BY BILLIE KAAL
Homeless Connect Day is returning tomorrow at Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre.
The event, running from 9am to 2pm, will shine a spotlight on homelessness in the Hunter, with a range of support services being provided to individuals at risk or experiencing adversity.
Despite a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, event organiser Michelle Faithfull believes this year is set to be bigger then ever, with over 180 individuals on-hand to provide support in some form."On the day people will be able to get free health checks and eye and hearing checks, immunizations, podiatry services, diabetes screenings as well as support from breast screening, drug and alcohol, mental health, diabetes, brain injury, continence, and community and aged care services," she said.
Key government agencies such as NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services NSW, Services Australia (Centrelink), and Hunter Water will also be in attendance.
Ms Faithfull says she believes that individuals experiencing homelessness can benefit from assistance now more then ever, particularly post-COVID lockdowns.
She argues that the stigma surrounding homelessness should be dispelled and its hidden nature should be highlighted with a more positive approach.
"Home matters, help matters and hope matters and this important annual day helps to shine a spotlight on homelessness in our region and gets people vital support in a safe, non -threatening way," she said.
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| Image credit: Hunter Homeless Connect. |
