Byron Community Centre Frontline Worker Discusses the Challenges of Homelessness in Our Shire.
Community Case Worker Ianna Murray, sets out the work achieved and initiatives undertaken during the National Homelessness Week by the Byron Bay Community Centre.
Media Release August 9,2021
"As both a Mayoral candidate and as a committee member of the Byron Community Centre, I am very proud to be associated with the highly effective work being done by the Byron Community Centre in helping to solve the homelessness problem in our Shire.
Below is a note from an amazing Community Case Worker, Ianna Murray, setting out the work achieved and initiatives undertaken during the National Homelessness Week by the Byron Community Centre. I’m sure all residents applaud the work being done by Ianna and her fellow workers to help address one of the greatest problems in our community."
- Bruce Clarke
"Hi all,
Sunday marks the end of National Homelessness Week and although our plans for awareness and connection have been postponed, I thought it may be of interest to share with you some of the significant impact your work at Byron Community Centre (BCC) is contributing to.
Over the past six months we have supported over two hundred instances of emergency relief. This clearly does not include all community engagement support provided. This has included support for Eleven Wet Weather Events with the most recent providing 37 dry sleeps for vulnerable members of our community. Our current collaboration with the Department of Communities and Justice (Housing) has been instrumental in transitioning many rough sleepers into permanent, secure housing. With our latest referral getting approved for the program just yesterday! We have further developed our Client Information Management System ensuring we are delivering services aligned with best practice, and with the recruitment of Mandy and Jenny we have a real team!! YAY!
As an organisation we have discussed moving forward from what some may see as ‘band-aid’ solutions to supporting deeper, sustainable change for members of our community. This has been in motion historically and more recently since the commencement of my role almost 18 months ago. Now both Mandy and my roles support this with provision of case management, advocacy and counselling. However, to further this we have been deeply involved in advocacy on a much larger scale and committed to getting the attention of the government to support us.
BCC is a key lead in the End Rough Sleeping Byron Shire Collaboration and has been significant in its development. This collaboration engages a screening tool called the ‘VI-SPDAT’ in which forms our Byron By-Name-List. We are the first regional pilot of this approach which eventually will be rolled out nationwide. This list will provide live data of homelessness in the Shire and has a direct link to the Premiers office. This data will be fundamental in creating the systemic change that’s needed in addressing this complex issue in our community. Having been involved in the regional development panel for this project directed by End Street Sleeping Collaboration in Sydney last year it’s really great to see it in action now. Most recently the Community Impact Manager from End Street Sleeping Collaboration in Sydney has recognised BCC in our great work within this project and have reached out to ‘profile’ us for some media which will reach a wide range of key stakeholders interested in supporting our work.
BCC’s advocacy around Mental Health support has contributed to the extension of the ‘Homeless Health Outreach Team’ Pilot. This is a huge achievement for all involved and greatly improves accessibility to these essential services for our community.
I am extremely grateful to be a part of a team making such an impact locally and pushing for greater change for society at large. I truly thank you all for the role you play in making this happen and hope this brief recap sheds some light and hope on your day.
I will leave you with Dr. Gregory Smith's TEDx talk at Byron Theatre. If you want to do one thing to support Homelessness Week, watch this!
Stay well and take care,
Ianna.
Community Case Worker
Liberation Larder/Byron Community Centre
I will leave you with Dr. Gregory Smith's TEDx talk at Byron Theatre. If you want to do one thing to support Homelessness Week, watch this!"
Stay well and take care,
Ianna.
Community Case Worker
Liberation Larder/Byron Community Centre