GRATITUDE REPORT 2021 - Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media - Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
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Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media GRATITUDE REPORT 2021
Rob joined NNC as our Aged Care
Manager in July 2020 and since then
the team has grown. We now have
two new Aged Care Social Support
groups meeting at the Centre and a
new cohort of wonderful volunteers
trained to connect 1:1 with older,
socially isolated clients. The
pandemic has highlighted the critical
importance of social connection and
these services.
This year our Administration team
has focused on the development of
plans for our new site at Tom Foster
Community Centre. While the move
is now delayed to mid 2022, a great
deal of work has been done to try
and ensure that the new site will be
a welcoming and safe community
space for everyone.
In 2020-21 we undertook another
voluntary external Work Health
Photo: Mark Mordue/Addi Road and Safety audit. Newtown
Neighbourhood Centre is proud
In the 2020-2021 financial year, COVID-19 continued to of our high safety standards. The
gift opportunities as well as challenges for Newtown audit highlighted our progress areas
Neighbourhood Centre and our community. as well as giving us a continuous
improvement plan to work through in
I am so proud of the way our staff and volunteers the next few months.
continued to adjust and respond to the uncertainties The unfortunate decision was made
brought by the pandemic. to cancel Newtown Festival in 2020
The team found creative ways to Due to the pandemic, the NSW due to COVID-19 restrictions. We
safely support our most vulnerable Government invested additional are taking the opportunity during
and isolated community members. funding to ensure more people this pause to reflect on the future of
This included regularly delivering experiencing homelessness the event and will be consulting the
supplies to clients in boarding were housed. Newtown broader community about potential
houses and social housing Neighbourhood Centre was directions for this iconic event.
complexes and establishing our thrilled to be part of this “Together This year we finalised and
own food pantry at the front of the Home” program through our implemented Newtown
Centre. partnerships with Community Neighbourhood Centre’s next
Our local community was Housing Providers. Strategic Plan for 2021 – 2023.
incredibly generous and The increased investment resulted Over the past 12 months we have
compassionate in its response to in the recruitment of three new remained on track to achieve all
assist people struggling through staff who provide support to our priority goals including the
the pandemic. It was humbling rough sleepers as they transition development of a Reconciliation
to see restaurants providing free into secure housing. Neil’s story in Action Plan, a Volunteer Strategy, the
meals for people who had lost this report is a wonderful example achievement of Quality Standards,
work, and we are grateful to of the life-changing impact of this and securing a renewal of our
everyone who dropped supplies evidence-based program. Specialist Homelessness Service
into our food pantry. I am contract.
In 2020, it became clear that we
extremely lucky to work and live in needed to find a way to keep We have made it through year two
a community that is so caring. our doors open for vulnerable of a (hopefully) once in a hundred-
COVID-19 also fostered members of our community year pandemic. I truly hope it sets
closer collaborations between who access our face-to-face us on a future path where the close
community organisations in the services. NNC invested in a collaborations and partnerships
Inner West – a welcome upside new Community Connections continue, where government
to the crisis. Inner West Council Co-ordinator role. Matt was a continues to invest in evidence-
provided additional funding to wonderful addition to the team based programs like Together Home,
several organisations, including and along with some of our and where our community continues
NNC, to support our local Newtopian Outreach volunteers, to come together to support those
COVID-19 response. An exciting his role has enabled us to provide who are likely to experience the
outcome from this has been the frontline Information and Referral ongoing effects of the pandemic.
ongoing conversation around for people who come to the Thank you as always for your
how we increase the profile of Centre, often as a last resort and generous support,
volunteering, and opportunities in crisis. Liz Yeo
for volunteering, across the Inner CEO
West.
THE SECURITY THAT COMES WITH
A HOME
In August 2020, Neil* fell asleep in his new bed, in his new apartment, with the
realisation that he now had a safe place to call home.
He had just been accepted into the Together Home Program and had been paired
with a case manager from Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.
The Together Home program was well as any underlying factors itself, Neil jumped at it and is about
developed by the Department of which may have contributed to their to complete his first year in a
Communities and Justice (DCJ) as a homelessness. Bachelor of Psychology.
government response to the threat “I wanted to study something
of COVID-19 within the homeless that would allow me to become
When asked how the stability of
community. an advocate for the homeless
having a safe place to live has
The program is based on the impacted his life, Neil responded, community as well as being able
successful international ‘Housing “I sleep better, I eat better, my social to have a fulfilling and contributing
First’ model: a person-centred anxiety issues are manageable. My career.
and trauma-informed framework days are filled with choice now, “The idea of going to university had
that champions the principle that instead of just trying to survive.” always seemed like a pipe dream
safe, stable and secure housing is a that I wouldn’t achieve and I am so
human right. happy that this is now an option for
Ensuring our programs are designed
The investment by DCJ was me.”
to benefit our clients, Neil was
divided amongst community Neil is just one of the 40 clients our
recently invited to be on the panel
housing organisations to deliver the team of four currently work with
when NNC interviewed for the
program in NSW. Newtown and NNC is extremely proud to be
newest case manager.
Neighbourhood Centre (NNC) is able to deliver such a life-changing
proud to partner with St George “I think it is a testament to the way
program.
Community Housing (SGCH) NNC operates that they included a
client’s perspective when bringing This program highlights that without
and Metro Housing to offer case
on a new team member. The housing, people experiencing rough
management support for their
unexpected opportunities to be sleeping are unable to effectively
residents.
involved with NNC are really positive engage with support. Without this
Prior to 2020, Neil had suffered from support, they are unable to address
and enjoyable aspects of the
deteriorating mental health and a the factors that contribute to their
program.”
number of poor life choices had left experiences of homelessness.
him living on the street. Having experienced homelessness,
Neil had a deep understanding of Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
“My home became the State Library hopes to see continued investment
the many hurdles, obstacles and
of NSW, where a group of us would in this program as we know first-
processes rough sleepers are forced
camp after the library closed. My hand the profound difference it
to navigate. When the opportunity to
kitchen became Martin Place with its makes for people like Neil.
enrol in university presented
nightly homeless food services and
*Names have been changed
my bathroom was at The Station.”
Prior to being accepted in the
Together Home Program, Neil states,
“I was just existing.”
Everything changed after Newtown
Neighbourhood Centre began
supporting Neil.
“It honestly feels like someone gave
me my life back. I still find myself
even after a year, just stopping
and looking at my apartment and
being so incredibly thankful for the
possibilities it has given me.”
The case management
support provided by Newtown
Neighbourhood Centre allows clients
to address individual challenges, as
BUILDING STRONGER Communities
SNAPSHOT OF THE YEAR
690 210
NUMBER OF PEOPLE NEWTOPIAN
ACCESSING NEWTOWN OUTREACH
NEIGHBOURHOOD ENGAGEMENTS
CENTRE’S SERVICES AND (Newtown and Sydney
PROGRAMS CBD)
Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media
OFFERING SOCIAL SUPPORT SENIOR’S FESTIVAL
At the beginning of 2021, Newtown Neighbourhood
In April 2021, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Centre developed its Individual Social Support
Program, recruiting and training 25 volunteers to be acknowledged Seniors Festival by hosting an event
paired with individuals who are over the age of 65 celebrating multiculturalism in the Inner West.
and socially isolated. Attendees were encouraged to share stories of their
The program offers one on one social support culture and also reflect on the resilience they had
that is tailored to the person’s needs and may shown during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
include home visits, phone and web chats or It was a special event filled with musical performances,
accompaniment on outings such as shopping, dancing and lots of laughter. It was heart-warming to
walking or for coffee and a chat. see so many of our seniors come together after a long
We look forward to seeing this service continue period of lockdown.
to grow and involve more community minded
individuals. A big thank you to the local organisations who joined
us on the day and to our partners for funding the
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY event.
In March 2021, we celebrated International
Women’s Day, hosting sixty women at the Centre NEWTOPIAN SLEEPOUT
for a morning of fun and pampering. The women Newtown Neighbourhood Centre hosted our
enjoyed a delicious morning tea and were able to fourth Newtopian Sleepout in May 2021. Despite
pick out some gorgeous new clothes and pamper COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of
packs. participants, the event resulted in a more intimate
There was also the opportunity to be and engaging evening.
professionally fitted for bras, enjoy massages The event raises vital funds for the Centre and
and skin care treatments and have a professional gives participants the opportunity to experience the
haircut. challenges that come with rough sleeping.
A big thank you to our partners and the local We are extremely grateful to the 36 community
community who came together to make the members who slept out for the night and raised an
event such a joyous occasion for these amazing incredible $92,000 for the Centre.
women.
Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media
Tackling Homelessness
NEWTOPIAN OUTREACHERS CBD
% OF SURVEYED CLIENTS WHO REPORTED
Following the success of our Newtown Newtopian NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENTS WHEN EXITING THE
Outreach program, NNC was granted funding to BOARDING HOUSE OUTREACH SERVICE:
roll out a similar model to address homelessness in
Sydney’s CBD.
71%
After a number of COVID-19 hurdles, we were
thrilled to have 40 volunteers complete their
Newtopian Outreach training and participate in their
first outreach in the city in August 2020.
Housing or
77%
Emotional wellbeing
Our Newtopian Outreach volunteers participate
in weekly outreaches, both in Newtown and the living situation improved
CBD, engaging with rough sleepers and providing improved
information on how to access temporary crisis
accommodation, where to get meals and find
additional support services.
We believe solving homelessness and making a
79% 100%
real difference in people’s lives takes the entire Financial situation Increased confidence to
community and our Newtopians are a large part of
our assertive outreach efforts.
improved tackle future challenges
and opportunities
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
At the beginning of 2021, we hired a new Community
Connections Coordinator to lead a team of volunteers to
deliver frontline services to the local community through our
Information and Referral Service.
The service supports on average 15 individuals per
day with a range of requests. People may be seeking
crisis support (for example to address homelessness or
domestic violence) or they may have more general needs
for information (anything from where to find a JP or a public
bathroom, to how to access a disability or aged care
service).
Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media
With the support of our volunteers and donors we were
able to open the service up for an additional day per week,
allowing more community members to access the service.
IMPACT OF COMBINED OUTREACHES IN
NEWTOWN (2018 - 2021) Newtown Neighbourhood Centre relies heavily on
volunteers to support our work. Without them, we
30 would not have been able to help as many people.
25 To all of our volunteers, thank you.
20
ASES ACCREDITATION
15 In June 2021, we achieved accreditation after being audited
against the Australian Service Excellence Standards.
10 The auditor’s feedback confirmed that Newtown
Neighbourhood Centre is committed to its focus on those
5 who are most vulnerable and they relayed that the clients
they spoke to had expressed the importance and value of
0 our services.
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 We are proud to be able to continue to deliver such high
quality services to those in need.
Number of rough sleepers counted in the Inner West (collected
at annual Street Count)
Number of rough sleepers who have been permanently housed
with the support of NNC
You have the power to make a difference
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre with the broader community to find Together we are building a stronger
aims to be known as the heart of practical local solutions to address more connected community while
the community - the place which homelessness and social isolation in also celebrating the diversity of the
creates opportunities for community the Inner West. Inner West.
connections, celebrations and We are grateful for the generous CONTACT DETAILS
support. support of our donors, who give Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
We provide professional and volunteer both financial contributions and gifts 1 Bedford Street / PO Box 19
based support for those who are in kind, allowing us to lead the way Newtown NSW 2042
experiencing significant challenges in and be innovative in creating stronger P: 02 9564 7333
life. connections with community. www.newtowncentre.org
We remain committed to ending ABN 96 884 462 833
homelessness and social isolation in
Sydney’s Inner West.
This is not a goal we can achieve on
our own.
We value our relationships with other
local providers who we work in
partnership with to address the key
causes of homelessness (such as
domestic and family violence).
We also work with our partners and
Diana Shypula @ Koshka Media
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the following people and organisations for their generous support:
SUPPORTERS NNC’s Donors & Regular Givers PARTNERS
Oooby Sydney
Active Kids Newtown Accounting For Good
Orange Sky Laundry
Adora Handmade Chocolates Addison Road Community Organisation
Oz Harvest
Aesop Canterbury City Community Centre (4Cs)
Paloma Salon
AMP – Marrickville Metro Cattleyard Collective
Paul Van Reyk
ATO Tax Help Centrelink
Plant Daddy
Barmuda Community and Cultural Connections Inc
Salsa for Seniors
BlackStar Pastry Community Restorative Centre
Share the Dignity
Blue Hand Group Connect Marrickville
St Pius OOSH
Bread and Butter Project Ethnic Community Services Cooperative
Sydney Basket Brigade
Brickfields Haymarket Foundation
Tanya Plibersek MP
Bourke Street Bakery Inner City Legal Centre
Telstra
Bunnings Alexandria Marrickville Legal Centre
The Great Club
Cognescenti Marrickville South Collective
Tokyo Lamington
Connie Henson – Learning Quest Marrickville Youth Resource Centre
Two Good Co.
Connect Community Transport Metro Housing
WISE Employment
Dandelion Support Network Inc Moving On, Moving Out (DVSM)
Diana Shypula Newtown Public Housing Collective
Fire and Rescue NSW
FUNDERS Older Women’s Network
Fords Pharmacy Australian Government Department of Paint Inner West Read
IGA Newtown Health Settlement Services International Local
Inner West Police Area Command City of Sydney Area Coordinators
Jenny Leong MP Clubs NSW SMART Recovery
Jo Haylen MP Department of Industry, Innovation and St George Community Housing
MsG Skinlife Science St Vincent de Paul’s AOD Continuing and
Newtopian Champions Inner West Council Coordinated Care (CCC) Program
Newtopian Outreachers NSW Department of Communities and Support the Girls
Newtopian Sleepout participants Justice Sydney Local Health District
NNC volunteer counselling team NSW Department of Customer Service The Junction Neighbourhood Centre
NNC volunteer facilitators for family and Multicultural NSW The Reverend Bill Crews Foundation
social inclusion programs NSW Seniors Festival Thread Together
NNC volunteers for our Individual Street Smart Wesley Mission
and Group Aged Care Social Support Uniting Foundation Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre
services Westpac Foundation
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional
Custodians of the land on which we work, the Gadigal-Wangal People of the Eora Nation.
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