ANNUAL REPORT 2023
ANNUAL REPORT FOR BRAIDWOOD LIFE CENTRE AGM
HELD ON 14 DECEMBER 2023, 5PM AT BRAIDWOOD LIFE CENTRE
Values: To support & co-create a compassionate, welcoming community hub, and through deep listening and respect nourish and support people in community.
It is a privilege to present the BLC Annual Report for the 2022/2023 financial year!
We acknowledge that we meet on lands of the Yuin Nation people,
honouring their Elders past, present and emerging and express gratitude for their tending of these lands over many thousands of years.
A challenging year, with cost of living effects on people and the reality of major housing access difficulties in our region; with many people unable to find rental accommodation and experiencing financial hardship. Families with a home mortgage are committed to a high proportion of their income being required and unable to cover living costs. There is an increase, certainly, in homelessness and people living in mobile shelters.
The Objectives of the Braidwood Life Centre:
Braidwood Life Centre Inc is a non-profit association, whose primary objectives are relief of poverty, sickness, destitution, distress and helplessness, and supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the community within the Braidwood and Villages area; including children, youth, families, elderly and First Nations Peoples.
Braidwood Life Centre Inc will identify, plan and deliver social, welfare and educational programs to overcome poverty, sickness, destitution, distress and to benefit the health and wellbeing of the community.
In all Braidwood Life Centre activities, in relating to all people, the Centre is guided by:
Compassion,
Trust building
Non-judgemental practice
Focus on resilience and wellbeing
Accountability
Respect for diversity
Care
I acknowledge with gratitude BLC’s volunteer Community Management Committee for the respectful and compassionate approach in planning and guiding the work of the Centre, to decrease disadvantage and building possibilities to lessen suffering. Providing access to healthy food, with non-perishable staples and perishable items, including veggies, meat, eggs and bread. Also offering programs supporting resilience and easing isolation and hardship for individuals and families.
Deepest thanks to the dedicated Volunteers, who offer presence and care on a weekly basis, staffing the weekly Thursday support rooms through fifty weeks of the year. The support program closes between Christmas and New Year plus two weeks in January.
Dojo Bread and the Braidwood Bakery kindly offer loaves of bread each week to those who need assistance. Eggs are frequently donated by those who have spare and vegetables are brought in when spare. Thanks for this ongoing assistance. Non-perishable staple foods along with perishable foods are purchased throughout the year from Foodbank, IGA Braidwood, Harrisons of Araluen and other local growers through Arts and General. It is Community supporting community and this is heartening to see. The Community Support program is supported by local growers, Harrisons Vegetables and others who supply via the Braidwood Arts and General store, healthy food to families. Meat vouchers are purchased through the Braidwood Butchery. Thanks to all who support relief of the stress of food insecurity for families in need in Braidwood and surrounds.
The BLC small garden, growing community food, is being accessed by local community regularly as a source also of fresh vegetables and berries. Commonwood Farm on Bombay Rd also welcomes community to attend and grow community veggies. I am an Ex Officio member of Commonwood Farm (on Bombay road). The aspiration is that the Community Garden and fruit tree harvests will grow and thrive to benefit community. Braidwood Central School’s agriculture program is also involved and has provided trays of meat to people in need. A local organic beef farm provider has also offered meat for community through BLC.
Deepest thanks to businesses and community members who support the work of providing support to those experiencing hardship, through the Food support Pantry. Particular mention to Braidwood’s three local Churches, St. Bede’s, Anglican and Uniting, to Belle Property, to the Lions, Lodge of Truth and many individuals who pledge to BLC a regular weekly or monthly amount throughout the year. Thanks also to QPRC for support in contributing through a grant to the Pantry and food for the Head Heart Hands group. Again, community caring for community, which is always heartening.
The Centre is staffed and manage by volunteers! There is no ongoing government funding for the core work we do. Volunteers maintain the Centre work, meeting people, ordering and arranging food supplies, meeting with representatives of other services.
We meet resilient individuals and families who struggle through difficult circumstances, illnesses, financial hardship, homelessness, loss, isolation and experiencing trauma through the valleys in their life. Individuals and families are welcomed, heard and responded to with utmost dignity in providing food and support, to alleviate suffering providing a space that welcomes to talk, seek support and contribute to healing and justice. At times referrals are made and meetings arranged with workers from other services are arranged.
We have witnessed over the year an increase in families and individuals struggling with fuel costs in order to access services and appointments available in larger town centres nearby. In partnership with Luke Watson, Bushfire Recovery Officer for QPRC, food parcels were delivered to outlying areas of Araluen and Nerriga. With the Recovery Officer position no longer funded, this outreach will not continue.
Funding was successful through the Foundation for Rural and Regional, and BLC has been able to offer a Community Counselling Project, where a small number of people can access counselling and therapeutic support, which would otherwise be beyond their means. This project has been well utilized and invaluable to community. The project is funded to May 2024 and hopefully funding may be sought again to continue.
The Head Heart Hands group has met weekly on Tuesdays throughout the year. The group connects people, who engage in creative activities, connect and share lunch. Funding was granted through St. Vincent de Paul Bushfire fund over two years. This grant was acquitted early 2023. The Head Heart Hands group continues in community, where with head, heart and hands, the group eases the sense of isolation and creates mutual support and a friendly meeting place. Financial support for the provision of food and tutoring is accessed through small grants, e.g., through QPRC, Veolia Mulwaree and Lodge of Truth. Participants also share in sharing skills to tutor others in crafts and preparing food.
The Centre provides space for free community events through other non-profit associations at times when it is not being used for the core work. During the year groups using the main room space have included: suicide prevention workshops run through Wesley Mission, Braidwood Says No to Violence activities, Home School events, Tresillian’s activities for new mums, and Lifeline courses to volunteers.
The Gumtree Emergency Accommodation Cottage is now complete. The building has been refurbished. One resident, without a permanent home, has been assisted. This has been a lengthy, complicated project. We have been supported by St. Benedicts, Queanbeyan, and Karabar Housing in developing policies and procedures, and in case management of those seeking emergency accommodation. St Benedicts also assists residents through advocacy in finding suitable longer-term accommodation. The partnership with St. Benedicts and Karabar has been immensely helpful in this project.
The Annual Christmas Hamper distribution and Christmas lunch was held in December 2022 through the support of Braidwood Community Bank. This is always a very special gathering, partnering with Braidwood Vinnies Conference and Braidwood Life Centre. 80 Individuals and families are welcomed and share in this special event. This year it will be on 15 December.
I close with an expression of Gratitude for the work of BLC in community and the support received from all who assist its unfolding. There is certainly a growing circle of community support and many ideas for helpful projects emerging. A project of community Eating Together is being explored and more will be shared when interested partners have met. Should people be interested to join and volunteer to support projects the Braidwood Life Centre offers, you are most welcome.
Sincerely
Maria Bakas-Booker, President. December 2023
