Wesley Mission Victoria (WMV) will join the UnitingCare Network Project (UCNP) following approval from the Uniting Church Synod Standing Committee at its March meeting. It confirms Wesley as the 26th UnitingCare agency to be part of the network.
In announcing the news, Bob Hodges, Chair of the UCNP Project Control Group, and Sue Norman, Chair of WMV, said the best interests of the community drove the decision during a time of significant reform in the community services sector.
“The purpose of establishing a single agency is to better champion the capacity and skills of the network as a whole, sharing best practice and expertise in client care, and speaking as one voice for social advocacy,” Mr Hodges said.
“Wesley Mission Victoria joining the network project is an exciting development and testament to the strong spirit of collaboration in the Uniting Church community.”
With a combined annual turnover of $237 million, 3500 staff and 4000 volunteers, the 26 agencies currently provide a wide range of services that support thousands of people across Victoria and Tasmania.
Ms Norman said it was an important decision for the future of WMV.
“The agency holds a special place in Melbourne’s heart, and this decision provides the best opportunity for the organisation to continue its important work in the community for many years to come,’’ she said.
“We’re here to make a difference to people’s lives and this decision is about delivering the best possible outcomes for the people supported by us now and in the future.’’
The UCNP Project Control Group is responsible for developing the governance and high level organisational structure of the new agency with resulting changes to be implemented progressively during the second half of 2016.
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