Our Annual Reports showcase the positive impact we’re making on country people and regional communities, in addition to providing a transparent view of our financial health.
The goals of the Challenge were to enhance the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of children, increase their communication and language skills and developmental outcomes. In addition, it was hoped the project would increase family wellbeing and contribute to community capacity building.
This study identified key skills for regional and remote work – collaboration, relationship-building, specialist-generalist abilities, creativity, lateral thinking, resilience, deep listening, and understanding of Aboriginal communities.
This study highlighted the importance of relationships in interprofessional teams for delivering coordinated support to individuals with complex needs, emphasising the need for staff training and support to improve staff satisfaction, retention, and client outcomes.
This study suggests that child-centered decisions and valuing carers’ knowledge can improve the experiences and outcomes for children in care, indicating an ecological approach to child protection in rural areas could be beneficial in the long term.
This study examined the impact of pastoral care workers on student wellbeing in South Australian schools, offering recommendations for stakeholders involved in the National School Chaplaincy Program.
This report suggests ways to boost staff unity and training at UCSA, drawing from the “Connecting our people” study by Mackenzie and Goodwin-Smith (2022) on organisational connectivity. It also addresses rural child welfare, contributing to a broader UCSA and Flinders University project aimed at building fair communities.
This study explored young rural women’s views and experiences with intimate partner violence to guide Uniting Country SA’s efforts in reducing violence against women by enhancing service coordination and community engagement.
This study by the University of South Australia, with Uniting Country SA and Centacare Catholic Country SA, shows rural community service organisations generate a 2.3-fold local economic return for every dollar spent. This research underscores the value of investing in rural non-profit services, highlighting their vital role in boosting local economies and fostering community engagement, including increased volunteering.
Flinders University and Uniting Country SA created a model to enhance client engagement in community services, focusing on personalised assessments and better service connections. The approach involves adopting the model, staff training, outcome evaluation, and fostering a client-friendly atmosphere to improve service quality and client satisfaction.
Flinders University and Uniting Country SA’s study on the UCSA Micro Credit Loan Scheme showed its substantial benefits, generating over $3 million from 9000 loans on a $40,000 fund. Clients reported high satisfaction, valuing the scheme’s empowering approach over traditional charity, aiding employment and essential expenses.
Flinders University and UCSA’s study on the Child Aware Approach revealed strong staff support and positive impacts on parenting and child wellbeing. Utilising surveys and discussions, the research suggests improvements for UCSA’s initiatives, affirming the approach’s effectiveness across the organisation.
This study by Flinders University and Uniting Country SA on the Port Augusta Pass Program
highlights its potential to combat socio economic challenges in Port Augusta, a region facing significant disadvantage. The research underscores the importance of social inclusion initiatives in mitigating the adverse effects of poverty, unemployment, and isolation on children and families, suggesting that such programs can foster better community cohesion and individual well-being.
Flinders University and Uniting Country SA explored the “Hub” and “Spoke” model in regional NGOs, aiming to boost staff connectivity in rural social services. The study recommends a unified approach aligned with organisational values, emphasising the significance of shared values, leadership enhancement, video conferencing use, and meaningful social interactions, as detailed in the “Connecting Our People” report.
Flinders University and Uniting Country SA found the Indulkana Youth and Community Shed greatly benefits the local area, transitioning from a youth initiative to a key community center. The study highlights its social impact and the necessity for ongoing funding, noting daily engagement from over a third of the local population.
This Flinders University and Uniting Country SA study emphasised the need for effective domestic violence perpetrator programs, focusing on engaging men and prioritising group interventions and culturally sensitive approaches.
