More than 800 of Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents received free health checks, haircuts and essential services support through the Schrinner Council’s Homeless Connect event on Thursday 16 May.

I joined Cr Penny Wolff, Cr Danita Parry and Cr Lucy Collier and many other fantastic volunteers on the grocery store at the 29th Homeless Connect today. We were able to distribute all the kind donations our residents had dropped off to our ward offices in the weeks prior to this event.

Free transport was provided to and from the Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills, to help residents access much-needed services provided by more than 270 businesses and volunteers, including:

  • 464 health checks by medical and allied health care professionals
  • 199 haircuts and personal care appointments
  • 4263 engagements with 57 services providing housing, employment, legal and community support
  • 38 pallets distributed, including:
    • 14 pallets of clothing
    • 4 pallets of shoes
    • 20 pallets of non-perishable food items and toiletries.

Organisations like The Salvation Army, Communify QLD and Micah Projects provided their services for the event while other professionals on site included healthcare workers such as doctors, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and youth services.

Homeless Connect has supported more than 22,000 people since the event began in 2006.