The Supporter is a quarterly magazine providing a collection of stories from across the AnglicareSA community.
Spring 2021
Solar power pilot project Volunteers needed Food school
Message from the CEO
From keeping people connected with their community and loved ones during COVID-19 lockdowns, to easing financial and psychological stress by investing in diverse, accessible social and affordable housing, AnglicareSA always looks for new and innovative ways to support our community.
A secure home is also key in helping young people transition from living in out-of-home care to living independently. AnglicareSA has commenced a pilot program, based in Kurralta Park, which provides reduced rent accommodation, along with tailored support services, to help care leavers continue their education and employment while gaining important skills and confidence to carry through their lives. Our Spring Appeal is raising money for our Turning Point program, which provides families in crisis with a safe home and wrap-around support services. This is a life-changing program that relies on the support of our donors, and I encourage you, if you can afford it, to please donate to this appeal. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our partner Beyond Bank, which has committed to a further three-year sponsorship of the Turning Point program. Thank you to everyone who dug deep and donated to our Winter Appeal. Your generosity is a big boost to our emergency assistance services, which have been supporting people experiencing hardship following our most recent COVID-19 lockdown.
Often, these initiatives require us to partner with business or government to achieve the change we know will improve the lives of our customers. One such project is our new solar energy pilot program, launched in August. In partnership with Beat Energy, we have invested in solar systems for 37 of our community housing properties, giving our tenants what they need to control their energy use, save on their bills, and reduce their impact on the environment. In partnership with the State Government, we recently turned the first sod on 30 new social and affordable homes in Woodville West. This project is part of our long-term strategic investment to increase housing options in South Australia. Having a safe, secure and appropriate home allows people to stabilise their lives and make plans for the future. AnglicareSA supports people right along the housing continuum, from crisis to home ownership. On page 5 is an inspiring story of one family’s journey to home ownership after arriving in Australia as refugees from Afghanistan.
There are many across our community who support the work of AnglicareSA. Thank you to St Richard’s Anglican Church in Lockleys and CityLight Church in North Adelaide, both of whom recently collected donations of new underwear and blankets from their communities for our emergency assistance services. The generosity of those communities has made a big difference in the lives of people across Adelaide doing it tough over the winter. Many of our programs and services rely on volunteers to work with us to change lives. If you have some spare time and would like to join us, please get in touch. Our emergency assistance services and residential aged care homes are particularly in need of more volunteers. Thank you for your continued support of AnglicareSA. Together we change lives.
Grant Reubenicht Chief Executive Officer
Cover: AnglicareSA tenant John Franklin with Executive General Manager Housing, Michelle Gegenhuber at the solar energy pilot launch.
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Community housing solar pilot
The $260,000 project has seen AnglicareSA partner with local energy provider Beat Energy to install solar systems in 37 community housing properties to help tenants reduce their cost of living and carbon footprint. AnglicareSA Executive General Manager Housing, Michelle Gegenhuber, said the solar systems are paid for, maintained and owned by AnglicareSA, leaving tenants with no installation expenses. “All South Australians, especially those on low incomes, deserve access to technology and services that reduce their cost of living,” she said. “With no out-of-pocket expenses for tenants, the new initiative will not only help reduce bills, but contribute positively to the environment, and educate our tenants to better understand and control how and when to use energy throughout the day. “As we work towards our vital goal of increasing the supply of social and affordable housing, we’re committed to ensuring that we’re developing sustainable homes suitable for the long-term. “We’re proud to be working with a South Australian family business, using locally-developed technology to achieve the best energy solutions for our tenants.” AnglicareSA tenants John and Beverley Franklin, who rely on the aged care pension, are grateful to have access to renewable energy –an opportunity they always thought was financially out of reach. A new pilot project across Adelaide’s north and northwest is enabling South Australians on low incomes to access rooftop solar energy for the first time.
“Twenty-five per cent of all Australian householders are tenants and unfortunately the majority have been left out of the renewable energy market, while their energy costs continue to rise,” he said. “With this South Australian innovation, we’re delivering bill savings to tenants and financial returns to landlords, ensuring all Australians can now participate in our thriving solar market.”
“We often thought about solar, but since retirement haven’t had the funds to do so,” he said. “It’s great so far –being able to track how and when we use energy so we can keep the cost of the power down.” With the pilot project installations completed this winter, tenants are now reaping the benefits of their newly solar-powered homes. Following the pilot project, AnglicareSA will explore renewable energy options across its social and affordable housing portfolio. Beat Energy co-founder and CEO Domenico Gelonese said the average household can expect to save between 15 and 30 per cent on their energy costs.
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Supporter Spring 2021
$11M affordable and social housing development
In June, we turned the first sod on an exciting new development which will increase social and affordable housing in Adelaide’s west. In partnership with the State Government, AnglicareSA’s Woodville
West development will see the construction of six villas and 24 apartments.
Once these properties are developed, AnglicareSA will work with individuals and families to support them to enjoy positive, constructive tenancies and, in turn, create strong, safe and sustainable communities. Initial construction commenced in July and we anticipate that residents will be able to move in by the end of 2022.
AnglicareSA appoints new aged care executive AnglicareSA is excited to announce the appointment of Graydn Spinks as its new Executive General Manager (EGM), Aged Care Services. Graydn has been acting in the position Grant Reubenicht, AnglicareSA CEO, said Graydn has a strong belief that the history, story and future aspirations of older people should be respected and underpin service design.
“Graydn is committed, with the rest of the aged care team at AnglicareSA, to enabling older Australians to derive meaning and purpose from their lives,” Mr Reubenicht said. “We look forward to Graydn’s leadership and the impact of his passion for providing choice and flexibility. “We know Graydn’s approach will enable opportunities for us to create better outcomes for the older people in our care.”
of EGM Aged Care Services for the past two months, after initially joining AnglicareSA in November 2020 as Head of Residential Aged Care. He has 25 years of experience across aged care services and the not-for- profit sector. Previously, Graydn spent three years heading up customer service and aged care at Baptistcare in Western Australia, and 10 years at Southern Cross Care in several senior executive roles.
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Building a new life
“We learnt the hard way, but you just need to be a little wise, and know what to spend and what to save,” he said. “If someone wants to improve their life, we are living proof that they can.” For Adnan, the future is bright. He remained open when asked whether he hopes to run his own restaurant one day. “Who knows? Anything is possible,” he said. “Right now, I just want to keep working hard and pay the mortgage on time.” It is inspiring to see tenants transition along the housing continuum from social housing through to home ownership. As well as Adnan and his mother, another 11 AnglicareSA community housing tenants have gone on to purchase their own home in the last 12 months. Their story highlights how access to social housing and a safe, stable home can empower people to overcome challenging circumstances, achieve financial stability and, ultimately, improve their livelihoods.
In 2012, Adnan arrived in Australia at the age of 12 after travelling from Afghanistan with his mother. Now 23, Adnan is a proud homeowner and establishing a career as a chef. “It wasn’t easy before here –before Australia. There were lots of difficulties in every section of life,” he said. “We had nothing at all really – just a few clothes and a couple of things.” As a young boy, Adnan and his mother fled their home country for Pakistan where they spent five years before eventually securing refugee status and making it to Australia. After initially arriving in Geelong, Adnan and his mother moved to South Australia. They managed to find a private rental, but with little to no income and support, they began experiencing significant financial and emotional stress. “We were renting for seven years –we changed houses multiple times,” he said. “We were in a private rental, but it was too expensive. At the time I was studying at high school and it was all too hard.”
After shifting between a couple of rentals, the family was provided a long- term AnglicareSA community housing property in Adelaide’s north. The lower rent eased the financial burden, enabling Adnan to focus on school and eventually find employment in the kitchen of an Afghani restaurant. After three years of living in community housing, in 2019 Adnan and his mother had saved enough to buy their first home.
What is the housing continuum?
The concept enables policy makers to move away from a one-size-fits-all strategy of providing social housing, towards the range of housing options available to different households on a continuum as they stabilise and increase their independence.
The housing continuum is a concept used by policy makers to consider the broad range of housing responses available to people as they move through their housing journey at different stages in their life (eg. from temporary crisis accommodation through to supported accommodation, social housing, private rental or home ownership). It enables housing options to be tailored to help a range of individuals and families to access affordable and appropriate housing that meets their needs and their level of independence.
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Supporter Spring 2021
Helping families power through mealtime
Mealtimes can be one of the most challenging times of the day for families with children.
foods and drinks, transitioning them through various aspects of play. Children start by tolerating various foods in their space and slowly build to interacting with it, touching it and eventually tasting it. This involves activities from balancing fruit on their nose and tongue, to playing tug-of-war with lolly snakes between their own hand and mouth. While the unique methods of SOS can go against conventional wisdom, it is the only results-driven feeding program with 30 years of proven clinical experience. Not only does the program support children grow with their ability to actually interact with food; it empowers parents to be able to implement certain strategies at home.
While most of us think of eating as a two-step process of ‘see food, eat food’, it can involve more than 32 steps and is the most complex thing we do as humans. It is the only thing that involves all of our sensory systems, organs, muscles and learning history. AnglicareSA’s food school works with children with feeding difficulties to make mealtime a fun and safe experience. The program is based on the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to eating, developed in the US by a team of psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and nutritionists. At food school, our specially trained occupational therapists and speech pathologists present the children with
Six -year-old Ted’s story is a perfect example of how food school has totally transformed his family’s challenges. “Ted didn’t eat any food until he was about 10 months. He had a really strong gag reflex and had some food allergies that made him vomit a lot,” said Cheryl, Ted’s mother. “He’s amazing now –he will try new things and not really have a problem with that. It’s a completely less stressful experience eating at home as a family now. “It is a really effective way of learning about eating.” In the no pressure environment of food school, Ted’s family and others learn that eating does not simply begin with the mouth and that mealtimes are opportunities to learn and explore.
AnglicareSA’s food school will be running in the upcoming Spring school holidays (September 26 –October 11). For more information or to enrol, please email amy.francesca@anglicaresa.com.au
Blanket Adelaide With Love
In early August, CityLight Church in North Adelaide appealed to the local community to donate winter items and bring warmth to people in need.
All new items from the drive were provided to AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance program, while other good quality pre-loved items are being distributed through CityLight’s support networks. This generous initiative is a great example of how parishes contribute to our work through independent community engagement projects.
The donation drive, dubbed ‘Blanket Adelaide With Love’, saw more than 75 people donate various winter warmers, from sleeping bags through to much- needed socks and underwear. Since the completion of the drive, a further 17 people have been in contact with organisers and dropped off more donations. Many donors were from beyond the CityLight Church community.
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Jocks and Socks Sunday Piles of new underwear and blankets decorated the alter at St Richard’s Anglican Church when the congregation celebrated their annual Jocks and Socks Sunday in early August.
The donated goods were later delivered to AnglicareSA’s Magdalene Centre in the city. As part of the Jocks and Socks Sunday, Kristian Bennett from our Health and Wellness Services spoke to the congregation about the work of AnglicareSA, and in particular the health and wellness services we provide to help people stay strong and active as they age. Thanks to everyone at St Richard’s Lockleys for their generous donation, which will make a big difference in the lives of those in crisis.
Olympic fun The latest COVID-19 lockdown did not stop residents in our aged care homes from getting into the Olympic spirit. From a torch relay to participating in the wide variety of sports rolled out across our homes, residents enthusiastically competed for medals and cheered on their favourite athletes at the Tokyo Games. Our lifestyle teams work with residents year-round to ensure they are engaged and active, and that is even more important during lockdowns when they cannot have visitors.
Tackling youth homelessness in Murray Bridge
the program provides practical support for health and wellbeing, access to education and training, connections with the local community and long-term sustainable housing options. AnglicareSA is a proud partner of Studio Purpose, together with Habitat for Humanity Australia, ac.care, head space, the Rural City of Murray Bridge and the SA Housing Authority.
In August, a new program opened in Murray Bridge to provide safe accommodation and support services to young people experiencing homelessness in the region. Known as Studio Purpose, the program provides fully furnished units for short- term rent to at-risk youth aged 15 to 21. In addition to a roof over their heads,
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Supporter Spring 2021
Long-lasting impacts of lockdowns COVID-19 lockdowns, while necessary, cause pain and hardship right across the community. For those already the need to quarantine for two weeks as close and casual contacts of COVID-19 exposure sites.” Ms Penna said. “With financial stress comes increased mental health issues.
living in crisis and financial stress, the impacts can be devastating. During South Australia’s most recent seven-day lockdown, AnglicareSA saw a significant spike in requests for financial counselling assistance and our emergency assistance centres saw around 150 people each day in need of financial support. Those living in Adelaide’s northern suburbs were particularly stressed, with the lockdown placing enormous financial pressure on households affected by nearby exposure sites.
“The impacts last well beyond restrictions being lifted and
AnglicareSA will continue its work, particularly in the hard-hit northern suburbs, to support those affected to get their lives back on track.” We can all play a part in helping our fellow South Australians to get through these tough times. If you are in a position to do so, please donate to our emergency assistance programs, at anglicaresa.com.au , get vaccinated and support local businesses.
Nancy Penna, AnglicareSA Executive General Manager Community Services, said a large portion of working people in the northern suburbs are employed on a casual basis, often in the retail and hospitality sectors. “For them, the financial impact was immediate and made even worse by
Help us to change lives
Volunteers are an integral part of AnglicareSA’s support services. Their generosity and commitment enable us to deliver a range of services to the South Australian community.
We need more volunteers across our six residential aged care homes, as well as within our emergency assistance services. In our residential ages care homes, volunteers support the Lifestyle team to engage with our residents in a range of social activities. Volunteers in our three main emergency assistance centres across metropolitan Adelaide support people experiencing vulnerability. Based on your skills, experience and availability, successful volunteer applicants will be placed in fulfilling roles that have a real impact on the community.
To find out more about volunteering, and to register your interest, visit anglicaresa.com.au and click ‘join our team’
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Independent living for care leavers
employment and three are job seeking. One has transitioned into stable shared housing and is employed as an apprentice tiler. There is a significant unmet need in housing and outreach support services for young care leavers between 18 and 25 years of age in South Australia. Australian and international research shows that young people leaving the statutory care system continue to experience similar and consistent challenges into adulthood, namely overrepresentation in homelessness, lower educational attainment, chronic poverty, unemployment and becoming parents at a younger age. Current national data shows that 64 per cent of care leavers will experience primary homelessness within two years of exiting the care system. More than 42 per cent of adults within the homelessness system have a history of placement in out-of-home care. Having a safe and secure home with tailored support enables people to stabilise their lives and develop and implement plans to move on to long-term housing, employment and improved health and wellbeing.
An AnglicareSA accommodation and support pilot program for young people leaving care has been named a finalist in the inaugural South Australian Child Protection Awards in the ’Transition to Independence’ category.
programs and local community initiatives, and building citizenship opportunities such as enrolling to vote. Supporting them to navigate relationships and, where appropriate, safely reconnect with their family, is also a major focus. Since the program commenced in March, 17 young people have started living in the self-contained one- bedroom apartments. Of these, eight are in continuing education, six are in
The 12-month pilot program, based at AnglicareSA’s community housing apartments in Adelaide's inner west , assists young care leavers with reduced rent. It also helps them to maintain education or employment while supporting them to develop their independent living skills. AnglicareSA’s supported independent living service helps the young tenants with household budgeting, gaining a driver’s licence, engaging in wellbeing
When dreams become reality Josh moved into our post-care accommodation after spending many years couch surfing. He managed to retain his job at a local hotel despite his transiency. However, without a stable home, his dreams of becoming a manager, owning his own house, getting his driver’s licence, and most importantly, reconnecting with his daughter, seemed out of reach. Since moving in, Josh is seeing his daughter regularly and has developed a strong relationship, chatting to her daily. He is a confident, generous and kind man who regularly seeks to share his delicious home-cooked meals with staff and other young people living on site. It is great to see Josh turn his new unit into a beautiful home.
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Supporter Spring 2021
Beyond Bank extends Turning Point sponsorship Beyond Bank has been a significant partner of the Turning Point program over the past three years.
We are delighted to announce that it has committed to a further three years of support. The community impact of our partnership with Beyond Bank has been significant.
We have supported 106 families since the Turning Point program began. In the past financial year alone, 60 South Australian preschoolers would have experienced homelessness if it wasn’t for Turning Point.
We thank Beyond Bank for its continued support of this life-changing program.
Cathedral Banquet Staged amid the majesty and grandeur of the iconic St Peter’s Cathedral in
Tickets selling fast!
North Adelaide, the annual Cathedral Banquet features a fine dining experience, complemented by premium wines and sensational entertainment. A highlight of the evening is an auction featuring the best ‘money can buy’ experiences. By purchasing a ticket to this glittering night of nights, you will help AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance program support South Australians in crisis. Operating across Adelaide and regional areas, AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance program provides emergency food relief, clothing, once-off rent assistance, financial counselling and referrals to other support services. With your support, AnglicareSA can ensure we meet the growing demand for emergency assistance and improve the lives of thousands of South Australians. If you would like to support this event as a sponsor, donate a prize or make a general enquiry, please email donate@anglicaresa.com.au
Tickets $300 pp incl. GST To purchase tickets, visit the AnglicareSA website at anglicaresa.com.au and click ‘events’
Date Time
29 October 2021
6.30pm– 11.00pm Venue St Peter’s Cathedral 27 King William Road North Adelaide Cathedral Banquet lottery
Can’t attend the banquet? You can still join in the fun by purchasing a ticket to go in the draw to win a car. $50 buys you a one in 2,500 chance to win a Toyota Corolla Hatch Ascent.
Tickets can be purchased online at rafflelink.com.au/anglicarebanquet2021 or by scanning the QR code.
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Turning point for family in crisis
Cathy and Russell Meyer * felt as though they were living the dream. Blessed with five children under the age of seven, life was happily chaotic.
With four of their children living with disability, their beloved therapy pets made all the difference. Unexpectedly, Cathy and Russell received notice that their rental lease would not be renewed. The couple applied for more than 200 rental properties without success –around 40 families were often competing for the same home. With no friends or family to fall back on, eventually they were left homeless. They sold their furniture, bought a tent, sleeping bags and air beds, and moved the family to a caravan park. The first couple of nights were an adventure for the children, but the novelty soon wore off. Tensions slowly built. The living space was crammed. The children missed their toys. The two eldest children began to fight. They missed their friends and didn’t understand their living arrangement. Before long, a wild dust storm and heavy rain saw the caravan park become a muddy mess. There was no way to keep the tent clean.
Together in their own Turning Point home with their therapy pets and receiving financial counselling, the family slowly recovered. Three months later, they secured their own private rental. The family are now planning a move to rural South Australia where Russell has secured permanent employment and a house with a huge yard for the therapy pets. “I don’t know where our family would be today if we hadn’t been helped by AnglicareSA. I’m certain I would have lost my husband and even my kids,” Cathy said. Historically, families like Cathy and Russell’s have been forced to live in emergency motel accommodation where there are no cooking or washing facilities, pets are prohibited, and families are forced to share beds. This is what makes Turning Point a unique support service in South Australia. * Names and identities have been changed to protect privacy.
The children’s school shoes were ruined. The true state of their finances hit home when they couldn’t even afford to buy new school shoes. Russell, who had always seen himself as the family breadwinner, was crushed by their financial struggles. Without warning, he went missing late one night – later found in hospital. He had checked himself in after breaking down and feeling unable to cope. AnglicareSA support workers started visiting Russell daily, learning about his situation and ensuring he received the support he needed. Then, the family finally received some good news. They were offered a home in AnglicareSA’s Turning Point program.
Help families facing homelessness Enjoying the safety and comfort of our own home is something most of us cherish.
Howmuch will you donate?
At AnglicareSA, we know the reality for many families is very different. On any given night, approximately 6,000 people experience homelessness in SA. Some are young families with preschoolers. Please support our Turning Point program, which works specifically with young families to help them stabilise after crisis and plan for their future. Turning Point homes are furnished with basic essentials including linen, crockery and furniture, so that families
Set of towels for a family $30
New dining set $60
Rent for a week $200
Online donations: anglicaresa.com.au and click Donate
can simply move in and focus on moving forward with their lives. These items need to be replenished for the next family and your donation will keep Turning Point homes furnished with basic essential items.
Post your cheque to: Spring Appeal, 159 Port Road, Hindmarsh SA 5007 Call today: 08 8305 9200
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Thank you
Thank you to everyone who so generously donated to our Winter Appeal. We raised more than $125,000 for our emergency assistance program. Winter is always a busy time for our emergency assistance program. Your support provides so much more than warm clothes, groceries and utility vouchers. It affords reassurance, a sense that others care, a supportive and empathetic ear and much-needed guidance to those who are doing it tough. We simply could not do this without your generous support. Donor contributions go directly to support the continuation of this service, including: – Emergency food relief, clothing and accommodation vouchers – Financial counselling – Referrals to other wrap-around support services
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