Blog
AlayaCare employees steps up to raise funds for client charities
Throughout October, the employees of AlayaCare (‘AlayaCarians’) came together to take on the Walktober challenge – a month long celebration of the physical and mental health benefits of walking. Our teams also took this opportunity to raise vital funds for three key programs and charities being led by our clients: the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Anti-Poverty Week Campaign, the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program and BaptistCare’s HopeStreet.
Making health a priority
With many parts of Australia having endured long periods of lockdown and social isolation for nearly two years, many of us have felt that our physical and mental health had taken a hit. We know that exercise plays a crucial role in not only our physical wellbeing, but our mental health too. However, we also understand that getting back into the swing of regular exercise can be tough.
That’s why we encouraged our teams at AlayaCare to take part in Walktober, so we could all motivate and inspire each other to get moving again and feel healthier. And our teams absolutely rose to the challenge. Together, we pulled on our sneakers, got out into nature, and recorded a sensational 8,114,550 steps!
Throughout the month, our teams shared selfies and photos from their walking adventures, and we awarded gift vouchers each week for those who recorded the most steps and raised the most money. At AlayaCare, we take pride in our positive and supportive team culture, and the enthusiasm we saw from our people throughout Walktober is a testament to that.
Stepping up for our clients
Walktober wasn’t just about fitness and improving our physical and mental wellbeing. We also wanted to come together in the spirit of AlayaCare to show support for some incredible programs being led by our clients. Together, we raised a total of $4,144 which we are delighted to present to these three organisations, who have been working tirelessly to support and care for our communities.
Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Anti-Poverty Week Campaign
The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) hosts a campaign every October that aligns with Anti-Poverty Week. Currently, there 3.2 million people living below the poverty line in Australia – and the number of children living in poverty is higher than any other age group.
BSL is a social justice organisation that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia. They recognise that creating stability through early childhood education and family support, along with career pathways and training opportunities for parents and carers, puts children and families in the best possible position to get themselves out of the poverty line , prepare for school and work, and enjoy sustained success.
During Anti-Poverty Week, BSL encourages all Australians to take action and focus on positive solutions to end poverty. The money raised during their Anti-Poverty Week campaign goes towards BSL’s vital children and families’ programs and services.
Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program
We’re also proud to support the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program (AVCLP), which aims to build the leadership capacity in the North East Victoria and border regions. As part of the program, participants join into small teams to undertake a community project. One of these projects is to create a vibrant mural at Yarrunga Primary School, Wangaratta which celebrates the diversity of the school community, and aims to make everyone feel welcome, valued and included. Consultation with the Year 5 and 6 students will develop a series of ideas and themes for the artwork. These themes will be interpreted by a carefully selected artist and translated into an image for the mural.
BaptistCare’s HopeStreet
The third initiative we’ve raised money for is BaptistCare’s HopeStreet. HopeStreet is a trusted place in some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities, offering hope to people living with disadvantage and distress. Through this program, BaptistCare provides unique, targeted services that meet the local needs of different communities by reaching out to those who feel they are on the outside.
HopeStreet supports people and families who are trying to overcome great personal trials, including relationship breakdown, domestic violence, long-term unemployment, homelessness, and mental health or addiction issues. They also connect with people who are caught in a cycle of poverty and debt, and often have diminished choices and opportunity to break out of this.
From the team at AlayaCare, we feel privileged to be able to give back to these incredible charities who make a true difference in our communities everday.We’ve also loved seeing all our people come together to make a commitment to feeling fitter, healthier and mentally stronger as we move into the new year. See you again for Walktober 2022!
At AlayaCare, we’re proud to offer an exceptional place to work. We put the health and wellbeing of our people and our clients first, and we strive to build a culture that is empowered, compassionate, positive and collaborative. To work with us, check out our careers page and current job openings: https://alayacare.com/careers/