St John Ambulance SA Ltd Annual Report 2024-25

Sef van den Nieuwelaar Chair of Community Care

Chair of Community Care Report Over the past year, even more meaningful connection and impact has been realised within our Community Care programs. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness how our volunteers, through their dedication and compassion, continue to bring connection, support, and joy to the lives of the clients they serve. Alongside them, our passionate and dedicated staff have worked hard to deliver programs that meet the diverse and evolving needs of the community, ensuring that our services remain both responsive and relevant. practical support but also fostering companionship and a sense of belonging for clients who might otherwise feel isolated. Our volunteers go above and beyond for their clients, taking the time to truly understand what is important to them, and helping them work towards their own personal goals. In the process, they develop meaningful relationships that enrich the lives of both clients and volunteers alike. One particularly inspiring story this year is that of volunteer, Gavin and his client, Colin. In October 2024, Gavin was matched with Colin, a gentleman living in care, south of Adelaide. Both shared a Volunteers make the meaningful work of Community Care possible, providing not only

military background, and Gavin specifically wished to support a fellow veteran. During their visits, Gavin learned that Colin had never received several medals he had earned for his service. Over the following weeks, Gavin worked with the Department of Defence and other key contacts to ensure Colin would be formally recognised. On 5 March, nearly 75 years after his service, Colin received five medals and a return-from-active service badge in a special presentation attended by Navy personnel, his family, facility staff, and St John Community Care representatives. This remarkable story highlights the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers, their attention to individual needs, and the profound difference they make in the lives of the people they support. This year, Colin proudly wore his medals to an ANZAC Day service, with Gavin by his side. The year also brought several important milestones for our services. We successfully secured a CHSP funding extension for two years (1 June 2025 – 30 June 2027), ensuring continuity of support for our clients. Preparations were undertaken for the introduction of the New Aged Care Act, which comes into effect from 1 November 2025, and our programs underwent a successful Quality Audit in September 2024, confirming our commitment to best practice and

Annual Report 2024/25

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