This week at Fletcher Street Cottage has been filled with heartwarming moments, deep gratitude and meaningful connections, showing just how vital our service is to the community. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the past few days.
We received a call from a new client who had been referred to us from Mullumbimby. This person shared that they were told, "The staff at Fletcher Street Cottage are amazing," a reminder of the growing reputation we have for providing exceptional support. It’s always encouraging to hear positive feedback like this – it motivates us to keep striving for the best outcomes for those who walk through our doors.
In other updates, two of our clients were supported into temporary accommodation in Lismore this week, providing them with a much-needed safe space to regroup and plan their next steps. Meanwhile, Paul from Services Australia (Centrelink) came to the Cottage on Thursday to meet our team, further strengthening our partnerships with key services that help our clients move forward.
Thursday was bittersweet as we said goodbye to Mim, our Counselling Student, who has been with us for the past three and a half months. We marked the occasion with cake, laughter and a few tears. Mim has been an incredible asset to our team and we wish her all the best as she continues her journey in counselling.
Speaking of partnerships, we’re proud to share that Fletcher Street Cottage received positive feedback about our collaboration with Liberation Larder. Our thanks go to Steve who has worked tirelessly to build this partnership. It’s heartening to see two community organisations coming together to create positive outcomes, ensuring no one in our community goes without support.
This week, we also had the opportunity to meet with Dan from the ‘Post-Custodial Support Programme’. This initiative helps clients leaving custody who are in need of drug and alcohol support. Collaborations like these are essential in extending the scope of care and ensuring that individuals receive the right support at the right time.
Throughout the week, Fletcher Street Cottage served 175 breakfasts and we saw 224 clients, 9 of whom were new to our service. It’s a constant reminder of the growing need for our services and the importance of the work we do here.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments this week came from a long-term client who first came to us in November last year. After finding himself and his elderly mother homeless and sleeping in their car, Fletcher Street Cottage became a central hub for him as he navigated an overwhelming amount of paperwork and challenges. This week, he came back to share the joyous news that he is now housed and thriving, even showing us photos of his new home. His gratitude for the Cottage was palpable and we couldn’t be happier to see how far he’s come.
Each story, every connection and all the services we provide at Fletcher Street Cottage reinforce why we do what we do. It’s more than just providing meals or a place to rest – it’s about creating a supportive, caring environment where people feel heard, seen and empowered to change their lives. We are so proud of the work our team does and of the community that helps make it all possible.
Thank you to everyone who supports Fletcher Street Cottage. Together, we’re making a real difference.
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