Relationships Australia NSW Impact Report
2023-2024
Together in Relationship
We’re in relationship with each other and our country.
Relationships Australia NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which we live and work. We acknowledge their ancestors who first walked on this land and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future, for they carry the cultural wisdom, the stories, the traditions and dreaming.
With a commitment to reconciliation, we acknowledge the enduring impact of past policies and practices and commit our endeavours to creating a just society and sector that celebrates the ongoing resilience and self-determination of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
WE’RE RELATIONSHIP
Relationships are an essential part of being human. We are in relationships in all aspects of our lives from the moment we’re born.
RELATIONSHIP PEOPLE
Whether it’s relationships with loved ones past and present, the communities we spend time with, and the places we belong –relationships connect us to ourselves and each other.
Who We Are + Why We’re Here
Relationships Australia NSW has been at the forefront of fostering safe and respectful relationships for 75 years. We know the quality of our relationships is the single most powerful predictor of long-term physical and mental health. Our services aren’t just helpful; they’re critical to ensuring individuals, families, and communities have the tools and resilience to navigate life’s challenges.
We provide independent services that educate, empower, and advocate for the importance of healthy relationships, ensuring they receive the time, attention, and respect they need to grow. From relationship counselling and family dispute resolution to groupwork and professional training, we help people through challenging life events – separation, divorce, parenting, domestic and family violence, and institutional abuse. We also equip people with the skills to strengthen relationships early, creating a foundation for healthier, more resilient connections.
With locations across New South Wales, we offer in-person, phone, and online support, and many of our services operate on a sliding fee scale to ensure accessibility. We are part of a nationwide network of not-for-profit Relationships Australia organisations, united in the belief that happy, healthy relationships have the power to transform lives.
Message from our CEO + Chair
In this year’s report, you’ll notice a shift in focus. We’ve chosen to highlight the voices of the people we support – their stories are at the heart of everything we do. Hearing about their experiences is one of the greatest privileges of our roles. Each email, call, and conversation serves as a powerful reminder of the impact Relationships Australia NSW makes in people’s lives.
You’ll read about families navigating separation, like one who came to us to understand their children’s perspectives better. There’s a man in his 70s who, after years of being a carer, chose to explore his own deeply buried trauma in our counselling sessions. You’ll meet couples on the verge of a relationship breakdown who found, through our support, the space to work through their challenges with respect and empathy. You’ll hear about a single mother rebuilding her confidence after escaping a violent relationship, and a grandmother newly arrived in Australia, seeking connection and guidance in an unfamiliar place.
These stories represent just a few of the lives we’ve had the privilege to support this year. Our work is far-reaching –we offer over 70 programs across New South Wales – and while each service is vital, our impact is best captured in the personal stories of transformation and resilience that we hear from the people we support.
This year, we’ve also made significant progress in extending our services. We launched critical thought leadership on elder abuse and multi-perpetrator violence, addressing pressing issues
that affect vulnerable people in our communities. We also revamped our Children’s Contact Service to streamline access and help families get the support they need more efficiently.
Furthermore, we were pleased to have been awarded the pilot programs for sexual violence victim-survivor support, a testament to the significant impact of our existing Domestic Violence Linker program, operating in the Nepean Blue Mountains district. In our groupwork education, we’ve increased the number of groups by 70% since FY2015-16, broadening the opportunities for individuals to connect, learn, and grow through shared experiences.
Reflecting on these achievements and personal stories reminds us of the extraordinary dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to make a lasting difference. It’s an honour to share them with you and to highlight the transformative power of relationships.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to our vision: supporting every person on their journey to stronger, healthier relationships. Together, we will continue to make a profound impact.
Elisabeth Shaw CEO Dr Stephen Hollings Chair
registered clients supported through relationship challenges 29,504
of people reported they were satisfied with the support they received 88%
people reached through media advocacy 645M
people supported through seminars, workshops, and presentations 20,111 in pro-bono services provided for people facing financial hardship $73,945
8
thought leadership papers published, contributing industry-leading insights
1.8M counselling sessions helping individuals, couples, and families
people engaged in digital relationship education – a 128% increase from last year
157,535
of people reported they felt heard and understood 90%
70 video views, expanding our message to a broader audience – a 244% increase from last year
10 programs, groups and services to help people over their lifetime
16,255 innovative new programs launched in the community
The single greatest predictor of our health + happiness is our relationships
For 86 years, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been tracking adults’ health and wellbeing throughout their lives. In fact, it’s one of the longest running studies in the world.
Reflecting on their decades of research, the report’s authors were able to distil their findings into one simple principle; “Good relationships keep us healthier, and happier, period”.
This insight is at the heart of everything we do. By supporting individuals, families, and communities to build and maintain strong, fulfilling connections, we directly impact their physical and emotional wellbeing, helping them lead fuller, healthier, and ultimately more meaningful lives.
The Reach of Our Impact
CENTRE
SHARED SOCIAL SERVICES HUB
HEADSPACE
CARE AND CONNECT
FAMILY COURT
FEDERAL COURT CIRCUIT
Boundaries represent the Primary Health Networks across New South Wales.
BROKEN HILL
Wilyakali Country
WAGGA Wiradjuri Country
ALBURY Wiradjuri Country
FORBES Wiradjuri
DUBBO Wiradjuri Country
GUNNEDAH Kamilaroi Country NARRABRI Kamilaroi Country
MUDGEE Wiradjuri Country
ORANGE Wiradjuri Country
FORBES Wiradjuri Country
BATHURST Wiradjuri Country
LITHGOW Wiradjuri Country
INVERELL Kamilaroi Country
TAMWORTH Kamilaroi Country
ARMIDALE Anaiwan Country
LISMORE Widjabul Country
PORT MACQUARIE Birpai Country
FORSTER Worimi Country
NEWCASTLE Awabakal and Worimi Country
GOSFORD Darkinjung Country
SYDNEY CITY Gadigal Country
WOLLONGONG Dharawal Country
MOSS VALE Gundungurra and Dharawal Country
RESEARCH
DOMESTIC + FAMILY VIOLENCE
MEDIATION
RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT + RECOVERY
Our Impact Areas
GROUPWORK CASEWORK
ADVOCACY
SPECIALIST
TRAUMA SUPPORT
TRAINING + DEVELOPMENT
WORKPLACE WELLBEING
We support people through every stage of their relationships, offering guidance and care throughout their lives. For over 75 years, we’ve been at the forefront of evolving challenges and needs, continuously expanding our services and programs to meet them. We’re not just here for a single tough moment – we’re a partner for life. Whether it’s strengthening family bonds, fostering respectful workplaces, or healing from trauma, we’re here to support every aspect of life. Always.
Counselling
counselling sessions helped individuals, couples and families 16,255 of people reported they were satisfied with the support they received 93%
people supported in strengthening their relationships 5,568 of people reported they felt heard and understood 94%
phone/online sessions provided for accessible support 7,726
Our counselling services offer a safe, non-judgemental space for people to explore their concerns. We work with individuals, couples, and families to help address their unique challenges. Through compassionate support and practical strategies, we aim to help people improve communication, rebuild trust, and find a path toward healthier relationships and wellbeing.
“ Happy to say our counsellor has been incredibly helpful. He had a balanced outlook and was able to mediate our conversations so we both appreciated each other. He strengthened our relationship, communication and commitment to each other, while recognising our family challenges.”
Couples Counselling client
“ I’m very grateful and have experienced a shift in my self-confidence and the way I can view my situation with a little positivity and hope. She helped me grow as a person.”
Counselling client
Helping people recover from trauma
When Karl was first referred to Relationships Australia NSW, he cared for his wife, Bonnie, whose health was suffering. Initially referred for six sessions as a carer, Karl soon began reflecting on the traumas he’d endured over his life and how they affected his relationships. He chose to continue counselling to explore these challenges.
Now in his mid-seventies, Karl grew up with an abusive father whose constant belittling left lasting emotional scars. At 14, after his mother passed away, Karl dropped out of school, lived on the streets, and started using drugs.
With the support of his local community and a drug centre, Karl slowly rebuilt his life. Despite not finishing high school, he gained university entry and earned a degree, later proudly working at the University of New South Wales in the library and as a research assistant for 18 years.
Through recent counselling sessions, Karl has finally started to challenge the negative beliefs ingrained by his father. “My counsellor, Lorraine, helped me see those messages weren’t right. Things that once felt true to me, don’t feel true anymore.”
“ I could talk about things I had never, ever talked about.”
He also credits Lorraine’s non-judgemental approach, which encouraged him to open up about his experiences. “I could talk about things I had never, ever talked about. She’s one of those special people who really listens. She wasn’t there to do things for me but to be with me, and that made all the difference.”
Helping people repair their relationships
“
As you probably realised, you helped to save our relationship. There were other factors, of course, but I think it’s safe to say that without your guidance, we wouldn’t have made it.
You were professional and kind, you listened enough and talked enough, your skills and experience are excellent, and your unique understanding of our situation was much appreciated.”
Helping prioritise children in separation
After separating from her husband two years ago, Elena* turned to Relationships Australia NSW for individual counselling. She opened up about her growing concern over her 15-year-old son’s escalating aggression and her 13-year-old daughter’s quiet withdrawal. Elena worried her children were suffering in ways she couldn’t fully understand.
Recognising the importance of addressing the family dynamics, the counsellor suggested involving the children’s father. When he attended his individual sessions, he shared similar concerns about their children, noting the strain their co-parenting conflict was placing on everyone.
The children were invited to a child consultation session, where they disclosed the emotional toll their parents’ separation had taken. They spoke of their fears, overhearing arguments, and the painful silence between their parents during changeovers. Their son admitted he bottled up his emotions until they exploded in anger, while their daughter shared that she hid her sadness, afraid to burden her parents further.
With the children’s consent, these insights were discussed in a feedback session with both parents. Hearing how deeply their conflict affected their children was a turning point. Guided by the counsellor, they began to reflect on the emotional needs of their children and committed to improving their co-parenting relationship.
Together, they worked on setting boundaries, improving communication, and agreed to greet each other during exchanges – small changes with profound impact. With ongoingsupport and a referral to our Tuning in to Teens groupwork program, they continuedlearning how to better support their children’s emotional wellbeing.
Helping children cope with changing family dynamics
“I’m writing in praise of the My Changing Family and Me program, which my child attended at the City Centre. She really liked the environment and felt very comfortable with the facilitators.
She enjoyed the games and activities, and while she’s not big on discussing her emotions, reflected on how the program was helping in identifying her feelings. Being in a room with kids in a similar situation was one of the main things she found helpful. I realised how valuable the sessions were when she was able to clearly express her needs to her other parent after the final session.”
Parent of My Changing Family and Me participant
Helping to heal fractured family relationships
In his early forties, Phil left the religion his father had raised him in, which was devout and strict in its practices. It was a decision his father struggled to accept, and their relationship became strained and volatile.
Phil was referred to our Let’s Talk Elder Support and Mediation service, a safe space for older people and their loved ones to work through relationship challenges.
It took some convincing to get his dad – who was raised to keep anything personal to himself – to attend. A key factor in his decision was the opportunity to have both individual and joint sessions, where they could choose what to share with each other.
“I had really wanted to go to mediation with my dad years prior to that, just so we could get on the same page and have a closer relationship. It was the initial step towards us healing a lifetime of differences,” Phil said.
Over several sessions, Phil and his dad were able to express their feelings and acknowledge the deep hurt they had both experienced. As they gained trust and confidence in the process, they began to honestly explain their choices and truly listen to one another.
Through mediation, they discovered positive things they could do together, like enjoying weekly meals at their favourite restaurant, rewatching beloved childhood TV shows, and even going to a concert. Soon after their final session, Phil’s father sadly passed away, which has only strengthened his gratitude for the experience.
“I’ve got really lovely memories of my dad now because of the mediation,” he said. “All of what I was able to express to my dad and what he was able to express to me, has become even more profound and impactful. It’s given me incredible peace of mind.”
Mediation
2,836
sessions helped families resolve parenting and property disputes
1,472
people supported through separationrelated decisions
1,871
parents supported to learn more through the Kids in Focus online program
of people reported they were satisfied with the support they received 71%
4,317
intake and risk screening sessions conducted to assess needs and ensure safety
of people reported they felt heard and understood 77%
Our Family Relationship Centres and Access Family Mediation Services offer family dispute resolution and mediation services to help separated couples resolve parenting, property, and financial disputes with the wellbeing of their children in mind.
Skilled mediators work with both parties in a structured process that supports them to discuss matters calmly and constructively, aiming for agreements and outcomes that work for everyone, especially children.
We focus on making the process safe, respectful, affordable, and accessible, ensuring people can resolve disputes without the need for costly legal intervention.
“ I am so thankful for this service! I felt ‘heard’ and that my situation was understood by people with a high level of experience and the skills to deal with it.” Family Dispute Resolution client
“ Thank you so much for being able to give me advice and support me in such a hard time of my life. I was able to have a safe space to communicate with my ex, say the things that I needed and make plans to support our children.”
Helping families stay connected when a relationship breaks down
When Farah* and Malik* reached out to us for help, they had been separated for 12 months and were struggling to navigate the shared parenting of their two children, aged 12 and eight.
Malik had moved to Sydney with his new partner, while Farah remained in the family home in a regional town. Malik wanted regular fortnightly visits, but Farah worried about the disruption to the children’s routines, as well as travel and accommodation costs. They needed professional guidance to find a solution that prioritised their children’s wellbeing.
With distance complicating in-person mediation, they used our Access Family Mediation Service, which is delivered entirely online. This service was critical in enabling them to address their differences without further strain.
Through mediation, they reached a carefully balanced agreement: Malik would begin with day trips, transitioning to overnight stays after three months if the children were adjusting well. The kids would also visit Sydney once a month and have weekly video calls with their dad. They also agreed to return to mediation if any issues arose.
By the end, both Farah and Malik were thankful for the opportunity to resolve these challenges without the previous hostility. The mediation gave them a practical, child-focused plan that ensured their children’s best interests came first.
Helping people navigate our services better
Separation can be a distressing period for couples and families, and accessing services like ours can be fraught with complex emotions, especially when it comes to sorting out property and financial decisions.
To better support our clients through this challenging period, we created a series of step-by-step videos that simplified one of our most-requested servicesproperty and financial mediation. In these videos, we unpacked the jargon and answered frequently asked questions like:
• what is the role of the mediator?
• what are the steps involved in a property mediation process?
• what can you expect in the joint session?
• how can you best prepare for property mediation?
• how do we ensure property mediation is safe?
The videos are an integral part of helping our clients to prepare for their property mediation process and are provided to them prior to their joint mediation sessions.
Helping our staff to deliver the best support
In May 2024, amendments to the Family Law Act came into effect, emphasising the best interests of children in determining parenting arrangements.
To ensure we’re fully equipped to meet the new requirements, we hosted comprehensive training for all relevant staff, bringing in industry leaders to share their expertise. Anne-Marie Rice, Senior Judicial Registrar at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and Bianca Steele, Senior Court Child Expert, delivered a powerful presentation on the Court’s new risk management strategies, updated case management pathways, dispute resolution approaches, and children’s impact reports.
This session, along with other presentations and online sessions, gave staff a clear understanding of how these amendments would directly affect our clients, their practice, and the broader landscape of post-separation support.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing for the next wave of family law reforms set for 2025. These upcoming changes will focus on the property law framework and tighter regulation of Children’s Contact Services.
Ensuring our practitioners have the latest knowledge is critical. By staying ahead of these changes, we continue to offer the highest level of support and empower our clients through challenging times.
Groupwork
people supported in building stronger relationships 2,012
group programs delivered to provide essential support 133 of people reported they were satisfied with the support they received 90%
increase in number of group programs run since FY15-16 70%
Our relationship education programs and workshops help people build and improve their relationship skills in a safe, supportive and collaborative group environment, led by professional facilitators. We cover a range of topics, from parenting techniques and communication skills to developing mental wellbeing practices – and offer them throughout the year, both in-person and online.
“ The group made me realise I’m a good human. It opened my eyes and mind to new ways of understanding my feelings and controlling my emotional behaviour towards myself and my family.”
Healthy Relationships participant
“ My experience with this program has been transformative – not just for my daughter but also for me. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent.”
Circle of Security participant
Helping parents to connect with teens
Worried about the lack of connection with her adolescent child, Adele* decided to sign up for the Tuning in to Teens parenting program. “I was struggling to communicate with my teen, so with a ‘try-it-out’ mindset, I signed up for the course,” Adele recalled.
The seven-week online workshop brought together a small group of parents navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. With Judy, the facilitator, emphasising confidentiality, the group felt comfortable discussing their experiences.
“I gained so much,” Adele said. “Judy gave us time to reflect on our week with our kids – what went well, what didn’t, and what we learned. This was invaluable because it made us feel less alone.”
The sessions provided more than just parenting tips – it created a supportive space where parents could share challenges and brainstorm solutions. “We often feel lost when trying to communicate with our children,” Adele explained. “But these sessions gave us the chance to talk things through and come up with ideas together.”
One of Adele’s key takeaways was that she didn’t need to react with anxiety or frustration when her child expressed negative emotions. “Unless teenagers ask for help solving a problem, we just need to listen – not offer advice. I realised I don’t need to ‘fix’ everything. I just need to be there for them.”
This shift gave Adele more confidence in her parenting. “I’ve shared what I learned with friends, and it really resonated with them too – especially the idea that it’s about letting our children initiate communication.”
Reflecting on the experience, Adele is grateful for the impact the course had. “I really appreciate the support Judy provided, both during and after the course. It’s made such a difference in how I approach our relationship.”
*Names, identifying details and images have been changed
Helping build healthy relationships in the LGBTQIA+ community
Helping our staff to deliver the best support
In 2022, we launched our Proud Relationships program to support people in the LGBTQIA+ community to build the foundations of strong relationships with themselves and others. To ensure an authentic and safe space for participants, the groups are also facilitated by people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
In May 2024, amendments to the Family Law Act came into effect, emphasising the best interests of children in determining parenting arrangements.
Our program prioritises inclusivity by offering online delivery, breaking down geographical barriers. This allows us to reach remote and rural communities, where clients often lack local support. They appreciate easy access to our online groups, which provide a safe space to connect and build lasting relationships, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community across the state.
To ensure we’re fully equipped to meet the new requirements, we hosted comprehensive training for all relevant staff, bringing in industry leaders to share their expertise. Anne-Marie Rice, Senior Judicial Registrar at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and Bianca Steele, Senior Court Child Expert, delivered a powerful presentation on the Court’s new risk management strategies, updated case management pathways, dispute resolution approaches, and children’s impact reports.
Additionally, Proud Relationships acknowledges the impact of domestic and family violence in the LGBTQIA+ community, which is often left out of public discussions. The group provides education and assistance to participants to make healthy choices for themselves and in their relationships with others.
This session, along with other presentations and online sessions, gave staff a clear understanding of how these amendments would directly affect our clients, their practice, and the broader landscape of post-separation support.
This year, we were proud to have Proud Relationships named as a recommended service by LGBTQIA+ Health Australia, a peak health organisation in Australia. The group has been added to their internal directory, which is accessed by clients, staff, and relevant referral services.
Looking ahead, we’re now preparing for the next wave of family law reforms set for 2025. These upcoming changes will focus on the property law framework and tighter regulation of Children’s Contact Services.
Ensuring that our practitioners have the latest knowledge is critical. By staying ahead of these changes, we continue to offer the highest level of support and empower our clients through challenging times.
For the upcoming year, we are excited to continue delivering our group and helping people across New South Wales feel empowered and confident to create and maintain strong and fulfilling connections.
Helping people to understand their emotions
After a series of heated arguments with colleagues, Sam* realised he needed help. At 30 years old, he was hesitant to join our Managing Anger group, unsure of what to expect. However, from the moment he arrived, he was warmly welcomed by a group of nine others, each bringing unique experiences and challenges to the table.
During the weekly sessions, Sam learned to recognise his triggers and underlying issues, improve his communication, and develop practical coping strategies. Most importantly, he saw how his unchecked anger was affecting his work and his relationships.
“Through completing the course, I now understand how my thoughts and emotions can be controlled. With consistency, I can achieve a way of dealing with my anger and how it affects everyone else,” Sam said.
For Sam, the diverse backgrounds of the group were invaluable, offering different perspectives on how to manage anger and the challenges that come with it.
By the end of the program, Sam felt a significant shift – not just in how he handled his anger but in his overall approach to relationships. He felt more in control of his emotions, and that change had a positive ripple effect on his life. “The group taught me to not be controlled by my emotions, anger and frustrations. I am now dealing with them in a positive way. It’s completely changing the way I am responding.”
Domestic + Family Violence
11,594
victim-survivors supported through past or present experiences of domestic and family violence
healthcare professionals trained to better recognise and help people experiencing domestic and family violence 58
men supported through our Family Advocacy and Support Service 598
men supported to address their actions through our behaviour change program 282
Our domestic and family violence services support people who are victim-survivors of violence and people who use violence to change their behaviour. We offer support through counselling, groupwork and referral pathways.
As the leading provider of relationship services in the state, our work is built on the principles of confidentiality, neutrality, and protecting the best interests of the victim-survivor and any children impacted.
This year, the demand for specific domestic and family violence programs, including Men's Behaviour Change, rapidly increased. As at 30 June 2024, we had 245 men on our waiting list for service. We have advocated tirelessly for greater funding, which could interrupt the cycle of violence and provide critical support to members of the community who desperately need it.
“ Thank you for the opportunity to help find a part of myself that is stronger and more attentive. It was always there, I just needed to nurture it.”
Taking Responsibility, Men’s Behaviour Change Program participant
“ I’m very
glad to have done this course – it’s truly helped me in life, socially and in my relationships. I keep reflecting back on and practising all the tactics I’ve learnt. Overall, it is really helping, and now I’m a happier, calmer, and more content man.”
Taking Responsibility, Men’s Behaviour Change Program participant
Helping health workers to support victim-survivors
In partnership with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, we successfully secured funding to launch a vital pilot program supporting sexual violence victim-survivors.
The Sexual Violence and Child Sexual Abuse Local Link program equips the primary care workforce with the skills to identify and support people affected by sexual violence or child sex abuse.
By collaborating with local community services, the program strengthens the existing network of crisis support, allowing victim-survivors to access care without having to repeatedly recount their traumatic experiences. This approach acknowledges the varying needs of victim-survivors over time and is underpinned by traumainformed care, cultural safety, and inclusivity.
This pilot builds on the success of our Domestic and Family Violence Linker in the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, where we forged strong partnerships with health practitioners, empowering them to provide more informed care for their patients.
Helping improve domestic and family violence service delivery
While most media portrayals focus on one person using violence in domestic settings, evidence shows that in up to 16% of cases, multiple people are involved. When more people are present or contributing to the violence, the severity can also increase.
In our work, we have seen people subjected to abuse not only from their intimate partner, but from their partner’s family members – parents or siblings – as well as from their own relatives.
Recognising a significant gap in domestic and family violence services’ ability to respond to multi-perpetrator family violence and abuse (MFVA), we took action.
Our Research and Impact team developed a resource package for service providers and practitioners, equipping them to better identify and respond to MFVA. Launched in June 2024, the package includes practical tools that practitioners can integrate into their current processes.
While initially focused on specific cultural backgrounds, the resource package is designed to be adaptable across diverse communities, including refugees, migrants, religious groups, and other cultural contexts.
Without addressing the complexities of MFVA, many victim-survivors remain at greater risk and without the specialised support they need to escape and recover from abuse.
Helping mothers build their confidence after leaving abusive relationships
Zofia*, a 36-year-old single mother, was trying to rebuild her life after separating from an abusive partner.
The domestic violence she endured left deep emotional scars, and she felt overwhelmed managing her own wellbeing while caring for her nine-year-old daughter. Her former partner’s manipulation and control had eroded her confidence, making her question her judgement and struggle with social interactions.
Seeking support, Zofia enrolled in our Parenting After Separation program, which provided specialised support to women who had experienced domestic and family violence. Over six weeks, she learned to recognise and manage her emotions, while gaining practical tools to improve her wellbeing and set healthy boundaries.
One of the most significant parts of the program for Zofia was connecting with others in similar situations. Realising her feelings of confusion and self-doubt were shared by others helped her feel less isolated and part of a supportive community.
Through the sessions, Zofia also developed techniques to balance her daughter’s emotional needs alongside her own. She learned strategies to recognise and respond to her ex-partner’s controlling behaviours, leaving her feeling empowered to protect both herself and her daughter.
“ I came to a lot of realisations and learnt a lot of lessons with this program. I really did not feel alone, especially knowing I was not the only one with that type of partner... it really helped.”
Parenting After Separation participant
Community Development + Trauma Support
people engaged in Community Builder events and programs, fostering stronger connections 8,114
Community Resilience Leaders trained and empowered to build and lead connected communities 202
people who have experienced institutional distress or abuse supported through Wattle Place 529
people affected by forced adoption practices or policies provided dedicated support 171
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people provided specialist support through Caber-ra nanga Engage 50
Our community development and recovery programs help targeted areas of the community that face unique challenges and need tailored support. Wattle Place provides specialist services to help people who have experienced institutional distress or abuse. We also deliver tailored support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people in multicultural communities.
“ I am grateful to my practitioner from Wattle Place - she really cares and always gives me very helpful tools to cope. It’s a longterm process but I’m hopeful I can manage what I’ve been through as part of my life now and not feel like I need to constantly run away.”
National Redress Support Service client
“ You have helped me to heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Without this process I would most certainly have drowned in my memories and the mental and emotional trauma and damage.”
Disability
Helping older people stay connected in the community
The Community Builders Grandparents’ Support Group provides invaluable support and connection for older Australians in their own language and culture. The group fosters stronger community ties and partners with local health and social service agencies to provide specialised support.
Li Hua*, one of the participants, shared that she faced eviction due to financial instability, a challenging family situation, and was a victim of elder abuse. When we met her, she felt hopeless and isolated.
The group immediately stepped in to support her, finding her temporary housing, linking her to much-needed services, and talking to her about elder abuse.
A letter from Li Hua (translated)
Dear Relationships Australia Community Builder staff,
I was 75 years old... in a foreign land, when I encountered insurmountable challenges and felt utterly hopeless. It was you who extended a warm hand to me. You helped arrange short temporary housing for me to meet urgent needs. You referred me to an agency which speaks my language, and a plan was developed to solve my problems, and informed me of ways to cope with domestic violence and protect myself.
Every warm and kind reception from you filled my heart with warmth. You empathised with my urgency and helped alleviate my difficulties. I felt like I had returned to my hometown, having a support system and renewed hope in life. It was your assistance that helped me overcome these challenges and secure a peaceful life in my later years.
Thank you! Words cannot express how grateful I am to you. Your work in assisting the elderly and the young, supporting the disabled and the weak, through your selfless dedication, enables us to live a stable and joyful life in a foreign country!
Helping people build resilience after disaster
In the wake of the New South Wales Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20, we wanted to work more closely with people experiencing the impact of climate-related mental distress.
Unlike many traumatic events, disaster is experienced collectively –with friends, family and community. As climate disasters have soared over the past two decades, so have mental health outcomes related to these events.
That’s why we launched the Disaster Resilience Leadership Program, which teaches community leaders about the mental health impacts of climate disasters and mentors them in implementing local resilience projects.
Four years on, we’ve trained 328 Community Resilience Leaders who have delivered various resilience projects in their local areas.
“ The fruit of anything is action. After I went to a couple of the workshops, those community groups went on to complete a project and I was involved in some of that project work. That’s very impressive when you can see that, you can actually taste the fruit of the work that’s been done.”
In our latest research, we reflected on the program to see what we can learn about social connection and mental health in disaster-impacted areas. Some of our key lessons and recommendations included:
Disaster Resilience Leadership Program participant
• participants had a greater knowledge of trauma-informed practice and improved social connections
• communities felt greater social connectedness and valued opportunities to build relationships
• the program offered a model for the government to fund at scale while they maintained localised delivery through community leaders
• the expertise of the family and relationships sector could be leveraged to introduce support for frontline disaster workers.
Communities can no longer expect lengthy “recovery” periods from disaster but are faced with recurrent and ongoing events. The success of our program demonstrated the critical role of location-based, communityled approaches in our state and provides a launching pad to adopt similar support services around the world.
“
After the workshop, there was follow-up provided, which was massive. In these rural kind of areas, there are a lot of programs who come in and leave, and there’s no follow-up from the content that’s delivered.”
Children’s Contact Service
sessions delivered to enable safe family connections 1,962
Boosted session support across NSW:
in Blacktown +34% in Hunter +26% in Gosford +122%
children supported to spend quality time with their parent 671 in Penrith +7%
Our Children’s Contact Service provides a safe and supportive environment where children from separated families can spend time with the parent they don’t live with or after time apart. We offer supervised visits and supported changeovers to ensure these interactions are positive and child-focused.
Our goal is to help children from birth to 18 years maintain meaningful relationships with both parents in a way that protects their wellbeing and minimises conflict.
“ This service made a huge difference for our family. It gave my kids a safe place to connect with their dad without the stress and worry.” Parent
Supporting more families to access our services
For over 25 years, our Children’s Contact Service has provided a safe, neutral, and child-focused environment for supervised contact and changeovers. In the past year, our team conducted a review of our service to better understand our clients’ evolving needs and implement changes to enhance their experience.
Our review discovered that clients deeply valued our child-focused and safetyfirst approach. At the same time, we identified our clients were facing more complex challenges, with many grappling with domestic and family violence, mental health issues, child protection concerns, and substance use. These complexities demanded more case management and specialised skills from our staff to ensure the highest level of safety and support.
In response, we introduced several key changes:
• expanded our days and hours of operation to meet growing demand
• developed a Global Referral Framework to streamline the referral process and ensure seamless collaboration with our partners
• refreshed our digital and print communication tools to address common client questions more effectively
• proactively managed our waitlist to improve service accessibility.
As a result, we’ve seen a surge in sessions across all our centres and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients, affirming that these changes are making a real difference in their lives.
Workplace Wellbeing
Accidental Counsellors trained, a +140% increase from FY22-23 768
professional development supervision sessions conducted 223
Employee Assistance Program sessions delivered, promoting mental health and wellbeing 1,063
people completed Graduate Diplomas 24
people attended Effective Group Leadership training 142
Our workplace training programs and services are designed to support and enhance the mental health, wellbeing, and success of everyone at work. We help teams in all industries strengthen their relationship-focused skills, including communication, conflict resolution, and group leadership.
This year, we decided to close our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to focus on the growing demand for mental health and relationship wellbeing services, and broaden our suite of programs. Accidental Counsellor, our workshop teaching informal counselling skills, has recorded a massive 140% increase in participants over the past year. Noting this demand and feedback for more, we are excited to be working hard to co-design new products with clients that support them through challenging work and life situations.
“ Very supportive and rich experience of learning with a lot of opportunity to test our new skills.”
Effective Online Group Leadership participant
“ This training has improved my confidence in facilitating online groups. There were many helpful strategies and tips. Thank you!”
“
For team members working in the community services sector and supporting clients, I would personally recommend this program. It was exceptionally well facilitated balancing theory with interactive, practical application.”
Accidental Counsellor participant
Helping people support others in the workplace
When Abby first reached out to us about our Accidental Counsellor workshop, she was working in a non-client facing role and wondered if the program would be suitable for her.
The workshop is designed for individuals who are not trained counsellors but often find themselves in a counselling role ‘by accident’. Some of our most regular participants are people in customer-facing positions like teachers, nurses, emergency personnel, and customer service staff members.
In comparison, Abby held a senior position in corporate communications at a hospital and wanted to learn how to better support her colleagues. Many of them were frontline workers on the brink of burnout or witnessing distressing events and often needed support from their peers.
“I spoke with Relationships Australia NSW, and they pointed out that many people are put in unofficial counselling positions,” Abby said. “I realised that this course could help me in many aspects of my job and even with my friends and family, so I signed up.”
During the online workshop, Abby connected with people across the state and listened to their experiences. The group learned how to recognise signs of stress, respond to somebody in distress, and build their own personal resilience and self-care.
“The best thing about Accidental Counsellor was that the tips and conversation starters were really practical, and I can genuinely see myself using them in the real world.
“I’ve now recommended this course to my colleagues and friends. No matter what role you’re in, everyone’s going to find themselves needing to be a shoulder to lean on, and this workshop will help you learn what to say and do in that moment.”
Education + Advocacy
1.8M+
people sought support or education through our website, a +128% increase from FY22-23
2.5K
media mentions, amplifying our impact across platforms
people reached on social media, reflecting a +76% increase from last year 1M+
video views, expanding our message to a wider audience 157,535
media reach, +735% increase from FY22-23, dramatically raising awareness of our work 645M
We envision a world where everyone has the skills and access to build healthy relationships. That’s why we believe our role in educating people and advocating for their needs is just as important as our services and programs.
Our digital education resources, including videos, articles, and downloadable resources, provide a wraparound experience to existing clients, and reach new audiences.
In partnership with our industry-leading research team, we advocate for vulnerable members and communities across the state to ensure they get access to the help they need.
“ The digital tools were so helpful to me and broke down complex issues into something I could easily understand. Since they're written by Relationships Australia NSW practitioners, I know I can trust their advice.”
Online
reader
Helping to break the cycle of domestic and family violence through advocacy
At the start of this year, the country witnessed a distressing surge in gendered violence, which took the lives of too many women. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared domestic and family violence a “national crisis”, and tens of thousands of people took to the streets to rally against it and demand more action.
As a federated organisation, we have a collective power to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable and highlight the unique challenges that face our local communities. Led by CEO Elisabeth Shaw, we were at the forefront of advocacy and focused our attention on securing additional funding for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, which help men who use violence to make a positive change in their lives.
Between 1 April and 30 June 2024, the height of public attention on these issues, we recorded a media reach of 189M and were mentioned in the media 441 times. We gained nationwide coverage on the issue, being featured on the ABC, The Guardian, SBS, Nine News, and The Project.
A highlight of our campaign was working with The Sydney Morning Herald to publish our first client story from someone who had completed Taking Responsibility, our Men’s Behaviour Change Program. The client was able to share the transformational impacts the program had on his life, including why he sought help and how he’s made a positive shift in his actions.
While the media and public attention for this issue has slowed, we continue to speak up and push for change.
Helping people navigate challenges through online resources
A critical part of our work is ensuring everyone can access the tools and support they need to create and maintain strong and fulfilling connections. Beyond specific services and programs, we offer a growing digital range of relationship education and advice, including articles, videos, and downloadable resources.
These tools play an essential role in supporting current clients in deepening their education and reaching people who might not otherwise be accessing our services or want to know more.
We were proud to launch our RelationTIPS video series, a suite of short videos that feature practitioners answering frequently asked relationship questions. We also wrote complementary articles that explored the topics in further detail. Since its launch, the series has garnered over 70,000 views, and the supporting articles have been viewed over one million times.
In addition to the videos, 1.8 million people sought relationship education on our Knowledge Hub, the home of our digital offerings. This was a 128% increase from the previous period. The highest performing articles related to themes of relationship breakdown and challenges, improving communication, domestic and family violence, and parenting.
We have leveraged our social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, to connect with new and existing audiences. We’ve recorded a 76% increase in the total reach of these platforms, being viewed by over one million people.
Education remains a core pillar of our work, and we look forward to working in partnership with our audiences to keep creating content that reflects their needs and wants.
Helping to advocate for the rights of older people
In recent years, we have witnessed significant progress in responding to the abuse of older people in New South Wales. At a state level, the Ageing and Disability Commission has been established and federally, a National Plan has been published to respond to the abuse of older Australians.
While we are pleased with this progress, we remain concerned about the lack of media and political attention on the abuse of older people, which lags behind other types of violence. Moreover, as Australia’s population continues to age and we deal with the ongoing ramifications of COVID-19, there is a greater demand for services. The message is clear: this issue is not going away.
In response, we introduced our Let’s Talk Elder Support and Mediation service in 2018. Let’s Talk helps older people and their families address age-related conflict or abuse and make decisions that protect older people’s rights and safety.
Five years on, we have conducted a study reflecting on the progress that’s been made, the challenges that persist, and the path forward to effectively address the abuse of older people. Some of the key findings from the Hidden Gems report included:
• older people and violence against older people deserve more political ambition and attention
• our ageing population is creating a greater demand for services that support the older person and their family
• older people experiencing abuse want to engage in service models outside the legal system, hoping to maintain their family relationships
• people value collaborative service models, such as Let’s Talk, that blend conflict resolution, counselling, and casework
• endemic ageism remains a contributing factor to identifying and responding to abuse
• further investment is needed to continue providing collaborative models, as well as additional research and evaluation.
While we have witnessed significant progress over the past five years, there’s still a long way to go. By focusing on relationships and centring older people’s voices and rights, families can work respectfully together into the future.
Financials
During the 2023–24 financial year, Relationships Australia NSW delivered a deficit of $0.14M. The result compared favourably to the $2.23M deficit in the previous year. Total FY24 revenue was $42.22M, an increase of over 3%, or $1.30M, on the previous year’s revenue of $40.92M.
Of total revenue, $39.7M was received in funding from various government sources including the Department of Social Services, Attorney-General’s Department, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Legal Aid NSW and Primary Health Networks. Additional Financial Report details are available on our website.
Governance
Relationships Australia NSW is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in Australia and governed by a Board of Directors. We are grateful to our Board of Directors for their guidance and support.
Board Members
CEO
Elisabeth Shaw
Dr Stephen Hollings Chair
Andrea ChristieDavid Cameron O’Reilly
Katie Moore
Kathryn Greiner Liz Forsyth
Sanjay Sridher
Steve Rust (retired November 2023)
Thank You to Our Supporters
Our sincere thanks to our funders and partners who have made invaluable contributions to Relationships Australia NSW and the communities we support this year. Every dollar received helps us to strengthen relationships across NSW and improve lives.
Our Funders
Throughout another year, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of relationships.
We’re proud to be there to help people through their challenges, transitions, and new beginnings.