This year, homeless accommodation and support services provider St Bart’s is proud to be celebrating its 60th anniversary of helping vulnerable Western Australians experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The organisation's vision is to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home, no matter their backgound or circumstances.
Originally a small homeless shelter for men named St Bartholomew’s House, St Bart’s was founded six decades ago in 1963, run entirely by volunteers. In its inception, the group of volunteers gave shelter to homeless people in Perth using mattresses on the floor of the church hall behind the Rectory of St Bartholomew’s Church in Kensington Street, East Perth.
Since then, there have been exponential changes to St Bart’s, making it the progressive, inclusive and large organisation it is today. Now run by more than 150 staff committed to making a difference in the lives of people in need, St Bart's is also supported by 130 volunteers, and a number of community groups, clubs, parishes, schools and colleges, as well as the corporate community.
The organisation is taking a trip down memory lane as it looks back proudly at six decades of accomplishments and milestones.
Far-reaching expansion
St Bart's provides support to more than 550 people through a range of services as a provider of accommodation and outreach services for vulnerable Western Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, mental health challenges, trauma and hardship.
Since it first opened its doors, St Bart’s has expanded its services far and wide, with a strong focus on providing trauma-informed support, particularly for people with mental health challenges.
“With our range of services now well established, we can support the individual to find the right accommodation for them, with the right level of support,” St Bart’s chief executive Samantha Drury said.
“We’re focused on leveraging off our 60 years as a local WA provider of services and building on our annual campaigns, particularly our October ‘Say G’day’ day, which is entering its third year with some promising partnership prospects on the horizon,” Ms Drury said.
READ MORE: Say G’day campaign to shine a light on homeless mental health
Philanthropic support
There is no doubt the corporate community plays a vital role in the ability for St Bart’s to provide its services, both in a donor capacity and in the volunteer space.
St Bart's spends approximately $18 million a year providing a range of safe, supported accommodation and services to those experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, and people with mental health challenges.
The organisation receives significant support from the government alongside volunteers and corporate and philanthropic donors to make their services available to empower people to rebuild their lives.
In the 12 months to June 30, 2022, St Bart’s community of hard-working volunteers provided approximately $580,000 value of support to the organisation.
“For an NFP that relies heavily on philanthropic support to keep its doors open, this is an incredible contribution,” Ms Drury said.
READ MORE: How to win hearts and minds in the corporate sector
Aged care expansion
St Bart's has ambitious plans as it works to expand the number of social housing properties available, and extend its aged care services.
It has a residential nursing home providing care to men who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The organisation's James Watson Centre is the only recognised provider of homeless residential aged care in WA.
Currently providing services to men aged above 50 to their 90s, the organisation has plans to open this offering to women in the same age bracket who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness.
“With older women being the fastest-growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness, St Bart’s is optimistic about receiving the federal government support it needs to be able to deliver this service,” Ms Drury said.
