 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
CEO Update
Welcome to our first Newsletter of the year! I want to share with you some of my thoughts about the journey of Anglicare NT and my own goals for 2024. There are certainly challenges, but I feel motivated and excited about the opportunities ahead.
The referendum result was disappointing and such a lost opportunity, we acknowledge the hurt and disconnection as a result, but there is such resilience. Our focus is on economic justice projects, building on our growing partnership work with the Aboriginal controlled sector at their leading, and building our cultural competency.
Among our advocacy priority areas, needs based funding is a game changer. Having successfully campaigned for indexation compensation last year, we will again join with our sector colleagues to fight for this desperately needed policy change in funding based on need not population.
The pervasive issue of rough sleeping that would improve with better coordination and a health and community response is a priority, along with youth homelessness. Other priorities include mental health, cost of living and problem gambling.
It is vital that our work is driven by the voices of lived experience and that our planning is place based. Anglicare NT divisions and regions are in the process of developing plans, and this will drive our organisation’s strategy into the future.
For me this year is all about outcomes, impact and making a difference. We have a great story to tell, a story of resilience and change. We will work together to gather our data and narratives, work out where we can improve, where we can scale up and where we can fill gaps.
Enjoy our latest Newsletter that tells some of the stories of our work across the Territory.
Kind regards,
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
|
 |
Graduating in Yurrwi
HIPPY graduation parties in Yurrwi (Milingimbi) are fun for the whole community! In December, young and old gathered to celebrate the efforts of the children and families who have completed the two-year Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY).
Graduating children were painted with traditional ceremonial designs and donned special gowns and caps as they received a certificate and gift bag. Families and friends then gathered for food, drinks and the arrival of Santa.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate the two-way learning efforts of children as they approach school-age ready for more learning!
|
|
 |
Services work together in Katherine
Our services achieve more when we work together! Anglicare NT housing and homelessness staff in Katherine now spend two mornings each week based at our headspace Katherine hub.
Some young people who access headspace might need housing or support to reduce their risk of becoming homeless. Now they have a direct link to a Youth Accommodation & Support Worker who can help them explore options. We are always looking for ways to make our services more accessible, flexible and responsive to young people.
|
|
 |
Couch Surfing for Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Save the date - Wednesday 17 April 2024
Anglicare NT and City of Darwin are coordinating the annual Couch Surfing event for Youth Homelessness Matters Day on 17 April 2024. The day brings together young people, families, schools, community organisations and supporters for couch surfing races, best decorated couch displays and information stalls to raise awareness of youth homelessness.
Too many children and young people in Australia live in unsafe or overcrowded home environments, couch surf or sleep rough. In the Northern Territory there are over 3,000 young people aged 12- 25 years who are homeless on any given night (ABS 2021). That’s almost twelve times the national average.
Everyone is welcome to come down and watch the couch races, take part in free activities, visit information stalls promoting local services and give support to this important issue. |
|
 |
Friendship link
Through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), Anglicare NT supports volunteers to visit older people who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness. We coordinate volunteer visitors across the Territory, including in Darwin, Palmerston, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
Angelique Glasson has been a volunteer visitor with Anglicare NT in Alice Springs for over ten years. In that time she has formed bonds with three special ladies. She is still visiting Ishy, while Edna and Kate passed away in 2015. Read Angelique's volunteer story of friendship and connection here.
|
|
 |
What's happening at The SHAK?
The SHAK is back! After a busy Christmas holiday program, the regular after-school SHAK program has well and truly kicked off for 2024. Young people heading to The SHAK can get involved in a range of supervised activities including sports, art, dance, egames and cultural activities. They are also served a delicious hot meal every day.
The SHAK (Safe Hangout for All Kids) youth hub, operating at Sanderson Middle School, offers a safe and supportive space for Darwin’s young people aged 10 to 17 years to spend time outside of school hours. Anglicare NT is proud to manage the SHAK in collaboration with CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation and we acknowledge funding from NT Government that supports this initiative.
Anglicare NT also recently announced an exciting new partnership with the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture which will enable us to expand activities at The SHAK and provide career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
|
|
Making a difference through advocacy
Our financial inclusion teams work with a strong preventative, educational and risk mitigation focus with individuals and groups. They also work to improve consumer protection by advocating for business and financial institutions to improve their practices.
Several Anglicare NT staff have spoken out in the media recently:
- Fiona Pettiford, Manager of our East Arnhem Money Support Hub, spoke about customers who are fighting for just compensation after Telstra were prosecuted by the ACCC in 2021 for breaking the law in regards to their sales tactics and treatment of Indigenous customers.
- Caitlin Bender, one of our Financial Counsellors, spoke to the ABC about the predatory practices of some businesses who arrange contracts through Centrepay, which takes repayments from Centrelink before they reach a person’s bank account. Caitlin said she has seen people "going in with blind faith [thinking] that because it is endorsed by Centrepay, that it's an ethical business and they're going to be treated fairly."
Our Financial Inclusion teams have been working for years to raise awareness about Centrepay and have been calling on a review of Centrepay business eligibility. Anglicare NT is now part of a National Centrepay Reform Working Party and we look forward to being involved in the review and helping to strengthen the Centrepay framework. Together with sector partners, stakeholders and peak bodies, we also maintain a strong focus on liaising with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and other regulators.
Last week Anglicare NT hosted a forum with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and were lucky to have the ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland attend as a guest speaker. The theme of the forum was working together and brought together regulators, financial counsellors and consumer rights advocates. Read more about the forum here.
|
|
 |
Partnership supports young people in Numbulwar
Anglicare NT’s Partnership Support Service (PSS) with support from Damien Mick from IBC Social Enterprise has been working with the Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation to deliver an Indigenous ‘Youth Connecting to Culture Program’ (IYCC) in Numbulwar, located on the western coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Damien has been working closely with Roland Nundhirribala, the IYCC’s local Youth Mentor who plans and delivers ongoing activities for young people in community. Last year, Roland worked with the Numburindi Festival to organise youth activities for the festival which included traditional dancing, a traditional turtle hunt as well as cooking up a feast for 250 people.
Over the school holidays, IYCC supported a group of young men to build a bush shelter near the beach to be used as a safe yarning space and a place for Elders and service providers from the community to meet with young boys and men. The construction team collected cypress wood for the shelter and uprights and branches for the roof. For sustainability, a tarp and cypress branches form the roof.
Being involved with partners at the project management level is one of the services PSS offers.Their team of experienced project officers work on a model of two-way learning to support organisations to get important projects up and running. To find out more email pss@anglicare-nt.org.au
|
|
 |
Communities for Children National Forum
For over 20 years, the Communities for Children Australian Government initiative has continued to evolve, supporting local responses to community need. Together with around 50 other organisations across Australia, our Communities for Children teams in Alice Springs and East Arnhem keep children and their families at the heart of their efforts.
Meeting in Adelaide for a national 2-day forum in March, Communities for Children Facilitating Partners shared stories of their work, explored policy development, networked and developed a map for future success.
Julie McCrossin AM said it was marvellous to be MC of the national gathering organised by members of the Communities for Children network who do ‘place-based’ community development work.
“This intensely local, collaborative work is all about giving children the best possible chance to thrive. Of course this means supporting and nurturing their families as well. Listening to children and working with them to meet their needs lies at the heart of their work,” she said.
Anglicare NT's Communities for Children initiatives in East Arnhem and Alice Springs partner with local organisations to provide engaging child-friendly activities which strengthen families.
|
|
 |
Donate to help young pregnant women
Preparing to have a first child can be a daunting and isolating time. For younger pregnant women, impending motherhood is a time where supportive networks are critical in reducing isolation and building the skills and confidence to navigate through the next phase of their lives.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care, timely support and to see a pathway forward.
For over 20 years our Pandanus Program has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope.
To support pregnant young women, call us on 08 8985 0000 or visit our website:
anglicare-nt.org.au/donate
*Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible. |
|
 |
Towards equality - investing in women!
The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. Women’s economic empowerment is central to a gender equal world. When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive.
We are over 80% women at Anglicare NT, so International Women’s Day is a big deal.
The recent data on pay disparity between men and women was shocking. We crunched our numbers… total remuneration gender pay gap is 8.4% (compared to the national 21.7%). Our median pay gap (average of all pay) is 1.1%. (compared to 19% nationally). We are on the right track to pay parity, but yes, we have more work to do. |
|
New Darwin Youth and Community Hub
Planning is underway for a new dedicated space for young people at Casuarina. The Darwin Youth and Community Hub will provide young people aged 8 to 18 years, their families and the community with a safe space to hang out and engage in programs, activities and support services. The Hub will be located next to Casuarina Square Shopping Centre, where young people and families from the northern suburbs often visit and close to public transport.
Anglicare NT, in collaboration with the NT Government, is holding a series of consultations with young people to get their input into the design and delivery of the new space.
The first group meeting took place in February, with young people giving their input into the design of the space, ways to make the space fun, safe and accessible, as well as activities that could be run at the new Hub. Giving young people a voice and opportunity to contribute is really important. |
|
 |
Training is fun!
Training is fun if you're part of the Anglicare NT HIPPY team! Staff from Darwin, Katherine and Yurrwi (Milingimbi) recently spent three days learning, making, sharing, singing and dancing! All the skills they will need to lead activities for families and their pre-school aged children.
HIPPY is a free program for families that supports children’s learning in the two years before they start school. HIPPY mentors visit families with storybooks and activity packs and practice them with parents and carers so they feel confident doing them with their child. HIPPY also hosts regular group gatherings where people can meet other families and try new activities. If you have a child turning 3 before 30 June 2024, contact our teams in Darwin, Katherine or Yurrwi. |
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2024 Anglicare NT
|
|
|
