Annual report 2023 | WA | Mission Australia

WELCOME

I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering commitment and compassion of our staff and volunteers who continued to support individuals and families throughout the year. Through your efforts, we made lasting differences in the lives of many individuals, helping them overcome adversity and thrive in their communities.

I'm deeply appreciative to our funders, donors, local communities, and community service organisations we collaborated with. Through these valuable relationships, we were able to effectively meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Over the past year, Mission Australia provided support to an astounding 17,115 individuals in Western Australia. We witnessed the challenges faced by individuals and families as the rising cost of living took its toll. Our services saw increased demand, highlighting the crucial role we played in providing vital support to those who need it most. Our dedicated team rose to the challenge, ensuring our services remained accessible and effective.

With many wonderful achievements to celebrate over the year; some highlights included:

Maddington’s and Meekatharra’s Communities of Focus worked closely with their respective communities, community leaders, and local organisations to help create connected and strong communities;
NDIS Local Area Coordinators in Perth played a pivotal role in supporting more than 11,098 people with disabilities to lead more independent lives;
We continued to partner with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to ensure their voice and perspectives are at the forefront of decision-making and that our services are responsive to the needs of First Nations peoples;
Our 47th Christmas Lunch in the Park provided a crucial source of community, support, and joy for those experiencing homelessness or were in need on Christmas Day.

Moving forward, we remain committed to working towards a brighter future where everyone has access to safe and stable housing, and the opportunity to flourish.

State director profile Sue Budalich with copy

Together, we supported 17,115 Australians in WA on their journey towards independence last year.

Homelessness

872 people assisted
through 12 services

Alcohol & other drugs

891 people assisted
through 12 services

Children & families

208 people assisted
through 3 services

Community development

19 people assisted
through 3 services

Family & domestic violence

695 people assisted
through 7 services

Financial wellbeing

2,446 people assisted
through 5 services

Mental health recovery

886 people assisted
through 2 services

NDIS

11,098 people assisted
through 3 services

An Australia where all of us can have a safe home and thrive

In 2020, we launched Mission Australia’s 20-25 Strategy with a vision for an Australia where all of us have a safe home and can thrive. In the past year, we are proud of our progress in our four strategic focus areas. From the opening of two new Alcohol and Other Drugs facilities to our continued commitment to create strong, resilient and thriving communities, read more about our progress in FY23.

See our progress

Our work in action

Supporting people in need to thrive

Dhiren Patel, a 34-year-old from Perth living with Autism, is delighted to be following his dreams. With help from his Mission Australia NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Dhiren was able to navigate the job market, getting guidance with his resume, cover letters and job applications. Filled with joy and gratitude, Dhiren recently scored a role in his desired industry. Dhiren’s journey serves as an inspiration to all those facing obstacles in achieving their dreams.

Read Dhiren’s jourey

Partnering to strengthen communities

Throughout the year, our team in Meekathara, WA, facilitate a place-based, community-led approach including coordinating capacity building activities and social cohesion events. Our Communities of Focus approach recognises that addressing local disadvantage starts with bringing people together through local decision making. From BBQs, sports activities to Family Fun Days, Mission Australia works with local Elders, community leaders and members, services, government agencies and businesses to increase community participation and control.

Driving excellence

Our award-winning Impact Measurement Program helps us understand how our services improve the lives of our clients and the communities we serve. We measure our impact by asking the people we help questions about their wellbeing when they start a service and when they exit.

Funded by the Western Australia State Government and Department of Social Service, our Wattle Housing, Housing Support Program, Navig8, Open Doors, THRIVE, Youth Accommodation Service and Reconnect services provide support to people who are homelessness or at risk of homelessness to ensure they have long-term housing. Our impact measurement data shows that when people left the service, they were more satisfied with their personal wellbeing.

Bar chart of Reconnect average satisfaction with life as a whole showing there is an increase when they exit compared with starting

*Matched data collected from July 2022 to June 2023 (n=58) compared to Australian population normative range

¹Deakin University and Australian Unity Limited. (2021). Australian Unity Wellbeing Index - Appendices 38. Subjective wellbeing in Australia during the second year of the pandemic. Geelong: Australian Centre on Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Deakin University

Thank you for making our work possible this year

Policy & Advocacy

Mission Australia continued our research, policy and advocacy work to support people in need to thrive. We boldy advocated to the Federal and State/Territory Governments on issues of importance to Mission Australia and the people we serve.

We made policy submissions on a range of topics including homelessness, social and affordable housing, and youth. Across the state and nationally, we met with Ministers and senior government representatives on policy priorities for people in need and furthered our community collaborations to advocate together on key issues.

We continue to advocate strongly for further investment in social and affordable housing, actions to end homelessness, adequate income support and other policy priorities to support people in need to thrive.

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