Sacred Heart Mission is committed to measuring and evaluating our impact so that we continue to evolve and serve our clients’ needs. A crucial part of this evaluation is gathering client feedback. Every year, we survey clients who access our Engagement Hubs or supported accommodation.
This cohort of clients are usually not actively receiving case management so this survey allows us to learn more about who they are, what they are experiencing, how their needs are being met at Sacred Heart Mission and where some of the gaps might be.
In April 2021, 85 Sacred Heart Mission clients participated in the survey. We have collated their responses into four main categories. Hear directly from clients below about what a takeaway meal has meant to them during a time of need or how Sacred Heart Mission’s services have helped others to feel less alone.
Download our survey results here
“The food has saved my life.” – Meals Program client
More than half of the clients surveyed mentioned meals. Many noted that the Meals Program is important for food and connection.
“You don’t feel alone… you’re a part of something.” – Meals Program client
56 per cent of all clients surveyed mentioned feeling welcome, having a sense of community, our friendly staff or making friends. Some clients also described how this provides a pathway to support and contributes to a sense of safety.
“I felt lost and in a bad way and even just chatting to people has been great… I can walk because of the services they recommended.” – Meals Program client
Another theme that emerged from the survey was how Sacred Heart Mission promotes health and health-seeking behaviors. Clients shared that it was more appealing to access health services in a friendly and familiar place and that our services had few barriers often posed through paperwork and eligibility.
“I value the support, connection and contact when things were running…” – Meals Program client
Clients at Sacred Heart Central asked for the reopening of the Dining Hall and activities, citing that Covid-19 restrictions have caused them to miss out on important social connections.
We are just as eager as our clients to fully reopen our Engagement Hubs as soon as we are able to do so in a Covid-safe way. Sign up to our Heartbeat Newsletter to be notified when our Dining Hall can reopen.
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