Community Conversations

This week we are joined by Jeremy Hurst, Co-founder and CXO of SpacetoCo!

In this podcast, Jeremy Hearst, co-founder of SpacetoCo, discusses how his platform simplifies venue hire for not-for-profits. Inspired by his own challenges in booking local halls, SpacetoCo launched in 2015 and now helps Community Centres and government spaces manage bookings more effectively.

The platform offers tools for compliance, insurance, and a flexible pricing model, including a free tier for smaller venues. SpacetoCo aims to save time for administrators and make venue hire more accessible, affordable, and streamlined, empowering local communities to connect through shared spaces. 

This week we are joined by Andrea Petersen, Founder and Director of Not-for-Profit Accounting Specialists (NFPAS)!

Andrea highlights the challenges facing not-for-profits, emphasising the need for adaptable models due to rising living costs, housing issues, and food insecurity. Andrea also discusses NFPAS's focus on financial management, board education, and governance to support sustainability in the sector.

Andrea stresses balancing innovation with stability, efficient resource use and technology adoption that includes AI for improved operations. We also discuss the importance of informed board decisions, volunteer management and strategic planning to help future-proof not-for-profits. This episode underscores the role of efficient governance and sustainable practices to ensure long-term success for organisations serving community needs.

This week we are joined by Michael Keelan from FIVEAA!

Michael Keelan, host of 'The Gardening Show' on FIVEAA, highlights gardening’s resurgence as a cost-effective way to tackle rising living expenses. He recommends growing seasonal produce for better taste and savings, with easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes and herbs. 

Michael stresses the value of small, frequent purchases over bulk buys and promotes gardening to foster community bonds. He underscores the mental and physical health benefits of gardening and encourages education on easy crops, pot gardening, and community produce sharing. His passion stems from a family legacy, tracing back to his great-great-grandfather, Queen Victoria’s head gardener.

This week we are joined by David Militz, CEO of Carers SA!

On this weeks episode, David emphasised the significance of National Carers Week (October 13-19, 2024) in raising awareness for carers, who face financial stress, emotional strain, and complex systems. He highlighted the urgent need for better recognition and support for carers, including Carers SA’s services such as counselling and coaching.

The 2024 national carer survey revealed 60% of South Australian carers are financially stressed, with an average care duration of 11 years. David stressed educating the community and improving navigation systems to reduce carers' burdens and financial losses. 

This week we are joined by India Wallace from Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha Hospice!

India Wallace, Spiritual Executive Officer of Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha Hospice, discusses the importance of addressing death-related taboos and how open conversations can ease fear and anxiety around the topic. She highlights the need for proactive planning, from funeral arrangements to legal matters, to help families navigate difficult times with less stress.

India also talks about the value of compassionate care in managing grief and supporting those nearing the end of life. Her goal is to create more opportunities for people to engage in meaningful discussions about death, life, and the role of hospice in the community. India previews the upcoming Death Festival on October 12, 2024, at Centennial Park. The event seeks to break taboos surrounding death, offering resources on grief, funeral planning, and legal matters

This week we are joined by Dulce Diaz-Llanos from The Red Cross!

The Red Cross’s Health in My Language program, led by Dulce, provides vital health information to migrant and refugee women in their native languages. Initially focused on mental health and COVID-19 vaccinations, the program now highlights breast, cervical, and bowel cancer screenings.

The Red Cross has five bilingual health educators who speak seven languages, working to overcome language barriers and cultural misunderstandings, particularly concerning cancer screenings. Future topics will include sexual and reproductive health. The program aims to empower women by facilitating access to critical health services. 

This week we are joined by Dr. Alisa Willis, Head of Service Impact at Junction Australia!

Together Dr. Elisa Willis, peer support worker Jess and group co-ordinator Hayley discuss The Young Parents Program, which supports parents under 25 facing challenges like stigma, housing instability, and financial struggles.

Funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, this 16-week program focuses on parenting skills, first aid, and future goals, with ongoing post-program support such as housing solutions and peer mentoring. The program operates from the Hackham Community Center, offering a supportive environment and leveraging community resources. Junction Australia is also exploring intergenerational community living models to address housing shortages for young parents and older women.

This week we are celebrating 1 year of Community Conversations with a Best of Episode highlighting some of the great moments from our first year!

This past year we have had conversations covering various topics that impact our communities, all of which have been informative and hopefully enjoyable for our listeners. 

Community Conversations has been a joy to share with the public and we would like to thank all of our amazing guests for sharing their knowledge and their stories to make all this possible. We will continue to release content that aims at improving the local communities in which we love!

This week we are joined by Fiona Endacott, Verity and George from Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers!

In this episode, Fiona Endicott and Verity discuss the vital role of foster and kinship carers in South Australia, focusing on the growing demand for family-based care and the unique challenges faced by kinship carers.

Furthermore, Fiona and Verity emphasise the need for better advocacy, increased carer payments, and more flexible options. Verity shares her personal journey of becoming a kinship carer for her nephew, shedding light on the emotional and financial difficulties involved. The conversation highlights the importance of support and recognition for caregivers, who often navigate complex systems with limited resources. We are also joined by George, who discusses their experience with taking in a family member. 

This week we are joined by Jenny Macaffer from Adult Learning Australia!

In this weeks discussion, Jenny Macaffer from Adult Learning Australia underscores the serious literacy and numeracy challenges facing Australia, with 44% of adults having low literacy and 54% low numeracy skills. Adult Learning Australia advocates for lifelong learning for adults aged 15 and over through various initiatives, including advocacy, resources, and professional development.

Jenny highlights the critical role of Community Centres and Neighbourhood Houses in providing accessible learning opportunities, often in informal settings like cooking or gardening classes, which foster social connections and trust. The discussion also calls for increased government recognition and funding for adult community education. Coming up next week (1-7 September) is Adult Learners Week, continue reading below to discover more about the week and how you can get involved.