Flourish - Spring 2018

FLOURISH ISSUE NO. 6

SPRING 2018

7 HOW MUSIC CAN BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN YOUNG & OLD IN THIS ISSUE:

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Winter appeal helps hundreds of families in need

Christmas hampers that give back to the community

The life story of our latest Centenarian

How flipping pancakes can transform lives

Our event puts homelessness in the spotlight

“ Working in this sector, we know all too well that life can be tough and people often require long-term support in order to improve their independence, wellbeing and inclusion.”

CEO LIBBY CRAFT, 2018

WELCOME

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he spring edition of Flourish is a true reflection of the diversity of services we provide and the people we support right across South Australia.

Now, Adam is on the path to a much fuller life and is actively engaging with those around him.

His story on page 11 is one of persistence and above all, courage.

In the southern suburbs, we started running the Flexible Learning Options program this year to support young people who are disengaged from schooling.

Persistence is a common theme running through many of the stories we feature in this edition.

Take Alan Gunter, a man we are supporting with housing so he can live in Adelaide while he works as an interpreter for Aboriginal people.

Some of them have not been in education in years and others have reached the point they rarely leave their house.

Alan has worked since age 16 to push for equality and justice for Anangu people who struggle to be heard because of language barriers.

For many, trust does not come easily as they have been let down by the adults in their lives.

As program coordinator Fiona explains on page 8, “by using consistency and persistence, we show them we are reliable people in their life that won’t give up on them”.

He wants to see changes in the courts, police and hospitals to ensure interpreters are engaged for people who need them from the outset.

His story on page 5 shows the power of an individual to make real change in communities.

Working in this sector, we know all too well that life can be tough and people often require long-term support in order to improve their independence, wellbeing and inclusion.

Then there’s Adam, who didn’t even like leaving his house when he was first referred to our Mental Health Services.

The above stories are just some examples of how by using persistence, we can make a difference one day at a time.

Over a period of months, he met with one of our support workers until he turned a corner and started embracing the support.

Ms Libby Craft Chief Executive Officer

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

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Alan is using language to pursue justice and equality for Aboriginal people

Youth workers are helping people on their path back to learning or earning

Learn about the transition of Portway Housing Association to UnitingSA Housing

UPCOMING DATES November

December

January

11 Remembrance Day

3 International Day

1 New Year’s Day

of People with Disability

24 Social Inclusion Week begins

10–20 Tour Down Under

10 Human Rights Day

30 UnitingSA Aged

29 School begins

25 Christmas Day

Care Conference

UNITING SA ANNUAL PROFILE

16,007

986

117

2,748

6,893

PEOPLE SUPPORTED

EMPLOYEES

VOLUNTEERS

PEOPLE CARED FOR ACROSS AGED CARE

OCCASIONS OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

WINTER APPEAL WARMS HANDS AND HEARTS

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ore than 1500 local families were provided food, clothing and blankets this winter, thanks to the generosity of businesses, schools, church groups and individuals.

Donations to our Winter Appeal went directly to those in the community who needed it most, providing relief for people during one of the toughest times of year.

Spread the Christmas cheer

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s many of us start planning Christmas celebrations and holidays, our Emergency Relief centre in Port Adelaide is busy supporting those who will be doing it tough this festive season.

Our Homelessness Services and Emergency Relief centre were inundated with people dropping off in-kind donations, and were heartened by the eagerness of many businesses to help address poverty in our community.

Another highlight was seeing ‘kids helping kids’ – in particular the students at Largs Bay Primary School, who donated backpacks filled with gloves, beanies, hygiene products and food to distribute to children in need.

A special thanks to Butterfields Air Conditioning, Camatta Lempens Lawyers, Cook Building, Leecare Solutions, AGL Energy and Dominant for their significant donations.

UnitingSA is truly grateful for the support of the community and dedication to working together to achieve positive outcomes.

Everyone deserves to have a reason to smile at Christmas and you can help by supporting our annual Christmas Appeal.

Each year we collaborate with UnitingCare Australia and Target to collect gifts and monetary donations to support disadvantaged families, individuals and children.

Here is how you can get involved: 1) Purchase a gift tag at the counter or place an unwrapped gift under the tree at Fulham Gardens, West Lakes or Whyalla Target stores.

2) Donate through our website unitingsa.com.au/donate or by calling (08) 8440 2200. Gifts and

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in-kind donations can be dropped off to our Emergency Relief Centre between the hours of 9am–1:30pm at 58 Dale Street, Port Adelaide.

3) Host a gift collection within your workplace, school or community group. You can request a Community Host Pack from our Fundraising team by calling (08) 8440 2117 or emailing marketing@unitingsa.com.au.

We are always astounded by the enthusiasm and community effort during our Christmas Appeal and hope we can again work together to make someone’s festive season a little brighter.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

He also offers cultural awareness education to teach others about cultural barriers, differences and values.

Alan says the support provided to him through our EEH program has been crucial to his journey.

The program provides housing to allow people from remote communities to move to metropolitan Adelaide to pursue education and employment.

The program started supporting Alan three years ago when he received a call from his younger sister, Kelli, asking him to move from Port Augusta to Adelaide to live with her and provide some stability.

The duo was provided a fully furnished house, which allowed Kelli to go to university and Alan to pursue his interpreting work and over time, set up his business.

In addition, Alan benefits from having a support worker, Elana, to call and speak with if he needs a bit of extra assistance.

“If Alan is having a bad day he will call and we may spend an hour on the phone and just chat and talk things through,” Elana says.

“We can link him to counselling if necessary or just provide advice.

ALAN IS HERE TO MAKE A CHANGE

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lan Gunter will not stop until there is equality and justice for Aboriginal people.

He is working tirelessly to improve systems within the courts, police and hospitals to ensure Anangu people are consulted in their own language about decisions that affect their lives.

Whether it is a police interrogation, a discussion about an emergency hospital procedure, or a judge’s decision over bail conditions, Alan wants an interpreter engaged as the first step every time – not as an after-thought.

“Equality – that’s all I want,” Alan, 29, says.

“It’s every human’s right to have access to an interpreter when they don’t have an understanding of English.

“People are making decisions without having the full story or the person having the basic right to know what is going on.”

Alan, who is supported through UnitingSA’s Employment and Education Housing program (EEH), has been working as an interpreter in the courts and prison system since he was just 16.

Speaking Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, he has held a variety of roles in metropolitan and regional South Australia, including with the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and Department for Correctional Services.

At the start of this year, Alan made the leap from working for others to setting up his own business, APY Interpreting and Cultural Advisory.

“My service is unique because compared with other interpreting services, my service also comes with cultural advising,” he says.

“For example, if a judge questions something I can stop interpreting and start cultural advising, which ensures they are able to do their job through understanding.”

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“The support is always there for him and he knows he can rely on our service to try and help him through.”

Over the coming months, those conversations are likely to centre around Alan’s push to meet with government representatives, including the Premier, as he continues to strive for change.

He wants to secure funding to expand his work in the community to ensure interpreting and cultural advisory are firmly embedded within systems.

Alan is not the first person in his family to take a stand and push for improved outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“Equality – that’s all I want.”

ALAN

In the 1980s, his parents were instrumental in securing funding to set up the community of Oak Valley in the Maralinga Tjarutja lands, where they are from.

The community, about 500km north-west of Ceduna, was established for Anangu people displaced from Maralinga because of Britain’s nuclear testing on the land.

Much like his ancestors, Alan says his mission is about one thing: “I’m here for change – not for money or show and tell.

“My deepest desire is to see that.”

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

CHRISTMAS GIFTS WITH A PURPOSE

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ur Grandma’s Pantry team in Kingston is in full swing cooking up a storm in preparation for a rush of Christmas sales.

Part of Wesley Social Enterprises, Grandma’s Pantry creates delicious products while providing meaningful employment for people with a disability.

Christmas is especially busy for the crew, with their hampers full of condiments, cookies and other goodies in high demand.

WSE Program Manager Sue Chester says foot traffic in the Kingston shopfront increases during the festive season – as do orders from people in metropolitan areas keen to purchase a Christmas hamper that gives back to the community.

“The best part is that people who order our products stop long enough to find out the story behind Grandma’s Pantry,” Sue says.

“They might buy the product but they stay in the shop for longer because they are very interested and supportive of what we do.

“Wesley Social Enterprises is about making sure people can be employed in their local community.

It will be Sue’s tenth Christmas leading the team and she says that while it is a hectic time of year, it is also very exciting.

“Most days the team have got their head down and they are working so they don’t see a lot of people, but because the foot traffic is higher at Christmas they get to actually see the reaction of people coming in to buy their products,” she says.

“They work in such close vicinity so they get to hear the customers’ comments, which is really nice for them to get that feedback.

“They are really proud of what they do.”

Sue says Christmas hampers can be tailored to suit each person’s budget and taste, with popular items including fig paste, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, zucchini pickles, jams and a variety of biscuits.

The team also makes some specialty Christmas items, including a boiled fruit cake which was her grandmother’s recipe.

Grandma’s Pantry at 23 Charles St, Kingston, is open to the public for Christmas hampers between Monday and Friday, 9am until 3pm, until December 21. Other products are available for purchase until December 24.

“Being at work and feeling valued for what they achieve gives them a purpose.”

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Orders for Christmas hampers in the metropolitan area can be made by phoning WSE Program Manager Sue Chester on (08) 8767 2211 before November 16. Hampers will be ready for collection from UnitingSA’s Head Office at 70 Dale St, Port Adelaide, between December 18 and 21.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

MUSIC UNITES THE GENERATIONS

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new music program is bridging the 90-year age gap between pre-schoolers and residents at UnitingSA’s Regency Green Multicultural Aged Care home.

“The main purpose of music therapy is to help develop and maintain health, wellbeing and functioning.”

The Intergenerational Music Therapy Program is part of the Paint the Parks and Gardens REaD Collective Impact project, which aims to develop children’s literacy skills from birth.

“They get so much joy out of being with other people,” Natalie says.

Children from the Parks Children’s Centre and Goodstart Early Learning Angle Park are travelling by bus every Tuesday to visit Regency Green to sing and play music with residents.

The group moves through a repertoire including golden oldies, such as ‘Daisy, Daisy’, through to modern children’s hits, such as the Wiggles’ ‘Rock-a-bye Your Bear’.

The social interaction is equally important and from the moment the children arrive, it is smiles all around.

“It’s a sense of inclusion and it’s about engaging everybody.”

Regency Green activities officer Jessie Liu says the program shows the power of music in uniting the generations.

“It’s really interesting because some of our residents don’t understand English but they still enjoy coming and joining in,” she says.

Shakers, drums, streamers and even a colourful parachute are used during each session to promote gross and fine motor skills, coordination and creativity.

What they said:

Music therapist Natalie Oliveri, who leads the group, says it is having incredible benefits for young and old alike.

LAILA – 4 YEARS: “I like the drums, the shaking and the singing.”

“Some of the goals you have for young children within musical activities are the same sort of goals that are incredibly beneficial for people who are older,” she says.

SHIRLEY – 85 YEARS: “I love being with young people.

I totally enjoyed it. They love Bruce (my dog), too.”

“For example, we use streamers in some songs which helps with coordination and physical movement.

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“There are also residents who don’t come to other activities who are really enjoying coming to this.

“This is a very powerful addition to their lives.”

The eight-week Intergenerational Music Therapy Program is the first time the Paint the Parks and Gardens REaD project has expanded to include residents in aged care.

UnitingSA is one of 14 organisations involved in the collective impact project, which motivates the community to read, talk, sing and draw with children every day.

Pop-up libraries, book swaps and a mascot, Parker the Pelican, are just some of the ways the project engages the community to boost literacy levels.

STEPHEN – 59 YEARS: “The kids make me laugh, especially when they dressed in costumes.

I enjoyed it and I’m starting to learn the words to the songs.”

NAA – 4 YEARS: “I like the parachute and dancing.”

NOELA – 98 YEARS: “It’s absolutely excellent! It’s so beautiful – the little children are gorgeous!”

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A REASON TO SMILE

Fiona says a lot of time, resources and effort went into initially helping the young people in the south through the transition process.

We are now working with almost 100 young people in the region, and a further 30 in the north.

“Because we have developed these strong relationships, we are getting impressive outcomes,” Fiona says.

“Clients who haven’t left the house in years, engaged in education for a long period of time, or were in a space of feeling helpless, are now developing clear goals for their future and are working towards them.”

As well as one-on-one case management, we run a variety of engagement programs for FLO participants to help build social connections and develop skills.

These include but are not limited to wellbeing programs, art classes, golf lessons and a woodworking group (see separate story).

“These programs help to assist their socialisation skills, behaviour management and emotional intelligence,” Fiona explains.

“It helps them get out of the house for the first time in years, and supports them in dealing with a myriad of mental health issues.

“The programs also provide a gateway to accredited learning.”

Another key element of FLO is helping participants build a network of support – known as their community of care.

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ur Youth Services team is supporting young people to live their best life, one day at a time.

Through our Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program, we are helping people who are highly disengaged from education on their journey back into learning, training or employment pathways.

The program involves case managers building strong, meaningful relationships with young people and over time, assisting them to set goals and achieve agreed outcomes.

FLO coordinator Fiona Winter says it can be a long road, as many participants have not attended school for several years, while others have struggled to even leave their house.

Many have also been let down by the adults in their life, meaning building confidence in their youth worker can take considerable time.

“Many of the clients we work with possess protective factors, such as mistrust, which given their background of grief, loss and trauma is completely understandable,” Fiona says.

“By using consistency and persistence, we show them we are reliable people in their life that won’t give up on them.

“We respectively challenge them as we wish to challenge the common belief they often have around not being capable.

“We work from a strengths perspective to empower them to reach their full potential.”

UnitingSA started running FLO in the southern suburbs this year following the closure of a provider, Re-Engage Youth Services.

We were awarded the privilege to work with this cohort because of our proven ability to deliver positive outcomes for young people in the northern suburbs, where we have been running FLO for several years.

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“That’s so vitally important because generally the demographic we assist have few positive connections regarding family, friends and key professionals,” Fiona says.

“One of our main roles is to remedy this to help them to feel more connected to their community.

“It is a fundamental human need to be social and feel like you belong.”

Fiona says above all, “we are in a privileged position to work with these young people”.

“Although at times outcomes can be slow and setbacks can present, it’s important to remember that we are providing them with opportunities that they would not otherwise have.

“Persistence, consistency, relationships and a strengths approach is key and it is wonderful to see the outcomes that we are achieving.”

Find out more about Flexible Learning Options at www.unitingsa.com.au or phone 8281 4137.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

Building furniture and futures

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woodworking group in the southern suburbs is helping young people create more than furniture.

It is helping them build confidence, skills and a connection to their community.

UnitingSA youth worker Dan Zesers facilitates the group, which involves young people from our Flexible Learning Options program (see separate story).

With ages ranging from 12 to 18, they come together at Christie Downs Community House each Friday to create their choice of project using recycled pallets.

“It’s a great way of getting young people outside, meeting new people and learning to work with people of different ages,” Dan says.

“It’s a stepping stone into an industry pathway too, as lots of young people say they want to be a carpenter or do some kind of trade and this gives them a taster.”

Participant comments: ALEX: “Sam is cool and the group is fun.

I feel a sense of achievement when a project is finished.”

TOBY: “I really enjoy it – it’s lots of fun.

I am definitely learning things too.

I now know how to use a hammer, drill and saw.”

MONIQUE: “Woodworks has helped me advance my physical skills. I enjoy the fact that I can explore my creativity.”

The program teaches resourcefulness through using recycled materials to create something new, while encouraging socialisation, emotional regulation and perseverance.

The young people are involved in every stage, from planning and designing through to handling the tools and creating the finished product.

Always on hand to help is Sam, a qualified carpenter who says he has seen a huge change in the participants since the program began.

“There are young people who wouldn’t talk when they first showed up,” Sam says.

“Now they are asking questions and getting really involved and taking pride in what they are doing.”

Sam says participants are also acquiring academic skills without knowing it, as drawing, writing and maths are all part of the design, measuring and building process.

The program has been such a success that due to high demand, the southern team have started a second group on Wednesdays.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

UnitingSA in new locations

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ur Mental Health Services team in the inner south has moved from Goodwood to a new site at 28 Dunorlan Rd, Edwardstown.

Programs previously run from Goodwood will now operate from here, including GP Access Inner South, Metro Adelaide Community Living, Personal Helpers and Mentors, and Avalon.

The Gaming Group held weekly on Tuesdays and TV Group run weekly on Thursdays will now operate out of Edwardstown’s activity room.

In addition, our UrbanYouth team has opened a new office in the City of Campbelltown.

Co-located with the Arthouse at 168 Montacute Rd, Rostrevor, it will provide a base from which staff can provide support to young people in the north-eastern suburbs.

OPEN DAY CELEBRATES A CULTURE OF SUPPORT

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thnic Link Services celebrated the launch of their new Renmark premises in July with a vibrant open day, attended by more than 80 people.

The service has been supporting older people in the Riverland region for over 20 years and has moved from the Renmark Paringa District Hospital to a new office on Murtho Street.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP stood side by side with our staff and clients to cut the ribbon and officially open the new site.

Mr Pasin praised Ethnic Link Services for leading the way in supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, describing the service as a “vital cultural bridge”.

Many of the residents we support in the region turned out to the special

These two new sites add to UnitingSA’s extensive service reach across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo

O “I want the services forever.”

DANAE

launch event, enjoying the festivities and diverse array of food on offer.

ur services were on show at the Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo at the Adelaide Showgrounds in September.

Our teams from Home Care, Residential Aged Care, Ethnic Link Services and Wesley Social Enterprises were on hand to have meaningful conversations about how we can support people’s independence, wellbeing and inclusion.

It was wonderful to see a vast array of community service providers come together to ensure South Australians have access to the support that suits their needs.

Among them was Danae Costa, who said she was “very, very happy” to be supported by our team of workers to remain living in her community.

She also attends a fortnightly social group run by Ethnic Link Services, bringing people with Greek backgrounds together to enjoy activities and converse in their own language.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

HUMANITY & CONNECTION ARE KEY TO RECOVERY

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hen Adam was put in touch with our Mental Health Services, he didn’t even like leaving his house.

He had battled schizophrenia for almost a decade but was only diagnosed in 2016 when he was in hospital following a psychotic episode.

Adam was referred to our Partners in Recovery program, which connects people with complex mental health issues to a variety of services to improve health and wellbeing.

From there, he started receiving support through our Individual Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Support Service (IPRSS) and he has never looked back.

“It took about four months for Arvinder to break the ice and for us to build a rapport.”

Persistence paid off and in mid-2017 the pair turned a corner, with Adam starting to really look forward to their meetings.

Most weeks, they would walk around Adam’s neighbourhood and along the beach nearby.

As well as exercise, which is known to improve mental health, the walks were a chance to talk about life and set goals.

Adam went from barely responding to questions, to initiating conversation himself.

Adam admits it was a slow start and in the beginning, he was not so receptive to the weekly sessions with support worker Arvinder.

When Arvinder went to India to visit family, he asked UnitingSA peer worker Ross to step in to support Adam in his absence.

He would often make excuses as to why he couldn’t meet, just so he could stay home and avoid the world.

Peer workers have a lived experience of mental health, allowing them to walk alongside people on their journey of recovery from a place of understanding.

“I was hardly leaving the house and I was deeply depressed,” Adam, 45, recalls.

“I was having no contact with anybody so at first I didn’t want the help.”

ADAM

Adam and Ross quickly formed a connection and with a shared love of sports, found common ground to build from.

“We have both played football and talked about back in the day when things like mental health weren’t spoken about,” Ross says.

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“We used to practise physical health but not the emotional side and we wouldn’t talk about what’s important to us, how we feel and how we can solve problems.”

Adam now meets Arvinder and Ross on alternate weeks, gaining insight and support from each worker as he goes from strength to strength.

His life today is much fuller than when we first met him – he is volunteering in a Vinnie’s op-shop, has rekindled some old friendships, and is working towards his goal of securing paid employment.

He is also regaining interest in some of his old passions, particularly sport.

At his low point, Adam couldn’t even drum up enough interest to watch sport on TV. Now, he is back watching AFL and soccer, plus wants to improve his own physical health and has swimming and yoga on his ‘to-do’ list.

When asked what advice he has for others who find themselves in a similar position, Adam says this: “Being in a situation where you are unwell, you don’t know what’s best for you. People need to know there are professionals in the industry and they are willing to help.

Where you can, don’t be ashamed to ask for support and accept it.”

To find out more about UnitingSA’s Mental Health Services contact 8440 2260.

FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

TINA’S STORY: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

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ina Dowdall will tell you the only thing that is truly important in life is family.

The newest centenarian at Wesley House Aged Care has dedicated her 100 years to looking after the people she loves.

“Having a good family – that’s all that matters.”

TINA

“My husband was a perfect man and we never had any trouble whatsoever with our kids.

“If we could help them, we would help them and that was it.”

Tina was born into the Capasso family in Naples, Italy, on 2nd August 1918.

She was one of six children and remained in Naples until 1946, when she met a dashing Englishman, Ronald, who was stationed in Italy as part of the British Army.

Within months, the pair got married and they moved to England,

where they went on to have their first son, Richard.

At age 3, Richard tragically died of leukaemia and Tina still gets visibly upset speaking about her “darling angel”. A smiling photo of the curly-haired toddler now looks down over her bed.

Those happy years with Ronald came to an end in 2006, when he passed away.

It was an incredibly difficult time for Tina and she still misses him fiercely.

It was also a time in which all the love and support she had given her family over the years came back full circle.

Three weeks after Richard’s death, Tina gave birth to her son, Peter, and two years later her daughter Yvonne was born.

“My son Peter had lived in America for 30 years and when my husband died, he promised his father he would look after me,” Tina says.

In 1960, the family moved to Australia and settled in Elizabeth, where Tina and Ronald lived in the same house for more than 40 years.

“Three or four months after Ronald passed, Peter and his wife Gill sold everything and came back to live in Australia.

During that time, Tina was a dedicated mother who worked during school hours at John Martin’s department store because she “always wanted to be able to take the children to school and be home when they came back”.

“He lives five minutes away and he comes to visit me every evening.

He is a gorgeous boy.”

She recalls many happy years enjoying her family, friends and spending time in her garden.

She is incredibly talented at arts and crafts and has some of the ceramic ornaments, crocheted toys and knitted blankets she has created on display in her room.

She has also enjoyed travelling over the years – in particular to visit her children who moved to America and England, as well as her remaining family in Italy.

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Tina’s daughter, Yvonne, lives in England but every Christmas flies back to Adelaide to spend it with her mum.

She also flew back in August for her centenary birthday celebration, which Tina says was an incredible occasion.

About 70 family members and friends gathered to celebrate with a party in Gawler full of good food, laughter and love – just how Tina likes it.

“I was so surprised to see everyone,” she says.

“It was simply wonderful.”

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FUN FACTS Favourite colour?

Blue Favourite animal?

Cavoodle Favourite food?

Thai cuisine Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?

George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Nicolas Cage (What a rat pack!)

A CUPPA WITH CON HADJICOSTANTIS Portway Housing Association is beginning a new chapter as it transitions to become UnitingSA Housing Ltd. We sat down for a cuppa with Manager Con Hadjicostantis to talk about his career in the housing sector, the reasons behind the changes and what lies ahead for UnitingSA Housing.

Q: What services does UnitingSA Housing provide?

A: We provide affordable rental properties for a whole range of people, including those on low incomes, refugees, people with a mental health disability, and over 65s. The housing is the foundation and then everything else builds on top of that. Our aim is to get a roof over someone’s head to help stabilise that person’s life. Then we are able to link them with other services to provide wrap-around support. That might be support around mental health or help to live independently.

We want to make sure our tenants are able to maintain a successful tenancy.

Q: Are most of your tenants long-term?

A: We have more than 700 tenants and a lot of them have been with us for years. We’ve had a few examples of late where people have lived in one of our properties and over time they’ve chipped away and eventually been able to afford to move into private rental or even buy their own home. That’s the ultimate. Our whole team celebrates it because we aren’t just landlords – we have a relationship with our tenants. We add that personal touch and that’s what UnitingSA Housing is all about.

Q: Why have you changed from Portway Housing Association to UnitingSA Housing?

A: We are very proud of our past but this change brings about real confidence for our future. The rebrand brings us all under the one

umbrella of UnitingSA with a shared Board, which is very exciting. The name better reflects our presence beyond Port Adelaide and positions us for growth. It also allows us to strengthen our tenant referral pathways because we are more closely aligned with other UnitingSA services. This helps with the housing continuum, such as people moving from homelessness services through to community housing and then one day, into aged care. It really means we can provide a one-stop-shop for tenants.

Q: What changes will tenants or other stakeholders notice?

A: It really is business as usual, so the services we provide tenants and our relationship with stakeholders remains unchanged. The only difference people will see is the new name and colours on our signs, brochures and any information we send out. Our staff and contact details are also the same, so it’s a pretty smooth transition.

Q: What path led you to the role of Manager at UnitingSA Housing?

A: My career in housing spans over 32 years and I have worked in both government and the not-for-profit sectors. I started back in 1985 as an Internal Audit Officer with the SA

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What three items would you want if you were stranded on a desert island?

Coffee machine, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (operational) and my family

Housing Trust. What started off as a casual work placement ended up being a working relationship for 28 years in various roles.

I then came to Portway Housing as a volunteer for a few weeks, which led to a three-month appointment and then the role of Operations Manager. I now feel very privileged to be the first Manager of UnitingSA Housing. I don’t see myself doing anything else. I come to work each day and know I will be working with amazing people to achieve positive outcomes. It sounds crazy but I look forward to Mondays. I guess housing is in my blood.

Q: What does the future hold for UnitingSA Housing?

A: Our change in name and legal structure increases our capacity to grow our supply of affordable housing. We have just completed two new developments in Pennington and Kidman Park, which have been fantastic. Pennington was the first official opening attended by the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC when she was appointed Human Services Minister. Kidman Park was the first development delivered by a Tier 2 provider under the Government’s Asset Renewal Program. Now we have to keep being innovative.

We are working on a development in Kurralta Park next, which will create at least eight new properties. We always said Portway Housing Association was the best kept secret in housing.

That is being lifted now and as UnitingSA Housing we are becoming more visible.

Q: How does someone find out more about UnitingSA Housing or register for a property?

A: They can visit our website at unitingsa.com.au/housing or call us on 8440 2244.

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of the recipients highlights the value of school packs for children in need.

“A 10-year old girl I work with received a lunch box in her school pack,” she says.

“Her granddad reported back to me that she can’t wait to get up in the morning and make her own lunch now, and then she cleans it first thing when she gets home from school.

PANCAKE DAY GIVES FAMILIES A REASON TO SMILE

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e have been able to help more families put food on the table and send their children to school with a smile, thanks to funds raised through the annual UnitingCare SA Pancake Day.

UnitingSA Anti-Poverty team leader Cindy Adey says Pancake Day funds allowed us to buy back to school packs for families who otherwise would not be able to afford the educational necessities.

The packs contain a bag, lunchbox, drink bottle and stationery to ensure children have everything they need to go to school.

“Being able to provide more back to school packs is crucial because every child deserves to have an equal opportunity,” Cindy says.

“We are so grateful for the funds and for everyone who supported Pancake Day this year.

“It is such a great cause and every dollar counts.”

Connected Families worker Tashara Hague says the experience of one

Expanded program is supporting parents in Murray Bridge

TASHARA

We also put the funds towards helping people on bridging visas, who often miss out on vital support because their visa status prevents them from obtaining governmentfunded assistance.

The funds raised allowed us to buy supermarket vouchers to support them.

“Because of Pancake Day, we were able to help these people buy food and other necessary items to ensure they can support their families,” Cindy says.

“It is such a relief to be able to assist people who would otherwise miss out.”

The UnitingCare SA Pancake Day is held on or around Shrove Tuesday each year, bringing the community together to raise awareness and funds while enjoying a sweet treat.

They praised the program for its success helping parents prepare to join or re-enter the workforce by the time their youngest child starts school.

Our operations in Murray Bridge are part of our expanded contract to deliver ParentsNext over the next three years.

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It follows a successful two-year pilot in which we delivered the program to more than 900 parents in the City of Playford.

Senator Michaelia Cash and Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP recently dropped in to visit our team and some of the people we support.

To find out more about ParentsNext email parentsnext@unitingsa.com.au or call our team in Elizabeth on 8259 2900, Port Adelaide on 8440 2270 or Murray Bridge on 0459 873 694.

ur ParentsNext program is now in full swing supporting the Murray Bridge community from our new offices on McHenry Street.

“Something so little can make such a big difference.”

UNITINGSA

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

HOMELESSNESS NOT JUST A CITY ISSUE

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omelessness in the western suburbs came under the spotlight during National Homelessness Week through a community event we hosted on August 9.

Our second annual Homelessness in the West event helped us share information about homelessness and health services available in the community, and strengthen referral pathways for the people we support.

More than 20 stalls, a free barbecue lunch, live music, clothing giveaways and kids activities were part of the event at 58 Dale St, Port Adelaide.

Housing project earns building award

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ur new townhouse development in Pennington took out the Excellence in Affordable and Public Housing Award at the Master Builders SA Building Excellence Awards in August.

The project, delivered in partnership with Thorne Constructions and Zummo

UnitingSA’s Western Adelaide Homelessness Services (WAHS) manager Joe Gannon says the event “recognises that this significant social concern is not exclusive to the city.”

“Our services support around 1800 people each year – a significant number of people in housing stress in the western region alone,” Joe says.

WAHS assistant coordinator of outreach services, Leah Heath, says “so many people find themselves in situations they never thought they would be in”.

“Community events are a great forum in which to educate the community of the multiple avenues for assistance

available, as well as giving agency workers the chance to see what else is happening in their area of expertise.”

WAHS coordinator of duty and intake services, Brendon Liddicoat, says Homelessness in the West is a team effort across agencies.

“To have over 30 services involved at a local level who can all provide support to those who need it most is a fantastic example of how we can work collaboratively.”

To find out more about the support provided by Western Adelaide Homelessness Services, visit unitingsa.com.au or phone 8440 2110.

Designs, involved renovating a row of eight two-storey townhouses at 640 Torrens Rd. Major works included gutting the buildings and installing new kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces, as well as extensive work rewiring, plumbing and landscaping.

Judges said “to renovate a severely dilapidated building and produce such a great result with a limited budget and tight program displays the hallmark of an excellent project and outstanding Master Builder”.

UnitingSA Housing offers affordable accommodation to people on low incomes.

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FLOURISH MAGAZINE | ISSUE NO. 6 | 2018

70 Dale Street • PO Box 3032, Port Adelaide, SA 5015 P. (08) 8440 2200 E. unitingsa@unitingsa.com.au W. unitingsa.com.au @unitingsa @unitingsa Photography Catherine Leo at cathleo.com.au Editorial enquiries or feedback: (08) 8200 9213 © Copyright 2018 UnitingSA