Weekly Highlights: Farewells, Fun and Community Support

Each week at Fletcher Street Cottage, we continue to support our community in meaningful ways, from offering essential services to creating spaces for connection. Here’s a look at what’s been happening this week.

Highlights

• On Friday, we farewelled our Social Work Student Sappho. Saph has been with us since July 2024, completing over 500 hours of student placement. We’re so fortunate to have had such a skilled and compassionate student with us, and we wish her the best as she moves forward in her career.
• Nick from the Freemasons visited us and kindly donated $300 from the organisation. We are incredibly grateful for their support of our services and the difference it makes in our community.
• Friday Fun! This week, Fletcher Street Cottage hosted a fun trivia session during breakfast to build connection, spread joy and share some laughs with our clients. A big thank you to Nadia, our CSW and art therapist, for organising this wonderful activity. One client shared:

I felt so nervous walking in for my appointment today, but when I saw everyone sitting around talking to one another and laughing, it instantly alleviated my anxiety.

• We were able to connect clients with Care Finder, a visiting service supporting those over the age of 65 to access vital services. This connection is helping to ensure that our older clients are receiving the support they need.
• We supported over 250 clients, with 12 new clients joining us this week.
• The podiatrist and hairdresser visited us, providing essential care and grooming services to our clients.
• Our Art Space group had a creative and engaging session on Tuesday morning, providing a therapeutic space for self-expression.
• Staff attended the End Street Sleeping Collaboration Meeting on Wednesday, working alongside key stakeholders in the homelessness community to continue developing solutions and improve outcomes for those facing homelessness.

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.