UCare Gawler financial counsellor Sheena Tapping has worked with hundreds of individuals and families experiencing hardship over the last 17 years. One of the biggest things she’s learned in that time is that financial wellbeing is not just about income and expenses.
“If we as financial counsellors don’t give people the credit they deserve, and if we start jumping in with all the things we think they should be doing, that doesn’t let people unpack everything that’s going on for them. There’s a lot of trauma, and a lot of healing, and you have to build trust and allow people the time and space to reflect on what’s important to them and their families.
“When we listen with purpose and ask, ‘How do you feel we can help you today?’ or ‘What’s important to you today?’ that’s about finding and respecting their values, which will then determine their priorities. It’s not about directing people toward predetermined solutions.”
UCare Gawler uses a combination of direct assistance, advocacy, education, referral pathways, No Interest Loans and more, to help individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, housing insecurity and food insecurity. Financial counsellors provide intensive and tailored support that addresses immediate crises while helping clients build long-term financial resilience.
“Our approach prioritises safety, security, dignity, and empowerment with the goal of helping people move beyond immediate crisis towards long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency,” Sheena explains. “At the heart of our work is a commitment to empowering people to recognise their strengths, make informed choices, and regain a sense of control over their lives.”
Escalating cost-of-living pressures have significantly increased demand for financial wellbeing services across the region, with sizeable increases in demand from people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community members. Sheena says that the complexity of client circumstances has also increased.
“Many individuals and families are experiencing significant financial stress due to rising housing costs, rental pressures, mortgage repayments and increasing household expenses. These pressures have contributed to rising levels of food insecurity, housing instability and debt-related hardship. People just don't have a buffer anymore, and what buffer they did have runs out pretty quickly.”
UCare Gawler maintains strong referral pathways and collaborative relationships with multiple agencies, including South Australia Police, to provide timely and coordinated support for people experiencing family and domestic violence.
“These partnerships facilitate a ‘warm referral’ approach that reduces the need for clients to repeatedly retell the story of their trauma,” Sheena says, noting that support is initiated on the same day a referral is received as much as possible.
“We’ve seen some great outcomes with women who have fled family violence with their children and had to live in their car who are now in stable housing, paying their own bills, choosing what they want to buy at the shops, and making financial decisions for themselves who will come in and say, ‘Look, my kids have outgrown these toys or these clothes – can you pass them on to another woman who needs them?’”
Sheena and her team also work closely with First Nations communities, providing flexible, responsive and less formal services.
“Sometimes this is just sitting down and having a yarn,” she says. “Every conversation is a valuable opportunity for us to learn and gain better understanding of their experiences.”
“One of the things I’ve learned is that food is a powerful tool that strengthens social and cultural bonds and plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of First Nations people. That could be helping with food for a meal, a birthday cake, or some food for a community barbecue.
“I work with one First Nations woman who has experienced so much trauma in her life it’s more than most people would be able to bear. Being able to cook a meal and share it with her family is so much more than just food. It brings her a lot of happiness.”
UCare Gawler’s financial wellbeing team have helped more than 100 locals to date, with clients reporting improved financial safety and security, greater overall wellbeing, and importantly, a stronger sense of hope for the future.
“When you see how people’s body language and demeanor change as their confidence returns, you know you’re on the right track,” Sheena says.
