UnitingCare Queensland

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches, we understand this can be a challenging time for many in our communities. UnitingCare's support services remain available for anyone experiencing uncertainty or distress. Our range of support channels include: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Lifeline Natural Disaster Counselling: 13 43 57 13Yarn (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support): 13 92 76 Financial Counselling: 1800 007 007 Elder Abuse Support: 1300 651 192 Seniors Enquiry Line: 1300 135 500 For additional resources on emotional resilience and practical preparation during severe weather events, visit the Lifeline support toolkit: https://lnkd.in/g5NzFUdT We encourage you to share these resources with those who might need them. We're here to support our communities through every stage of this weather event.

As businesses across South East Queensland, prepare for potential impacts from Cyclone Alfred, remember to encourage your teams to look after their wellbeing. To support them being mentally and emotionally prepared, see Lifeline's Natural Disaster Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/g5NzFUdT Stay safe and take care.

Craig Barke, UnitingCare Queensland CEO, has announced he will step down at the end of this financial year; 30 June 2025. Craig has served UnitingCare as a leader for 14 years, commencing as a Board Member in 2011 and as Chair from 2014, until his appointment as CEO in 2017. Throughout his tenure Craig has also served as an ex officio member of the Queensland Uniting Church Synod Standing Committee. Board Chair, Jim Demack, expressed sincere gratitude for Craig’s unwavering commitment and contribution to UnitingCare’s mission and purpose, “Craig has guided the organisation through some very challenging periods including the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented aged care sector reform. Under Craig’s leadership, UnitingCare has expanded its service offerings, modernised and streamlined its operations, and deepened its community engagement and relationships,” said Mr Demack. Reflecting on his tenure, Craig said, “It has been a privilege to serve alongside the people of UnitingCare, and witness first-hand the dedication, resilience, and passion they bring to their roles every day in supporting communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Thank you to all of my colleagues across UnitingCare, ARRCS, BlueCare, Lifeline, and UnitingCare’s hospitals.” Craig’s long commitment and dedication to the community through his work at UnitingCare will continue to inspire us to bring “life in all its fullness” to all those we serve.  The search for Craig’s successor will commence shortly. Craig will work closely with the Board to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.

Violence against women is a crisis that affects all life stages—but older women are often left out of the conversation. It’s time to change that. Join UnitingCare QLD Research Officer, Anna Gillbard, as she presents findings from the report “The [un]Silencing of Older Women: A Life Stages Approach for the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their Children.” | Date: 5 March | Duration: 1 hour | Cost: Free This important discussion will explore how we can better recognise, address, and prevent violence against older women—ensuring their voices are heard and their safety is prioritised. Register now: https://lnkd.in/ggsPupns

Anniversary of National Apology: This content contains information which may be distressing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Today marks 17 years since the National Apology made on 13 February 2008 to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed and displaced from their families, communities and culture as a result of past government laws, policies and practices of assimilation. These children are known as the Stolen Generations. The National Apology was a historic acknowledgement by the Australian Government of the trauma and grief suffered by the Stolen Generations – their loss of family, identity and culture – and the spiritual and intergenerational impact this carries throughout their bloodlines. The acknowledgement of, and apology for, the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children was one of 54 key recommendations within the Bringing Them Home report to redress the wrongs done to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It's important to understand that UnitingCare's reconciliation journey is underpinned by the acknowledgement and apology by the Uniting Church of Australia in its contribution to these past wrongs in the separating of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their parents, families and communities. This is evident not only in the 1994 Covenant that the Church formally entered into with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; but also, the 1996 formal Apology made by the Church to the Stolen Generations, which included their support in the Bringing Them Home report’s recommendations, and an ongoing commitment to advocate and act to seek justice, healing and reconciliation.   Further Recommended Reading: **National Museum Australia – Defining moments: https://lnkd.in/g_jEPN8 **Make Healing Happen | The Healing Foundation: https://lnkd.in/gg7yJhq **The Stolen Generations | AIATSIS https://lnkd.in/gRxcvbW **Covenanting in the Uniting Church - Uniting Church Australia https://lnkd.in/gV4YjNni Image: ‘Sorry’ by Nyree (Ngari) Reynolds, who is Wiradjuri artist and created this artwork in 2006, six years after sge participated in the Reconciliation Bridge Walk. “As part of my art practice I paint the Aboriginal children of the Stolen Generations blending into the landscape, their own Country from which they were removed. My hope is that when people view my work they will leave with a new understanding of people who have been taken away from their family, home and Country. That they are real people with real stories to be told. Then I know my painting narratives have achieved what I hoped they would.”

Need someone to talk to? Dealing with disasters and recovery is stressful, and it's important to take care of your mental health and wellbeing.   The Queensland and Australian Governments are partnering with Lifeline Queensland to deliver specialised disaster counselling support via a dedicated Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline (1800 116 671).   If you or someone you know needs some extra support, call 1800 116 671 to speak confidentially with a specialised counsellor. Available 24 hours a day from Monday 3 February.     Information about further services and support is available via https://lnkd.in/gVSrqtWR

🎉 Congrats to Griffith University's Dr. Maria Golubovskaya, PhD, and project co-lead Dr. Kelsey Chapman, who were selected to partner with UnitingCare Queensland Limited (UQL). Their project will evaluate the effectiveness of 'Project SEARCH,' a transition-to-work initiative for young adults with disabilities, within the Australian context. Over the next two years, this project will support the rollout of #ProjectSEARCH across new sites combining real-life work experience with employability and independent living skills training to help individuals with significant disabilities transition from school to adulthood. The project team has a strong track record in inclusive #disabilityresearch, employee voice, and #youthemployment and also includes: Dr. Maria Khan PhD, FHEA Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM GAICD Prof. Alberto Posso Learn more about Project SEARCH 👉 https://lnkd.in/g5Nc8NyC 🌟Congratulations to all involved in this meaningful project! 👏 Griffith Health The Hopkins Centre Griffith Business School Research at Griffith

At a time when the rising cost of living is affecting so many, the National Debt Helpline is here to provide free, independent financial counselling to those who need it most. By connecting individuals with confidential, non-judgmental support, the Helpline empowers people to manage their debt and regain control of their finances. This vital service is essential in helping Australians build resilience and navigate challenging times. Learn more at ndh.org.au or call 1800 007 007. Together, we can make a difference.

The BIGGEST book sale in the GALAXY* the Lifeline Brisbane Bookfest returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre January 18 - 27! *Ok, disclaimer: we aren't ‘sure’ it's the biggest book sale in the galaxy, but it is a GIGANTIC, an iconic Brisbane event that has delighted readers and literary explorers for over 30 years. If you've ever been to one, you'd know that feeling of ‘wow’ when you walk in and see ALL those books. But unlike popular fairytales, there's no Fairy Godmother or Wizard to wave a wand and magically sort, stack, pack and unpack these books, magazines, CDs and more. That's all done by hand by our incredible Lifeline Retail team and wonderful volunteers - and the whole purpose of the event is to raise funds for our vital crisis support services. Take a peek behind the cover and see how Bookfest comes together. Coming to our January Bookfest? Let us know! RSVP and find out all the details here: https://bit.ly/3DxImQI Lifeline Australia # support #lifeline #savinglives #teamwork #commitment

Have you heard about Seniors Enquiry Line's Snippets newsletter? Snippets is a free, quarterly newsletter that aims to make it easy and accessible for seniors to learn about services and what's happening in Queensland. You can find the current and previous issues of Snippets on the Seniors Enquiry Line website at https://lnkd.in/gnm36xx5 The Seniors Enquiry Line operates a free helpline that provides information and referral support to Queensland seniors. Call 1300 135 500 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (excluding Queensland and Brisbane public holidays) or email sel@uccommunity.org.au.