Breakfast with BHP
In support of Homelessness Week 2020, we hosted a breakfast event to celebrate BHP’s continued partnership of the Reconnecting Lives Program (RLP). BHP’s Petroleum team is always looking for opportunities to engage with the people we support, so three BHP representatives rolled up their sleeves and joined three RLP participants to prepare, cook and then share breakfast together with other employees from both BHP and St Bart’s and some of our wonderful volunteers.
During breakfast, attendees had the chance to share stories and hear first-hand accounts of how the program is helping participants achieve their goals of living independently in the community.
Graham Salmond, BHP Country Manager Australia Petroleum, said BHP had made a commitment to continue its support of the Program because of its success – supported 135 people, with 108 maintaining stable accommodation, since it first began in 2018.
Also attending the event was Michelle Andrews, Director-General of Department of Communities, who said COVID had shown us that we have to put individualism to one side and work together to achieve goals. Highlighting the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, where family and community comes first, Ms Andrews also said partnerships such as ours with BHP, and those between the government and the sector, are very important if we are to successfully tackle homelessness.
St Bart’s Chair Mel Ashton said there were not enough words to express our deep gratitude that BHP shares the passion and commitment to end homelessness and had agreed to fund the program for another two years.
RLP participant, Anne Haydon, said St Bart’s was her family now that her own two children has passed, and her case manager was supporting her to move into accommodation that she could manage on her own.
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.