Social justice and advocacy

Live the best life possible

The most vulnerable people in our communities rely on UnitingCare to defend their right to live the best life possible.

They are older people and people with disability who need support to stay in their own homes; people being admitted to or leaving hospital; families and children experiencing abuse; people in personal and financial crisis and people struggling to cope after a disaster or major event.

We see the challenges they face, seek to understand the issues, and work with them and others to find pragmatic solutions. UnitingCare’s advocacy work is aligned to our broader community focus on social justice, reconciliation, child safety and community partnerships.

Read more about our work to create an inclusive society where everybody can participate fully.

Social justice

UnitingCare’s vision is ‘life in all its fullness’ [John 10:10] — no matter who you are, your circumstances or where you live. Fundamentally, our purpose is to reduce the effect of inequality on people’s lives — by giving them access to information, services and support, the ability to participate in decisions about their lives, and by standing up for their legal, industrial and political rights.

These principles underpin our focus on important social issues and services such as:

• Health policy and service delivery models (chronic disease prevention and treatment, integrated models of health care, e-health)
• Aged care
• Child and family
• Disability
• Indigenous service delivery and wellbeing
• Rural and remote service delivery models and social infrastructure
• Industry issues – community services, health, aged care, disability
• Issues affecting vulnerable, disadvantaged and low-income client groups

Through ethical research, working together with other influencers on policy development, and delivering inclusive and diverse workforce practices and services, we stay true to our purpose.

Community partnerships

Through true partnerships we extend our reach into communities and help people who are often missed by other health and community service providers. Together with community partners representing other faith-based organisations, non-for-profits, governments and corporations, we share expertise, skills and resources and find innovative ways of working together to increase the capacity of our services and achieve our shared vision of ‘life in all its fullness’ [John 10:10] for all people.

We also partner with the UnitingCare network, peak bodies and sector groups in policy development and advocacy activities across a range of social issues. These partnerships achieve much better outcomes for people than would be possible if we were acting alone.

Likewise, partnerships with researchers to inform and evaluate our programs, services, staff, volunteers and clients, help us to continuously build a strong evidence base to strengthen programs and improve outcomes for the people who need our care and support.