It’s been so wonderful seeing our much-loved Café Lime back in full swing since we celebrated its official reopening in early July. In March we sadly had to shut the doors to our onsite café due to COVID-19, where the people we support in our services look forward to enjoying a hot breakfast and a cuppa.
Often frequented by the men in the Future Homes Program, those residing in James Watson Aged Care Centre, as well as the ladies in the Women’s Service, Café Lime not only provides visitors with a nourishing meal, it offers the invaluable opportunity for social interaction for St Bart’s consumers.
The café is run by volunteers, including Julien (pictured with John Carey in the kitchen), who is also one of St Bart’s consumers. Julien’s journey to recovery with St Bart’s began at our Sunflower Community Recovery Village (CRV) in Stirling. He has since been living independently at the CRV for the last four years, and his regular volunteering position at Café Lime has assisted him in his mental health recovery.
The official reopening began with a Welcome to Country by respected Noongar elder, 83 year-old Theresa Walley, followed by a smoking ceremony performed by her son, Trevor. Teresa, who experienced homelessness in East Perth herself as a 16 year old girl said, “I want to thank you all for creating a place like this for people who are homeless, for the people who need help, God be with you all beautiful people.”
Minister for Communities, Simone McGurk MLA, spoke at the event and was joined by John Carey, Perth MLA, our Chairman Mel Ashton, and WA Charity Direct which has generously donated money toward the purchasing of food and beverages for Café Lime.
St Bart’s acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land that we live and work on, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We are privileged to work with, and alongside, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and encourage those who are emerging as leaders.
St Bart’s is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms. We welcome and support the health and wellbeing of all people, regardless of background, age, ethnicity, religion and gender identity.