commence the two-year Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters (HIPPY) when they are 3 years old, a full year younger than previously. In preparation for this change, staff from our HIPPY program sites in Darwin, Katherine and Milingimbi met for group training in Darwin in March. HIPPY now aligns with the 3 and 4 year old national Kindergarten curriculum – setting children up for a strong and confident start to school.
Children completing HIPPY work through packs of play-based, educational activities with their parents and family. They are encouraged to ask questions and try new things, developing their confidence and passion for learning. Home tutors in Darwin and Katherine regularly visit families at home to support the learning process. In Milingimbi, families usually meet after their regular playgroup and work through activities together, combining HIPPY activities with ‘everywhere learning’ and cultural activities.
Group activities are held for HIPPY families at each site, with the Katherine group recently sharing a Bike Day and Mother’s Day playgroup, while in Darwin a session was held with Hector the Road Safety Cat. HIPPY Darwin have been hosting a fortnightly playgroup at our Garaworra transitional accommodation complex to engage families, create community and share fun activities. Milingimbi launched their Age 3 program with a family gathering combined with a birthday party for one of the children.
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Board meets in Katherine
Annual regional visits are an important way for Board members to stay connected to our services, staff and diverse communities and to hear firsthand about our challenges and solutions. Board members travelled to Katherine in May for one of their regular meetings. They were able to share morning tea with participants of our aged care programs and meet staff at our regional office and headspace Katherine.
Board members learnt about our outreach visits to surrounding Aboriginal communities, referral pathways across our programs, student placement support, field work opportunities and partnerships with local organisations. They witnessed the extent and impact of the lack of affordable housing and childcare and demand for emergency relief.
Anglicare NT Project Officer Camille Damaso coordinated a meeting of the local Aboriginal Reference Group in Katherine. Members shared their perspectives on our work with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities directly with our Board. This helps inform our service design and delivery as we work together with Aboriginal people and communities to make a positive impact. |
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Copyright © 2023 Anglicare NT
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