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CEO Update
Welcome to the March eNewsletter, and on behalf of Anglicare NT my sincere thanks for your interest and continued support.
As a newcomer to Anglicare NT, I am reminded daily of the importance of a learner mindset. There is a lot to learn and appreciate about this diverse and dynamic organisation.
That same learner and visitor mindset is so relevant for the work we do in partnership with community on Aboriginal land throughout the Territory.
It was fantastic to attend the Board signing of a letter in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart (photo below). An important national conversation is underway, and a First Nations Voice to Parliament is a substantial step towards reconciliation.
We are pleased to be delivering the new Care Finder Service, which helps vulnerable community members navigate and access Aged Care services. This will enhance the excellent and hard work done by our dedicated Aged Care teams.
At a time of increased financial stress and incredible pressure on people, I have had the opportunity to see the practical assistance provide by our Financial Counselling staff in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Alice Springs and across the East Arnhem region. They are making a real difference.
In Alice Springs we are working closely with government and community to contribute to positive changes. It is pleasing to see a move towards community leadership structures that are so necessary for self-determination and change.
Kind regards,
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
 | | The Anglicare NT Board sign a letter in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. |
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We say YES!
Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the referendum for constitutional recognition of a ‘Voice to Parliament’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was formally endorsed by the Anglicare NT Board at a meeting on 18 February 2023.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people to work with First Nations people to create a better future. It is a gift: a strategic roadmap to peace, where First Nations peoples take a rightful place in their own land. It is a moment where all Australians can come together to realise our nation’s true potential.
Our commitment states:
Anglicare NT is proud to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We accept the generous invitation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to all Australians, issued on 27 May 2017.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a landmark step to embracing our shared history and walking together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, towards a better future for all Australians.
We pledge our support to the two key elements outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart:
- A First Nations Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the Australian Constitution; and
- A Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement making between governments and oversee a process of truth-telling about our history, led by Australia's first peoples.
Read the full Statement in Support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
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Financial support is available
Increases in the cost of living, rental prices and interest rates continue to impact many Territorians. NTCOSS’ latest Cost of Living Utilities fact sheet reveals an alarming jump in households having their power disconnected as electricity, water and sewerage prices in the Territory rise more than double the national average.
NTCOSS also reports that we are experiencing the highest inflation in Australia in more than 30 years, making the cost of housing, fuel and food unaffordable and forcing many Territorians to make choices between putting food on the table or paying for electricity.
In these times of need, Anglicare NT offers a range of Financial Inclusion services across the Territory. These include financial counselling, financial literacy, budget education, assistance with debt management and the impact of gambling, short courses, microfinance schemes, emergency relief and more.
The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) is provided by Anglicare NT across the whole Territory. This free phone service gives people access to a Financial Counsellor who can help resolve money worries.
No Interest Loans are offered in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs and help people on low incomes with safe, fair and affordable credit for practical things like white goods, car repairs or essential medical expenses. No Interest Loan for Vehicles can help out with loans for a car for people on low incomes in the Darwin region.
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Christmas fun for housing participants
Christmas is a time to come together in reflection and to celebrate with friends and family. Our hard-working staff organised end of year gatherings for individuals and families living in our transitional accommodation complexes in Darwin and Alice Springs.
On a warm 42-degree day in Alice Springs, transitional accommodation and community housing residents headed to the local swimming pool for a free day of fun. Transport was provided by the Salvation Army bus, a delicious meal was shared and bush Santa gave gifts to all the children, including goggles, towel and a hat.
Christmas lunch was provided for Garaworra transitional accommodation residents and staff at a gathering in Darwin. Santa had presents for all the children and people could choose their own ice-creams straight from a Mr Whippy van.
Find out more about our Housing and Homelessness services here. |
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Save the date - Wednesday 19 April 2023
Couch Surfing for Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Anglicare NT and City of Darwin have joined forces once again for the annual Couch Surfing event. Held on National Youth Homelessness Matters Day, Couch Surfing races celebrate the resilience of young people affected by homelessness.
Come down and cheer on teams of young people as they race decorated couches in a series of action-packed heats. Enjoy free entertainment, food and info stalls whilst learning about what young people can do if they find themselves or a friend homeless. |
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New arrivals learn skills and create connections
Our Refugee and Migrant Settlement Service (RAMSS) supports refugees and migrants as they settle into life in Australia and learn to navigate their way through Australian systems, institutions and workplaces. Supporting women with education and knowledge is a vital part of the team’s work, as well as helping people to make connections with others in our community.
RAMSS have teamed up with Red Cross’ Connected Women program, who run cooking workshops as a way to facilitate community connections. Ten newly arrived women joined RAMSS Settlement Worker Natalia Munoz recently to cook traditional Spanish food. Natalia taught the women how to cook tapas, including Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish omelette), Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) and Churros (fried sweet dough). Everyone was involved in the cooking process, including preparing ingredients, cooking and, of course, eating.
Newly arrived women to Australia learnt new skills around identifying danger, public transport safety, car safety and community safety at a Personal Safety Workshop organised by RAMSS in November.
The free workshop, presented in partnership with Victims of Crime NT and led by Sharon Kimberley from Personal Protection Strategies, was such a success that it was offered again in February this year.
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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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New Care Finder service for vulnerable older people
Changes within Commonwealth funding in Aged Care have led to the closure of the Assistance with Care and Housing program and the launch of the new Care Finder service.
Care Finder is now available through Anglicare NT in Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area. Care Finder is free and supports vulnerable people who have no one else to support them to find and choose aged care services. A Care Finder helps people learn about, apply for and set up support services through an individual assessment. The best way to contact our Care Finder program is to email carefinderintake@anglicare-nt.org.au
Care Finder is one of many services provided by Anglicare NT for older people, including Home Care Packages and the Community Home Support Program. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 244 or visit myagedcare.gov.au for more information on Home Support and to discuss your needs.
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Young families celebrate together
The Pandanus Childbirth Education and Perinatal Support service held their annual Christmas celebration in Darwin in December. Over 60 mothers, fathers and their babies attended the annual Pandanus Christmas Party.
The event brought together current and previous participants, midwives, support staff and Childbirth Educator Helen Nenke. Members of the Pandanus Reference Group attended along with representatives from Royal Darwin Hospital, Danila Dilba, Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Strong Mums Young Mums and the NT Government.
48 young women attended Childbirth Education sessions in 2022, and many brought their babies to the party. The gathering affirmed the importance of building support networks and positive connections for young parents. Everyone swapped stories about their lives, birthing and parenting while they enjoyed food, face painting, activities and a visit from Santa.
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Option to change the date
Celebrating Australia Day on 26 January continues to be a topic of much discussion. Many people acknowledge and feel strongly that the choice of 26 January is not an appropriate date to hold national celebrations.
Australia’s story didn’t start on 26 January 1788. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have called this continent home for thousands of years. As Sydney celebrated 150 years of colonisation on 26 January 1938, a ‘Day of Mourning and Protest’ was organised. It was only in 1994 that the first national Australia Day public holiday was observed on the same date.
Anglicare NT is committed to reconciliation, and as part of our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and commitment to enhancing cultural safety, the organisation supported a trial to enable people to substitute the Australia Day public holiday.
The response and feedback from staff showing their support was immense, with 21% of staff opting to choose another date to celebrate all Australians.
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Community Visitors Scheme
Anglicare NT coordinates the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS), a national initiative connecting volunteer visitors with older people at risk of social or cultural isolation. CVS operates in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.
If you have some free time and could visit an older person, call CVS on 08 8985 0000.
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Reducing barriers to seeking help
Young people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds needing mental health support can connect with Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers and Community Engagement Officers at our headspace centres. These staff work alongside a wide range of other health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, doctors and psychiatrists at our headspace sites in Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers and Community Engagement Officers provide strengths-based, culturally safe support and mentoring to young people, their families and friends. They seek to reduce stigma and identify and address barriers that may impact on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait young people’s engagement to access mental health care.
At headspace Darwin, Aboriginal Community Engagement Worker, Grace Bidner, has been working with young people in Stars and Clontarf groups across Darwin and Palmerston to promote headspace and provide education relating to social and emotional wellbeing.
In Katherine, the headspace outreach service regularly visits the communities of Barunga, Wugularr, Jilkminggan and Pine Creek, giving young people the opportunity to visit headspace in their own community. A regular activity involves young people drawing a Tree of Life, which helps demonstrate the connection of culture, land, community, nature and self. Through Drum Beat, young people engage with music, other young people and headspace staff. |
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Copyright © 2023 Anglicare NT
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