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‘No heat, no hygiene, no healthcare': Salvos reveal ‘shocking' statistics as Australians go without basic necessities
‘No heat, no hygiene, no healthcare': Salvos reveal ‘shocking' statistics as Australians go without basic necessities

Sky News AU

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Sky News AU

‘No heat, no hygiene, no healthcare': Salvos reveal ‘shocking' statistics as Australians go without basic necessities

Australians suffering financial hardship are going without heating, basic hygiene products, and healthcare services in order to make ends meet, the Salvation Army has revealed. The Salvation Army's latest research survey shows half of all people seeking their assistance are avoiding heating their homes, with 37 per cent forgoing hot showers in order to save on utility bills. The research, released as part of the Salvo's Red Shield Appeal, found 43 per cent of those who accessed their services were unable to afford basic hygiene products such as soap, toilet paper or menstrual products, while 58 per cent were unable to visit a doctor, dentist or optometrist due to lack of money. Bruce Harmer, the Salvation Army's head of external communications, told Sky News Australia the findings were 'quite shocking', even for the Salvation Army. 'Although we know that there are many people in need, the need seems to be deepening, and people find themselves in what I class as a prison of poverty, and they're unable to escape no matter how much they try,' he said. An Australia Institute survey released in October found more than 52 per cent of Australian households were in a somewhat worse or much worse financial situation compared to two years earlier, while only 15 per cent said they were doing somewhat better or much better. Mr Harmer said the Salvos' own findings showed things were getting worse for many people, and the Salvation Army was also beginning to see different groups coming to them for assistance. 'Those who have supported our red shield appeal in the past are now having to come to us for support. And you know, they're people with a great deal of pride,' he said, before encouraging those who need help to reach out. 'If you're finding it difficult to make ends meet, even if you've been a supporter or you have employment, come and see the Salvation Army. 'We can help you with budgeting. We can talk to creditors, advocate on behalf of you, and ensure that you don't slide down that slippery slope any further. 'We have a range of services. We have our money care service, which helps with budgeting and advocacy. We have our doorway service… it's the doorway through which anyone from the community can come and receive support from the Salvation Army and referrals to our other agencies and partner agencies. 'We can help with hampers, and vouchers, and electricity bills, and all those kinds of things. But also offer wrap-around services. We want people not just to have a transaction with the Salvation Army… We want their situation to be changed because of their engagement with us.' The Salvos' research found that one in four people who reached out for help had had their electricity disconnected in the past year, while 46 per cent said their mental health had worsened over the past year. Of those who suffered with a disability or chronic health condition, 27 per cent could not afford necessary aids or equipment such as a wheelchair or hearing aid. 'The lengths that Australians are having to resort to in order to survive is truly heartbreaking. Behind every stat in this Salvos research are real people who we have supported, many of whom are trapped in a prison of poverty and feel they do not have any hope,' Mr Harmer said. One 37-year-old woman surveyed as part of the research said she had to choose between medical treatment and being able to afford food. 'I haven't been able to access the mobility aids I need and therefore been restricted in my movements and ability to access the communities. I had to suffer through rent increase because I couldn't afford to move,' the woman said. Another woman, aged 52, said she was living from pay cheque to pay cheque and often went without food. 'My clothes are falling off me as I have lost weight, and I can't afford to buy ones that fit. I can't afford fuel for my car, so that leaves me isolated at home, affecting my mental health even worse than it already is.' The research surveyed 3,586 community members who had received food, financial assistance or material aid from The Salvos. Of those, 90 per cent said they wouldn't have managed without the support of The Salvation Army. The well-known charity and religion organisation is aiming to raise $38 million by June 30 to ensure their 2000 services across the country can continue to support Australians doing it tough. In the past year, the Salvos provided assistance to one person every 17 seconds, with more than 1.76 million sessions of care given to over 250,000 people in need. The organisation provided more than 1.1 million bed nights and more than 1.5 million meals to people who accessed their homelessness services.

Cold washes, no soap for those stuck in poverty prison
Cold washes, no soap for those stuck in poverty prison

Perth Now

time23-06-2025

  • Health
  • Perth Now

Cold washes, no soap for those stuck in poverty prison

Cold showers without soap, going without medical care and struggling to pay for transport are daily realities for thousands of Australians living below the poverty line. That's the grim picture revealed by a survey of more than 3500 Australians who lean on the Salvation Army for support. More than one third of people only use cold water to wash, while 43 per cent revealed they cannot afford toilet paper, menstrual products or soap. Cost-of-living struggles are already having an impact on the next generation, with 34 per cent revealing their children missed school because they couldn't afford the fuel or public transport fares needed to drop them off. Some 3.3 million Australians live below the poverty line, the Australian Council of Social Services says. That's equivalent to about 13.4 per cent of the population, or one in eight adults and one in six children. "The lengths that Australian's are having to resort to in order to survive is truly heartbreaking," Salvation Army Major Bruce Harmer said. "Behind every stat in this Salvos research are real people who we have supported, many of whom are trapped in a prison of poverty and feel they do not have any hope." One woman, who the charity did not name, said she lived paycheck to paycheck and often goes without food. "My clothes are falling off me as I have lost weight and I can't afford to buy ones that fit," she said. "I can't afford fuel for my car, so that leaves me isolated at home, affecting my mental health even worse than it already is." One-in-four people who took part in the survey had their electricity disconnected while one on five had to couch surf over the past 12 months. About seven in 10 said they lost sleep over their finances and almost half said their mental health had worsened over the past year. The Salvation Army released the survey findings to coincide with their Red Shield Appeal, which aims to raise $38 million by the end of June.

Community backs appeal to tune of $10K
Community backs appeal to tune of $10K

Otago Daily Times

time24-05-2025

  • General
  • Otago Daily Times

Community backs appeal to tune of $10K

Salvation Army Captains Paul and Jocelyn Smith with Cameron McIntosh, 19, of Oamaru, who spent eight hours collecting for the Red Shield Appeal. PHOTO: JULES CHIN The Salvation Army Red Shield appeal in the Waitaki District made over $10,000 this year thanks to volunteers and generous public support. The funds raised will go directly into the community through welfare support, food banks and social services. Salvation Army Captain Jocelyn Smith was "really, really happy" with the results. "We had Scouts and the Lions clubs, the three high schools and volunteers from all over the place. "We cracked just over $10,000. It's great. We needed that." Last year, the Salvation Army produced over 700 food parcels for people in need. The high cost of living had since increased demand. Capt Smith said the appeal was also a great way for Salvation Army volunteers to be face-to-face with the public. "People say beautiful things, such as I want to give to the Sallies, my son's in rehab at the moment and you guys are helping him to get sober. Or you guys helped me when we had no food and got us through a really tough time and we really appreciate it." Those stories were "golden". Capt Smith said the amount of money, resources and personnel required to keep up the community support was "big", with only one staff member working 20 hours a week and three part-time volunteers helping with the food bank.

Adelaide mother-of-four admits to stealing food amid cost-of-living crisis
Adelaide mother-of-four admits to stealing food amid cost-of-living crisis

7NEWS

time22-05-2025

  • General
  • 7NEWS

Adelaide mother-of-four admits to stealing food amid cost-of-living crisis

A mother-of-four has made the shocking admission she regularly shoplifts to feed her children amid the cost-of-living crisis. Nakiah* said she feels guilty but blames rising food prices for leaving her with little choice to ensure her children do not go hungry. 'No parent wants to hear your kid say 'I'm still hungry' after dinner,' Nakiah told 7NEWS. 'I feel guilt but at the same time I don't because it's for my children — I'll do anything for my children.' The single mother, from Adelaide's northern suburbs, is not alone, with Salvation Army data released ahead of the charity's annual Red Shield Appeal showing the cost-of living crisis is having widespread impact. The Red Shield Report 2025 — which surveyed 3586 vulnerable Australians who had received food, financial aid or material aid from The Salvation Army — found almost a quarter (24 per cent) had eaten food past its expiry date to save money. It also found one in 20 Australians have taken and eaten food from bins outside supermarkets and restaurants, while a majority of people are skipping meals. Nakiah said the rising costs of housing and essential services and other basic living expenses meant there was often not enough money left to adequately feed her family. She admits to shoplifting at least once a fortnight so her children don't go to bed hungry, saying it is her last resort — and it frightens her. 'You walk through (the shops) just watching and knowing I'm about to do something like that — it's so scary,' she told 7NEWS. 'So many people are just brought to guilt and shame to do the wrong thing when they don't want to. 'We can't do this any more, we can't keep living like this.' Salvation Army spokesperson Robyn Lorimer said many people across Australia were cutting corners to make ends meet. 'We're finding people would prefer to sit in the dark than put their lights on,' she said. 'For some, they're even having to go to a public toilet or shopping centre just to shower because they can't justify the water costs.' The Salvation Army is aiming to raise $2 million in its annual Red Shield appeal this weekend, to support those people doing it tough — and to intervene before more of them resort to crime.

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