Stepping up to support Adelaide's most vulnerable
Established in 1913, Baptist Care SA provides out of home care, disability care, youth education and employment, homelessness and therapeutic support services. In the city of Adelaide they operate a number of food and relief services including a Community Food Hub at 216 Wright Street, in partnership with Foodbank SA, and the WestCare Centre at 11-19 Millers Court.
To continue supporting the community and help keep everyone safe, the organisation had to make some changes to the way it normally operates to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. Food services at the WestCare Centre shifted to takeaway only from 24 March and the central courtyard, a popular gathering space for visitors to the centre, had to be closed to the general public - along with their laundry.
But, despite these changes and more, these important community services are still available to support those most in need. Below, we share a story originally published on the Baptist Care SA website, and written by their Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Clare V MacAdam, which outlines some of the activities that have been taking place over these last difficult months.
Standing together with Adelaide’s most vulnerable
“Social connection is why we’re here: it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives”
Prof Brene Brown, University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work
How our community stepped up under COVID-19 conditions to keep each other safe and provide essential services.
Our community has been rocked in recent months by the impact of COVID-19. Simple tasks became challenging and relationships moved to arms-length.
Keeping everyone safe in the face of growing demand and heightened tensions is hard work. It takes committed, skilled and experienced workers, a bit of ingenuity and a lot of help from our community.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our community in this unprecedented time.
“Coming to WestCare is central to my day. I’m really looking forward to being able to sit down and chat over lunch. The staff are doing their best to keep an eye on us. They are regularly ringing those of us who have mobile phones to check we’re okay – and trying to find phones for anyone without, so they can keep in touch.”
Joe, WestCare client
The courtyard at the WestCare Centre - CURRENTLY CLOSED.
Conversation and face to face contact is at the heart of being human. Being deprived of this is particularly tough if it’s the only opportunity you have each day to have a chat. Sharing a meal in the courtyard or dining room at the WestCare Centre is often our clients’ only social contact.
Chef Adam Liston (left) and his colleague cooking up a storm in the Shobosho kitchen.
Determined to continue to provide two meals a day, six days a week, we were delighted when Adam Liston and the team at Shobosho Restaurant (pictured above) in Leigh Street, offered to cook for us, using the ingredients we supplied.
With our volunteers forced to stay home to keep safe, this was a lifeline to our kitchen staff.
Local ‘Café outside the Square’ (Whitmore Square) has also been cooking batches of soup for our clients a couple of times a week.
We have received positive feedback from clients who say they are enjoying the interesting variety.
It’s wonderful to see such kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit.
Lining up for takeaway food service at the WestCare Centre.
Everyone entering the courtyard is greeted with a warm ‘Hello’. After screening to ensure everyone is COVID safe, a hot drink keeps people warm as they join the queue for a nutritious take away meal.
A Flinders University Social Work student helps out with food service at the WestCare Centre.
Answering the call for help – a group of Social Work students from Flinders University now come in daily to assist with serving takeaway breakfast and lunch.
Conversely, the garden in the WestCare courtyard is blooming!
Over the last few months a group of volunteers and staff have been working hard on creating new garden spaces.
Their bright, cheerful colours make such a difference!
If you can help Baptist Care SA deliver its services by donating food or other practical items, you can find a list of needed items here which can be delivered between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, 11 – 19 Millers Court, Adelaide. Or, go to Baptist Care SA's donations webpage and select WestCare Food. Every dollar makes a difference!
Alternatively, you can make a donation to Baptist Care SA's Alone. Together Winter Appeal online.
