Client Housing Success, Art Therapy and Grill’d Fundraiser

Barriers, Breakthroughs and Building Partnerships

This week at Fletcher Street Cottage, we’ve been working on overcoming barriers, celebrating success stories and continuing to build strong partnerships to support our community. Here’s a look at what’s been happening.

Highlights:

• On Tuesday, we attended the Northern Rivers Zero Action Group meeting to discuss some of the barriers our clients are facing with accessing temporary accommodation. These important meetings allow us to collaborate and find ways to resolve system barriers, which can make a real difference for those seeking housing.
• We were over the moon to hear that another client we’ve been supporting for over two years has secured housing in Ballina! When we first started working with this client, they were fleeing a dangerous situation and extremely vulnerable. Through our support, we linked them to mental health services and housing support, and it was through the Assertive Outreach Byron housing program that they were finally housed. Positive outcomes like this remind us why we do what we do.
• A client came in for breakfast and to say thank you. They shared: “Without this place I wouldn’t be able to feel the way I feel right now. I was able to organise my life and now I have something to look forward to. I have goals set up in place and thanks to you guys I was able to get out of my negative space.” It’s moments like this that make all the hard work worthwhile.
• On Thursday, we had our Art Space session, where clients engaged in a creative and calming environment, using art therapy as a form of self-expression.
• On Thursday, we also met with Ambyr and Nadia from The Mullumbimby Women’s Resource Centre to discuss our upcoming Women’s Afternoon at Fletcher Street Cottage. This partnership will help us create a safe and supportive space for women in the community.
• Fletcher Street Cottage is on the Local Matters jar at Grill’d for April! Go grab a burger and support our service. A big thank you to Grill’d for giving us this opportunity to raise funds for our ongoing work.
• It was a short week for us here, with the Anzac Day Public Holiday. We will be back on Tuesday 29th April, ready for another full week of support and service for our community.

‍About Fletcher Street Cottage

Fletcher Street Cottage is a community hub in the heart of Byron Bay, offering essential support for individuals facing homelessness and hardship. Our services include nutritious meals, access to showers and laundry, advocacy, health services and more, all aimed at helping our clients move toward stability and self-sufficiency. With the support of our dedicated team, volunteers and generous community partners, we’re working every day to make a positive impact.

Photo: Fletcher Street Cottage’s Louise O’Connell and Steve Strang, Jason Simms from Grill’d, Maddi Powell and Damian Farrell. Photo: David Cope for Byron Coast Times