The Linker Service works with women over 50 and sole parents and carers of children experiencing financial hardship to develop their personal networks of support.
Through extensive consultations with people with Lived and Living Experience of poverty, the model was co-designed, piloted, then launched in July 2024.
The Wyatt Trust has backed the Linker Service with five years of funding at $1.2 million per year.
‘Linkers’ support clients and families to connect into and navigate the service system, being a stable presence during times of uncertainty. Being a Linker involves having a direct, tailored and relationship-based experience with an individual and their family.
Each Linker is based within one of five service delivery partners but, together with Wyatt, work as a network to share learnings, tackle challenges and develop practice, with client-centred practice always at the forefront. The Network also includes two peer workers employed to work alongside the Linkers.
Linker Centacare case study
Bernadette Wauchope is a Linker, based at Centacare Catholic Country SA.
“I’ve been involved with the Linker Service from the very beginning when it was being co-designed," she explains.
"Having a diverse skill set has been helpful as a Linker because flexibility is one of the most important qualities you need in this role - you just never know who’s going to come through the door and what skills you might need to help them."
"Being a Linker is primarily about relationships. It’s only when you develop a relationship with your client that’s built on trust that you’re able to support them by connecting them with the services they need. It takes time to build trust, and you’ve got to keep showing up, being authentic and honest and non-judgmental. And you’ve got to follow through, always."
David, 51, is one of Bernadette's Linker clients.
"Early on I had a fair few bills, but Bernadette has helped me out a fair bit," David says. "So, it’s been really good. She's
helped me with some things like getting a new fridge and getting things sorted out with my bills.
"When I first started, I already had a stable house, but I have my own problems in my own life. So, basically, instead of getting annoyed by trying to talk on the phone to people, I'd go and talk to her about it. And it was good because we would catch up and have coffees and make like little goals, things like make sure that all my bills are paid on time. Then we’d put all these little things in place to make sure things stay on track."
"The best part of the Linker Service is that they help you find out what is actually out there and what’s available to help you."
