Liberation Larder at Byron Community Centre

The Byron Community Centre is currently closed to the public due to the stay at home order in Byron Bay, but they are still continuing to provide vital services to locals in need including meals, showers and mental health support.

“Byron Community Centre decided many years ago to support our community's most vulnerable,” says Louise O’Connell, General Manager of the Byron Community Centre. “While it is challenging to continue to provide services during a pandemic, we are determined to provide food, showers, counselling and other support to those in need, thanks to our volunteers and dedicated staff.”

Byron is already struggling with a growing housing crisis, and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown is challenging for many locals, but especially those who don’t have a roof over their heads or know where their next meal is coming from.

“With the recent spotlight being shone on Australia's societal inequalities, it is important, actually essential, that organisations like the Byron Community Centre continue to support vulnerable members of our community in a safe way,” says Cherie Bromley, Community Programs Manager.

Under the current COVID-19 restrictions, the Byron Community Centre has moved quickly to modify their services by adapting to takeaway breakfasts, putting casework outreach on hold, and limiting how many people can access showers in one session. Liberation Larder supported 70 men and 40 women at their lunch service while Orange Sky provided access to laundry and showers.

“These changes have regrettably reduced the opportunity for social interaction and gatherings in our services. This has a huge impact on our service users who experience marginalisation on a daily basis in normal times,” adds Cherie. “We look forward to a time when the Byron Community Centre's staff and volunteers can again offer a holistic complement of services which includes social connection, face-to-face outreach and activities that most of the community takes for granted.”

Orange Sky Laundry at Byron Community Centre

Community Services

Homeless Breakfast - Wednesday, 7:30am – 9:00am
Homeless Showers - Monday and Wednesday, 10:00am – 12:30pm (book in at breakfast).
Free Counselling for Byron Shire Residents - Sessions can be conducted by phone or via Zoom. For appointments please contact Stephen Howard on 0456 686 027 or counselling@byroncentre.com.au.

Liberation Larder

Hot and frozen takeaway meals - Monday and Thursday, 12:00pm - 1:30pm

Orange Sky Laundry

Free laundry, showers and conversation - Monday and Thursday, 8am - 11am

Ianna Murray, Byron Community Centre Case Worker at Fletcher Street Cottage

Interview with Ianna Murray, Case Worker

What is the Byron Community Centre doing to support the most vulnerable?

Keeping services operational during lockdown is a massive achievement for the Byron Community Centre and our community. Ensuring all public health and safety protocols are followed and delivering services aligned with best practice is no easy feat.

Whilst 2020 has somewhat prepared us, it seems times and regulations are ever changing and with it we are doing our very best to adapt and keep services available for those most in need.

How are you keeping staff, volunteers and service users safe?

The Byron Community Centre is committed to ensuring the safety of our dedicated volunteers, staff and service users. The rapport and trust we have with our community ensures everyone respects and understands the importance of their role in keeping each other safe.

One of our volunteers, as a young person who is ineligible for vaccination, has still come forward to help provide these essential services. We are deeply grateful to our community of volunteers who are literally putting their health on the line for the benefit of the community as a whole.

How are service users affected by COVID-19 lockdown?

I think many forget what a privilege it is to be able to comply with health and safety regulations. Having somewhere to lockdown and get basic needs met means that it is easier not to breach public health regulations, whereas many of our service users need to come out into public to have a shower or get a meal.

We all are impacted by lockdowns in one way or another, but some more so than others. For many on the streets these times can be particularly triggering and difficult to understand and navigate. Many people do not even have access to information to keep up to date on the ever changing climate. Most of our service users were unaware of the lockdown until advised by staff and volunteers.