Every week, Silverchain nurses offer free health care and support at St Patrick’s Community Centre (St Pat’s) in Fremantle, Western Australia, to people without a home or support network.
For more than a decade, our nurses have operated the centre’s in-house clinic pro bono, delivering essential care to those in need thanks to generous community support to Silverchain Foundation.
Jo De Marchi, Silverchain’s Director of Clinical Operations, emphasised the organisation’s long-standing commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in the community.
“For many, a roof over your head, food in the fridge, access to a shower, and the ability to see a doctor are basic comforts we take for granted. Sadly, many Western Australians lack these necessities,” Ms De Marchi said.
“These are basic human needs. At Silverchain, we believe everyone should have access to safe, personalised, and effective health care.”
Ms De Marchi says her team at St Pat’s are seeing more older people accessing the centre’s health clinic.
“Every day, people from all walks of life find themselves in desperate need of support, including older individuals facing extreme housing stress,” Ms De Marchi said.
“Everyone’s experience of homelessness is unique. It is a complex issue with many contributing factors, such as family breakdown, mental health challenges, family violence, or financial hardship.
“Homelessness can happen to anyone, and when it does, the need to source food and shelter takes priority. Health care is often the last thing on their mind.”
As living costs rise and more older Australians face complex mental health challenges, Silverchain’s nursing team at St Pat’s remains dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every client.
“Our goal is to ensure everyone receives the health care they deserve in a safe environment, to listen to their needs, and to connect them with additional supports so they can move beyond their experience of homelessness,” Ms De Marchi said.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021 Census), around 9,700 people experience homelessness in Western Australia on any given night. More than 19 per cent of the homeless population in WA are older people (aged 55+), higher than the Australian average of 15.8 per cent.
St Pat’s is a not-for-profit organisation that offers community housing and specialist support services for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Silverchain is proud to work alongside St Pat’s and support their mission to create pathways out of homelessness for people in Western Australia. This work is possible thanks to the generous donors to Silverchain Foundation.
Pictured (from left): Michelle Kruenert, Clinical Nurse Manager, Maeve Maul, Registered Nurse.
