Fletcher Street Cottage marks 2nd Anniversary with 18,000 visits

Byron Bay - On April 12th, Fletcher Street Cottage celebrates its second anniversary, a safe and welcoming refuge for people at risk of homelessness and those already sleeping rough. Since opening its doors in April 2022, Byron’s homeless hub has become a beacon of hope, providing essential services and wraparound support to those in need.

Over the past two years, Fletcher Street Cottage has had over 18,900 visits, demonstrating its vital role within the community. With a strong commitment to serving those facing housing insecurity in the Byron Shire, the homeless hub has served 20,300 breakfasts, facilitated 8,700 showers and laundry services and contributed 6,400 volunteer hours.

Jen Lunan, Manager of Fletcher Street Cottage, expresses her gratitude, stating, “The past two years have been a journey of resilience and compassion.

Fletcher Street Cottage remains steadfast in its dedication to uplifting the lives of our most vulnerable community members. We are immensely proud of the impact we’ve made and the lives we’ve touched.”

According to the NSW Government 2023 Street Count, Byron Shire has the largest cohort of rough sleepers in NSW, higher than the City of Sydney. In response to the rising cost of living and local rental crisis, Fletcher Street Cottage has seen a growing demand for its services, with an increasing number of women seeking support. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for initiatives like Fletcher Street Cottage.

Maddi Powell, Community Support Worker, highlights the signifcance of the milestone, stating, “As we celebrate our second anniversary, I refect on all of the incredible people that we have had the privilege of supporting here at Fletcher Street Cottage. One thing that has always stood out to me over the past two years is the incredible power of collaboration and community.”

With no ongoing government funding, Fletcher Street Cottage relies on the generous support of donors.

Community Support Workers provide advocacy and referral, collaborating with service providers including Centrelink, My Momentum, Social Futures, Homeless Health Outreach Team, legal support, employment, housing referrals, medical care, dental, hairdresser and podiatrist.

Maddi adds, “The service itself has grown rapidly, as have the number of people seeking support. Without all of our visiting services, generous community members and dedicated staff and volunteers, we could not do the work we do here every day. I am so proud of our Fletcher Street Cottage community and very grateful for the privilege to work here.”

Fletcher Street Cottage’s journey is a testament to the remarkable impact that can be achieved through community collaboration and professional support. As the Byron Community Centre looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its commitment to continuing its services and ensuring that no community member is left behind.

Kate Love, Acting General Manager, appreciates the community’s support, stating, “It’s heartwarming to witness positive stories of change where people have received assistance to transform and improve their lives. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and community partners whose support has been instrumental in realising our vision of a more inclusive and supportive community.”

To learn more about Fletcher Street Cottage and to donate, visit fetcherstreetcottage. com.au.