It is Wednesday morning and I’m on my way to the Redfern Vinnies Support Centre (VSC) in Sydney’s peak hour traffic. At 8.45am, I arrive to a hive of activity as the dedicated team of Vincentian Members, volunteers and employees are setting up for a community morning tea. There are already a couple of people waiting at the door to come in and Donna Boyd, VSC Metro Leader, tells me that these regular community events are something the VSC team and the “people we assist” really look forward to.  

“Last month we held a ‘bring your pet’ day where Companions could get some free pet products that were donated by our corporate partners,” Donna says. “Next month we have a Handy Women’s Workshop on basic home maintenance run by the local Men’s Shed.” It is events like these that have made the Redfern VSC an important part of the inner Sydney community. 

Michael Partlin is the President of the Maternal Heart Conference, which meets and works from the Redfern VSC and I meet him as he is preparing to go out on visits for the day. The Maternal Heart Conference Members visit people living homeless on the streets in and around nearby Central Station and have been doing this work since after WWII when the Conference was founded by returned sailors. 

“We try to talk to them [homeless Companions] to see where they are at. We give them some food but our main aim is to get them some support to get off the streets. If we can get them to the VSC, they can be well on the way to getting the help they need,” Michael says. 

At the VSC there are a mix of people providing emergency food and specialist support services, including housing and homelessness support and mental health assessments. Donna tells me that Centrelink workers also regularly come to the VSC to meet Companions. 

Louis Hearden is the NSW Member and Youth Engagement Manager and is proud that the Redfern VSC has become a focal point for local volunteers and Members.  

“We have social work and psychology students who volunteer here to get training hours but mostly we have volunteers come here because they like what we do and just want to help. That’s a great endorsement for the work we do here,” Louis says. 

Anna is a Vincentian whose Conference is a few suburbs away in Rozelle but also likes to work at the Redfern VSC.  

“Companions can go to the VSC which is usually more convenient and has more services than the local Conference can usually offer. The local Conference can then follow them up later and see how they are going,” Anna says. “Overall, I think the system works pretty well.” 

The Redfern VSC model seems to be working well in this inner-Sydney community which was also of interest to Programs General Manager, Jackie Youngblutt, and Laz Herrara, Community Engagement and Financial Wellbeing Manager, both from SVDP Queensland, and who have joined me on the visit. 

“[In Queensland], we are really starting to think about how we can offer a better quality experience and service for Companions, especially in inner-city areas, and maybe take some pressure off Vincentians who are trying to help people with complex needs in these areas. I think what NSW Vinnies are doing in Redfern could maybe work in Brisbane and it has definitely given us some good ideas that we can bring back to Queensland for more discussion,” Jackie says. 

Visiting Redfern VSC has been a great experience of sharing of ideas and best practice, which is a key aim of SVDP National Council’s committee work since Congress 2023. My thanks to Donna, Michael, Louis, Anna and the other Redfern VSC workers for the access and support offered during our recent visit, and many congratulations on what you have achieved!