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CEO Update
Recently I reflected on the meaning of World Day of Social Justice, held each year on 20 February. Are we upholding the principles of fairness, dignity and opportunity for all young people in the NT?
Too often, children who break the law are treated as criminals first and children second. Many have grown up facing disadvantage, trauma and systemic racism. Many live with a disability or poor mental health. The long reach of colonisation continues and, in the NT, the young people most impacted are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
Instead of being offered care, support and a pathway to a better future, the government is hell bent on placing children in detention facilities that only entrench cycles of harm. Claims that jail provides the necessary therapeutic interventions to achieve family and community restoration are false and ignore all established evidence.
World Day of Social Justice reminds us that true justice is not just about punishment – it is about fairness, rehabilitation and the chance for opportunity and change. The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the NT made it clear: youth detention should be a last resort, and diversion programs that address the root causes of crime must be the priority. We know that programs focused on education, mental health support, and cultural connection work. The question is not whether we have the solutions, but whether we have the will to resource and implement them.
If we are serious about creating a just and safe society, we need to rethink how we treat children who break the law. That means ending the overuse of detention, expanding youth diversion programs, investing in early intervention and prevention, and ensuring that every child – regardless of background – has the support they need to thrive.
Enjoy the latest updates from Anglicare NT.
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
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Support coordinators are NDIS experts
Anglicare NT has a team of dedicated NDIS support coordinators who help Territorians get the best support possible through their NDIS plans. An NDIS plan sets out an individual’s goals, and outlines the support they need to pursue these goals and live as independently as possible.
“Our support coordinators are NDIS experts. They have great local knowledge and understand NDIA processes,” explains Louise Bowden, NDIS team leader at Anglicare NT.
If you are allocated Coordination of Support in your NDIS plan, our staff are here to help with things like:
- understanding your NDIS plan and budget
- coordinating service providers and supports, both informal and mainstream
- training you in coordinating your own support plan
- organising assessments
- finding suitable accommodation and respite options
- coordinating return to country trips
- job seeking and support with employment processes
- support to manage key life transitions, such as moving home or leaving school
- monitoring budgets and outcomes, and reporting back to the NDIA
- support with your plan review process
- gathering evidence and reporting your needs to the NDIA for the following year
Contact our NDIS Support Coordination team by phoning 08 8985 0000 or email supportcoordination@anglicare-nt.org.au |
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Help for young people facing arrest
From mid-February, Anglicare NT began providing the Register of Appropriate Support Person (RASP) service in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
A legislated program in the Youth Justice Act, RASP provides a support person for young people required to be interviewed or charged by police when a responsible adult is not available.
Our support person can provide emotional support, help with understanding proceedings and ensure the young person’s rights are upheld and needs met.
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Racing couches to raise awareness of youth homelessness
The annual Couch Surfing event, coordinated by Anglicare NT and City of Darwin, is on Youth Homelessness Matters Day – 16 April 2025. The day brings together young people, families, schools, community organisations and supporters for couch surfing races, 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. Over 3,000 young people aged 12- 25 years are homeless on any given night in the NT (ABS 2021).
We invite you to get involved – put together a couch racing team of young people, decorate a couch for the best decorated competition, hold an information stall or donate prizes for young people.
Date: Wednesday 16 April 2025
Time: 10.30am – 2pm
Location: Civic Park, Darwin
Come down to Civic Park on Wednesday 16 April to watch couch races, take part in free activities, visit information stalls and show support for this important issue.
We can end youth homelessness. With more government funding, a coordinated approach and local engagement and solutions we can support children and young people at every stage of their journey.
To find out more about Couch Surfing, contact 8946 4800 or email couchsurfing@anglicare-nt.org.au
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Jem and Michael celebrate 10 years of service
Ten years is a significant amount of time to commit to any one organisation. So far this year, two Anglicare NT employees – Jem Wood and Michael Patrick – have celebrated their ten-year employment anniversaries.
Jem Wood has dedicated her working life to justice and outcomes for young people and families. She is the director of our youth and family services and also has oversight of our financial inclusion and housing and homelessness services. She leads so many critical services, including the Pandanus childbirth education and support services for young women, youth housing and homelessness supports and the SHAK youth hub in Darwin.
Each year, Jem and her team organise the annual couch surfing event which attracts around 500 young people, families and community members. An important aspect of the event is to raise awareness of youth homelessness through community, government and media engagement.
“Congratulations Jem! Thank you so much for leading and nurturing the youth and family’s team. We and the young people we work with are lucky to have you,” said staff member Eva.
Over the past decade, Michael Patrick has been the go-to person for all things fleet and facility at Anglicare NT. Whether its keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes or stepping in to troubleshoot problems of all kinds like unblocking kitchen sinks, removing frogs from cars and hunting down car keys, Michael is always there.
Michael has been instrumental with new builds, fit outs and reshaping and relocating our business to meet ever-changing needs. He is also the barbecue chef at many events and even wears a jolly red suit once a year, all in the name of Anglicare NT!
“Congratulations Michael on 10 years. You have achieved a lot in that time and it has been a pleasure working with you. So many times, after hours responses were needed, and you had things under control by the time one of us would arrive on site. Thanks for everything,” said staff member Julie Rothall. |
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Find out about Care Finder in your language!
People don’t always know what services are available and if they are eligible for them. Care Finder is a free national program that supports vulnerable older people to learn about, apply for and set up aged care services and community supports. Over the past year, Anglicare NT Care Finder staff assisted 149 older Territorians to link up with eligible services, helping them to live the life they want with dignity.
To help more people find out about Care Finder, Anglicare NT have developed a suite of brochures in various languages and had spoken versions recorded in Kriol and Warlpiri.
Philip Melly (pictured above), our Care Finder worker in Katherine, said it was great to see brochures in different languages and hear Warlpiri and Kriol language on the Anglicare NT website.
“More people can find out about the Care Finder program and we can help them get the best access to services. Having resources in language will help with my outreach in Katherine and I am so excited to have a pamphlet in Swahili,” said Philip.
Kriol and Warlpiri Care Finder information is available on our website in spoken format, while brochures are available from our offices in English, Filipino, Indonesian, Nepalese, Swahili, Thai and Vietnamese.
We thank the NT PHN for funding the development of these multicultural resources. |
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headspace news: support from someone who has been there
Imagine sharing your healing journey with someone who has walked a similar path before you. Our headspace peer and family workers have faced mental health challenges themselves and have either accessed mental health services or supported a loved one in doing so. They have also received training to use their experiences to help others.
“It is really about creating a space that feels safe,” explains senior peer support worker Leila Heinrick (above centre).
“We provide a space to talk or answer questions. It might be talking about what to expect from the clinicians, or to get a tour of the space so they feel more comfortable.”
Helen Mulambya (pictured second from left) is a family lived experience worker with the early psychosis team.
“If you are spending a lot of time caring for someone, you might need to have a cup of tea, a chat, share what’s happening. I can do some advocacy work, let them know where I found help and what worked for me. It’s a unique journey, it’s not a place many people have been to with their kids and family.”
Anglicare NT manages headspace centres in Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine. |
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Youth Foyer needed in Alice Springs
Remote Northern Territory ranks as the second toughest place in Australia for young people to find stable housing, land a job and finish school according to a new analysis by the Foyer Foundation into the nation’s youth homelessness crisis.
Almost 900 young people in the region were experiencing or at risk of homelessness in 2023-24, 61% did not complete year 12 and the youth unemployment rate is almost 14%.
We desperately need solutions for youth homelessness, which is why Anglicare NT is supporting the work of The Foyer Foundation to set up a Youth Foyer in Alice Springs.
Youth Foyers combine accommodation, education and employment support for young people. For up to two years, 16 to 24 year olds are supported to live, learn and work.
For young people at risk of homelessness, the support and stability they get through Foyers is life changing. Existing Foyers in Australia are having a positive impact on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. They are a proven solution, combining housing with education and employment opportunities to break the cycle of disadvantage.
The Foyer Foundation and partners, including Anglicare NT, are calling on the government to establish ten new Youth Foyers across Australia.
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National Debt Helpline: free advice for money worries
Our financial counsellors answer calls to the National Debt Helpline from Territorians experiencing money worries or financial concerns. The National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 is available 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Vicki Borzi, who heads up our financial inclusion team at Anglicare NT, explains when and why you should call the National Debt Helpline.
“Don’t sit worrying about your financial problems. The sooner you start talking with a financial counsellor the better,” said Vicki.
"We don’t judge and we certainly don’t tell people off for the situation they are in. Our job is to help you get out of financial trouble."
Our financial counsellors with the National Debt Helpline can help with:
Budgeting: we can have honest conversations about how much money is coming in versus how much is going out, needs vs wants, and how income can be stretched to cover most debts.
Emergency relief: Anglicare NT can sometimes offer food relief and can recommend other places to go for assistance.
Loan options: explore options when banks won’t lend and essential items are needed, like a fridge, washing machine or household furniture.
Mortgage stress: our financial counsellors can talk to banks on your behalf. This can be especially helpful when constant pressure from banks is affecting your mental health.
Debt repayment plans: help you to set up manageable debt repayment plans that satisfy both the borrower and the lender.
Prioritising assets: advice on which assets to keep and which to sell to pay down debt when in financial trouble.
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Volunteers help people tackle loneliness
In December, Amber Yan and Sue Firth spoke with Isabella Tolhurst from ABC Darwin, sharing the connection they have made through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
Amber Yan, 31, moved to Australia from China two years ago. With no family in Australia, she signed up for the volunteer program run by Anglicare NT that pairs young people with seniors to help combat loneliness.
Amber and Sue were paired because the share a love of music. When they sit down to play guitar and sing together, their age difference proves no barrier.
"I am new to Darwin, I don't have many friends, so we spend time together, and really enjoy it," said Amber who enjoys the wisdom of elderly people and sharing life experiences.
Their catch-ups, which include playing music, visiting the botanical gardens, going shopping, browsing music shops and simply having a cup of tea at home, give Sue something to look forward to.
"It takes you into another space, away from what you're going through," she said.
"You can go out and have fun, talk … and alright, you've got to come back [home], but it still uplifts you."
Anglicare NT coordinates the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme across the NT. If you are interested in being involved, email volunteers@anglicare-nt.org.au
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Free workshop for parents: fostering healthy attitudes towards food and body
FREE workshop for parents and caregivers of pre-school and primary school aged children. Dr Emma Spiel will offer learning, discussion and self reflection followed by body positive yoga with Nicole Blyth from Go Slow Yoga.
Places are limited so don't delay booking your spot - scan the QR code to register or email jcleghorn@anglicare-nt.org.au for more info.
Register here.
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It's not too late to join HIPPY
HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters) is a free two-year family learning together program.
HIPPY helps families to be their child's first teacher, with free story books and learning packs and support from a home tutor.
Group gatherings organised by HIPPY are always a fun time to connect with other families and share activities together.
Families can start HIPPY if their child is three, or turning three before 30 June 2025, or older.
Anglicare NT offers HIPPY in Katherine, Darwin and Yurrwi (Milingimbi). To find out more, phone 8985 0000 and ask for HIPPY! |
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Help young pregnant women
Preparing to have your first child can be a daunting and isolating experience. For younger pregnant women, building skills, confidence and supportive networks is essential for navigating positively into the next phase of life.
For over 20 years, our Pandanus service has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope. Pandanus makes an important difference for pregnant women 25 years and under – helping them and their partners transition and prepare to become parents. It offers a range of services including childbirth education, postnatal education and one-on-one support and case management.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care and timely support so they can see a positive pathway forward.
Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. |
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Copyright © 2025 Anglicare NT
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