Working alongside local

WORKING ALONGSIDE LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICES

As well as helping our own clients, Evolve Housing’s Support Team also works to help other support services in the Western Sydney community to achieve better outcomes for people in need.

Supported Housing Manager Debra Ireson has played an active role in creating an inclusive, supportive community for her peers working in the homelessness support sector.

She is currently the Chairperson for the Parramatta Regional Homelessness Interagency, a bi-monthly gathering for people working in the homelessness sector in Western Sydney. Meetings allow members to disseminate relevant information, listen to keynote speakers talk about topical issues, and network.

Debra is also on the working group of the Collaborative Youth Services Partnership, a Cumberland-based group that provides a roundtable of service providers who can pool their resources and knowledge together to assist clients with complex needs. Any member can bring a de-identified case to the group to discuss, and Debra says that she can’t remember a time when the group haven’t been able to jointly find a solution for a client. Members come from diverse backgrounds including housing, youth health, mental health, alcohol and drug support, legal services, welfare, parenting support and more.

Debra said that she enjoys collaborating with colleagues in other not-for-profits as it achieves a better result for the clients — for example, Evolve Housing regularly receives food donations from charities such as OzHarvest and Rapid Relief, which are then able to be passed on to our residents in need.

“If everyone gives and takes, that’s how the sector works well. The sector doesn’t have a lot of money so by doing a bit of time each and helping each other out, we get a lot more done for our clients, which is why we come to work every day,” Debra said.

“I expect a lot from our working community so I feel that I should work and give back too, I don’t mind putting my hand up to do things, or doing something to fill a gap if I see one. I like being able to give back to people who have done a lot for us as well.”