The Supporter is a quarterly magazine providing a collection of stories from across the AnglicareSA community.
Autumn 2022
Believe Housing Australia Cooking up a storm Support after suicide
Message from the CEO
It has been a challenging start to the year, with many of our programs and services impacted by the community spread of COVID-19. Through it all, the resilience and optimism shown by our customers, employees and volunteers has been inspiring.
Our effective approach to housing services was acknowledged at the recent Housing Industry Association awards, where AnglicareSA Housing (now Believe Housing Australia) received three awards. We also recently celebrated the artistic side of our tenants with the Community Housing Art Awards. It is amazing to see the breadth of talent we have in our community. Artistic talent and connection to country are at the heart of our piece about Transition to Work participants Sarah and Josiah on page 9. Their story demonstrates what is possible when someone supports you to achieve your dreams. Our aged care residents have done it tough over the past two years, often separated from family and friends due to COVID restrictions. Our aged care teams work tirelessly to provide enriching and meaningful activities for residents throughout the year, but even more so during periods of lockdown. It is not only our residents’ minds being enriched – our new Executive Chef in aged care, Andrew McIntyre, is charged with ensuring residents are well-nourished through tasty, appealing and nutritious food. Our residential aged care staff have also enjoyed the benefits of his talents, with Andrew leading a team
Despite the restrictions, our teams have been focused, as always, on the continued delivery of the highest quality programs and services for South Australians. This is at the heart of our decision to rename our housing arm. We were delighted to launch the new brand – Believe Housing Australia – earlier this month. While remaining a subsidiary of AnglicareSA and sharing the same core values, Believe Housing Australia will continue to deliver high quality housing and support services, and partner with other members of the Anglicare network on affordable housing projects over state border. Our commitment to invest $100M in social and affordable housing in SA over the next 10 years demonstrates our clear commitment to addressing the housing crisis in Australia. We encourage others to join us in our endeavour. Our team provides much more than a roof over the head – we provide wrap-around support services to assist tenants on their housing journey from crisis through to stable, long-term housing and, in many circumstances, home ownership.
of volunteer staff to make more than 5,000 meals for staff to enjoy during their long shifts in COVID-affected aged care homes. Looking after our employees and volunteers is essential to our organisation. Our group of Employee Wellbeing Chaplains provides an invaluable support service to our team. It has been especially important during recent high community transmission of COVID, with many across the organisation feeling anxious and stressed. Across the state, many other South Australians are also in need of support. Our emergency assistance services were buoyed over the Christmas period by the generous donations of our supporters through the Christmas Appeal and hamper and toy drive. Together, we raised more than $120,000 and gave away 1,500 hampers and 500 children’s gifts. This generosity will have long-term benefits across our community and enable us to continue to deliver vital emergency assistance to those in crisis. Thank you for your ongoing support of our work. Together we change lives.
Grant Reubenicht Chief Executive Officer
Cover: In March, we celebrated the launch of Believe Housing Australia with a series of staff and tenant events.
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Introducing Believe Housing Australia
“The escalating cost of private rentals leaves low-income earners without enough money for basic needs like food, heating and clothing. “More than ever, people are turning to the government and providers, like Believe Housing Australia, for support. “We know that housing is fundamental to people moving out of crisis, building independence and wellbeing, and leading a full life. “A new name, paired with our national accreditation as a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider, will create opportunities for us to partner with other members of the Anglicare network on affordable housing projects over the state border.” Although Believe Housing Australia is working under a new name, it is business as usual for our employees and 4,000-plus tenants. Through specialist wrap-around services, our on-the-ground team supports tenants to understand and achieve their needs and aspirations. This helps them to move along the housing continuum and where possible, build the independence to achieve permanent private rental or home ownership.
Believe Housing Australia will increase the supply of social and affordable housing for South Australians
AnglicareSA has announced it will invest more than $100M in social and affordable housing over the next 10 years under its new housing brand – Believe Housing Australia. AnglicareSA CEO Grant Reubenicht
affordable housing meant that only a fraction of those who needed a place to call home could achieve it. “Across the country, skyrocketing market prices put home ownership out of reach for an increasing number of people,” she said.
said Believe Housing Australia’s 10-year strategic investment and asset management plan would focus on increasing housing stock in South Australia and maintaining and upgrading existing homes. “We currently have more than 2,100 social and affordable homes either under management or ownership,” Mr Reubenicht said. “Our proven expertise in developing and managing housing stock will help increase capacity to meet existing and future demand. “We have significant demonstrable success in creating communities – not just housing – across South Australia. We stand ready to continue to partner with all levels of government and other providers to drive up the number of affordable homes available to those in need.” Believe Housing Australia Executive General Manager Michelle Gegenhuber said a dire shortage of social and
Who is Believe Housing Australia? Believe Housing Australia is a leading social and affordable
housing provider, delivering safe and secure housing, along with tenancy services. Formerly known as AnglicareSA Housing, Believe Housing Australia continues to be a part of the AnglicareSA family and remains a fully owned subsidiary company of AnglicareSA. The organisations share core values and a strong belief in the vision of justice, respect and fullness of life for all.
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Supporter Autumn 2022
Support for those impacted by suicide AnglicareSA, through the StandBy Support after Suicide program, delivers support right across South Australia for those impacted and bereaved by suicide.
have been successful in establishing relationships and connections within different pockets of the community. This has led us to having the privilege of supporting those impacted and bereaved by suicide, along with delivering workshops to upskill the community to support others. As a part of StandBy’s outreach support, those impacted are gifted a hand- knitted bear crafted by community members who care. It is a lovely symbol of the care and support available. The impact this gesture has on those we support has been profound, with many grown adults, both male and female, being reduced to tears and taking comfort in these bears.
The partnership with StandBy began in July 2021, providing 24/7 support to any South Australian affected by suicide –individuals, families and friends, along with witnesses, first responders, service providers and whole communities. The grief that follows suicide is complex, and one suicide can impact hundreds of people. Those that are bereaved or impacted by suicide are at a greater risk of suicide themselves. Because people grieve in very different ways, support services may not be required for many weeks, months or even years in some cases. Since StandBy commenced in metropolitan Adelaide last year, we
How to refer to the service: Call 1300 727 247 to connect with your local StandBy coordinator. We take referrals from anyone – you can self-refer or call on behalf of another as long as you have their consent. commitment to make support services available for every Australian who is bereaved or impacted by suicide. The delivery of StandBy throughout South Australia is part of the Commonwealth Government’s “It can feel like a big step sharing your story with someone else and I am always struck by the courage of people in doing so, and what a privilege it is for me to be listening” she said. “For this wave of COVID in the state, where so many people have been affected, most of my contact was with those working with our older customers. The staff who contacted me spoke about feeling overwhelmed and anxious. “Talking to a chaplain does not change people’s circumstances, of course. But what I hope it does do is provide a safe, quiet space, with another person who is there just for you. “A space where a person can be brutally honest about how they feel and be affirmed in that, and can begin to process their feelings and the situation they find themselves in.”
Looking after our own
AnglicareSA’s Employee Wellbeing Chaplains provide practical, emotional, pastoral or spiritual support to AnglicareSA employees, volunteers and their families. They regularly visit work sites and are available to meet with employees and volunteers wherever it suits, including over the phone or online. Their confidential support is offered on work or personal matters and is entirely based on what employees and volunteers want to talk about. The role of the chaplains complements the Employee Assistance Program and ensures that our employees and volunteers have access to a range of different supports. Employee Support Chaplain, Paula Bullock, ( pictured left ) says the COVID pandemic has required a flexible approach to the support her team provides.
While AnglicareSA employees and volunteers are hard at work supporting South Australians in need, a team of very special people is working hard to support their needs.
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Lifestyle teams bring world to our residents Melting mozzarella moments, a visit from the Winter Olympic Torch in the height of an Adelaide summer and Chinese tea tasting are some of the activities to have taken place in AnglicareSA aged care sites recently.
There are no limits to what they will do – even dressing up as a beer can on Australia Day – to bring residents joy and connection to each other and the outside world. The Elizabeth East lifestyle team recently helped residents mark the start of a two-week COVID-safe Olympic Games schedule to coincide with the Beijing Winter Olympics taking place 8600km away. Residents became athletes in the snowball toss and ice balloon hockey, with podium finishes for each event. The indoor event highlights the dedicated work of Anglicare SA’s lifestyle teams working tirelessly to keep residents engaged and included in very trying times.
These events and many more have been inspired by a loyal team of more than 30 aged care staff known as the lifestyle team, who work across all six of our aged care homes.
Celebrating World Pizza Day at Trott Park
In February, AnglicareSA Trott Park celebrated World Pizza Day with kilos of mozzarella, while Oolong tea was being poured to bring in the Lunar New Year at AnglicareSA Grange. Australian Day, Valentine’s Day, High Tea and many events like these and more have been enjoyed across our homes. Wellness coordinators also contribute to the social and emotional life of residents. They provide support for individual residents and a general activities program for our homes.
AnglicareSA’s lifestyle team kept the Olympic flame burning for Elizabeth East residents
A warm welcome Our Christie Downs customers and staff recently extended a very warm (and yummy) welcome to Ian Byrne, Executive General Manager of Disability Services, and Bridget Knowles, Head of AnglicareSA’s NDIS services. Homemade cookies were served up to the visitors by our talented culinary customers before a tour of their homes and a show-and-tell of all their hard work and sporting accomplishments. Jake and Shaun said they loved having the visitors because it made them feel special.
AnglicareSA’s Bridget Knowles (second from left) and Ian Byrne (first from right) shared a fun visit with customers in Christie Downs
More than 630 disability and mental health customers are supported by us each year through a range of services aimed at empowering and improving lives with dignity, purpose and choice.
This is just one of our disability support services providing long-, medium- and short-term accommodation for adults under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We also support short- term accommodation services for children through the NDIS.
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Supporter Autumn 2022
Cooking up a storm for aged care workers
aged care staff working 12-14 hour shifts in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). “It’s just one little thing that we can do to support them,” he said. Wraps, nourish bowls, pasta and curries are some of the meals that have been delivered to AnglicareSA’s residential aged care sites across metropolitan Adelaide. At our Trott Park home recently, residents were treated to a high tea of sticky date pudding, lemon curd tarts, white chocolate and apricot cookies to celebrate the end of an outbreak at their site. The high tea was suggested by the newly appointed Head Chef at Trott Park, Michael Bruys. Michael, 29, was a former Head Chef at Windy Point. He worked at the acclaimed hilltop restaurant for 10 years and is now working with Andrew to provide the same excellent culinary experience for our aged care residents. “We want to be an employer of choice when it comes to chefs,” said Michael.
“I really wanted to be involved in giving back.” Faced with community spread of Omicron impacting the aged care sector, Andrew harnessed the goodwill of AnglicareSA staff who volunteered their spare time to cook up a storm for our tireless frontline workers. Over a month, Andrew and his team of volunteers prepared over 5,000 ready-made meals for AnglicareSA
AnglicareSA’s new executive chef, aged care services, believes you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen. Andrew McIntyre ( pictured below ) joined AnglicareSA in November last year. “I came to AnglicareSA pretty much because of their good reputation,” said Andrew.
Making a difference Zoe May is a physiotherapy student at UniSA, who generously volunteers her time to help with activities and socialise with AnglicareSA’s aged care residents.
“I am very interested in working in aged care physio, so interacting and helping clients is a great experience,” said Zoe ( pictured right ). She has been volunteering weekly for the past two months in activities that include playing board games with residents, assisting with leisure activities, assisting with meals and drinks, setting up and packing up duties, and helping residents to and from their rooms. Zoe chose to volunteer at AnglicareSA after researching her options across the state.
“AnglicareSA seemed like a nice organisation to be involved with as it aligns with lots of my values,” she said. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed across our six residential aged care homes and emergency assistance services. Zoe says volunteering has many rewards. “It’s a way to get involved and to help people, and to make a positive impact in someone’s life – even if it is just by having someone to talk with and show interest”.
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Community Housing Art Awards
The artistic talents of approximately 150 people across South Australia were recently celebrated at the inaugural Community Housing Art Awards South Australia (CHARTS). AnglicareSA has partnered with Access 2 Place Housing, Community Housing Ltd, Junction, Westside Housing, Housing Choices South Australia, and Unity Housing to provide this wonderful opportunity to people living in AnglicareSA’s more than 2,100 community housing properties. A variety of unique and stunning art was on display. The award categories included framed and hanging pictures, 3D sculptures, photography – both digital and graphic – poetry and literature. South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Sandy Verschoor, joined the celebration with award finalists including AnglicareSA tenants Edward, Leonard and Rex. Rex took home the major prize. A special thank you to the Harvey Norman Commercial Division and Electrolux, for the donation of $500 in cash prizes to the award winners.
The artistic talents of our tenants were on display at the Community Housing Art Awards
Thank you also to the Community Housing Council of South Australia for their significant support for the inaugural event.
Disability support during COVID During the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with disability have found it particularly difficult to get the support they need to live full, rewarding and independent lives. In the homes of our most vulnerable South Australians, AnglicareSA disability support workers have been doing their best to provide such assistance.
Over the Christmas period, Emmanuel volunteered to live through isolation with three male clients in the house who had tested positive. He supported the men through their isolation period at a time when few were willing to work with COVID-positive cases. His selfless commitment to his clients made a world of difference to these men and their families.
AnglicareSA team leader, Emmanuel, ( pictured left ) is responsible for the day-to-day running of a house that provides 24/7 support for young men living with Autism.
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Supporter Autumn 2022
AnglicareSA awarded for delivering a brighter future
AnglicareSA received three accolades at the Australian Housing Institute (AHI) Brighter Future Awards in December. The Awards recognise excellence in the housing sector and reward housing professionals who have made a significant and lasting difference to tenants or service users, their community, their colleagues and the profession.
Leading housing development Fatchen Street
COVID-19 nomination Community development and tenancy The COVID-19 Nomination Award recognised the organisation that has made the most strides to improve housing and tenancy wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. With 90 per cent of AnglicareSA’s tenants living in isolation, the support we provide is significant to tenants’ mental health and wellbeing. Tenancy officers checked in regularly with tenants to ensure they were supported during the difficult pandemic isolation periods. AnglicareSA launched ‘lockdown projects’ to increase tenant engagement and wellbeing, including a quilting project where tenants designed and created their own unique quilts, group Zoom cooking classes, and a closed Facebook group where tenants could share their thoughts, feelings and interests with others. These projects were enthusiastically taken up by tenants who not only learned new skills but enjoyed sharing the experiences with others.
Inspirational team member Ali Akbarpour
The award-winning housing development project involved the redevelopment of three properties on Fatchen Street in Elizabeth Grove. Two old corner-site attached homes were demolished, making way for the construction of three two-bedroom, free-standing homes. The new homes make more efficient use of the land, improve the housing quality and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. All three homes are designed to exceed Housing SA’s minimum design guidelines, as well as the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) ‘Improved Liveability’ design standards, to the point where they are eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation – or SDA – compliance.
AnglicareSA’s Housing Options Coordinator Ali Akbarpour was recognised with the Inspirational Team Member award for the significant part he has played in providing increased housing for refugees on their arrival to South Australia. Ali has worked with AnglicareSA since 2008, first as a Refugee Tenancy Officer, then as our Refugee Housing Coordinator and now as AnglicareSA’s Housing Options Coordinator. In these roles, Ali has supported new arrivals in their housing journeys, assessing their needs, ensuring they have appropriate housing and supports in place and educating them about the Australian housing system. His enthusiasm and compassion, combined with his calm and empathic nature, have enabled him to lead fellow team members and our customers through difficult situations to achieve their goals.
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Support to transition to work
For young couple Sarah and Josiah, finding employment in a pandemic-impacted job market has been a huge challenge. As a budding Aboriginal artist, Sarah recently took time away from her archaeology degree to focus on her passion and find ways to make a living from art when she returns to university. With support from AnglicareSA’s Transition to Work program, she has spent the past few weeks building a visual arts portfolio and a website. “I’ve been working with my Transition to Work coach on pulling together my art projects,” she said. “Things are obviously slow at the moment because of the way life is, so I figured it would be a good idea to slowly work on a portfolio.” Sarah’s passion for art comes from her family and her connection to culture and country. “Being Aboriginal, I have always been drawn towards Aboriginal art,” she said. “I’ve experienced some identity issues and I think learning about and doing Aboriginal art has helped me connect a bit better to who I am. “I actually didn’t know I could do digital art until I got an iPad last year and started drawing for fun.” Since then, Sarah has worked on reconciliation action plans for different organisations, as well as fabric designs, and AnglicareSA has also helped her find some recent work. “Marion and Onkaparinga Council were doing a youth seminar, so I designed a logo. Right now, I’m working on a piece for a kindergarten,” she said. “One day I hope to do something on a big scale – maybe something like the Adelaide Fringe, where there is exposure but it’s meaningful too.”
Transition to Work participants Josiah and Sarah
The couple said the key for them has been having another person to trust and lean on when it comes to carving their career paths, and to be part of a program that is ‘’really culturally safe’’. “We both come from pretty humble backgrounds, so it helps a lot having another adult to bounce off and reassure you that you’re doing the right thing,” Sarah said. “AnglicareSA has not only supported us jobwise, but through food and financial support – we’ve been in bad situations where we didn’t know if we were going to eat for a couple days and AnglicareSA has really supported us through that, too.”
Sarah was originally connected to AnglicareSA through Josiah, her partner, who initially engaged with the program in 2019. The program helped him get job- ready, working together with him on his resume, cover letters and identifying what it is he wanted to do – work in the horticultural industry. He was also supported to obtain his driver’s, excavator and chainsaw licenses and white card. “I was struggling to find work and not many were hiring, but there was some upholstery work going and I got the job,” he said. “AnglicareSA supported me throughout the process.” While the devastating bushfire season in 2020 saw Josiah’s upholstery apprenticeship fall through, he now has a full-time position with a horticultural company – the industry he has long wanted to be a part of. “I always wanted a horticultural job – I just like being outdoors, I’m one with the land,” Josiah said.
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Supporter Autumn 2022
Giving a Boost to those in need Strong communities have never been more important than they are today. The wonderful Jeff and Sue Craigie from Boost Juice Port Adelaide recently ran a community fundraiser to support us to help those in need.
AnglicareSA’s Fundraising Engagement Coordinator Tammy Rees is presented with a donation from Boost Juice Port Adelaide
If you’re interested in supporting the South Australian community and would like to organise your own fundraiser, contact us at donate@anglicaresa. com.au to find out how you can help.
Their generous community raised $1,532 for AnglicareSA, which will assist with the provision of food security and support services.
Donating Christmas cheer
Christmas 2021 saw many amazing South Australians open their hearts and give generously to our community through AnglicareSA’s Christmas Hamper and Toy Drive.
Thanks to the generosity of schools, parishes and community groups, we were able to provide 1,500 food hampers to individuals and families,and more than 500 toy and gift donations
donated goods, and to the incredible volunteers from CMI Toyota and Beyond Bank who gave up their time to help pack hampers and collect the donations. We simply could not support so many South Australians in need without this generous support. Together we change lives.
for children aged up to 18 years. A big thank you to our corporate
supporters, Complete Ute and Van Hire, for helping us with a van to transport
Beyond Bank volunteers, Lana and Nicki
Save the date!
Friday 4 November 2022
The Cathedral Banquet is an event not to be missed. Funds raised ensure we can continue to invest in improving the lives of South Australians by providing food security, personal care, medication, utilities, rent assistance and referrals to other support services or counselling. Want to be involved in the 2022 Cathedral Banquet?
Sponsorship opportunities are now available email: donate@anglicaresa.com.au for a prospectus.
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Clothed in confidence
Access to clothing is a basic human right. The way we feel about ourselves is often directly linked to our appearance. Circumstances and disadvantage should not prevent people from accessing new clothes that make them feel good – something most of us take for granted. By donating to the Thread Together program, you will help to provide brand new clothes to those experiencing disadvantage. – Oars – supporting community transitions through crime prevention – Junction Community Centre – working in community engagement.
Many people have stories like Eric, where they simply just need a short- term helping hand. Clothing from Thread Together is more than a new outfit – it helps grow an individual’s confidence as they re-engage with their community. In the four years since the program started, we have helped over 10,000 individuals by providing essential items such as new shoes and brand new clothes. * Names and identity have been changed to protect privacy.
Thread Together saves new clothing from going to landfill, instead giving it to people in need. Our Thread Together team receives referrals from many different services and agencies, including: – AnglicareSA’s Emergency Assistance and the Magdalene Centre
One of the recent beneficiaries of AnglicareSA’s Thread Together program was *Eric. Eric first turned to AnglicareSA when he was experiencing homelessness. He had no possessions other than the clothes he was wearing. The team at the Thread Together Hub gave Eric new clothes, shoes, socks, and underwear to help him get back on his feet.
We need your help to continue this life-changing program
Online donations: www.anglicaresa.com.au and click Donate, or scan the QR code Post your cheque to: Christmas Appeal, 159 Port Road, Hindmarsh SA 5007 Contact the Fundraising team on: 08 8305 9200 or donate@anglicaresa.com.au
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Thank you
Thank you to our wonderful donors and supporters for helping fellow South Australians find peace at Christmas. The Christmas Appeal raised more than $122,000. The generosity of caring and concerned supporters continues to have a significant impact on those who need our support. Funds raised ensured we could continue to provide essential emergency assistance, including short-term accommodation, nutritious meals, food, clothing, support and advocacy for individuals and families in need. A huge thank you to everyone who listened, donated, shared our social media posts and spread the word about the Christmas Appeal. We truly could not have done it without you all.
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