UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide

Date: Embargo to 14th Oct 2003 Ref No. 01/03

UnitingCare Wesley
New name for major service providers

Four pillars of the provision of welfare services and support to South Australians are coming together under the umbrella of a new name – UnitingCare Wesley.

Together they employ close to two thousand people, have over one thousand volunteers and provide well over one hundred different services in Adelaide and regional areas of the State.

They are well known for speaking out on issues which affect the community, such as poverty, and poker machines, and for advocacy for disadvantaged people.

UnitingCare Wesley will be officially launched today (Tuesday, October 14th) by the Governor of South Australia, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson.

The CEO of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide, Ms Sue Park, said “The first Mission was established 102 years ago, but the provision of services dates back to the Methodist Church serving people in Bowden and Brompton in the 1850s.

“Just as there were then, there are still great needs in the South Australian community today.

“We have strengthened our on-going commitment to work together to strengthen the social fabric in South Australia under the new banner UnitingCare Wesley.”

The new name brings together the partners - the Adelaide Central Mission, the Port Adelaide Central Mission, the Port Pirie Central Mission and the Wesley Uniting Mission.

Ms Park said “Our people are particularly noted for their work with those who have experienced some of the greatest challenges that life can throw up – mental health problems, domestic violence, poverty, drug and alcohol problems, unemployment and homelessness.

“Since the formation of our partnership in 2002, the four Missions have enhanced each other’s work.

“Even stronger ties and greater benefits will flow to the people we support and the South Australian community under the UnitingCare Wesley banner.”