PASTORAL CARE
At UnitingCare Community Options, our focus is not only on the physical needs of those we support, but also on their spiritual needs. Our pastoral care staff can provide support where needed and engage in a range of outreach activities.
At UnitingCare Community Options, we’re proud of our roots in the Uniting Church of Australia and our involvement in the UnitingCare network. Our Pastoral Care Program was created in acknowledgement of this connection, and in recognition that there was a gap in our other services. After all, for many people, the church provides an important source of support and community involvement, and the opportunity to worship and gain spiritual fulfillment.
The Pastoral Care program has several key components: Pastoral Care, the Boroondara Outreach Program, and Crossroads.
Pastoral care is a service available to both staff and participants and is tailored to meet the particular needs you might have. First and foremost it involves being listened to and deeply attended to, whatever your issue may be. Grief, unresolved issues from the past, moments of conflict at work or in relationships or just the sense of being overwhelmed; there is no subject or topic that cannot be broached.
Of course, the Pastoral Care worker won’t have all the answers but they will provide a space where you can lay out your concerns, worries, troubles and even joys. Anything you share with the Pastoral Care worker will be held in the strictest confidence and gently explored with you. And through conversation, new ways can be found to move forward or perhaps the relief of having shared your worries may already make a problem become manageable.
While Christian Pastoral Care may involve prayer, this is never imposed on you if you prefer not to. Other faiths are respected and people who profess no faith are just as welcome to meet with the Pastoral Care worker. After all, spirituality can mean many different things to different people. Each person’s sense of belief and faith is taken into account.
If the Pastoral Care worker feels that professional counselling might be of benefit, they will offer to explore such avenues with you.
As part of the Pastoral Care process, staff will offer to have follow-up conversations with you and to provide ongoing support if you wish. But you are in control and our staff will only provide spend time with you according to your wishes.
To contact us about the Pastoral Care program, please ring (03) 9239 2508 or email pam.white@ucco.org.au.
The Boroondara Outreach Program, provides assistance to rooming house residents around the Kew and wider Boroondara region. Each Tuesday, with the support of a group of volunteers, a warm meal is provided to approximately 50 people from the area. The ‘Good Grub’ lunch provides a nutritious and filling meal to people who may not otherwise eat very well. It also gives attendees a chance to catch up with people they may know, meet new people, and to have a relaxed conversation with the Pastoral Care worker in a friendly, non-threatening environment. For those that need there are generally non-perishable food items that they can take with them afterwards and clothing items.
The Boroondara Outreach Program also hosts a monthly barbeque dinner on Sunday evenings, which is followed by an informal church service. The services are conducted as more of an open conversation than a normal church service and provide a great opportunity for people to worship in a way that suits them.
Pam White also works individually with people through the Outreach Program. Many of the people living in Kew’s rooming houses have experienced crises in their lives and may also be dealing with mental health issues. Pam provides advice, moral support, and practical assistance to help people try out new options and support as people get back on track.
The Boroondara Outreach Program depends on the support of the community to survive. The Good Grub program is supported by local businesses and community groups such as Nando’s Chicken in Camberwell and the City of Boroondara. Sunday evening meals are provided by the congregation of Kew Uniting Church.
If you would like to contribute food, clothing, or make a tax-deductible cash donation to the program, please visit our donations page.
The Crossroads program grew from a need among participants and their families to give people with disabilities the opportunity to worship and socialise with other people. The program aims to provide Christian fellowship and education, for and with disabled persons of all ages and abilities. Services are held at six locations: Burwood Heights, Heathmont, Kew, North Balwyn, Sherbrooke and Warragul.
The Crossroads program has a strong focus on giving attendees a fun environment in which they can catch up with other people, participate in activities, and enjoy a service at the end of the evening. While most activities are scheduled for weekday evenings, daytime and weekend daytrips are also undertaken. Each location has its own schedule and setup so please contact them to find out more.
