Weekly Highlights: Heartwarming Stories, Holiday Cheer and Community Spirit

At Fletcher Street Cottage, we continue to make a positive impact in our community, providing vital services and support to those in need. Here’s a look at the highlights from this week.

Highlights:

• We received heartfelt feedback from a client who shared: "I have been travelling around Australia, homeless and trying to sort my life out for two decades and have accessed services in nearly every town conceivable. I am appreciative of all the help I have received but NO service has been as amazing, versatile and supportive as Fletcher Street Cottage. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." This kind of feedback reminds us why we do the work we do.
• ‍Maddi spoke on the ‘Make A Change’ program on BayFM, discussing the importance of supporting those experiencing homelessness, particularly during the festive season, and highlighting ways the community can assist Fletcher Street Cottage.
• We were incredibly lucky to receive an abundance of donations this week, including Byron Bay Manuka Honey, Byron Bay Cookie Company, and two Christmas hams from the Cherry Street Sports Club. A big thank you to all our generous donors!
• Our visiting services this week included Community Corrections, The Homeless Health Outreach Team, a GP from First Light Healthcare and Carefinder, supporting those over 65 to access essential services. These services are an invaluable part of our holistic approach to support.
• We were able to support clients in many ways this week, including:
  • Assisting clients who were locked out of their bank accounts
  • Connecting individuals with rehabilitation programs‍
  • Helping clients access Centrelink payments‍
  • Offering resume support and help finding employment‍
  • Supporting a mother and her two children on the brink of homelessness
  • Providing food, showers, clothing, and basic needs‍
  • Assisting women fleeing domestic violence

As we approach Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of connection and support, especially for those who may feel isolated during this time. This week, we saw 245 clients walk through our cottage doors and served 216 breakfasts. We are also deeply grateful to our volunteers, who donated over 63 hours of their time to provide these much-needed 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.