News
A little help from our friends
on 20/10/2021
Meet two of our valued team members here at Hutt St Centre – Gabrielle and Doris! Gabrielle is an Occupational Therapist supporting people at risk of or experiencing homelessness who have a disability. That’s around 24% of people who seek our support each year. Her role often means she’s on...
A new home for Robert's boots
on 18/10/2021
We recently shared with you the story of Robert, a local artist who kindly offered his talents to paint these gorgeous boots in celebration of our 2021 Walk a Mile in My Boots Challenge. Last week, we were thrilled to present the painted boots to the councillors from one of...
A Good Life
on 13/10/2021
What does it mean to live a good life? For an amazing group of people in our Aged City Living program, the ultimate answer is ‘community’. Over the past 12 months, these creative older people who have been at risk of or experienced homelessness have met regularly to explore what...
What makes you smile?
on 08/10/2021
What makes you smile? That’s the very important question we’ve been asking people attending the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia's Festival of Now at Wauwi (Light Square). Some of our favourite responses were nature, family and friends, sunshine, pets, happy memories, long walks and, of course, food! Hutt St...
What makes a mentally healthy workplace?
07/10/2021
October is National Mental Health Month and it’s the perfect time to talk about mentally healthy workplaces. Anyone who works in the homelessness sector knows it’s a rewarding but often challenging role. Many people who come to us for support have experienced significant trauma, isolation, injustice and grief. That’s why...
One big small change
on 06/10/2021
Thank you to our friends at Detmold Group for supporting our work with a generous donation of products from their Eco-Products range, along with face masks from Detmold Medical. Hutt St Centre’s Kitchen Manager, Peter, says the donation from Detpak couldn’t come at a better time because sustainable packaging is...
Robert's colourful life
on 05/10/2021
Meet Robert. He’s the artist who painted these gorgeous boots to celebrate Hutt St Centre’s 2021 Walk a Mile in My Boots Challenge. Since March this year, Robert has been coming to Hutt St Centre for a hot lunch and to make use of the Creative Hub – a wonderful...
Why building trust takes time
on 30/09/2021
We're all on a different journey – and that's okay. Each person who walks through our doors at Hutt St Centre has a different story to tell, but sadly there are some common experiences. Three out of every four people who come to us for support have survived abuse or...
Amplifying the voices of people experiencing homelessness
on 22/09/2021
Here at Hutt St Centre, we’re committed to supporting people with a lived experience of homelessness in a way that includes and empowers them. We walk alongside people on their journey to homefulness. As part of this mission, we have implemented a monthly Town Hall meeting for clients of Hutt...
What makes a house a home?
on 14/09/2021
What makes a house a home? It might be your family around the dinner table. A beloved pet greeting you at the door. Or that feeling of knowing you’re exactly where you should be. For Evan*, it’s a garden. When our Occupational Therapist, Gabrielle, began working with Evan, he’d moved...
The value of connection
on 09/09/2021
Today is R U OK? Day – it's a great reminder that keeping connected is vital for health and wellbeing. And it means even more when people are on their journey towards homefulness. “You don’t realise how important it is to feel connected until you’re disconnected,” says Ralph*, who participates...
A message of thanks from our Patron
on 31/08/2021
Our Patron, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, shared this message of thanks to everyone who supports Hutt St Centre and people experiencing homelessness. His Excellency's term as Governor of South Australia comes to an end today and we wish to thank him for his generous support as...
Welcoming our newest Ambassador, Katrina Webb
25/08/2021
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have begun this week and we’re delighted to share that our newest Ambassador, Katrina Webb OAM, is on the ground reporting for 7Sport. As an Australian sporting legend, Katrina is no stranger to a Gold medal podium. But despite her success, the journey hasn’t been...
Homeless not voteless
on 24/08/2021
With both State and Federal elections happening in 2022, we’re focussed on advocating for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to ensure their voices are heard. Recently we welcomed teams from the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to Hutt St Centre to...
Book Club offers confidence and a sense of community
on 18/08/2021
Homelessness is often a deeply lonely experience. And it’s impossible to rebuild your life without a community to support you. That’s why Hutt St Centre offers a whole range of community engagement activities to help people build friendships, skills and confidence. One of our newest initiatives is a monthly Book...
Thank you for walking alongside Alex*
on 17/08/2021
This year’s Walk a Mile in My Boots Challenge welcomed participants from all across the world – walking as far away as Poland and Latvia. But for many people, the cause is much closer to home. Alex* signed up because she experienced homelessness throughout her childhood and much of her...
Everybody counts in the 2021 Australian Census
on 13/08/2021
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that more than 116,000 people were experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2016. That’s 1 in 200 people. But a lot can change in five years. Census data helps inform services for people experiencing homelessness, so they can get the practical support they...
The journey out of homelessness
on 05/08/2021
Homelessness isn’t a life sentence. It’s a journey many people will find themselves on at some point. It’s a life-changing experience, but it doesn’t define you. You are more than your experience of homelessness. And there is always hope for better days ahead. That’s why we use person-first language when...
Homelessness in South Australia
on 04/08/2021
Homelessness is so much more common than we like to imagine. Anyone can be become homeless, through no fault of their own. A job loss, an unexpected eviction, or a family breakdown can all too easily land someone on the streets. In fact, of the 850 people who walk through...
What is homefulness?
on 03/08/2021
The solution to homelessness is homefulness. It’s a word that means the feeling of safety, control and confidence that comes with having a place to call home. Every person has a right to homefulness. A space where they feel connected, at peace and safe. A place that’s for them. The...
The FIVEaa Undie Drive is back for 2021!
on 02/08/2021
There’s a sense of dignity that comes with putting on a fresh pair of undies. It’s a basic right that everyone deserves. Rhia, who slept on the streets of Adelaide for years, told us: “After being homeless, I’ll always appreciate how nice it is to have clean clothes when I...
National Homelessness Week 2021
on 02/08/2021
This week is National Homelessness Week (1-7 August). It’s a time to reflect on the causes of homelessness and what our community can do to help end it. Being homeless isn’t a choice. It can happen to any of us. It’s a symptom of many causes. Loneliness. Isolation. Disadvantage. Injustice....
Will you walk a mile (or more) for Rhia?
on 21/07/2021
One of the amazing people stepping up to join the Walk a Mile in My Boots Challenge this year is Rhia, who lives in regional South Australia with her beautiful dog Bear (pictured). Rhia shared with us why she’s so passionate about supporting people experiencing homelessness. It’s because she knows...
Hutt St Centre will remain open during lockdown
on 20/07/2021
As we all know, circumstances can change quickly these days. From 6pm on Tuesday 20 July, 2021, the South Australian Government has announced a 7-day lockdown. For all the latest updates, please click here. While our community is doing it tough right now, we’re working hard to adapt our services...
COVID-19 vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness
on 20/07/2021
Seeking healthcare can be a daunting experience for people who are experiencing homelessness. When people feel isolated, excluded or judged, they're less likely to seek medical attention which puts them at greater risk of developing serious health conditions. That’s why we were delighted this week to welcome a team from...