With the support of the Homelessness Taskforce Working Group, we held the second annual Thrive Together Fair to mark Homelessness Week 2022. The fair provided an opportunity for community members who have been doing it tough to connect with local service providers and with each other.
Over 300 Shoalhaven residents attended the Thrive Together Fair. The Fair offered a unique opportunity for these community members to connect with over 70 local community service providers, businesses, government and non-government organisations who would be able to offer support in some capacity when an individual needs it.
This event provided an important opportunity in showcasing what support is available with community members noting that it was great “having all services in one place” and that “it’s not just what people give you but the conversations you have” that make the Thrive Together Fair a fantastic event that participants want to keep coming back to.
It was also wonderful to be joined by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District who were able to provide health and wellbeing checks and referrals, including COVID and Flu Vaccinations.
It was great to see community members having the opportunity to utilise showers, washing machines from Fresh Start Missions, get a free haircut, have a free sausage sizzle from the Lions Club, collect free sleeping bags, clothes and toiletries and sit down to register with local housing and financial services.
It was a real highlight seeing over 60 people walk in to the hairdressing area, provided by Shoalhaven Community College and TAFE, and come out showing off their new hairstyles with smiles that just lit up the room.
Many participants commented that it was a “great free and fun day out” with family and friends, and the performances by local bands really added to that vibe.
We would like to thank the musicians; David Harrison, Tayah Larsen, George London and George Bishop, for making the event so special.
A special aspect of the event was providing the free dignity packs to community members. The packs were collated following the Council’s Give Dignity Donation Drive through our facilities and online through the GIVIT Page.
An incredible amount of donations were received from around the Shoalhaven and nationally, and this allowed us to provide over 250 dignity packs to community members.
The event highlighted that when our community is able to come together, we truly Thrive!
