Wesley Mission

“When we gather together, we stand side by side connected through a shared experience – it is a powerful expression of hope and a reminder for people bereaved by su***de that they are not alone,” says Rev Stu Cameron, Wesley Mission CEO and Superintendent.”

Thank you for joining us at our Wesley LifeForce Su***de Memorial Service 🌻 It was an honour and privilege to stand with you, grieve with you and remember loved ones lost to su***de 💙

In the first night after Lifeline launched in 1963, 100 crisis calls were received, and in the first year they received over 11,000. Today, Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland takes more than 40,000 calls per year, providing a lifeline to those who need it most.

In April 2024, Lifeline recorded its biggest number of calls for support in a single day. Wesley Lifeforce is also working towards an Australia free of su***de, helping to save lives and offer hope.

Together, let’s work towards a future where no one faces crisis alone.

For over 20 years, Sir Rev Alan Walker was an advocate for those in need. Witnessing the growing number of crisis calls, he responded by founding Lifeline - a centralised 24/7 telephone crisis support service launched in 1963. Through his compassion and dedication, Lifeline has since aided millions globally.

As we remember Sir Rev Alan Walker’s legacy, let's continue his mission to bring hope and support to those in crisis. Together, we can help more people .

OzHarvest and Wesley Mission Newcastle recently teamed up to deliver free community cooking classes to locals. Over eight weeks, 10 🧑‍🍳 budding chefs 🧑‍🍳 learned new skills and new recipes; but best of all, they gained new friends and a greater sense of belonging 💙

📅 Date: Thursday, 22 August
🕒 Time: 2 – 3pm
📍 Venue: Suter Room, Level 3, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney

Are you over 55 or concerned about osteoporosis? Join us and for a free workshop about normal bone function, causes of bone loss, risk factors of osteoporosis and prevention strategies.

Don’t miss out! Tag a friend who might benefit from this session. Let’s take a step towards healthier bones together! https://go.wesleymission.org.au/4fMnB2u

🌟 Celebrating Aged Care Employee Day at Wesley Mission 🌟 Extending a huge thank you to our incredible Retirement Living and Home Care teams. Your compassion and commitment bring comfort and joy to those we serve every day 🙌 We’re grateful for all you do, and we hope you feel the love 💙🕊️

Aged & Community Care Providers Association

We’re grateful for the generous donation from Superintendent Don Faulds of Sutherland Shire Police Area Command 💙 Over 40 pairs of police boots are now in the hands of Wesley Mission and will be distributed to those in need. Thank you for your support and for helping us make a difference in our community!

Superintendent Don Faulds of Sutherland Shire Police Area Command is pleased to donate over 40 pairs of boots to David Kennedy of Wesley Mission
The surplus police boots will be distributed by Wesley Mission to those in need.

Congratulations Nicola Olyslagers👏 on your spectacular silver medal high jump win 🥈 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. So, what drives Nicola to keep pushing the boundaries as an Olympian? It's her faith ✝️ Check out this inspiring conversation between Nicola and Wesley Mission CEO Rev Stuart Cameron back in 2022, where Nicola shares how jumping is her way to worship God 📺👉

Easter Sunrise 2022: Exclusive Interview with Olympian Nicola Olysagers Revisit our Easter Sunrise 2022 special with a throwback interview featuring Olympian Nicola Olysagers! 🌅🏅In this exclusive conversation, Nicola opens up a...

The continued cost-of-living and housing affordability crises mean more people simply cannot afford accommodation. Once homeless, it’s extremely difficult to regain stability and secure housing.

🛏️ In 12 months, we supported 3,748 people experiencing homelessness and provided 105,252 nights of accommodation.

🏠 For almost 30% of those we supported, financial difficulties and housing affordability stress were the main reasons they needed help.

It’s time for a unified commitment to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

How talented are these kids? 🖍️ Check out 👇 all the amazing artwork they created based on the theme, ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

A huge thanks to Ngroo, Blacktown City Council and Wesley Family Preservation for bringing families and children together for this community event and colouring and drawing competition ✏️ It was a wonderful opportunity to encourage children to connect to culture, kin and community 🖤💛❤️💙💚 and for families to bond over weaving and craft activities.

Plus, congratulations to all our competition winners 🏅 We love seeing what you all created 🎨 and how proud you are of your culture and mob!

It was 🎄 Christmas in July 🎄 for families in Newcastle who recently received laptops thanks to Hunter Christian School. 25 refurbished laptops were generously donated to Wesley Mission Newcastle to give to migrant and refugee families so they can engage in education and training and connect with their community online. This incredible initiative is bridging the digital divide and changing lives 💻✨

What a privilege it was to host 130+ members from local community groups 🤗 at Wesley Lifeforce’s national su***de prevention conference last weekend!

An incredible few days of community, culture and collaboration 💙🤝, the conference began with our First Nations Gathering where we delved deeper into supporting and working with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Over the following days, community action groups from across the country came together to build new connections and strengthen existing ones so together we can continue to reduce the rate of su***de in Australia.

We heard from inspiring speakers including Colin Seery, Lifeline Australia CEO, Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO, Ashley Fell from McCrindle, Taliah King and Jeffrey Morgan.

On Sunday, we paused to honour those lost to su***de and those left behind with a moving memorial service.

Did you know Wesley LifeForce has trained 50,000 people in su***de prevention? That's 50,000 potential lifesavers in our communities. Will you become one of them? Find out how 👉 https://go.wesleymission.org.au/3SuFVDa

Every life is precious, and together, we can make a difference. Help us continue the conversation.

Have you ever wanted to pick up a paintbrush 👩‍🎨 or learn to dance 💃?

📣 There are just two days left to trial free classes at Wesley School for Seniors Open Week 📣 Check out all the fun our students are having this week 👇 Make sure you join our friends at Level 3, 220 Pitt Street Sydney, either tomorrow or Friday. Learn more 👉 https://go.wesleymission.org.au/3WB95TF

Not sure what class to try? There’s something for everyone:

🕺 Dancercise
🪑 Chair Yoga
🎳 Indoor bowls
🎨 Watercolour
📱 Smartphone/tablet/internet and AI tips and tricks

Ready to enrol for Term 3? Get started today 👉 https://go.wesleymission.org.au/4fgHEWb

Ever considered becoming a foster carer? There are so many ways you can make a difference 💙 And you’ll be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Wesley Dalmar Foster Care team. What type of care works for you?

🚨 Emergency care: immediate, short-term shelter and support for children and young people in crisis situations, ensuring their safety and stability.
🕒 Short-term care: temporary placement for children and young people while permanent solutions are found, offering them a safe and nurturing environment.
💛 Specialist care: higher level care for children and young people who have complex emotional, behavioural or medical needs.
♾️ Permanent or long-term care: a stable, enduring home for children who cannot return to their birth families, ensuring their wellbeing and development over time.
💕 Kinship care: placements with relatives or close family friends that maintain familial bonds and cultural connection.
😌 Respite care: temporary short-term care for children and young people, allowing caregivers to rest and recharge.

Find out now: https://go.wesleymission.org.au/3WhlTgm

🤷‍♀️ Unsure how to help prevent homelessness? Here are 5 practical ways you can make a difference:

💙 Increase your empathy: read stories of people experiencing homelessness.
📚 Get informed: discover the real statistics about homelessness.
📣 Be a voice: help dispel myths about homelessness.
📞 Reach out for help: call 1300 259 789 for homelessness services.
💲 Donate: your generosity can provide meals, a safe place to sleep and access to support services 👉 https://go.wesleymission.org.au/4bMF7QN

“Being a teenager is hard. It’s hard enough existing, and then you add all of these extra pressures on top, like homelessness,” Julz says.

Meet Julz. She’s a Youth Housing Worker for Wesley Youth Accommodation, our crisis refuge on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Mostly working night shifts and weekends, Julz helps teenagers who have no place to call home, get back on their feet by:
🍽️ Setting a consistent routine with mealtimes and chores.
👩‍🍳 Teaching life skills such as cooking and cleaning.
💙 Providing a listening ear.
🏡 Working towards employment and housing goals.
💰 Support with managing finances.

✝️ Did you know Wesley Edward Eagar Centre began with a simple invitation to church?

Wesley Mission minister, Noreen was just 23 when she asked two men, who were sleeping rough, to attend her new church.

The church quickly grew to 100 people within its 1st year and became a refuge for people experiencing homelessness to enjoy bread, jam, a cuppa, Bible study and choir ⛪

In 1979, Noreen moved the church to Wesley Edward Eagar Centre’s current location in Sydney and began offering emergency accommodation 🏨

Noreen’s legacy lives on through the Centre, which continues to help thousands of people journey out of homelessness today 💙

🌼 From phone call to pantry shelves! 📞🛒 The Lions Club of Sydney Defence & Emergency Services recently surprised Wesley Connect with a bounty of food bags. Thank you Jason and his team – William, Clifford and Cameron – for making our day at 220 Pitt Street. Our Chaplain, Kaz, who leads Wesley Connect says these food bags are a lifeline for those in need. 🙌 💙 Beyond food, at Wesley Connect we offer connection with heartfelt chats over a cuppa and musical jam sessions to soothe the soul.

We echo Jason’s words, "Partnerships make the difference." 🤝 Thank you, Lions Club, for standing with us! 🦁🌼

Congratulations Georgina on becoming a NSW Training Awards finalist for the Vocational Student of the Year Award in Central and Northern Sydney region 👏

When Georgina missed out on getting into a physiotherapy degree by half a mark, she was devastated. But Georgina wasn’t ready to give up on her dream.

Leaving behind her family, Georgina moved to Queensland for 2 years to study a Doctor of Physiotherapy. Her sacrifice paid off because Georgina is now a senior physiotherapist at St Luke’s Clinic.

Georgina’s determination to build her career didn’t stop with just a job. She completed a leadership and management course at Wesley Vocational Institute (WVI)*, which enabled her to pursue leadership opportunities in her workplace and eventually, led to her award nomination!

"Georgina serves as an inspiration to aspiring vocational students everywhere. Her journey exemplifies the rewards of hard work, determination and a commitment to continuous learning,” says Steve, Area Manager, WVI Sydney.

Georgina, our WVI team is so proud of your finalist award achievement 🎉

And we think the smile on Georgina’s face speaks for itself 👇

*RTO code 90091

“One thing I love about OOSH is… the educators and playtime.” – Aliyah
Thanks Aliyah 💙 Our educators just love spending time with you too!

This Working with Children Week we honour all our dedicated Wesley OOSH educators for every dance party, every book read and every craft they’ve made with children at before and after school care.

Plus, check out all the amazing art 🎨 from children at our Wesley OOSH centres 👇

We had so much fun cooking up a storm with young people living in foster care 👨‍🍳 through our youth hospitality workshops held at The Dove Ballina. From baking cookies 🍪 to mastering beef nachos, this Working with Children Week, we’re celebrating how these workshops are supporting budding young chefs 👩‍🍳 to build skills, experience and confidence for life – and the workforce! Check out all the highlights 👇

What a privilege it was for two of our passionate staff, Michelle from Wesley Aunties & Uncles and Alison from Wesley Family Preservation to present at the 2024 The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) Conference. Together, they shared about partnering to create lifelong connections, which is fitting for the work they do every day to strengthen long-term relationships between families and their children.

Overall, there was such unity between the different welfare organisations at the conference who are working together to support families, and we were so thankful to have been part of this conference. 💙

Myth or fact? Homelessness can come from nowhere and affect anyone, anywhere. Find your answer 👇

Attention seniors 📣 Are you struggling with arthritis pain? Join Wesley School for Seniors’ free arthritis management workshop, hosted by Miriam Frommer, a retired lecturer from Sydney University. Learn about:

👉 types of arthritis, symptoms, triggers and diagnosis
👉 self-management practices through exercise and diet
👉 where to find and access useful resources.

📅 Thursday 13 June 🕒 2pm 🏠 Suter Room, Level 3, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney

Places limited. Register today 💪 https://pulse.ly/hqm8ml64zy