Photo Credit: Sunny Street
This week we have provided three grants totalling $11,000 from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. We have moved fast to distribute funds to make sure people are getting the support they need. All three grants are supporting the urgent demand for health responses right now for the most vulnerable. StreetMed in Western Sydney, All Round Health in Hobart and Sunny Street on Sunshine Coast specialise in delivering healthcare services all year round to people who are homeless.
The current pandemic is presenting real and daily challenges to all three services. Read below to find out first-hand from our community partners how these grants are having a real and practical impact for people experiencing homelessness.
All Round Health and Community Care
“At All Round Health and Community Care we have had to move to a mix of telemedicine and one day a week face to face consultations with our vulnerable population. We have noticed an increase in mental health problems arising, particularly anxiety. Thankfully we have a good team that consists of General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists and an in-house Social Worker.
Our social Worker only works one day a week, (there is very limited funding for this extremely needed role) and as you would perceive he is busier than ever in the current climate we all are going through.
The funding that StreetSmart has provided will enable the role to be extended in these trying times. Allowing more time for the social worker to assist those experiencing hardship navigate their healthcare Journey that they may be on, amidst clinics closing, services working from home and the disruption that Covid-19 has placed upon us all.” – David Patras
Photo Credit: All Round Health and Community Care
Sunny Street
“Sunny Street has been screening, assessing and supporting possible vulnerable COVID19 patients by linking them with appropriate healthcare and the public health units. Sunny Street also links in with Anglicare & IFYS to provide housing for patients requiring isolation. This vital funding will allow the Sunny Street clinics to keep open across the Sunshine Coast by enabling us to purchase much needed clinical supplies, keep our clinicians in their roles and deliver vital healthcare services to the streets during this COVID crisis. It’s important for Sunny Street to provide care, at a time when so many other service providers have ceased their operations. Thank you StreetSmart and donors for your support of the Sunny Street service!” – Sonia Goodwin
StreetMed
“Due to this unprecedented pandemic, StreetMed are finding that most ground level services have ceased operating. Consequently the workload has increased massively while we have had to stand down volunteers. I have also found that many food services are closed so I am having to fill in the gaps to ensure our street friends are being fed, while the demand on mental health and physical health has also increased. Around Parramatta, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
This grant from StreetSmart will enable StreetMed to purchase much needed first aid supplies as required. As the nights are getting colder the pressures are increasing. Even down to getting prescriptions filled. We have managed to get 24 rough sleepers into the government assisted 30 day accommodation program, but food services have reduced their meal sizes by 3/4 so we have been trying to supplement that with easy to eat snacks and meals.” – Chris Cleary
StreetSmart is also teaming up with Chris to provide meals through our SmartMeals program.
Photo Credit: StreetMed
Thank You
These grants were made possible by donations made online through this website and with support from our philanthropic and corporate sponsors. Every gift, large or small, is vital.
How can you support us?
If you would like to take action and support the work of smaller grassroots services consider making a donation to our Emergency Response Fund and spread the word to your network. Thank you.
