SBS Interviews, Food Security Research and Seniors Support

16/09/2025 – 19/09/2025

This week at Fletcher Street Cottage we’ve been busy welcoming visitors, supporting essential services and connecting our community with critical care. Here’s a snapshot of what happened.

Highlights

• SBS German visited Fletcher Street Cottage to learn about our Women’s Space and the work we do supporting the community. Kia the journalist interviewed staff, volunteers and our ambassador Torsten, who generously provides fresh pretzels weekly for our service users. Find out more about Torsten and Byron Bay Pretzels here: Byron Bay Pretzels.
• We hosted three Southern Cross University Occupational Therapy students for breakfast. They are creating a brochure to provide information on free or affordable food access for people in the Byron Shire. This resource will help improve food security across the community.
• Fletcher Street Cottage linked an elderly woman with Carefinder – Footprints Community, enabling timely access to critical supports for her and her family. Partnerships like these allow us to respond quickly and effectively to urgent needs.
• We also assisted clients with essential medication, GP appointments and mental health support, ensuring that those in need have access to vital care.
• Visiting services this week included Community Corrections, the Homelessness Health Outreach Team, GP from First Light Health Care, Carefinder and Social Futures – Connecting Home.
• Over 245 people accessed our services this week, including 65 using the showers and over 50 women accessing Women’s Space and other dedicated support services.

‍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: SBS Journalist Kia with Maddi and Torsten (L-R)