UnitingSA’s ability to prioritise the delivery of essential services has become more critical than ever as the impact of COVID-19 ripples across our country.

We know that people who are most vulnerable in our community are often those who are most greatly impacted by significant health events such as this.

We also know that frontline workers face greater exposure to COVID-19.

As an employer of more than 1,000 people, we need to balance the safety of our staff and families with the needs of the people we walk alongside.

To support this, UnitingSA is making some changes to the way we deliver services, as part of our staged COVID-19 response.

We will focus on delivering services that are most essential and using innovative ways to connect with clients and provide support.

We will use technology in place of face-to-face contact wherever possible.

We recognise this is not suitable for all services and are making provisions for essential services that need to be delivered face-to-face.

This shift in service delivery will focus primarily on our Community Services, including Mental Health, Disability, Employment, Housing and Homelessness, Child Youth and Family Services, and Emergency Relief, as well as our community-based aged care services, including Ethnic Link Services and Home Care.

Our leaders across these programs have assessed and prioritised their outreach and walk-in services to best support the critical needs of vulnerable clients.

By limiting face-to-face contact, we will support the wellness of our valued staff, and by supporting people who are in greatest need now, we will help our communities to bounce back and thrive into the future.

There is no doubt that our nation is facing a great challenge. However, our commitment remains unchanged. Together we will continue to create a compassionate, respectful and just community in which all people participate and flourish.

Together we stand. Together we can.

Thank you for your cooperation, and please look after one another.

Libby Craft (CEO)

Visit our coronavirus updates page for the latest information.