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We Believe

At Anglicare WA we believe that there is more to life than just getting by.

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The Revd Chris Thomason, Chaplain

At Anglicare WA we believe that there is more to life than just getting by. We believe that everyone deserves to belong, have a hopeful future, and know that they have the support they need to flourish.

We have been supporting Western Australians for almost 50 years and we are well-placed to contribute to creating a fair and just Western Australia where all people thrive.

Anglicare WA provides a wide range of services in family violence, homelessness, financial stress, relationships, mental health, disability, youth services and parenting. We draw on our experience in more than 70 locations across the State to develop customised services for each community.

Through our work with individuals and families, we have learned about the structural issues shaping people’s lives, including structures that keep people in poverty, keep people out of the workforce, and prevent people from getting the support they need.

We want to respond to human need in loving service by tackling some of those unjust structures of society, head-on, to support Western Australians.

At Anglicare WA we want a community in which everyone has access to life’s basic necessities, including safe, secure housing.

What stands in our way?

Insufficient income

Those who rely on income support, such as JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, and even those in full-time work on low wages find it impossible to access many of the basic necessities that others take for granted. Problems are compounded by low rental affordability and increasing costs of utilities, transport, and food. Increasingly, families are relying on regular emergency relief.

The spiralling cost of living

Rising costs of food, accommodation, transport, and utilities means that disadvantaged families are increasingly having to make decisions about which bill to pay. Utility costs can send low-income families into bill shock and debt.

Limited access to quality early childhood education and care

Lack of early childhood education and care options, combined with the high costs of these services, poses a significant barrier to employment. This is particularly an issue for women, single parents, shift workers and those living in regional areas.

Barriers to education, training, and employment

For people experiencing entrenched disadvantage, securing, and maintaining employment can be particularly challenging. Despite the current low unemployment, there is a shortage of entry-level positions that can kick off career pathways.

Young people living independently or in low-income households, face significant barriers to education and acquiring the skills they need to access employment opportunities. Students growing up in a position of disadvantage often face complex challenges associated with living with domestic violence, family mental health issues or substance abuse, which impacts their ability to develop life skills and progress academically.

Find out more

In August, this year, the Centre for Spirituality at St George’s Cathedral Perth will be hosting two special Saturday sessions where Mark Glasson, the CEO of Anglicare WA, and I will look at these issues. We will look at some of the background, where to next, and how we, as Christians, can build a community that supports those going through a tough time.

Published in Messenger July 2024

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