Further enquiries contact:
Andrew Yule on 0448 380 455 or 9412 6137 or Andrew.yule@anglicarevic.org.au
Media Release
Embargoed until 6am Monday 1 June 2009
1 June 2009
Demand for emergency relief increases by up to 34% and one
in five go without warm clothes and bedding this winter
Demand for Anglicare Victoria emergency relief services has increased by up to 34 per
cent in the past year and a new survey has found that one in five accessing those
services have no warm clothes or bedding for winter.
The 2009 Anglicare Victoria Hardship Survey also found two in every five participants
could not afford to buy prescription medication and half could not afford to visit a
dentist.
Also of concern is the indication that up to one in five people who access emergency
relief suffer from a serious mental illness, which in many cases goes undiagnosed and
untreated.
Principle author of the Hardship Survey, Dr Sarah Wise, said the study illustrated the vast
majority of those seeking emergency relief are deprived of items or experiences
generally considered basic necessities.
“About one in five clients did not have a secure home and the same number lacked
essentials such as a washing machine,” said Dr Wise. “These issues were often
compounded by the fact that four out of five people had no savings in case of an
emergency and two thirds had no home contents insurance.”
The Hardship Survey also found those missing out on life essentials were likely to have
suffered a recent major stressful event such as the death of a family member or a
significant illness or injury and were at risk of serious mental illness.
“Of all the people surveyed, just two had not experienced a stressful event in the past
12 months,” said Dr Wise.
“It also appears sole mothers experience a higher rate of stressful life events than others,
contributing to signs of serious mental illness in almost 20 per cent of cases.”
Demand for Anglicare Victoria’s emergency relief services in the months leading up to
winter was up by 34 per cent in Clayton, 23 per cent in Wangaratta, 21 per cent in
Fitzroy and 19 per cent St Albans – the Agency’s four busiest centres.
Anglicare Victoria is calling for increased resources to link clients to health and allied
services, such as the development of a central intake and referral system and co-
located programs.
The 2009 Hardship Survey involved 42 people and was conducted during the first week
of April at Anglicare Victoria emergency relief services in Lilydale, Clayton, Wangaratta
and the Melbourne CBD.
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NEWS 
