understanding background circumstances

8/12/2019 Understanding Background Circumstances

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/understanding-background-circumstances 1/46

2013

Karen Davis

Research 2

9/11/2013

Understanding background circumstances of emergency relief clientsat TurningPoint Support Centre.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=poverty+in+australia&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=-zHW7mWlomTrHM&tbnid=IoISLezYU6SO0M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/one-in-six-children-living-in-poverty/story-e6frgcjx-1226495722003&ei=UPoNUszvCISGkAWEzIGoCA&bvm=bv.50768961,d.dGI&psig=AFQjCNEPlK35rDXUxVHXq1YzU4sCuiuI4g&ust=1376734044567887



2 | P a g e



3 | P a g e

Understanding background

circumstances of

emergency relief clients at

TurningPoint Support Centre

Executive summary

The aim of this report is to gain an understanding of the background circumstances of theclients of TurningPoint Support Centre, an emergency relief agency in Cranbourne, Victoria.

The Literature review will discuss current research and various definitions of poverty and the

resources available to those in poverty. It examines the existing research on poverty and identifies that

there is little research on the experience of poverty in the Cranbourne area. The review discusses the

many definitions of poverty and finds that the words “Poverty” and “Hardship” are interchangeable.

The effects of poverty are discussed as are the various resources needed to leave poverty.

The Methodology of the research will discuss how the research was performed and the data

was analyzed. The methodology assumes that many clients come from a background of generationalpoverty and that those who are not from generational poverty have suffered circumstances beyond

their control. This research aims to gather the voices of the participants to illustrate the results. A

series of open-ended questions were formulated and asked of clients at four different interviews and

focused on past experience, present experience, future hopes and lifestyle values. The interview

conversations were transcribed and emerging themes based on participants’ responses identified.

The Research Findings will examine the results of the investigation and make

recommendations on how the practice at TurningPoint Support Centre can be improved. It discusses

the experiences of the clients with the findings presented under the themes of Past, Present, Future,

Values and Resources. Surprisingly the findings concluded that the clients interviewed were from

situational poverty (rather than generational poverty) adhering mostly to the social norms and values

of middle class.

Recommendations are made both by the interviewees and the researcher, and varied in range

from adding pet food to the food parcels and rearranging the chairs in the waiting room, to building a

purpose-built amenity complete with paid co-ordinator and community bus. Most recommendations

however, cannot be implemented without an increase of funding to TurningPoint Support Centre for

the strengthening of resources of individual clients, the building of their capacity to be resilient

members of the community, which in turn leads to a stronger and wealthier community of

Cranbourne!



4 | P a g e

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the staff and clients at TurningPoint Support Centre for their

patience and encouragement throughout my placement but particularly in relationship to the

weeks when the interviews were happening. A particular thank you goes to those clients Iinterviewed, thanks for sharing your lives with me.

Glossary of Terms

ABS – Australian Bureau of Statistics

ACOSS – Australian Council of Social Service

ER – Emergency Relief

ESIS – Economic and Social Impact Survey

NSA – New Start Allowance

YA – Youth Allowance

Authors note

Mrs Karen Davis has a Diploma in Community Development and a Diploma in

Community Services (Financial Counselling) and has many years experience working with

the community at grass roots level.



5 | P a g e

Table of Contents

Executive summary .................................................................................................................... 3

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 4

Glossary of Terms ...................................................................................................................... 4 Authors note .............................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction Background .......................................................................................................... 7

Literature Review ....................................................................................................................... 8

About Cranbourne and Casey ................................................................................................ 8

State-wide and Nationally ...................................................................................................... 9

Definitions of Poverty .......................................................................................................... 10

Absolute or Abstract Poverty ............................................................................................ 10

Relative Poverty ................................................................................................................ 10

Generational Poverty ......................................................................................................... 11

Situational Poverty ............................................................................................................ 11

The Poverty Line ............................................................................................................... 12

The Working Poor and Social Poverty .............................................................................. 12

Effects of Poverty ................................................................................................................. 13

Resources ............................................................................................................................. 15

Financial resources ........................................................................................................... 15

Other resources ................................................................................................................ 15

Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 17

Data Collection ..................................................................................................................... 17

Timeline ............................................................................................................................... 18

Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 19

Research Findings ....................................................................................................................20

Past .......................................................................................................................................20

Types of Payment .............................................................................................................20Length of Payment............................................................................................................20

Circumstances ..................................................................................................................20

Feelings ............................................................................................................................. 21

Present.................................................................................................................................. 22

Circumstances .................................................................................................................. 22

Feelings ............................................................................................................................. 23

What clients said about the food parcels .......................................................................... 23



6 | P a g e

Future ................................................................................................................................... 23

Circumstances .................................................................................................................. 24

Feelings ............................................................................................................................. 24

Changes to get ahead ........................................................................................................ 24

Values ................................................................................................................................... 25

Education .......................................................................................................................... 25

Entertainment .................................................................................................................. 26

Instant Rewards ............................................................................................................... 26

Spending/Saving .............................................................................................................. 26

Food Quality ..................................................................................................................... 27

Notions of Family ............................................................................................................. 27

How families were described ............................................................................................ 29Other Values .....................................................................................................................30

Orderly or Chaotic ............................................................................................................30

Resources ............................................................................................................................. 31

What clients said about the staff at TurningPoint Support Centre ..................................... 32

What clients said about TurningPoint Support Centre ER parcels ..................................... 34

A hand up, not a hand out .................................................................................................... 34

Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 35

From the horse’s mouth! ...................................................................................................... 35

Community development ..................................................................................................... 37

Prevention and Early intervention ....................................................................................... 38

Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 40

Appendix 1 – Consent Letter ................................................................................................... 42

Bibliography – Cited ................................................................................................................ 44

Bibliography – Referenced ...................................................................................................... 46



7 | P a g e

The Voices of the

Participants will be

heard

Introduction Background

TurningPoint Support Centre is an emergency relief organization in Cranbourne

which supports a low socio-economic area. The Support Centre is a member of the Casey

Emergency Relief Network and is currently open one day per week, seeing approximately 50clients a fortnight. Clients receive 26 food parcels, a minimum of 2 weeks apart. Some come

regularly every fortnight. Others stretch it out, coming when they feel the need.

Clients do not simply wake up one morning and say “think I’ll go and get a food

parcel today”. Past events and circumstances have led them to have this need. There are two

types of poverty – generational and situational. This research will discuss the different types

of poverty and explore the circumstances and events that have led clients to presenting for

emergency relief at TurningPoint Support Centre.

While there is extensive research on poverty at state, national and international

levels, there is no solid research on poverty in Cranbourne. The aim of this research is to

identify strategies for staff so that they may more effectively work with clients and offer

preventative and early intervention options to the wider community which may divert people

away from the need for emergency relief.

The research will also discuss the areas of empowerment that may be available to

clients. The motto for TurningPoint Support Centre is “a hand up, not a hand out”. Clients

were asked what “a hand up” looks like for them.

Participants in the research group were clients who share the postcode 3977. This

postcode covers numerous suburbs and towns, and while it was preferred that participants

come from central Cranbourne, the selection range was small

and as a result needed to be expanded to include other

neighbouring areas. Being a small selection range, all clients of

the Centre were eligible for selection as participants. As many

clients as possible were met in the waiting room and offered an information letter

which included an invitation to participate. If they were interested, an appointment time for

them was made. A staff member called them the day before to remind them of their

appointment time.



8 | P a g e

Literature Review

The following is a discussion on the literature that has been written about Poverty in

Cranbourne and Casey, as well as about Victoria and Australia. “Poverty ” will be defined, the

effects of poverty on people examined and other resources available to people of low socio-economic status discussed.

About Cranbourne and Casey

Cranbourne, a suburb within the City of Casey and is located 43 km south-east of

Melbourne’s CBD. Cranbourne is a low socio-economic area with a high proportion of single

parent families. On Monday 14 April 2008, the Cranbourne Journal reported that

“Cranbourne has rated as one of Greater Melbourne’s most socio -economically

disadvantaged suburbs in figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Cranbourne was eighth in the top 10 most disadvantaged suburbs when taking into account factors such

as income, education, unemployment and car ownership” (Bell, 2008). It is here that

TurningPoint Support Centre is located.

The researcher found that although there is much current research on Poverty both

nationally and internationally, and some research within the state of Victoria, although this

can be over ten years old. However, there was no research specifically on the suburb of

Cranbourne besides statistics from the 2011 census from the Bureau of Statistics. Hansen

acknowledges that “The amenity enjoyed by a resident of an established suburb like

Hawthorn, six kilometres east of the CBD, or Clayton, some 19 kilometres southeast of the

CBD, is quite different from that of a Melburnian putting up stumps in areas like

…Cranbourne, 43 kilometres to the south-east” (Hansen, 2012, p. 1).

The Inquiry on Growing the Suburbs: Infrastructure and Business Development in

Outer Suburban Melbourne, which includes the City of Casey, found that this municipality

has “relatively high levels of social economic disadvantage, low educational outcomes, poorer

health outcomes, relatively high unemployment levels, significant deficits in local

employment opportunities, low provision of higher order services including arts and culture

services, and a heavy reliance on private vehicles- based travel” (Hansen, 2012, pp. 4-5).

Furthermore,

average wages in these council areas (including Casey) …are 12 per cent lower than other metropolitan areas withonly 11 per cent of residents holding a bachelor degree orhigh education qualification compared to 24 per cent ininner Melbourne. …. Only 1.5 percent of residents usepublic transport for their daily commute as opposed to

12.1 percent in metropolitan areas” (Hansen, 2012, p. 5)



9 | P a g e

“I don’t tell my friends that you

know I can’t afford fuel that’s why

I’m not going to parties, because I

can’t pay for the fuel. I mean, it

costs over $100 to put fuel in the

car. I can’t go, I get invited out all

the time and I can’t afford to go.

Can’t go to shows or anything.”

Female 5

“ You’ve got to save up

for a couple of months

even to achieve a $50

item.” Female 1

Hansen describes knock on effects “an increasing geographical divide in the mode of

travel to school, to work, to local sh0ps and community facilities… (which) extends to

educational options, ranging from child care and pre-school to primary, secondary and

tertiary education” (Hansen, 2012, p. 2). She also found that jobs were not available within a

“reasonable travel distance from homes … disrupt(ing) work and life balance. There is less

time to spend with children, family and friends” (Hansen, 2012, p. 2). Within the Melbourne

metropolitan area there is division

between where jobs are located and where many peopleon the lower economic rungs can (sometimes barely)afford to live. The inevitability of rising petrol prices andthe rising cost of living in comparison to salaries for paid work are all factors that have a ‘knock -on effect’ on oursocial connectedness and economic future

(Hansen, 2012, p. 2)

St Vincent de Pauls’ 2005-2006 Annual report found that in their Southern Central

Council, which covers the Cranbourne area, the clientele of

their ER services were increasingly from the ‘working poor’.

“The ‘working poor’ are those who are on low incomes and in

private rental accommodation. Increases in rents and petrol

prices make it very hard for these people to make ends meet,

thus they turn to Vinnies for support” (St Vincent de Paul

Society, 2006, p. 14).

State-wide and Nationally

Looking further a field for research on Victoria and more broadly on Australia, we

find that “Across Australia, around 13.8 per cent of households live in poverty 1” (Phillips &

Nepal, 2012, p. 19). This means that 2569 people in Cranbourne are living in poverty. In

2010, “12.8% of all people lived in households below the most austere poverty line”

(Australian Council Of Social Services, 2012, p. 9). This translates to 2383 people in

Cranbourne (not to mention Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South, Cranbourne East and

Cranbourne North.

Even across the Pacific in the USA, it has been documented that “ The structures that

created the middle class – well-paying jobs, the 40-hour workweek, assistance with college

loans and home mortgages, and employer-provided health

care and pensions – are falling away ” (Payne, DeVol, &

Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 5) and the same can be said about

Australia.

1 According to disposable income after tax, Medicare and housing costs



10 | P a g e

“I don’t buy clothes.” Female 5

“E ven though we are

doing it rough, we do

realize that there are

people doing it even

rougher again.”

Female 1

Definitions of Poverty

There are many different definitions of “Poverty”. In fact, the terms “Poverty” and

“Hardship” are interchangeable.

When Australians themselves (Department of Social Services clients) were asked to

define poverty, 41.9% replied said “Not having enough to

buy basics like food, housing and clothing” (Saunders,

2004, p. 7). Others may define Poverty as being unemployed

or on government benefits such as New Start Allowance or Youth Allowance. Phillips and

Nepal found “the average duration on some form of income support (NSA and YA) was 2.6

years. Around one in four remain continuously on income support for more than two years”

(Phillips & Nepal, 2012, p. 9). While the Australian Council of Social Services defines Poverty

as “the pronounced deprivation of well-being, or the inability to satisfy one’s basic needs”

(Australian Council Of Social Services, 2012, p. 4).

However, what we generally experience in Australia is termed Relative Poverty which

is different to Abstract Poverty. Looking at the length of time, or even reasons for poverty we

need to explore Situational Poverty and Generational Poverty, and the differing mind-sets

people in these types of poverty possess. Then we will investigate an emerging type of

poverty, Social Poverty and discuss “the Poverty Line”.

Absolute or Abstract Poverty

The terms “Absolute” and “Abstract” are interchangeable and is what we think of

when we imagine the destitute plight of third world countries. St Vincent de Paul Society

clearly differentiates between Abstract Poverty and Relative Poverty. Abstract Poverty is

“lacking sufficient resources to meet basic needs such as food and shelter” while Relative

Poverty is “lacking the resources required to have a standard of living that is regarded as

acceptable by society generally ” (St Vincent de Paul Society, 2013). Abstract Poverty in

Australia “is pretty rare” and “exists when a family or an individual has barely sufficient

money coming in to maintain a decent standard of life” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 2).

Relative Poverty

Relative Poverty refers to “a situation where a family’s or an individuals’ standard of

living is low as compared with that of other families or

individuals living in the same society” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 2) or,

as stated above, lacking necessary resources “to have a standard

of living that is regarded as acceptable by society generally” (St

Vincent de Paul Society, 2013).



11 | P a g e

So what is “acceptable by society generally”? It seems how we view ourselves is

central here. “If everyone around you has similar circumstances, the notion of poverty and

wealth is vague. Poverty or wealth exists only in relationship to known quantities or

expectations” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 6). Are we keeping up with the

Jones? Are we enjoying the comforts we perceive others are enjoying as beamed to us every

evening on the TV? Subsequently Relative Poverty has “more to do with inequality than

poverty. Even if we all become a lot better off, those receiving least still get defined,

implausibly, as ‘poor’” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 1). This notion is discussed further on in regards to

the Poverty Line.

Generational Poverty

Generational poverty and situational poverty are different. Generational poverty

defines the experience of “ being in poverty for two generations or longer. Situational povertyis a shorter time and is caused by circumstance (i.e. Death, illness, divorce, etc.)” (Payne,

DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 7). Ruby Payne has done extensive research into class

distinctions in America and the “hidden rules” of each class. “Generational Povert y has its

own culture, hidden rules, and belief systems. One of the key indicators of whether it is

generational or situational poverty is the prevailing attitude - …. That society owes one a

living” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 49). When a child is brought up in poverty,

they tend to see this circumstance, culture and beliefs as the norm, and subsequently have no

or little aspiration to better themselves as adults. They will generally emulate their parents’

circumstances of disadvantage, bringing their own children up in poverty. Thus Generational

Poverty can also be termed as ‘The Poverty Cycle’. The Salvation Army, who provide material

aid to those in poverty, see time after time that …

children growing up in disadvantaged households aremore developmentally vulnerable than other Australianchildren, and that the cycles of socioeconomicdisad vantage, neglect and abuse can ‘rob them of thechance to develop the good health, social skills and

learning abilities they need to flourish in thecontemporary world’ (The Salvation Army, 2013, p. 6)

Situational Poverty

Those experiencing Situational Poverty are doing so due to a specific circumstance,

for example, loss of a job, death of a loved one, illness or divorce etc. They maintain the belief

systems and culture of their original social class, while using all available resources, of which

they have many to call on, to rise out of poverty. “In situational poverty the attitude is often

one of pride and a refusal to accept charity ” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 49).

Once the ‘situation’ has been overcome, people hope to return to life as it was before , withtheir time in poverty as just a memory of a bad time.



12 | P a g e

“The consequences of

moving means the rent

more, you have to have

money to adapt to that.”

Female 1

The Poverty Line

Jesus Christ said, “You will always have poor people with you” (Matthew, chapter 26,

verse 11) and “the Poverty Line” is the reason why. The Poverty Line is “an income level

below which everybody is deemed to be ‘poor’.” How do we measure it – draw a line “at half

of the median (middle) income in the society” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 2). The problem that arises

here is that no matter how prosperous a society becomes, there will always be people below

the line. The line may move, but there will still be people whose income is less than half the

median income of that society. Poverty is relative. There will always be poor with us.

In any society where incomes are unequally distributed,research using a relative definition of poverty is almost bound to discover people who are ‘poor’ … those with thelowest incomes will nearly always get defined as ‘poor’…poverty researchers will always be able to find ‘poverty’,no matter how affluent the society becomes.

(Tsumori, 2002, p. 4)

Another problem we have in establishing the Poverty Line is, well, there’s no app for

it! “Am I on it? Am I below it? How do I know?” There is no measureable means for the

average person to know whether their personal income is actually below the poverty line

without extensive research.

It has been suggested when trying to establish a poverty line that “It is probably

better to look at expenditure rather than income data if we want a reliable guide to people’s

living standards” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 1). People from Generational Poverty have definite

views on how money is used, and when asked about their expenditure “… tend to under-

estimate the amount they spend on tobacco, alcohol and gambling” (Tsumori, 2002, p. 8).

The Working Poor and Social Poverty

With the rise of the “Working Poor” a new type of poverty is emerging – Social

Poverty. Casey South, of which Cranbourne is a part, has “a large number of people who are

in fulltime, part-time or casual positions. These people (the

“working poor”) often receive low wages and many rely on

overtime payments, … to see them through” (Petrides, 2003).

They are not eligible for health care card entitlements, “and

therefore pay full price for essential items like medication

and utilities” (Petrides, 2003).

Material and social poverty go hand in hand: access toadequate housing, education, maintaining health and wellbeing, and inclusion in the wider social communityare all aspects of poverty in that they effect material

wellbeing and limit a person’s life chances (SACOSS , 2011)



13 | P a g e

Social Poverty is the “inability to meet social needs. … the inability to meet regularly

with family or friends, to travel to job interviews, to afford school books and excursions for

children, or to complete an education” (Ng, 2006). The working poor may be able to just

make ends meet, to pay bills, to put food on the table, petrol in the car and clothes on the

backs, but they do have much left over for socializing, for having friends over, for eating at

restaurants, enjoying outings to the cinema. Tickets

for theatre shows or other cultural events are out of

the question.

The ABS Household Expenditure Survey

(HES) asks a series of 6 statements to establish

‘Deprivation’. The more statements a person agrees

with, the more deprived or socially poor they are. Not

only do restricted economic situations weaken social

connections, but also “impacts health and wellbeing,

thereby decreasing social links and personal

capabilities” (The Salvation Army, 2013). The public

are not aware of the isolating outcomes poverty has

on individuals and families. Dr Cassandra Goldie,

CEO of ACOSS says “The social implications are often

overlooked because they aren’t measured, and if theyare, they aren’t brought to public attention”

(Australian Council Of Social Services, 2012, p. 4).

Effects of Poverty

The effects of poverty are felt throughout neighbourhoods, local government areas,

regions, states and nationally. Poverty effects people on a very personal level: not only

financially and socially, but also physically, mentally and emotionally. St Vincent de Paul

Society some of the effects of poverty as

lack of power, higher mortality rate, solace in substanceabuse, poor health and higher incidence of illness due tostress, crowded housing and poor nutrition, mentalillness, family breakdown, loss of self-esteem andmotivation, (and) hopelessness and antagonism, which breed violence. (St Vincent de Paul Society, 2013)

People living in poverty have fewer choices than the rest of society. “They have

reduced choices with housing, education, health care, food, clothing and other consumer

items. Usually they have to settle for the cheapest, often sub-standard and least convenient

options in almost everything that they do” (Martin & Murphy, 2007, p. 26). They are often

1. The household does not have

holiday away from home for at

least one week a year because

they can’t afford it.

2. The household does not have a

night out once a fortnight

because they can’t afford it.

3. The household does not have

friends or family over for ameal once a month because

they can’t afford it.

4. The household does not have a

special meal once a week

because they can’t afford it.

5. The household members buy

second hand clothes most of

the time because they can’t

afford it.

6. The household members do

not spend time on leisure orhobby activities because they

can’t afford it.



14 | P a g e

“It put a lot of stress on living

and not knowing where, oh isthere going to be enoughmoney for food so that’s really hard to the extent that you get migraines.” Female 1

overweight or obese, which leads to health issues and subsequent high mortality rates. This

is not only to do with poor nutrition but the belief that quantity of food is important. The key

question is “Did you have enough?” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 44) (rather

than “Did you like it? – Middle class or “Was it presented well?” – Wealth class). Dr

Morawetz, director of the Social Justice Fund says poverty ‘is bad for those who are

experiencing it: for their sense of self-worth, for their physical well-being, and perhaps most

importantly for their children, for our future generations” (Australian Council Of Social

Services, 2012, p. 4).

The flow on effect of poor physical health is poor emotional and mental health. Poor

self-worth and self-esteem caused by poverty can lead to compromised “social connections …

and impacts health and wellbeing, thereby decreasing

social links and personal capabilities” (The Salvation

Army, 2013, p. 4). Emotional stress on families can lead

“to loss of self esteem and social status. These can lead

to family conflict and separations; to psychological and

physical health problems; to homelessness and to a range

of disadvantages for children growing up in these families” (Brotherhood of St Laurence,

2003, p. 15).

It is a vicious cycle, which can spiral downwards into a pit of hopelessness. Poverty

often leads to “poor housing, lack of transport, … limited educational and work based

experiences” (The Salvation Army, 2013, p. 28), access to training or child care if needed, all

which are significant barriers to finding and holding employment, the very thing which

would help families improve their economic situation.

… employment insecurity affects (peoples’) ability to planfor the future – in terms of a career, time forrelationships, the possibility of buying a house, or savingfor retirement. While individuals bear the brunt of thisimpact, in the long term governments will carry the costs:

increased dependence on the social security system,greater demand for public housing, loss of tax revenue,and possibly increased crime or family breakdown.

(Brotherhood of St Laurence, 2003, p. 13)

In the long term, governments will carry the cost of the generations in poverty, while

individuals experiencing it are isolated with limited resources and limited connection to

others. Poverty “robs … the rest of us of their contribution” (Australian Council Of Social

Services, 2012, p. 6).



15 | P a g e

FINANCIAL: Having the

money to purchase goods and

services.

EMOTIONAL: Being able to

choose and control emotional

responses, particularly to

negative situations, without

engaging in self-destructive

behaviour. This is an internal

resource and shows itself

through stamina,

perseverance, and choices.

MENTAL: Having the mental

abilities and acquired skills(reading, writing, computing)

to deal with daily life.

SPIRITUAL: Believing in

divine purpose and guidance.

PHYSICAL: Having physical

health and mobility.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS: Having

friends, family, and backup

resources available to accessin times of need. These are

external resources.

RELATIONSHIPS/ROLE

MODELS: Having frequent

access to adult(s) who are

appropriate, who are

nurturing to the child, and

how do not engage in self-

destructive behaviour.

KNOWLEDGE OF HIDDEN

RULES: Knowing the

unspoken cues and habits of a

group.

COPING STRATEGIES: Being

able to engage in procedural

self-talk and the mindsets that

allow issues to be moved from

the concrete to the abstract. It

is the ability to translate from

the personal to the issue.

“Yeah, it’s been a God sendhaving the food parcels.It’s been huge, massive. Soit’s rekindled my faith inGod. So I came here for afood parcel and had my lifechanged.” Female 3

Resources

It is easy to hold the mistaken belief that if people

only had enough money they would easily be able to

climb out of poverty. However, this is not the case. Forthe rise out of poverty to be successful, many other

resources are necessary. Even when these resources are

available to clients, it is always their choice whether they

take them up or not.

Financial resources

Income is only one of many resources available to

those living in poverty and can be defined differently.

Most people have an understanding of the terms ‘Gross’

and ‘Net” in regards to wages. Disposable income refers

to the Net income but can be defined differently. One

study regarded ‘disposable income’ as netting “off tax and

Medicare paid from total income from all sources”

(Phillips & Nepal, 2012, p. 12). While another defines it

as netting off not only tax and Medicare, but also housing

costs, whether that is mortgage or rent. This makes

comparisons difficult.

Other resources

Payne defines the experience of poverty as the

“extent to which an individual does without resources”

(Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 11). Resources

she lists besides financial are “emotional, mental,

spiritual, physical, support systems, relationships/role

models, knowledge or hidden rules, and coping strategies

(Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 11). Emotional

resources are possibly the most important of all

resources. They allow

people to be persistent and

not give up. Mental and

physical resources allow a

person to be self-sufficient.

Spiritual resources give a



16 | P a g e

person a purpose for living, help develop self-worth and value, along with a sense of hope

and capability. Support systems and role models are important as it is from them “that a

person learns how to live life emotionally” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 13).

Knowledge of hidden rules is a crucial resource. Without it, an individual will have terrible

trouble being acceptable by the middle class. Coping strategies are “mindsets, approaches

and techniques that allow issues to be mov ed from the concrete to the abstract” (Payne,

DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 13), which allows the person to focus on the issue rather

than making the issue personal.



17 | P a g e

“I try not to go to these

places, but when I have to I will. It’s mainly ‘cos I runout of money basically . I goto the other joints but youcan only go to them somany times which makes ita bit of a problem.” Male 3

Methodology

This research will explore the assumption that many clients come from a background

of generational poverty and that those who aren’t, have

suffered circumstances which were beyond their control.This research aims to gather the voices of the participants

to illustrate the results. Research results will be

disseminated to the staff at TurningPoint Support Centre

and will be discussed and used by them as a guide to

identify self-help courses/programmes/groups to run, as a

guide on how to improve their service to clients, and will also provide key areas to address

support for funding applications.

This research will use the Social Action Research method of surveying and will be

asking open ended questions to collect qualitative data.

Action research is a flexible spiral process which allows action(change, improvement) and research (understanding, knowledge) to be achieved at the same time. The understanding allows moreinformed change and at the same time is informed by that change.People affected by the change are usually involved in the actionresearch. This allows the understanding to be widely shared and thechange to be pursued with commitment. (Dick, 2004-2012)

All social research methods have weakness and the weakness discovered in this research is

that there were not enough participants questioned.

For the purposes of this research we will be looking at relative poverty and using the

terms “Generational Poverty” and “Situational Poverty” as defined on page 11.

This research received ethics approval through Chisholm Frankston’s Research

Ethics Committee.

Data Collection

A series of open-ended questions were formulated and asked of clients at four

different interviews. Interviews were planned to co-incide with client’s fortnightly visits to

the Support Centre so as not to add to the client’s petrol bill by getting them to make a

special trip especially for the interview. While it was hoped that there would be a focus group

of 7-8 participants at each interview, in reality a total of only nine people were indeed

interviewed, five women and four men. Demographics questions were asked before hand to

determine the eligibility of participants. All were from postcode 3977, however two of them

were not from Cranbourne (central) but from surrounding neighbourhoods. Six people were

within the age range 40-49 years, while there was one represented from the 20-29, 30-39



18 | P a g e

and 60-69 age ranges. The interviews were conducted face to face during September and

October 2013 and participation was entirely voluntary. It was anticipated that interviews

would be 30 minutes long; however, they varied in length from 20 to 90 minutes.

Participants have been identified as male or female so their perspective can be noted.

The questions focused on past experience, present experience, future hopes and

lifestyle values. Emerging themes based on participants’ responses will be identified. The

questions were as follows:

What circumstances and/or events have led you to come here for support?

How long ago did these circumstances and/or events take place?

How did you feel during that time?

How do you feel now you are receiving support?

How do you see your future?

What kind of support would still be of value that is not being offered?

How long have you been a health care card recipient?

Type of Health care card? Single parent, Disability etc.?

What circumstances lead you to be issued with a health care card?

What are your notions about family? Immediate/extended

Describe your household in terms of orderly to chaotic.

What are your values around education, entertainment, instant reward vs long

term reward, spending and saving, food quantity vs quality.? What would need to happen or change for you to get ahead?

TurningPoint offer many self-help courses/programmes/groups around topics of budgeting, parenting, boundaries, marriage enrichment, would you be interestedin attending?

What would need to happen for you to attend a self-help course?

The motto for TurningPoint Support Centre is “a hand up, not a hand out”, wha tdoes “a hand up” look like to you?

Do you have any further comments or questions?

Would you be interested in a copy of the results of the research?

Timeline

The interviews took place over a four week period in September and October 2013.

Participants were recruited from current clients who are receiving emergency support. No

Chisholm teachers or students (besides myself) were involved. A letter of invitation was

issued in person to all participants. Those willing to participate were then contacted to

remind them of the interview time. Interview times were arranged to co-incide with clients



19 | P a g e

“so yeah it’s difficult.It’s not the life for afamily really so,

trying to changecareers but thatdoesn’t work so.”

Female 4

parcel pickups. Each interview was to last 30 minutes; however, it seemed that the more

participants in the interview the longer it went.

Time Line

June/July – Literature review

July – Ethical clearance

August – clients approached with invitation and information letters

August – develop interview schedule

September/October – interviews take place

October - interviews transcribed

October – research takes place

November – final report available

Analysis

Four separate interviews took place during September and October 2013. Each of the

four interviews were transcribed and then merged together under the headings of the fifteen

questions. The master transcription was then colour coded to

highlight the themes of “Past”, “Present” and “Future”, along with

“Values”, “Recommendations” and “Resources”. The “Voices” of

the clients were also captured in the colour coding. From there

each theme was analysed to assess the Research Findings and

Recommendations.



20 | P a g e

Interviewer: “How do you see your future?”

Male 3: “I don’t, just

day to day.”

Research Findings

Past

The past experiences of the nine people interviewed varied widely, although within

these 9 there were two sets of couples whose experiences were somewhat shared.

Types of Payment

Two of the women were on the Parenting Payment and had been since they had had

children. Four people were on Disability Support Pensions and one had been for the past 10

years but had recently been changed to Aged Pension since turning 65 earlier this year. One

person was on Carer Payment and one person had been on it for 10 years but for the past two

years had chosen not be on any allowance even though she was eligible for New Start

Allowance. And although not interviewed the husband of one of the women was also

currently on New Start Allowance.

Length of Payment

One person (originally from New Zealand) had been on the Disability Support

Pension since childhood (now in the 40-49 age range) although she had only been on the

Australian Disability Support Pension for 7 years. A woman had been on the low income

Parenting Payment on and off for the past 20 years (also in the 40-49 age range). Two people

had been on a Payment (Carers and Disability Support retrospectively) for 10 years but theircircumstances had changed so that neither was currently on that Payment. One was not on

any payment since she stopped being a carer two years ago and the other had changed to

Aged Pension upon retirement age. Another had been on Disability Support Pension for 6

years and had no hope of this changing in the future. Another

had been on Disability Support Pension for 4-5 years but was

very hopeful of coming off it in the near future. One woman

had been on Parenting Payment for two years while her

husband (not interviewed) had been on New Start for 5 months sincelosing his job. Another woman had been on Disability Support Pension for two years and a

man on Carers Pension for 2 years.

Circumstances

Most, if not all of those interviewed appeared to be from Situational Poverty rather

than Generational Poverty. The situation or circumstance which led each one into poverty

was as individual as the participants themselves. Male 1 had been a middle class investor

when things went horribly wrong – he described it as “one big theft” which not only robbed

him of his wealth but his health as well. Once suicidal, he now suffers from depression. His



21 | P a g e

Female 1: we werehomeless there for abouttwo years.Male 1: we still on the listfor emergency housing with the department of

Housing

I’d have to go to Centrelink.

It’s funny, I feel much more

comfortable coming here

(TPSC) than to them.”

Female 5

“I wanted torun away .”

Female 3

“I took a whole bunch of pills anddecided that I wasout of here, and waking up the nextmorning the worstthing that I thoughtthat morning was‘great I can’t evenkill myselfproperly.’”

Male 1

“You felt embarrassed to

come and get help.” Female 1

“Yeah, my $6000

TV didn’t make it

through the time

we spent in the

tent – we were

living in a tent.

We were living ina tent for almost

a year.” Male 1

partner, Female 1, had been through a divorce and now

the couple had a young son. As a family they were

homeless for two years. While Female 2 had been on a

Disability Support Pension since she was a young child,

her husband, Male 2 had been on a Carers’ Pension since

resigning from his job to care for her after she had surgery

two years ago. Male 3 began suffering from mental health issues (depression and anxiety) 10

years ago, but wasn’t put on the Disability Support Pension for

three years. He also suffered from significant loss of trust and loss

of friends. Unable to work, he soon ran out of money. Female 3

suffered depression and was placed on a Disability Support

Pension 2 years ago after she suffered a miscarriage at the same

time as moving with her husband to Cranbourne. She lost the

support of her family and friends at a time when she was very

vulnerable. Female 4 has a toddler and a baby and as a result has

been on Parenting Payment since the birth of her eldest child, 2 years ago. Her

husband (not interviewed) had become unemployed 5 months ago and been placed on New

Start Allowance. He had actually retrained from being a chef to being a forklift driver in the

hope of finding employment but still had not been

successful. Female 5 had given up “full time work

about 12 years ago now to care for my father who had

Alzheimer’s. And so I went onto a carer’s pension for

about 10 years until he passed away 2 years ago. And I

wasn’t ready to go back into work at that point. I’d been literally house bound

where I could only leave the house for about two hours a week if that.” As a result, she had

been living off her savings for the past two years, even though she was eligible for New Start

Allowance. Male 4 had suffered a stroke 10 years ago when he was 55 and was placed on a

Disability Support Pension. He recently turned 65 and was changed to the Aged Pension,

which is the same amount of money.

Feelings

Even though the experiences of the participants varied

widely, their feelings about their circumstances

were very similar. Suicidal, depressed, anxious,

stressed, worried were among the negative

emotions mentioned by

those interviewed.



22 | P a g e

“I was just too

scared to go and

ask for help.”

Female 2

“I was very transient from‘03 onwards, here thereeverywhere from PhillipIsland, Wonthaggi, toLake Eildon to LakesEntrance all over the joint. And you can’t keep

couch surfing all over the joint.” Male 3

“I’ve got a lot ofproblems, Anxiety anda lot of stress andphobias and ... it’s sortof a bit harder trustingpeople and makingnew friends.” Male 3

“He’s stressed (unemployed

husband), he gets down

sometimes because of it,

yeah and it does, it just puts

a real burden on him. ..., so

it’s really hard makes you

feel like crap really.Female 4

“I try not to use thesethings but when yourun out of money or whatever.” Male 3

“Some days are hard. Somedays I feel down on myself because I’m not helping. You know, I feel like Ishould be out there working

to, but Then you’ve got thecost of child care and itdoesn’t.” Female 4

“It’s been massive changes for me. No, it’s been

massive, massive changes. Came to volunteer andnow I’m able to give something back. That’s it

really.” Female 3

In order to put in for a weddingpresent means “taking $20 afortnight out of something elseto cover that. We don’t havefunds for covering birthdaysand weddings and things likethat.” Female 1

“It’s finally looking up. As in I think potentially this

might be my last week here on this side of the table,

and I’ll come back and see if I can come back as a

volunteer.” Female 5

Present

For most of the participants the present was better than the past. While they werestill struggling with their circumstances and (for some of them) their disabilities, their

situation had improved with the assistance they had received through TurningPoint Support

Centre.

Circumstances

Having received a food support package had

improved the lives of all the clients, not only financially,

but for some also emotionally. Some could still not afford

hobbies, social interests, or pets, while others doted on

their pets. Others felt their they were in, or would soon be

in, a position where they would be

able to volunteer at TurningPoint Support Centre in

order to ‘give back’.



23 | P a g e

“I have a lot of

problems

dealing with

the depression

of ‘I failed’.”

Male 1

“There’s depressed and

then there’s suicidal. And I

have to be careful with

how close I get to that. And

as much as I’m feeling a lot

safer that way now, but I

don’t want to push it.”

Male 1

“I still personally feel

stressed out every time we

have to go and pay the bills

even though you can see the

money’s there. It still seems

to overwhelm me and I think

that’s more of a “me” thing

than an everyone else thing.”

Female 2

“I feel really proud and goodabout m self.” Female 2

“It does take a little bitoff from what you sortof need to buy when yougo shopping, so it justtakes that little bit of

edge off. Brings yourcost down a little bit. Soit does help.” Female 4 “Yeah, it’s been a God send

having the food parcels. It’s been huge, massive. So it’srekindled my faith in God so Icame here for a food parceland had my life changed.”

Female 3

“I do like it. It’s good.It’s good. It’s just a smalllittle food it’s fantastic you know .” Male 4

“It’s a real relief because I’d beenstressing about seeing all the billsand the lack of the income and allthe savings had been dwindling.”

Female 5

“I don’t, just

day to day .”

Male 3

“I don’t have

a future....

I’m happy

that I’m still

here. ... my

life now is so

I can get to

see my grand

children until

they’re 21.”

Male

Feelings

Some clients were still feeling down on themselves that their situations hadn’t

improved even more than they already had. Others were proud of their achievement of

stepping out and asking for help. Suicidal thoughts were much less frequent.

What clients said about the food parcels

Future

Most participants saw their future as better than their past or eventheir present. Two participants, the retired gentleman and one of those on

Disability Support Pension, could not see the future as any better. Our

participants share a similar view of their future as the

respondents of the ESIS 2013,

In relation to how respondents viewed their futurefinancial situation, 35 per cent reported feeling positive

and very positive about the next 12 months.(The Salvation Army, 2013, p. 18)



24 | P a g e

“W e hope it

to be better.”

Male 2

“My future

is about to

change.”

Female 5

“It is so much

better than it

was.” Male 1

“ We plan it

to be a lot

better.”

Female 1

“I plan to go back to work

so I’ll be back being ... a

productive member of ...

society .” Male 1

“ Well, you know, ok if one

of us gets work.” Female 4

“M y goal before I came here was

to get enough life insurance for

when I get to the point where I

can’t deal with it anymore And I

do it again, that (son) will be

financially covered and um nowthat’s just ‘ Why would you be so

silly ’?” Male 1

“ Well I need to get a

job that’s consistent. I

just keep applying andgoing for interviews.”

Female 3

“So our first goal once

the weather gets finer

is to empty that shed.”

Female 1

“It would be nice if I saw

them (sons), maybe one

day .” Male 2

“A proper place where I can,

a bigger place so I can put a

garage and stuff, instead of a

bungalow .” Male 3

Circumstances

One couple felt they were in a position where they still had 3 food parcels left, but

they were stretching them out. They would save them for the future – just in

case. Having said that in the interview, it actually gave the other couple the

idea and in the weeks following the interview, this

couple too were less frequent in visiting to collect their

parcels. One woman who was not on any Centrelink

benefit, felt her life was about to change as her late fathers’ estate

was about to release some capital and also she had been offered more regular work.

Feelings

Many felt there was hope for the future. And many were making plans for the future,

goals they would like to achieve.

Changes to get ahead

The most mentioned ‘change of circumstance’ in order to get ahead, was Work. One

woman could only see that the future would be better if her husband found full time work.

However, the next mentioned change was around

health, either mental or physical. If health could

improve then life in

general would

improve. The retiredgentleman laughed

that the only way his

financial position could improve was that if Clive Palmer got elected

(which was announced a month after the interview) and increased the Aged Pension! At the

same time, he took a tattslotto ticket weekly. A belief in “Fate” is a tenet of the belief system

of Generational Poverty. “Choice is seldom considered”

(Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi

Smith, 2009, p. 54).



25 | P a g e

“Schools Ok but I reckonthat you learn out in yourown life than you do atschool. I went to form 4,passed form 4 and there was college.” Male 3

“I’ve got a diploma in child

care and can’t get a job. Yet

child care is one of the jobs

that y ou’re nearly

guaranteed a job. Except

I’ve got the highest

qualifications and can’t get a

job. So I can see education is

important, but then when itcomes to where you’ve got

the maximum amount of

credentials and then still

can’t get a job, you think

there’s something wrong in

today’s system” Female 1

“That they’re (sons) doctors and vets and you knowsomething really smart that you know they neverhave to worry about money. And all of that stuff, allthe stuff we dream of for kids. But it doesn’t alwayshappen. They’re both pretty smart boys so I’mhoping we can do the right thing by them education wise and they don’t go down a wrong path orsomething like that.” Female 4

“Number 1. Education’shuge. We need to go back to the era when it was free, so we could just go to school do ourqualifications and nothave to worry ‘ boutpaying off 50 grand atthe end of it.” Female 3

“ And giving someone any kind of courseeven, like I see my Step son going oncourses all the time through his workplace, job search provider and I think what a waist, he doesn’t care. But whilehe’s there not doing drugs, he’s not outon the street burglarizing things and allsorts of silly stuff that he’d do -educations wonderful for that.” Male 1

“I’ve got big strong values around thosethings. To me education should befreely available to everyone. I think ourteachers should be the highest paidpeople in the country because ourchildren are our future and if you don’tknow what you’re doing, you’re doing it wrong basically, so whatever it is youneed to learn that is huge.” Male 1

“ Values around education are prettyhigh but I’m not at that point yet.”

Female 4

Values

Ruby Payne purports that the different economic classes have different values around

Possessions, Money, Personality, Food, Clothing, Time, Education, Destiny, Humour and

Love. She calls these values the “Hidden Rules”.

Hidden rules are the unspoken cues and habits of a group.

... impact(ing) on achievement in schools and success in

the workplace.

(Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 39)

The values of the participants were analyzed to determine if the clients of TurningPoint

Support Centre are from Generational Poverty or Situational Poverty.

Education

Most of the clients valued or highly valued education, although not all.



26 | P a g e

“Entertainment ismainly done athome. Female 4

“ Yeah, entertainment.I haven’t been to the

movies in years – it’sexpensive."

Female 5

“We can’t afford to go out and socialize and this gets usout of the house, it gets me out of that seat that’s reallycomfy but if I stay in that seat it’s not so comfy.” Male 1

“I don’t go out, I don’t goto pubs, don’t go to nightclubs, the occasionalcinema.” Male 3

“Society these days, everyone wants everything right now.I’m trying to teach my three year old that yes hiscomputer isn’t very good butif he wants a better one, weneed to save up. .... If I wentout and brought him onestraight away and fixed thathe still wouldn’t value it, butif I have to save up which I’mforced to now but by alsodoing that it is worth a lot

more to him now.” Male 1

“Today you have to teach your kids to valuethings that you buy them, it’s not just therefor them to smash, it’s there to value themand if they want another one, ... well youhave to work towards that, you have to

earn to get that and when you start earningmoney then you gotta buy it yourself.” Female 2

“Oh my God. You can’t you can’t you can’t. Icouldn’t save nothing.”

Male

Entertainment

Everyone who was interviewed had little or no entertainment outside of the home.

Most said that it was due to not being able to afford it. When we look at the ABS Household

Expenditure Survey’s series of 6 statements to establish ‘Deprivation’

(featured on page 13), we see that two of the questions are around

entertainment outside the home. All

nine of the participants would be classified as

Deprived according to their responses.

Instant Rewards

People from Generational Poverty believe that Money is to be used and spent (Payne,

DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 44) and will often buy something for the amount of money

they have in their hand, rather than save up and buy

something of better quality or of greater value. Those

from Situational Poverty tend to save up, when they can,

and prefer items of better quality and are prepared to go

without for a time, while they save up for that item.

Spending/Saving

All of the participants agreed that they could not save anything. Nor could they spend

anything. Their incomes were so small that there was

nothing left after bills and rent were paid and minimal food

brought. It was suggested that where these people actually

save is by buying groceries on special and by using petrol



27 | P a g e

“I want to get one from Australia. I’d much ratherget one from Australia, but the minimum, thecheap Chinese knock off that’s sold in Australia

starts at $100 and he’s gonna turn it on, the batteries gonna go flat in a second and he’s gonnaend up throwing it because it doesn’t work, whereas I found one I can get from China basically the same as the one he’s got for $50.” Male 1

“Quality definitely. The majority of thetime. I have my times, my littleepisodes where “who cares”. Becausemost of the time, I’m just so (strict). ... but yeah definitely quality, you know ifI’ve got extra cash, I’ll go to the organicstore and invest in the fruit and vegthere. ... Depends on my finances at thetime, It depends on what bills I’ve paid but definitely quality. Always apreference.” Female 3

“ We do pretty well with food, andespecially like even the stuff we getfrom here, with making something outof it Because we’re both chefs by trade,so yeah, we can get a lot out of youknow little stuff. Spending and saving when you don’t have money that reallydoesn’t come into it so you’re prettymuch always spending. Values aroundeducation are pretty high but I’m not atthat point yet.” Female 4

“No, see I’d be happyquite happy to havethe basic food if that was, as long as I hadthe staples. I’d behappy with that.”

Female 5

“I would say quality ... Because we used to get past used by and its rubbish you can’t eat it. So wouldn’t you havequality, much better than quantity?” Male 4

“You’re gathering thingsthat you don’t really needand it just blocks up your whole life.” Female 2

“Tryingto do therightthing for

thekids.” Female 4

vouchers – that’s how you save. One participant valued buying Australian made products but

was not in a financial position to do

so at the moment as Australian

products are more expensive than

Asian “knock -offs”.

Food Quality

Food quality was important to some of the participants although for differentreasons. One participant valued organic food for health reasons. Another’s idea of Food

Quality was to have food that wasn’t beyond its “used by” date.

Notions of Family

Payne also purports that those in Generational Poverty have a strong sense of family

because “One only has people upon whom to rely, and those relationships are important

to survival. One often has favourites.” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith,

2009, p. 53). Family is such a strong influence on these people that their

lives can often be chaotic as they run from one family drama to another.

While family is important to those in Middle class and from Situational

Poverty, these people understand that their family has the resources needed



28 | P a g e

Female 1: but now a year on, TurningPointis part of our family.

Male 1: TurningPoint

is part of our family.

“ As far as spending and savings goes,even when I haven’t had a big amountof money, if family need something, I’ll

spend a bit, if that means that I’mhelping them out with something, even when I’m tight. If they needsomething, I’d do it. That’s the onlytime I spend money apart from on billsand on everything else, but I mean, Ispend money that’s not going to bills.” Female 5

“I gave up full time work

about would be about 12

years ago now to care for

my father who had Alzheimer’s. And so I went

onto a carer’s pension for

about 10 years until he

passed away 2 years ago.

Female 5

“I still care about them.Like there’s no bad(inaudible) it’s just we

don’t talk to each other,they’ve got their ownlives to live.” Male 3

“Family’s one of theplaces that it can behard to go back andask for help becauseof the judgement.”

Male 1

“Family helped us move into our unit.

The amount of stuff that got destroyed inthat move, mate that’s all the finances Ihad left was basically the stuff I had, andmy family just literally threw things inthe back of the trailer and the amount ofstuff that was smashed! It was just ‘guysthis is the last little bit of respect that I’vegot and you’ve wrecked it’. Oh yes there was a big need to say ‘thank you’ too.” Male 1

to cope with a drama and so will come with support in their own time, leading to a less

chaotic life.

One of the participants had given up her own life

dreams and goals of marriage or a career to care for her

sick father and she showed no signs of regret or

resentment. When asked why she had never married,

she replied “Never met anybody and then I was caring

for my father. I was caring for dad, put him first.”

Others had family, whether their own children or their

extended family, but rarely saw them. Reasons for this

varied from intolerance of their

“rubbish”, privacy issues, nastinessand judgement. Others felt that as

TurningPoint Support Centre had

helped them, that the staff there were family.



29 | P a g e

“Well for me family isreally important to me.But some of the family

can really be nasty. So Iforgive them, but I don’t want anything to do withthem. ... Yeah my familyis very important to me. I just love my family to bitseven though they saynasty things about me.” Female 2

“I’ve got family but they’v egot their own life to live. And I don’t like botheringthem.” Male 3

“It’s important tome, but I don’t seethem (brothers andsisters). ... Family is

important to me, butit’s their (sons)option. If they don’t want to see me, thenI can’t do muchabout it. I don’t hatethe kids, it’s just thatthey live in the past,they want their mumand me backtogether, and theythink everythingshould be 100%

mickey mouse butit’s not.” Male 2

“ All my notion about my family, Iam worrying and I don’t careabout anything else. About mydaughter and her two kids, andthat’s it, my life. And that’s it.Sure I’ve got families, you k now,like brothers and sisters andeverything. But as you get older,they go their own way, and we justmaybe three or four months(indicates phone) “G’day, how are you, yeah I’m good yeah, thanks,ok bye.” Male 4

“Now to me Familyis like that, I don’thave to see themevery day. If I get

a phone call andBob (not his realname), my younger brotherneeds anything I’mdropping whateverI’m doing, he’s myfirst priority.” Male 1

“Our family is oneither side of us. Hisfamily my family, anddoesn’t necessarilymean we see them allthat often, or at allsome of them.”

Female 3

“Probably my immediatefamily. Yeah, now that I haveone. Yeah, my children, mypartner. Everything I do nowis for them. ... yeah it’s justabout my immediate familyand that’s what I think aboutand that’s what my life isnow.” Female 4

“I was extremely close to them (parents – both deceased). So I’ve been really , really lost without them. But Family means Christmas with everybody as far as I’m concerned, it’sall the siblings and all of their kids. It used to be my brother’s wife and all of her family as well, so it used to be about 40 people atChristmas.... I’m probably closer to myfriends and their kids but my concept offamily is “Family is ultimately important”.Still goes no. 1. I still would do anything forthem.” Female 5

“Basically being there forthe family when they

need you. When theimportant things, whensomeone really needssomebody else, well youknow I’ll be there when Ihope my family knowsthat I’ll be there. We see... my mum and dad, andhis mum; we see themquite often and(husbands’) brothers andsisters. My brother andsisters tend to be not in

the picture type thing , you know that basically ifthere’s a wedding or afuneral or somebody’s inhospital or somethinglike that, we will see eachother somewhere in thatdisaster we will see eachother.” Female 1

How families were described



30 | P a g e

“He’s a chef but he’scurrently out of work at the moment.He’s having realdifficulty finding a job. He’s gone anddone a course to gethis forklift license,

thinking that thatmight help get some work but he can’t getanything.” Female 4

“I’ve got cats. Cos Iactually spend moremoney on them thanI do on myself.

Today I went and brought $105 for thecat and the dog.”

Female 5

“Because remember most of thepensioners in Australia, we havepaid so much tax through the years.” Male 4

“If I was to do it all over again seriously everything in my house,

I’d probably take my laptop, take my photo albums and every -

thing else can go to the Salvos, or Vinnie’s, or TurningPoint, or

one of the charities.” Male 1

“the toaster actually needed replacing because it blew up and,instead of going to the shed to find that toaster, the one that’salready there under boxes and boxes of possessions, went outand brought a new one, because it’s so much easier to go andget a new one than what it is to go and search for it. ... You’redoubling up on possessions because you can’t be botheredgoing to find the other, but you know you’ve got it.” Female 1

“It’s a bungalow. Noit’s not chaotic. Ikeep it sort ofclean andeverything in itsplace.” Male 3

“You’re gatheringthings that youdon’t really need

and it just blocksup your wholelife.” Female 2

Other Values

Values around Pets were interesting. Some people did

not have pets at all, although the reason for this was not

discussed. However, one participant had a dog and another had

cats, a dog and two horses. These pets were very important to

those individuals. Work was another strong value, where the

husband of one of the participants

had actually tried to change career just to

stay employed, however this ploy had not worked so far. The

retired gentleman

valued the input

retirees had made

throughout their

working years. The experience of losing everything

and being homeless had had a profound effect on the values of

one of the participants, clarifying to him what is really important in life.

Orderly or Chaotic

Payne describes a lack of order or organization in homes of those in Generational

Poverty. “Many of the homes/apartments of people in poverty are unkempt and cluttered.

Devices for organization (files, planners, etc.) don’t exist” (Payne, DeVol, & Dreussi Smith,

2009, p. 55). When asked to rate their household in terms of

‘Orderly’ (10) or ‘Chaotic’ (0 or 1), most people rated themselves on

a 5 or 6. The main reason given for the lack of order was too manypossessions cluttering up the house.

Having too many possessions was due

mainly to downsizing to a smaller house which now didn’t fit

everything in, or keeping things of sentimental value.



31 | P a g e

“ Well for me

personally,

personally I

just trust in

the Lord to be

able to get

ahead.”

Female 2

“The majority of my problem is inside my

head with mental health and I’m seeing a

psychologist, we’ve got relationship

counselling. The amount of support that is

actually out there I just didn’t know about is just wonderful. And the fact that I can go

see the doctor every two weeks and the

government covers that for me is just

wonderful. And a lot of people just don’t

understand that.” Male 1

“I am very organizedin the house. Evenfood, I put this hereand here. ... So Imake sure I cleanit.” Male 4

“My father was a hoarder. He always had Alzheimer’s and unfortunately I’ve inheritedthe hording. No no no, I’m a bit messy. I’mtrying to improve it.” Female 5

“Most of the time it’s chaotic – I have a two year old. But try and ... keep on top ofthings as much as I can. I’m not a clean freak but do like to have the house tidy.... so, I s’pose it’s chaotic. But there’s some order some times. We don’t have, we’re not routine people where I’ve never, as much as it probably would have you know, helped me, and them at times. But I was never one for routine ...

we’re at the moment we’re living with my parents because of money situation. Inmy old house I could find it straight away. I do have a filing cabinet. And I stillhave it there but I haven’t been as good with it. But yeah still could be able to find you a bill they’re either in their pile or in the filing cabinet.” Female 4

“A lot of people don’tunderstand how good your doctor is. Yourdoctor is a wonderfulresource and as a healthcare card holder it’s free

for me.” Male 1

Interviewer:I’ve got atank for theoutside.Male 4: Yeahme too.

Resources

The participants had very little amounts of financial resources available to them,

however, besides money, some were clever by saving water using a

water tank, freezing food and using less electricity. Their main non-

money financial resource was their Health Care Card as it enabled

them to receive discounts on utility bills, cut-price car registration and

access medical help free of charge. How rich were they in resourcesother than money. A list of Resources (according to Payne) is

located on page 15. One emotional resource mentioned was having

someone to talk to, the staff at TurningPoint Support Centre. A spiritual

resource mentioned by more than one participant was faith in God.

Physical resources

mentioned were

the Community

Breakfast which was buildingrelationships as well as filling empty

stomachs; having a gym membership;

and the local Doctor – which is free for

those

with health care

cards. One support system mentioned was ‘Making Ends

Meet’ – a book of resources, tips and supports published by

Cranbourne Information and Support Service. Again the



32 | P a g e

“I think we dopretty well. Ithink I can budget. It’s very

hard to budget when you don’thave the money .... I do know yousoffer to help, sodefinitely willtake it up if I getstuck.” Female 4

“But through ... those breakfasts and that you build relationships that you can, well

if you need support later or whatever well you’ve got it, and they even havecounsellors here too.” Male 1

“...trying to cut costseverywhere. Like I haveone light on at a time inthe house. I’ll turn offeverything behind me.I have one light on. Idon’t turn on myheater. I just use lots of blankets in winter.”

Female 5

“You get a book that if youcan sit down and read it,

Wow, you do not need to worry anymore, anyproblem that you’ve got it’scovered here.” Male 1

“I’m verysmart aboutthe moneyand waterandeverything.”

Male 4

“the moral support when wecome in and talking to Christine,Mary and Daryl it’s been great you know just letting them know what’s been going on, having acaring ear because You don’treally want to talk about yourtroubles necessarily to yourfamily or to your colleagues ... Idon’t talk about all my problemsand how tight everything is.”

Female 5

“And if you needto talk tosomeone wellthere’s peoplehere, they’re just wonderful.”

Male 1

“ We ... cameand we neverlooked back.” Male 2

staff at TurningPoint Support Centre were mentioned as role models. Coping Strategies

mentioned were the counsellor at TurningPoint Support Centre; a Psychologist; the

programs (Boundaries, CAP Money, Marriage Building

and Parenting) at TurningPoint Support Centre. Three

people said they would attend the

Boundaries program and two said

they would attend the CAP Money

Course.

Naturally not all of the participants shared the same level of

resources and it is always their choice to take up

the resources offered at TurningPoint Support Centre. However

most participants again echoed the comments of the respondents of

the ESIS 2013, who had “an intrinsic desire to have what the

general community has, namely employment, safe and secure

housing, and the ability to provide for their children and families”

(The Salvation Army, 2013).

What clients said about the staff at TurningPoint Support Centre

TurningPoint Support Centre Staff are not merely there to serve the clients and meet

their needs. They are a great emotional resource and are Role Models,

modelling appropriate behaviour and language, who nurture the client



33 | P a g e

“It’s a good thing forthose who are notreligious; it’s not beingforced upon you with the visits.” Female 1

“ You can nearly guarantee thatif you came down here and ifJohn was here for example,and you feel comfortable withJohn, John will sit down andhave a natter with you.”

Female 1

and “do not engage in self -destructive behaviour” (Payne,

DeVol, & Dreussi Smith, 2009, p. 11).

“The positive reinforcementthat TurningPoint does giveseems more sympathetic thanother services, It seems yougenuinely do care whathappened last week or beforeor whatever.” Female 1

“The personal support inhere in terms of how wonderful it is, isfantastic, I don’t know, Ithink this has just been brilliant.” Female 5

“for the first couple of visits it was veryembarrassing, ... sothe staff here were very good at easing

that feeling by thefriendly manner theycome across and theydon’t see you, Theyare not judgementalas some differentorganization are....The staff actually welcome you here.”

Female 1

“Burst into tears and did have anice old sob to Christine the firsttime but it felt like Christmas when I took everything home andstarted unpacking. It wasamazing, it was a case of I had not been letting myself think abouthow bad the situation really was. And being able to have thatConsistency of coming here andhaving that support coming herehas been really brilliant.”

Female 5

“ but

throughhim(John)having those breakfastsand that you buildrelationships that youcan, well if you needsupportlater or

whatever well you’vegot it.”

Male 1

“I was just too scared to go and ask for help, but nowI feel comfortable because you’re getting to knowpeople and get involved and everything. And look at(husband) and I, we’re involved in food support (as volunteers) so I’m really comfortable.” Female 2

“it was mainly Daryl I dealt with and he makes you feelso comfortable and thenlook what we’ve gone anddone – we were here forfood support ... we turnedthis into our church wecome to.” Male 2

“that’s phenomenalactually I don’t thinkpeople understand justhow much that fits havingthe breakfast here because It’s not just the breakfast, I was sittingthere today having baconand eggs thinking this isreal bacon, when I go toColes I can’t afford the

bacon they have here.” Male 1



34 | P a g e

“It just helps you, helps you when you’re stuck ... so it’s not,it’s not something they’re doingfor you so ... I don’t have to worry about shopping now, I’ll just go down there and get it.It’s given me that little bit ofsupport so when I do do my

shopping it’s not as financiallystraining on me, yeah it’s... justa little bit of help. Not gettingme out of ... not fixing myproblem ... but just helping “

Female 4

“If you think ofCentrelink,Centrelink’s a

good hand-out.To me, it’s likea gaol cellCentrelink. Allthe rules andregulations andrubbish andthe way theyhave youqueued up likecattle for solong.” Male 1

What clients said about TurningPoint Support Centre ER parcels

A hand up, not a hand out

The motto of TurningPoint Support Centre is “A hand up, not a hand out.” Clients

were asked what a “hand up” looks like to them. “While

giving people emergency relief provides them with

immediate and essential assistance, unless the root

causes of their financial crisis are

addressed their financial problems

are likely to continue” (Martin &Murphy, 2007, p. 34). TurningPoint

Support Centre believes that people

do not have to remain in the

circumstances which are keeping

them in poverty and are committed to supplying the support

and resources necessary for the “hand up”.

“ When I get the package, I try to,

I actually avoid going shopping.

I try to survive off that

completely.” Female 5

“I felt completely lost, I wantedto run away so one of the thingsthat really helped me was

coming here and getting foodparcels.” Female 3

“Coming in and seeing the nicefriendly faces have been great. Andgoing home and feeling like it’s

Christmas every time I opensomething, because there’s thingsthat I Just would never dream of buying or getting because outsidethe price range or I’d considerthem a luxury item like chocolateor things like that. Very exciting.”

Female 5

“I got a real visual response in my head. To me it was like I’m at the precipice of an abyss and I’msort of hanging on by my fingernail, and the handup was literally someone’s hand there and I’mreaching out for it. No if buts or maybes, without that hand up, I’m fallen. And there’s nohelp for me or the rest of my little family but assmall as some people might see it to be, the little bit that you help, the little bit y ou’ve saved ourlives. To put it in perspective you’ve saved ourlives.” Male 1

“I see a hand up as a more of arelationship. Rather than justgiving someone a hand out, withthe hand up I see it as there’sconnection made, ... it’s not just afood hamper - there’s like all theseother things offered, like ... thecounselling. .... So it’s temporary,like a hand up, it’s not always, butit’s just a temporary assistance.”

Female 3



35 | P a g e

“I think what yous areoffering is fantastic. No I

couldn’t think of anythingelse that yous could do.” Female 4

“Everything I think of, youguys have got it covered. And if you need to talk tosomeone well there’s peoplehere, they’re just wonderful.” Male 1

“I reckon there should be ... there should be more(parcels) towards people who don’t utilize the foodparcels as much, so they get maybe a little bit morehelp instead of the ones who turn up every two weeks. Like if someone turns up every three monthsor whatever, they should get a little bit more help

than the ones who turn up every fortnight, or every week or whatever, sort of puts a strain on the otherplaces and the ones who really want it can’t actuallyget it sometimes.” Male 3

Recommendations

From the horse’s mouth!

All the clients at TurningPoint Support Centre

who were interviewed

were very happy with the

service delivered by the staff

and also with the quality of the parcels. The clients

themselves had some very good ideas about how the service or

the parcels can be improved. Most of

the ideas required extra funding or

extra volunteer hours. The ideas are

as follows:

Have unlimited food parcels.

Currently clients are entitled

to 26 food parcels to be

collected at least a fortnight

apart. This client noted that some clients come regularly every week, while others,

like himself, only come when they really need to. He suggested that the parcels could

be bigger for those who were not as frequent. Reception staff would need to alert

other staff to the frequency/infrequency of each client to ensure that parcels were

adequate to meet this need.

“I absolutely think it is a hand up. It means it’s giving me the support to actuallysurvive without having to go out and buy the groceries and that means that savingthat money and that money can then go on to bills. I literally manage not to gogrocery shopping at all in the times when I get this unless sometimes I feel really badand go “I need a little bit of meat”. And I might go and do that, but I try to live off bread and everything else, Yoghurt, whatever I get from here, and that’s certainly been a real hand up because it just means that it’s been delaying those bills takingover although it was getting very close. So for me the hand up has been brilliant, itreally is ... the moral support when we come in and talking to Christine, Mary andDaryl - it’s been great you know just letting them know what’s been going on, havinga caring ear because You don’t really want to talk about your troubles necessarily to your family or to your colleagues ... this hand up is great because of that support both food wise which is saving financial and by the moral support.” Female 5



36 | P a g e

“I came in when I wasreally sick with the flu cosI really needed the help.” Female 5

“Maybe even pre-making soupfor people.” Female 5

Have more groups. One client enjoyed the “Keeping it together” group (not run by

TurningPoint) and suggested that the Support Centre have more groups in order for

new comers to Cranbourne to make “...some kind of connection with community,

where you don’t feel anonymous.” While TurningPoint Support Centre does run

many programs, perhaps the variety offered needs to be explored.

Dropping off food parcels to sick and housebound clients. One client, who had herself

come in to pick up her food parcel when she was sick

as she had been desperate for a parcel at the time,

suggested delivering food parcels to those unable to

attend the centre. Visits would need to be performed

in a sensitive manner. Extra funding would need to

be sourced in order to alleviate the strain this would place on the operation of the

centre as a whole by the absence of volunteers, and to reimburse travel costs incurred

by volunteers.

Preparing soup for clients. The chefs at TurningPoint Support Centre might use the

ingredients available through the food support to

make soup and add it to the food parcels in take-

away containers. This would also necesitate the

production of ingredient labels.

Home visits. Some people who are socially isolated might like a visit just for social

reasons and may lead to Support Centre staff developing a better relationship with

the client. Again extra funding would need to be sourced so as not to strain the

already thinly spread resources of this small community ER agency.

Someone else to pick up parcels on clients behalf. This would help those who are

unable to pick up their food parcels due to sickness or social isolation. Staff would

need to be aware of who would be picking up the parcel and on whose behalf. A new

‘procedure’ would need to be established, but this could be a viable option as it

doesn’t place an extra strain on centre volunteers or finances.

Animal food. Many of the clients have pets who are like family to them. They spend

money feeding their animals and having pet food as an option in parcels, would ease

their financial burden.

More variety of fruit and vegetables. Each week there is a variety of fruit and

vegetables to choose from, however, it was suggested that the variety be extended.

Supplying freezer containers to client. One client talked about how he, after picking

up his parcel, would cook up a big stew and then freeze half of it for the next week.

This conversation led to the idea that the Support Centre could issue take-away food

containers to clients so that they can freeze their home cooked food.



37 | P a g e

“Would you go into anyplace, ok and they all lookthat way, they all you look atthe walls, it’s bad.” Male 4

“On the intake form thereshould be something to do with their allergies. Andmaybe you need to makesure that any food stuff which is distributed doeshave the ingredients on them because of people withallergies” Female 5

Check items are not out of date. There was a bit of confusion around the difference

between being beyond the “use by” date and the “best before” date. It is illegal to

distribute food beyond its’ “use by” date, however the Support Centre is able to

dispense food beyond it’s “best before” date. This can sometimes confuse clients who

can mistakenly believe they are being given second rate food.

List the ingredients on small packaged food. Some of the food given out in the parcels

come in individual portions, very small packages, which sometimes do not list the

ingredients on the package. This can lead to people with allergies throwing good food

away as they don’t know whether there is an ingredient that may be disagreeable to

them. Ensuring food items are correctly labeled may lead to less wastage.

Rearranging the Waitieng Area. Currently the chairs are placed to face the door of the

Support Centre. The result is that the

reception desk is then behind the people. One

client suggested rearranging the chairs so they

faced the reception area as this is what is done

in most other waiting rooms (doctors, etc.). This change would make little

difference to the quality of the service given at TurningPoint Support Centre, but it

may improve the quality of the experience of clients.

Food allergies noted on intake forms. All clients complete an intake form the first

time they come for support. It was suggested that

the intake forms be changed to include a

question about food allergies. Having a persons’

food allergies clearly stated on the intake form

would make it easier for staff to ensure that the

contents of food parcels were appropriate for

each individual or family and lessen the clients

experience of frequently being asked about food allergies.

Community development

Currently TurningPoint Centre is run one day a week within the Church building by a

small team of volunteers and with very little funding. These volunteers begin at 8.30am

transforming the church foyer into a waiting room, packing bread, setting up the outside

area (the fresh produce) and packing the parcels. The centre is open to clients from 10am

until 2.30pm (with a break for lunch) when volunteers spend an hour packing the Centre

away ready for church services on the Sunday morning. The Community Breakfast and the

community programs are held right down the other end of the building, in a place which may

be unfamiliar to emergency relief clients, with the Community Lunch held in the auditorium.



38 | P a g e

The various aspects of TurningPoint Support Centre have evolved as the physical premises

has grown and as the need from clients increased.

With so little time, volunteers and resources available, it is difficult to give clients

much choice about the types of items which will go into their food parcels. “When people get

caught up in the welfare system their ability to choose is reduced even further. ... hence the

origin of the unfortunate saying ‘beggars can’t be choosers’” (Martin & Murphy, 2007, p. 26).

TurningPoint Support Centre currently offers clients a choice of fridge and freezer products,

suitable toiletries and fresh produce. Parcels of approximately 15-20 items are pre-packed by

volunteers to expedite the process.

What is needed is a “one stop shop”. A purpose-built facility to house all the aspects

of TurningPoint Support Centre. A place that is “open” to the public on more than one day. A

place where both the Community Breakfasts and the Community Lunches can be held. Aplace where socially isolated can come to connect with the community. A place for

information and resource sharing. A place with greater variety of community programs. A

place that supports volunteer staff with the aim of greater retention of well trained,

personable emergency relief staff. A place where those seeking emergency relief feel

supported, valued and are able to exercise greater choice in their circumstances. This facility

would need to come complete with a paid co-ordinator and a community bus.

This is not to say that all these things are not occurring at the moment, however, with

a purpose-built building, there would be greater community capacity building as each of

these things would be occurring with greater ease, effect and efficiency.

Prevention and Early intervention

Prevention and early intervention measures may divert people away from the need

for emergency relief. The programs and courses available to the community through the

Support Centre are viewed as a preventative measure. These programs and courses are

provided (free of charge) so that clients can build on, develop and strengthen the resources

they already possess, in order to build their own capacity to leave poverty. ‘Boundaries’ along

with the Parenting programs and marriage building program employ a strengths-based

approach, while ‘Drug Proof Your Kids’ and the ‘CAP Money Course’ give participants tools

to make positive changes. It is recommended that TurningPoint Support Centre look at more

and different programs, groups and courses with which to reach the community and so build

the capacity of clients and strengthen their resource base.

The Community Lunches (currently held on the first Friday of the month) and

Community Breakfasts (currently held on the first and third Friday of the month) are aimed

at bringing the community together over a meal. As mentioned by some of the clients, not



39 | P a g e

only is it a chance to get a well-needed feed in an empty stomach, but also a chance to

socialize. It is an opportunity for staff to build meaningful relationships with clients and to

be in a position to open up an unrushed conversation about the other services or resources

available from TurningPoint Support Centre. While all members of the community are

welcome here, these meals are aimed at clients of the support centre and others who are in

need and as such are seen as an early intervention tool. The recommendation here is that

these meals be available more frequently to those in need so that they will be in a place

where they can build stronger relationships and supports, and those experiencing hardship

will be able to leave poverty more quickly it is hoped, than without these supports.



40 | P a g e

Conclusion

The experience of interviewing these nine clients and analysing their responses to the

questions has been revealing. While many clients of TurningPoint Support Centre appear to

be from generational poverty, most of those that were interviewed were not. The situationsthat led these people into poverty varied from person to person, but all could pinpoint a time

in their past where an incident, sickness or event occurred which prohibited them from

earning, throwing them powerlessly into poverty. Most people interviewed adhered to the

social norms and values of middle class, rather than from a low-socio economic background

as would be expected to be displayed by those from generational poverty.

There were at least six other people booked in for the interviews with the consent

form signed. Despite attempts to contact them prior to remind them about the interviews,

these clients did not attend. Perhaps these were the people from generational poverty; these

were the people with chaotic family life and lack of the resources that makes remembering to

attend interviews easy.

It is clear from those who were interviewed that many clients of TurningPoint

Support Centre hold hope that the future will be better than the past, or even the present.

Clients have some resources available to them and as they strengthen these resources, will

build their capacity along with their resolve to leave their current hardship. TurningPoint

Support Centre clients tend to agree with the comments of the respondents of the ESIS 2013,

“that despite their struggles, people want to work and want to provide a more sustained and

adequate standard of living for themselves and their children” (The Salvation Army, 2013, p.

4). TurningPoint Support Centre gives clients the ‘hand up’ they need to achieve this and aim

for the time each one spends living in poverty to be shortened.

This research is valuable as it has brought into focus the experiences of those living in

poverty in Cranbourne. It has highlighted the need for further funding to be sought in order

for these people and the community to benefit in a multitude of ways. Further funding

would allow for:

greater choices in regards to the contents of the food parcels. Not only would there be

a wider variety of food and other products, but the staff would have more time to

spend with each client as the centre would be open more than one day a week with

the larger building would facilitate greater choices.

a greater variety of programs and courses to be offered to the community. Programs

and courses which would build the capacity of the clients, strengthen their resources

and give them tools to utilize.



41 | P a g e

“It is a bit of a shame that yous are a little bit out of

town, because you’re sortof not in walking distancefrom town.” Female 1

better training and greater equipping of the volunteer staff, along with a greater

capacity for the organization to reimburse petrol and other volunteer expenses.

more frequent community lunches and breakfasts, perhaps on a weekly or even on a

daily basis if the need proved to be there.

more thorough advertising and publicity. TurningPoint Support Centre may end up

being a world class leader in emergency relief, but unless those who need to use the

service know about it, it will remain largely unknown and underutilized.

the construction of a purpose-built Emergency Relief facility with a larger capacity for

a wider variety of food choices, a tailor-made reception and waiting room, a

community room with adjoining kitchen and a staff room. It may even have training

and meeting rooms which could be hired out to the community. Research into the

best choice of purpose-built facility would need to take place, with existing models

examined to best meet the needs of the community and clients as well as those

working in the building.

a paid co-ordinator. The expansion of the building and the services offered within it

would necessitate the need for a paid co-ordinator who would ensure continuity

across the board, ensure publicity, liaise with the TurningPoint Community around

facility maintenance and seek continued funding through grant submissions.

a community bus (including on-road costs). Many

clients rely on public transport to get to TurningPoint

Support Centre as it is located three kilometres from the

town centre, however, they are unable to return home

ladened with their food parcel on public transport. This

would also facilitate home visits and home delivery of food parcels to the sick and

isolated.

All these things naturally cost money and there is limited amount of this resource available.

Imagine if the centre was to gain funding and expand in this way, how it would strengthen

the resources of the individual clients, build their capacity to be resilient members of thecommunity and lead to a stronger and wealthier community!



42 | P a g e

Appendix 1 – Consent Letter

Understanding background circumstances of emergency relief clients atTurningPoint Support Centre.

My name is Karen Davis and I am studying at Chisholm Frankston. As part of my studies, I am doing aresearch project with my teacher Kris Rundle, from the Community Development Department.

You are invited to participate in this research project.

The aim of this study is to find out from your point of view, the circumstances which have happened inthe past (distant or recent) which have led you to TurningPoint Support Centre for an emergencyrelief parcel. It is hoped that by looking at these circumstances, not only will we gain a greaterunderstanding of poverty, but the community might be able to better support people to cope socially

and financially, making the period of time emergency relief parcels are needed much shorter. I willalso be asking you to imagine what types of things might lead people out of their current need foremergency relief. This research also asks you to suggest further ways for us to support you.

I will be conducting an interview which will last for approximately 30 minutes at the support centre.During this time, each participant will be asked to speak on a series of topics discussing your currentsocial and financial situation, key events from the past that you perceive led to your current situationand your hopes for the future.

In order to ensure the greatest accuracy, with your permission, I will take an audio recording of theinterview. This is so that I can write my report using the “voice” of the people. Names will be changedto ensure anonymity. As the information gathered is of a highly personal nature, you may be assuredthat only I will see your responses. Transcripts of the interview will be kept in a password protected

computer and anonymity will be maintained throughout the report. During the interview fears for thefuture or distressing memories may arise, however, debriefing and or counselling will be madeavailable either at our centre or if participants choose they can be referred to a local counsellingservice in the Cranbourne area. I hope that the fact that research is taking place may bring hope to youand lead to the development of new programs and services.

If you would like to participate in this research, please sign the consent form indicating youragreement to be interviewed and to have the interview recorded. The recording will be disposed of within one month of the interview taking place. Please be aware that you have the right to voluntarily withdraw from the research at any time.

The likely benefits of this research will aid the emergency relief agency to tailor their service to bettermeet the needs of yourself and others with a view to supporting you through your times of need to

speedier social and financial recovery. A summary of the research will be made available to you if youare interested.

If you have any further questions about this research, please contact me at

[email protected]

Yours sincerely

Karen DavisCommunity Development StudentTurningPoint Family Church

mailto:[email protected]





43 | P a g e

Certificate of Consent

I have been invited to participate in research leading to better understanding of the

background circumstances of emergency relief clients at TurningPoint Support

Centre.

I have read the foregoing information, or it has been read to me. I have had the

opportunity to ask questions about it and any questions I have been asked have been

answered to my satisfaction.

I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.

Print Name of Participant__________________

Signature of Participant ___________________

Date ___________________________

Day/month/year



44 | P a g e

Bibliography – Cited

Australian Council Of Social Services. (2012). Poverty in Australia: ACOSS Paper 194.

Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

http://acoss.org.au/images/uploads/ACOSS_Poverty_Report_2012_Absolute_Final.pdf.

Brotherhood of St Laurence. (2003). Submission to the Senate Community Affairs

References Committee: Inquiry into Poverty and Financial Hardship in Australia.


www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/poverty_inquiry_submission.pdf#search=”hardship”.

Dick, B. (2004-2012). Action Research. Retrieved August 16, 2013, from ALARA - the Action

Learning, Action Research Association.

Hansen, R. (2012). A Tale of Two Melbournes? The Disparities of Place and How to Bridge

The Divide. . Retrieved August 16, 2013, from

http://www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/Sambell%20Oration%20Roz%20Hansen%202012.pdf.

Murphy, V. M. (2007). Emergency Relief, A guide for small community groups. Wellington,

New Zealand: Triple A Foundation.

Ng, C. (2006). Impact of Financial Hardship on Parenting Behaviour FINAL REPORT .


/www.anglicarevic.org.au/index.php?action=filemanager&pageID=5704&sectionID=0&sear

ch_folder_id=806&folder_id=806&searchstring=impact .

Payne, R. K., DeVol, P. E., & Dreussi Smith, T. (2009). Bridges out of Poverty. Moorabbin,

Vic.: Hawker Brownlow Education.

Petrides, L. (2003). Senate Community Affairs References Committee - Inquiry into poverty

in Australia. Retrieved October 5, 2013, from

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/

Completed_inquiries/2002-04/poverty/submissions/sublist.

Phillips, B., & Nepal, B. (2012). Going Without: Financial Hardship in Australia. National

Centres for Social and Economic Modelling. Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

www.natsem.canberra.edu.au/storage/2-

Going%20Without%20MCP%20Report_Aug%202012.pdf.

SACOSS . (2011). SACOSS Anti Poverty Statement 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2013, from

http://www.sacoss.org.au/online_docs/SACOSS-AP-Statement-Survey2011.pdf.

Saunders, P. (2004). Towards a credible Poverty framework: from poverty to deprivation.

SPRC Discussion Paper No 131. Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

www.policypointers.org/Page/View/64.

St Vincent de Paul Society. (2006). 2005-2006 Annual Report. . Retrieved August 23, 2013,

from www.vinnies.org.au/files/VIC/AnnualReports/2005-2006%20Annual%20Report.pdf.

St Vincent de Paul Society. ((2013). Info Sheet: Poverty. Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

www.vinnies.org.au/files/NSW/ParraDio/Poverty AInfoSheet.pdf.



45 | P a g e

The Salvation Army. (2013). It’s not asking too much…:National Economic and Social

Impact Survey May 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

www.salvationarmy.org.au/Global/News%20and%20Media/Reports/2013/180-

The%20Salvation %20Army%20ESIS%20Report%202013.pdf .

The Salvation Army. (2013). It’s not asking too much…:National Economic and Social Impact Survey May 2013. . Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

www.salvationarmy.org.au/Global/News%20and%20Media/Reports/2013/180-

The%20Salvation %20Army%20ESIS%20Report%202013.pdf .

Tsumori, S. H. (2002). Poor Arguments: A response to the Smith Family Report on Poverty

in Australia. Issue Analysis No. 21. Retrieved August 23, 2013, from

http://www.cis.org.au/publications/issue-analysis/article/881-poor-arguments-a-response-

to-the-smith-family-report-on-poverty-in-australia.



Bibliography – Referenced

Anglicare Australia. (2012). When there’s not enough to eat: A national stud y of foodinsecurity among Emergency Relief clients. Available www.stlukes.org.au/File.axd?id=2eb3bdbb-fb3a-463e-854b-c891d673a4d0 (accessed

16/8/13).Brotherhood of St Laurence. (2003). Submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee: Inquiry into Poverty and Financial Hardship in Australia. Available www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/poverty_inquiry_submission.pdf#search=”hardship” (accessed23/8/2013).

City of Casey. (2013). Cranbourne Profile. Availablehttp://profile.id.com.au/casey/about?WebID=160(accessed 30/8/13).

Credit Onbudsman Service. (2008). Media Release Issue 10. Availablehttp://www.cosl.com.au/cosl/assets/File/Media%20release%2018%20Sept%202009.pdf(accessed 16/8/13).

Freire, Paulo (2005). Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 30th Anniversary Edition, TheContinuum International Publishing Group Inc. New York, NY.

Johnson, Jeannette. (2002). Poverty in Australia: Developing community dialogue.Brotherhood of St Laurence. Availablehttp://www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/developing_community_dialogue.pdf (accessed 23/8/13).

Wise, Sarah. (2012). Briefing paper No. 5 - Hardship survey 2011. Anglicare Victoria. Availablehttp://www.anglicarevic.org.au/index.php?action=filemanager&folder_id=806&form_action=list (accessed 16/8/13) ,

http://www.stlukes.org.au/File.axd?id=2eb3bdbb-fb3a-463e-854b-c891d673a4d0

http://www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/poverty_inquiry_submission.pdf#search=


http://profile.id.com.au/casey/about?WebID=160

http://www.cosl.com.au/cosl/assets/File/Media%20release%2018%20Sept%202009.pdf

http://www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/developing_community_dialogue.pdf

http://www.anglicarevic.org.au/index.php?action=filemanager&folder_id=806&form_action=list




http://www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/developing_community_dialogue.pdf

http://www.cosl.com.au/cosl/assets/File/Media%20release%2018%20Sept%202009.pdf

http://profile.id.com.au/casey/about?WebID=160


http://www.stlukes.org.au/File.axd?id=2eb3bdbb-fb3a-463e-854b-c891d673a4d0

understanding background circumstances

Documents