Community Needs

The changes in government funding over recent years, and the recent global & local economic crisis, have resulted in a considerable increase in the number & diversity of calls for help from people in need.

SydneyCare's focus is the areas of "unmet" need that either require further services & resources or are not yet serviced at all.

Through continued liaison with existing NSW government & LGA services and community agencies, SydneyCare avoids duplication and hence maximises available resources to benefit the clients we all serve.

NSW government legislation requires all Local Government Areas to review their social planning every 5 years. SydneyCare's founders were actively involved in the Northern Sydney LGA's community forums that were part of the social plan review process in 2004.  

The needs addressed by SydneyCare are in accordance with those needs identified by the relevant NSW LGAs' 2005-2009 social plans. There will be another social plan review process in 2009.

In determining the needs of the local community, the latest available statistics provide the following profile:

• 800,000+ people (NCOSS) in NSW existing below the poverty line, i.e. "socially disadvantaged' against the Jarman 8 index (see 2001 statistics below)
• an aging population, with all the attendant needs, and many young people experiencing significant stress
• high morbidity rates & a stressed society, notably cardio-vascular, cancers, digestive problems and physical injury, including high suicides in males
• 18% of children and 30 percent of adults exhibit at least one incidence of mental disorder each year, including disproportionately high rates in males
• culturally diverse, resulting in fragmentation of the community in some areas
• crime statistics indicate increases in violence factors, drugs, prostitution, arson, theft & fraud. Anecdotally, unreported sexual offences are significant