TRUST Winter 2015 by BaptistCare

MAGAZINE

PAINTING HOPE: SENIOR ARTIST RAISES MONEY FOR HOPESTREET CANBERRA’S NEWEST AGED CARE FACILITY SUPPORT THE COLD & HOMELESS THIS WINTER Winter Edition 2015 • www.baptistcare.org.au

OUR VISION The trusted name in life-transforming care.

OUR PURPOSE Transforming lives by expressing the love of Christ. Ross Low CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

VALUES Responsive - We respond positively and thoughtfully to each other’s individual needs. Empowering - We value the freedom that comes from an improved quality of life. Supporting - We believe safety and security is our responsibility – a shared priority. Personal Solutions We understand that no one-size-fits-all and we embrace this individuality. Enriching - We ensure everyone’s personal and shared environments are comfortable, nurturing and positive places to be. Communicating - We create open communication channels to build strong and mutually respectful relationships. Togetherness - Through team work we actively support each other’s shared goals and respect each other’s individual journey. Sign up for E-News www.baptistcare.org.au Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ BaptistCareNSWACT Join the conversation on Twitter @BaptistCare Connect with us on LinkedIn “BaptistCare NSW & ACT” Phone: 1300 275 227 BaptistCare NSW & ACT ABN 90 000 049 525

It is my privilege to share with you the official opening of BaptistCare Griffith, an event which was the culmination of many years of planning, designing and working to discern how BaptistCare can best provide for the current, as well as the future needs of our ageing community in the ACT. In early July, our first residents will move into their home, and I would love to see the look on their faces as they see their beautiful new surroundings. BaptistCare’s promise to provide Care you can trust takes place in buildings, but is brought to life by our employees, our volunteers, our residents, our supporters and our community. I am very excited for what the future of BaptistCare Griffith holds. I hope you enjoy reading about our new facility and all of the

activities taking place around its launch, on pages 4 - 7. I was also honoured to attend a very special event in May; Barbara’s Exhibition for BaptistCare HopeStreet. In this story you will see a wonderful portrait that Barbara has completed which, perhaps worryingly, looks very much like me! Barbara’s talent and her investment in the community around her is truly inspirational. Her story and a profile on the HopeStreet program she is supporting will touch your heart (pages 12- 14). If you have enjoyed reading this edition of TRUST, I encourage you to share it with friends and family, and register to receive TRUST as an online magazine at baptistcare.org.au Thank you again for your support and for joining BaptistCare on their journey of providing life transforming care.

Front cover portrait of Fatmatta Baindu, Care Service Employee at BaptistCare Shalom Centre. Editor - Elizabeth Byrne TRUST is the partners’ magazine produced by BaptistCare for its members, donors and supporters, clients, the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT, and the wider community. TRUST is distributed quarterly.

HOPE BREATHES NEW LIFE Trevor Wight BAPTISTCARE SENIOR CHAPLAIN

Recently my wife and I spent some holidays touring Tasmania. We visited Sarah Island, an historic convict settlement (1822-1833). Lt Governor Sorell proposed Sarah Island as a ‘place of banishment and security for the worst description of convicts’. Flogging was frequently used as a punishment and later on, solitary confinement was added to the punishment regime. Sarah Island was described as a ‘hell hole’ due to these brutal conditions. However, in the later years the punishments declined markedly. The reason? David Hoy was employed as Master Shipwright and created a new sense of purpose and activity for the convicts. David realised that he needed to work with the convicts and gained their engagement. David turned this convict settlement into a flourishing shipyard and with the convicts’ assistance, built 100 high quality vessels,

making Sarah Island the largest shipbuilding yard in Australia!! None of us thrive under criticism or brutal discipline, or where there is a constant reminder of our failings with no opportunity for redemption or future hope. In Isaiah 43 the prophet reminds Israel (and us): “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Thankfully our perfect God does not constantly remind us of our failings. Through Jesus our sins are forgiven and no longer counted against us (Romans 4:7-8). Jesus gives us new hope, and through his Holy Spirit the opportunity to be renewed, transformed, empowered and equipped to do “every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 17). In God’s economy there are no convicts, unemployment or retirement. We are trusted, treasured and engaged servants/children of the King. The following chaplain’s story illustrates this point: Today I had an electrician approach me at our aged care facility. He shared with me a life changing conversation with two

of our residents. As he worked in a retired Missionaries room, a resident shared with him how God had impacted her life and the amazing adventures she’d had overseas as she ministered with people in God’s name. He then went to work in the room next door, where a male resident told him how he’d run his own air-conditioning business and he talked endlessly about the money he’d made. Unbeknown to either of these residents, this electrician had been approached to be a voluntary chaplain for a sporting team. He’d said ‘no’ repeatedly to the many people who had encouraged him to take up the role. However directly after these two conversations, he found himself confronted by God who challenged him with what he wanted his life to count for – the missionary lady or the money man? After these encounters the electrician said yes, and had some amazing stories of how God had begun to use him.

www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

CANBERRA’S NEWEST AGED CARE FACILITY OPENS IN GRIFFITH 4

TRUST Winter 2015 | www.baptistcare.org.au

A children’s playground, day spa and cinema are among the surprising features of BaptistCare’s newest aged care facility, which opened in Griffith, ACT on Saturday 2 May. The Federal Member for Canberra, Ms Gai Brodtmann MP, and Member for Brindabella, Ms Joy Burch MLA were among 100 special guests who enjoyed the official opening of BaptistCare Griffith. BaptistCare General Manager – Residential Services, Paull English, said the ground-breaking facility will provide much needed aged care services to the senior community of Griffith and surrounding suburbs. “BaptistCare Griffith will be home to 160 residents and will offer all levels of care, as well as specialised dementia and palliative care,” he said. “BaptistCare provides Care you can trust for older Australians and with 76,000 extra agedcare beds needed by 2025, this latest development is indicative of

“Our residents’ home is open to family and friends ...”

our commitment to serving the growing and ageing population of Canberra.” During the ceremony, Chairman of the BaptistCare Board Dr Graham Henderson acknowledged the organisation’s foundations in Canberra. “We would not be standing here this afternoon, were it not for the vision and enterprise of a small band of Canberra Baptists. Led by the late Rev Fred McMaster, this small group of dedicated and committed men and women had the vision for the first nursing home in the ACT,” he said. “A dwindling number of that early band of visionaries are here today.

Left to Right: Dr Graham Henderson, Mr Ross Low, Ms Joy Burch, Ms Gai Brodtmann & Mr Paull English

We recognise and acknowledge these pioneers - we thank them and salute their tireless dedication over a period of more than 50 years,” said Dr Henderson. BaptistCare Griffith features a range of modern amenities including a wellness clinic, day spa, cinema and hair salon. The facility also provides 360˚ access to the surrounding parkland, as well as beautifully landscaped grounds and roof-top gardens. “Our café overlooks the colourful children’s playground, which means our residents’ home is open to family and friends. We really do look forward to having visitors pop in and to seeing young kids playing and having fun and really helping to bridge the gap between generations of Griffith residents,” he said. (continued next page) www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

• BaptistCare Griffith is situated on the corner of Blaxland Crescent and Stuart Street, Griffith, ACT. • The site is approximately 16,500 square metres.

“FOR EVERY HOUSE IS BUILT BY SOMEONE, BUT THE BUILDER OF ALL THINGS IS GOD.” HEBREWS 3: 4

• The facility is conveniently located near the CBD, Lake Burley Griffin, shopping precincts and local parks. • The development was designed by architects Stanton Dahl and built by Denham Constructions. • The facility boasts state of the art assistive technology for residents and a whole of building management system.

Residents in the new cinema room Mr English said the innovative facility further sets a new benchmark for BaptistCare with the integration of state of the art assistive technology for residents. “This new technology will increase the level of communication between residents and care staff to ensure every need is met.” “Residents will enjoy our winter gardens that feature throughout the development, bringing sunlight and external views into the building,” he said. BaptistCare Griffith will also 6

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offer a premium range of lifestyle choices that residents might expect to find in a hotel. This includes spacious accommodation, an increased range of meal choices and other premium personal services like WiFi and Foxtel TV. BaptistCare Griffith will be open to residents from mid June 2015. To find out more, please contact BaptistCare on 6195 3108 or email Shirley at ssmith@baptistcare.org.au.

• BaptistCare Griffith has been designed and built to exceptional environmental standards with sustainable design initiatives including: - high levels of natural daylighting; - maximum solar gain and passive heating of the building; - natural zoned ventilation and heat purging at night; - water harvesting and reuse; - winter gardens that bring sunlight and external views into the building; - thermal mass construction which reduces heating and cooling of the building.

FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW As BaptistCare welcomes its new aged care facility in Griffith, ACT, the organisation is also farewelling its long-standing BaptistCare Morling Lodge.

After 47 years in Red Hill, the Capital’s first ‘home’ for the elderly, soon to be decommissioned, has been celebrated and saluted with the launch of a commemorative history book and thanksgiving services for staff, volunteers, supporters residents and their families. From Little Things, Big Things Grow was written by chaplain Rev Kevin Carlson and former chaplain and BaptistCare Honorary Life Member, Rev Roy Henson. The book articulates the history, life and times of Morling Lodge, and includes contributions from numerous people who share their tales and recollections of Morling Lodge, from the very beginning of the home’s planning through to today. “Every building has a story to tell. If these walls could speak what would they say, what would they tell us of the past 47 years?” writes Rev Kevin Carlson.

“Many of us will have our own story, our own personal experience, our own personal contribution. All in all, collectively we have built the story of Morling Lodge.” Throughout the book readers receive glimpses into Morling Lodge’s past through excerpts from early Matron’s reports, information and details from documents, and speeches from significant events.

introductory comments. The book was launched at Morling Lodge and Canberra Baptist Church on Tuesday 19 May, by Dr Graham Henderson, Chairman of the BaptistCare Board. Interested readers can contact events@baptistcare.org.au or call (02) 9023 2500 to receive a copy of the book.

“This wonderful book captures the essence of Morling Lodge – a home filled with care, compassion, laughter, friendships, activities, celebrations and the seasons of life,” writes Mr Ross Low in his www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

ANNOUNCING OUR 2015

DEMENTIA FORUM

Following the success of last year’s Dementia Forum, BaptistCare is pleased to announce its 2015 Forum Living Well, Dying Well will be held at Sydney Olympic Park this September.

“We’re passionate about equipping the industry with up to date knowledge and resources as they care for people with dementia,” said Chief Executive Officer, Ross Low. “We all know that the prevalence of dementia across our nation is increasing, and it is important that we do all we can to approach this issue with creativity and innovation in open and cooperative settings.” Forum program and registration details will be available on the BaptistCare website baptistcare.org.au from July. For further information contact Michelle Van Doninck events@baptistcare.org.au or (02) 9023 2500.

Living Well, Dying Well

A BaptistCare Dementia Forum

Monday 14 September 2015 9am-4pm

WatervieW, Bicentennial Drive, Sydney Olympic Park An event for all service providers working in community, residential and acute settings featuring innovative programs and the latest research projects to help people with dementia to live well and die well.

Montessori activities

The role of allied health & CDC

The Lifestyle Engagement Activity Program (LEAP) for Life Namaste care

Dementia friendly communities

Palliative care pathways 8

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Palliative care at home

NEW PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES CRISIS ACCOMMODATION

BaptistCare is one of five organisations who have partnered with the Muslim Women Association to deliver a unique new service providing crisis accommodation for multicultural families in Sydney’s south-west communities who are experiencing domestic violence. Linking Hearts – a program funded under the Going Home Staying Home reforms of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services – provides safe and supported crisis and transitional accommodation for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Muslim Women Association (MWA) Executive Officer, Maha Abdo OAM, said the ground-breaking program will focus on prevention and early intervention, rapid rehousing and intensive support for multicultural families in need. “The provision of basic shelter and housing is a right that is undisputed by all of us. But it is also a right that a growing number of people in our community are struggling to access, particularly immigrant women who are vulnerable to homelessness

as a result of domestic violence,” she said. “With more than 30 properties across the Bankstown and Canterbury local government areas, Linking Hearts will offer vital accommodation and support for women and children escaping family violence; single parents with children; couples with children; and refugees.” BaptistCare Bankstown Relationship Services Manager, Bruce Chan, said the trust and integrity that has developed between BaptistCare and MWA over many years made for an obvious partnership. “BaptistCare has been working with the Muslim Women’s Association in the Bankstown area for more than a decade. Through our strong reputation in the local community and our recognised leadership in Men’s Domestic Violence Behaviour Change Programs, we have built referral pathways and close working relationships with them on many varied projects.”

“By partnering with MWA on this new initiative, we are continuing our focus on the safety of women and children, while engaging the whole family. Our dedicated men’s programs invite men to explore their use of violence and abuse and to make the necessary changes towards healthy respectful relationships.” “Linking Hearts is very much part of our commitment to support those individuals dealing with family relationship issues, with our aim being to build stronger families that are a place of safety, nurturing and love.” Led by MWA, Linking Hearts will bring together a range of expert service providers including BaptistCare; Creating Links (NSW) Ltd; Southern Sydney Women’s Therapy Centre Inc; Domestic Violence Service Management; and Metro Assist Inc. For more information about BaptistCare’s Relationship Services visit baptistcare.org.au/ community-services and to find out more about Linking Hearts visit mwa.org.au

Representatives of the five lead agencies in the Linking Hearts partnership www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

50 YEARS A NURSE Melanie McKinnon & Janice Stokes

Every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world. This year, two members of the BaptistCare team marked the occasion with a very special anniversary – 50 years of nursing. BaptistCare Business Manager, Sydney West, Janice Stokes and Educator with BaptistCare Home Services – Hunter, Melanie McKinnon, are valued parts of the BaptistCare family who have each achieved incredible success since their nursing careers began in 1965. Janice started out at Wallsend District Hospital in Newcastle as a student nurse, receiving on the job training before becoming a registered nurse and specialising in paediatrics. 10

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From Wallsend, Janice’s career has seen her travel to Darwin and New Zealand and as far afield as Saudi Arabia, where she managed an acute care hospital and to the United Arab Emirates, where she was CEO of a Mission Hospital. “Working in Saudi Arabia was life transforming. It was after the Gulf War and missiles were still being fired on occasion. I knew very little about the culture of the country before I went so the three years I spent there were certainly eye opening,” said Janice. Similarly, Melanie’s love of adventure took her overseas to England early in her career after completing four years of training at Royal North Shore Hospital. “While many graduates ended up getting married, in line with the expectations of the day, I took my superannuation, booked a berth on a cruise liner and headed for the other side of the world,” said Melanie. Melanie spent two years in England before settling into the Newcastle area in the early 70s and undertaking an Associate Diploma in Nurse Education at

the Newcastle College of Advanced Education (CAE). “The chance opportunity to undertake the diploma really was a life changing experience. It was one of the first tertiary level courses for nurses outside of the Sydney metropolitan area and the motley crew of mature aged nurses (aged 30 – 48 years) was something of a novelty for the fellow students and lecturers at the CAE,” recalled Melanie. “The workload for an Associate Diploma was gruelling but it seems we needed to prove that nurses were worthy of entry into tertiary institutions.” Looking back over her career, Janice says she has loved every aspect of it. “Nursing has been my life. I have had the most wonderful opportunities and met the most extraordinary people. I have achieved more than I could ever have hoped or imagined in my career. I have loved it all and would not change any of it.” Melanie agreed. “Nursing gives you a sense of belonging to a special group. It fosters lifelong friendships in a unique way and it is rare, at this stage of my career, not to encounter old work colleagues as I go about my day to day activities. I am blessed to have worked with such great people over a long career and to have maintained strong connections with a wide circle of people who continue to play a significant part in my life.”

NRL CITY ORIGIN TEAM VISITS

HOPESTREET

In the lead up to the NRL City versus Country Origin game held in Wagga Wagga on Sunday 3 May, the BaptistCare HopeStreet community in Woolloomooloo received a very special visit from the NRL City Origin team.

“It was a bit of a thrill for us all,” said Laurie Taylor, BaptistCare HopeStreet Community Development Manager.

“There was a festive vibe around Tom Uren Square, as many in the community gathered to meet their favourite NRL stars.” “While the evening began a little quietly, once the BBQ was fired up and people got over their initial

shyness there was lots of laughter, photos and autographs,” she said. Reactions and comments from the community ranged from “It’s great to see everyone getting together” and “It made my day”, to a HopeStreet Cronulla Sharks fan crying as he met the Cronulla-playing duo Wade Graham and Andrew Fifita. “The footballers were very compassionate and generous with their time, which made the whole night fun and easy going. Many of our community enjoy watching the football and we are sometimes fortunate enough to take them along to a game, so it was a real treat for them to meet some of their sporting heroes. It was a privilege for us all to be part of this special visit, and I know the NRL players came away with just as much as we did,” said Laurie.

www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

SENIOR ARTIST RAISES $3000 FOR BAPTISTCARE HOPESTREET

Sometimes you meet people who inspire you to be better than the person you were yesterday. They make you want to give more, share more, laugh more and love more.

Barbara Porter is an artist, BaptistCare Willandra Village resident, volunteer and creative fundraiser for BaptistCare HopeStreet. In early 2014, Barbara began painting BaptistCare portraits. She painted the portraits of BaptistCare staff members caring for her husband in BaptistCare Shalom Centre and those she became friendly with at the wider BaptistCare site. Then she decided to share her artistic gift with the local Macquarie Park community in April, with a special portrait exhibition raising almost $3000 for BaptistCare HopeStreet. Donations for BaptistCare HopeStreet were received at a special VIP exhibition opening on Friday 17 April, attended by the NSW Mental Health Commissioner, John Feneley and Deputy Commissioner, Fay Jackson. The exhibition continued over the 12

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weekend with more than 100 people enjoying the paintings and a free sausage sizzle. Barbara was delighted with the response to the exhibition, which featured more than 40 portraits of various BaptistCare staff members she has encountered while living on the BaptistCare Macquarie Park site and visiting her husband. “My husband, Maurice, was diagnosed with dementia in 2006 and he’s been a resident at the BaptistCare Shalom Centre for more than three years now. In that time, I’ve visited him more than 700 times and every staff member I’ve come across has been so lovely and kind in taking wonderful care of my Maurice,” she said. “The paintings are just my way of saying thanks; it’s what I can do to bring joy to people. I’m just so grateful for the care and I appreciate the wonderful roof I have over my head, so I thought it would be nice to also try to

raise a little money for those who aren’t so blessed.” BaptistCare CEO, Ross Low, described Barbara as a shining example of an older Australian making a genuine contribution to the community. “I am impressed not only by Barbara’s artistic talent but also by her compassion for those less fortunate and her valuable support for the important work being done by BaptistCare HopeStreet,” he said. “BaptistCare HopeStreet provides grassroots and practical support to Sydney’s inner city suburb of Woolloomooloo. Many of HopeStreet’s community members are homeless, dealing with addiction, mental health, physical health and legal issues in addition to having diminished employment opportunities. BaptistCare is committed to putting faith into action by providing compassionate care for these marginalised individuals.”

PAINTING HOPE With a strong interest in art from an early age, Barbara recounts a story of going to the movies when she was just eight years old and marvelling at all the actresses in the beautiful gowns on the big screen. She rushed home and immediately drew them all in intricate detail. It wasn’t until many years later, on her 30th birthday, that Barbara asked her mother for a set of oil paints and began painting landscapes. Her passion awakened, Barbara undertook lessons from renowned Australian artist, Sue Cefarini and attended classes at the Royal Art Society in North Sydney.

As time went by, with a young family and a secretarial job, Barbara painted whenever she could, using her artistic talents as a form of meditation from the daily stresses of life. When her first husband passed away in 1988, Barbara moved to BaptistCare Hayfield Village in Carlingford and continued to practice her painting, while also making beautiful patchwork quilts and caricature dolls. It was here that Barbara met a fellow resident named Maurice. A former cabinet maker and Deacon of their local Baptist Church, Maurice took a particular interest in Barbara’s art. The pair went on their first date to Cumberland State Forest in June 2003. They were married six months later. Maurice was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, so the couple

relocated, with Maurice moving to BaptistCare Shalom Centre and Barbara making a new home for herself at BaptistCare Willandra Village in 2012. Barbara quickly became known to residents and staff with whom she shared her love of art and sense of community – attending a weekly craft class and volunteering with the weekly laughter group at BaptistCare Shalom Centre. Barbara’s recent exhibition was very much a tribute to the BaptistCare staff that she has met while visiting her beloved husband. Sadly, Maurice passed away in April this year – just days after the Painting Hope exhibition. Maurice is survived by Barbara and his four children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. (Barbara’s story is continued next page)

Barbara Porter at BaptistCare Willandra Village, and Barbara holding a painting of her husband Maurice www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

WOMEN’S SPACE:

A PLACE OF VALUE AND DIGNITY When Barbara Porter decided to donate the funds raised during her exhibition to BaptistCare HopeStreet, one particular program stood out to her: HopeStreet Women’s Space. The sex industry can often be an isolating industry to work in, one permeated by violence, fear and judgement. Particularly within street sex work, where most of BaptistCare HopeStreet’s clients work, there are many factors that are strongly linked to entering and continuing in the industry, including homelessness, mental health, trauma and addiction. HopeStreet Women’s Space is a safe space where women can access support and care. Sometimes that support is as simple as a friendly smile over a cup of coffee. Other times it involves advocacy, such as navigating the complexities of social housing, holistic counselling or creating sustainable exit strategies.

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“Whatever that support looks like, it’s always a privilege to walk with people as they go through some of their most vulnerable moments. Women’s Space creates an environment of value and dignity, and an opportunity

“I know I’m never judged and always accepted.”

for individuals to discover and develop the strengths they already possess,” says Jess Davidson, Team Leader at Women’s Space. “The Women’s Space program is made up of three core components; Outreach, Open House and Individual Support. Outreach is the initial contact point where support workers meet sex workers within their working environments.

Relationships begin to be built through the distribution of food, drink, service referrals and information counselling sessions,” said Jess. “Open House is hours we set aside each week to offer the women a home style environment where they can relax, engage with staff, and receive support and care. Individual Support is where case workers and counsellors work with women in a one on one environment, with a holistic and strengths based approach,” she said. In the words of some of the women who access Women’s Space, women keep coming back and using the support of Women’s Space because “It feels like a home”, “It just makes me feel good when I’m there” and “I know I’m never judged and always accepted”. If you would like to donate to Women’s Space, please visit hopestreet.org.au/giving

CELEBRATING GOD AT WORK It is encouraging to witness the many partnerships between local Baptist Churches and BaptistCare springing up throughout NSW and the ACT. These partnerships include emergency relief projects, pastoral care training, food support initiatives, and street care outreach programs. These exciting initiatives are the result of people working together to explore common goals and how partnerships in ministry can flow from this. One such partnership is with Heartbeat Community Care which was started in 2005 as a vision of David Deal, the Pastor of Regents Park Community Church at that time, with the support of members of the church. The realisation of this vision was made possible by a Connect Grant from BaptistCare. The Heartbeat Community Care program has been highly successful in helping people in the community and at the same time creating awareness of and connections

At BaptistCare we are committed to the Core Values of the Baptist Association of Churches, one of which is being partnerships oriented. This means we are committed to recognising and celebrating God at work both within and beyond our movement and to partnering with like-minded bodies in the mission of God. This is evidenced by mutual respect, healthy dialogue, and where appropriate resource sharing and the development of common goals. with the ministry of the Church, which last year was renamed Heartbeat Church – Regents Park. In 2015 the Heartbeat Community Care opportunity shop and emergency relief program celebrates its tenth anniversary. The shop is run by volunteers and is open six days a week. The Emergency Relief Program operates three days a week and supports people in financial difficulties by providing food, clothing and assistance in paying bills.

This year a No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) has also been implemented and the first NILS loan has recently been approved. To mark this significant milestone the shop has recently been repainted and carpeted and the interior looks fresh and new. The wider community has also supported Heartbeat through fundraising activities that include Spring Fairs, BBQ’s at the local Bunnings store and bus shopping trips. We celebrate with Heartbeat Church – Regents Park and pray for their continued work in the community. Likewise we are thankful for the great work occurring across our network of Churches as we partner together in mission. Details of how to apply for the BaptistCare Connect Grant program for 2015 will be sent to Baptist Churches in NSW and the ACT, and will also be available via the website at baptistcare.org.au.

Brendan Wood

BAPTISTCARE CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS

SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERING TRUST Editor Elizabeth Byrne interviewed Brendan Wood, incoming Volunteers Community Engagement Manager Following five years as Community Relations Manager and then Marketing, Communications & PR Manager, Brendan Wood has moved into the newly created role of Volunteers Community Engagement Manager, also responsible for Church Relationships. We took some time to question Brendan about this move and what’s in store for volunteering at BaptistCare. Editor – What is the vision for volunteering at BaptistCare? Brendan – Everything we do at BaptistCare is focused on enhancing client care and wellbeing. We need to work towards offering volunteering best-practice and excellence in volunteer engagement. While this will require improvements in many of our organisation-wide systems and processes, it is just as much about the small things that often matter most to volunteers. The starting place is often the volunteer knowing what their role is at a particular service, and what their responsibilities are as part of the team. We also want to ensure we show our appreciation and thank our volunteers as often as we can. 16

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They are an amazing bunch of people so we want to ensure we regularly communicate this. Editor - How does this new role bring that vision to life? Brendan - The organisation has always had a focus on volunteers as a valued part of our programs. However, the changes being made across the aged care and social services sectors, as well as the changing state of volunteering, triggered a need to develop an intensive strategy that provides improved support for the volunteer coordinators at each of our sites as they in turn support our growing team of volunteers. Editor – What will this improved support look like going forward? Brendan – As we researched what was working well amongst other similar organisations, and looked at what was already working well at BaptistCare, it was pretty clear that our Volunteer Coordinators could do with better support to recruit and orient new volunteers. In the past this process has often been hit and miss depending on the capacity of each local site. The newly formed Volunteer Services Unit will be supporting local coordinators to improve the experience for volunteers joining BaptistCare. Editor – I imagine you come across some heart-warming stories involving our volunteers? Brendan – Every time I have the opportunity to visit one

of our sites I meet volunteers contributing in ways that transform lives. I meet volunteers who come with their own unique story and reasons for wanting to give back to others. When their story combines with the story of our residents and clients, friendships and companionships develop and from this, Care you can trust evolves. It is a very special dynamic that exists between our volunteers and the people they come to serve. At its best I am sure everyone gains from this sense of connection that develops over time. Editor – Finally, what do you want to say to the team of volunteers at BaptistCare? Brendan – Words are never enough to capture the value of our volunteers at BaptistCare, and the enormous appreciation we have for all that they contribute. Our volunteers should never underestimate the encouragement they bring to our clients and residents, but also to the staff who also greatly appreciate the helping hand. Thank you for all that you offer in the service of others; for this we are eternally grateful. For current volunteer opportunities at BaptistCare visit our website at baptistcare.org.au/volunteer or email volunteering@ baptistcare.org.au to enquire about opportunities at your local service.

JOIN OUR TEAM

We need volunteer bus drivers, and lots of them! Drivers with an LR or C Class Drivers Licence are needed to transport our clients and residents on day trips and social outings. If you enjoy driving this might be just the experience for you.

Visit our website baptistcare.org.au/volunteer today and join our team.

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WHEN YOU’RE COLD AND HOMELESS As winter approaches and we dial up the heating and turn to comfort food, consider the 105,000* homeless people each night who sleep on the streets. During these cold winter months, while most of us are sitting down in the evening to a hot meal, in a warm house; or perhaps dining out with friends and family in a comfortable restaurant, many Australians – men, women and children - won’t be so fortunate. Thankfully, BaptistCare is there to provide a variety of street-based outreach services to vulnerable people living in our communities. From rough sleepers living on the streets to young people who ‘couch surf’, moving from place to place until the welcome wears out, our outreach services respond with compassion, practical care and support. 18

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BaptistCare provides meals, clothing and blankets to people living on the streets; a listening ear, meeting basic needs and assisting people to access permanent housing, healthcare and other services. Winter is the toughest time of year for homeless people and this year we have set a goal of raising $100,000 for our homeless services. Most homeless people are unlucky. It’s not their choice but circumstances that determine their fate. And homelessness isn’t always defined by the stereotypical image – older men walking around drunk in the inner city. In our latest quarterly appeal letter, you might recall the story of Jane**, who spent 12 years with an abusive and violent partner in the Hunter Region. After Jane’s children were removed for their safety, Jane fled her abusive partner and became homeless.

One in four women suffer from domestic violence and in 14% of cases, children are present when incidents happen. When BaptistCare workers first met Jane, she was desperately scared of sleeping outside and was spiralling towards a life filled with drugs to numb the pain and fear. Gradually we helped her to find a new life. The most important task was to help Jane feel safe by finding emergency accommodation. Months later and as the colder months approach, she’s living in her own apartment, with pot plants on the balcony and a picture of her children on the wall. She’s having counselling to help her move on from the past and, most importantly, she’s hoping to be permanently reunited with her children. The BaptistCare Centre in Port Kembla (formerly known as Darcy House) has been assisting a man who has been living rough in the

bush for over 6 months. Bob** came to BaptistCare often for food, a shower and some company.

MEALS

250,000 TO PEOPLE LIVING IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

3200

$50 provides a visit to a dentist, GP or mental health professional

SUPPORT

$150 helps to provide an ongoing case worker to help a client plan for their future * Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 14/4/15 ** Names have been change to protect the identity of the client

GIVEN IN AN

41,000

Please give to BaptistCare Community Services. With your help, our community centres will continue to provide life changing Care you can trust to people like Bob, and Jane and her children.

$100 allows us to serve 35 meals in a community centre

IMMEDIATE

ROUGH ON THE STREET

2730

Bob continues to come to the centre every day, and is now a very productive client and participates in most activities that BaptistCare provides.

LIVING

CRISIS

With help from the case worker and BaptistCare, Bob was also able to obtain basic living essentials for his new residence. The case worker was even able to assist in obtaining a television.

PEOPLE

FOOD

With the assistance of the case worker, Bob was able to secure a room in a nearby boarding house and was linked with the Outreach Centrelink that visits BaptistCare weekly to set up and receive correct payments that Bob was entitled too.

MEALS FOR

VOUCHERS

One particular day, Bob asked to speak with a case worker as he was becoming frightened living in the bush, due to snakes and other unappealing elements. He had become increasingly afraid of what may happen to him.

YOUR DONATIONS HAVE HELPED US TO PROVIDE ...

AT OUR DROP-IN SPACES

MICROFINANCE FINANCIAL LOANS LITERACY

CLIENTS

RECEIVED REFERRAL

2000+ CLIENTS RECEIVED CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

REFERRALS

SUPPORT FOR

4200 CLIENTS

EXPERIENCING

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY

www.baptistcare.org.au | TRUST Winter 2015

T E E R PA S TO R A

E R

TRUST Summer 2014 | www.baptistcare.org.au

baptistcare.org.au/volunteer

rwakeley@baptistcare.org.au

E E R PA S TO R

0417 022 541

T LU N

We’re also on the lookout for people who can assist our Chaplains with chapel services, devotions and other pastoral care opportunities.

Please contact Ross Wakeley, Volunteer Pastoral Care Project Leader

We’re inviting people who are active in their local church to become BaptistCare Volunteer Pastoral Care Visitors. You’ll receive free training and will use your gift of pastoral care to connect with your local community.

Carlingford Baptist Church

pastoral care? volunteering? seniors and your community?

Craig

DO YOU HAVE A HEART FOR

“Right from the outset we felt God was present in this course. It is so well structured. We’ve been equipped to go out to people in need. It’s a wonderful program”

TIS

SIT

BAP

TIS

N LU