The glue that holds public and private sectors together

Western Australia's not-for-profit sector is an essential, cohesive part of the state’s infrastructure.

For Ronald McDonald House Charity WA chief executive Peter King, NFPs are the “glue” in bringing public and private sectors together.

“When we talk about the not-for-profit sector in Australia, some may visualise it as a third wheel to the public and private sectors, and this is true of a time past,” Mr King said.

“The reality today is it’s the glue in how all three sectors create prosperity and wellbeing for all Australians.

“At a macro level, the NFP sector has a critical role in the advocacy, protection and sustainability of vulnerable people, cultures and environment and, I would argue, they all are intrinsic to quality of life.”

Mr King argues that there has been a steady shift in recent years of greater collaboration and integration across the three sectors to unite in shared purpose and systems change.

For St Bart's chief executive Samantha Drury, a society devoid of NFPs is a society that is less connected, less caring and less able to address the needs of its most vulnerable members.

It would mean the 587 men, 349 women, seven gender diverse people and 42 children who are currently either residing with or being supported by St Bart's would be forced into, or at very real risk of, homelessness.

“A society without NFPs such as St Bart's would see increased poor health outcomes for people due to a lack of access to basic healthcare, nutrition, hygiene and sleep, placing significant pressure on our current health system,” Ms Drury said.

She said increased crime as individuals resorted to criminal activity to survive or support drug or alcohol addiction, along with exacerbated mental health issues due to disconnection from families, communities and society, would be a result of a lack of NFPs providing vital social services.

“It is precisely why the 170-strong workforce at St Bart’s comes to work each day to ensure the voices of the people in our services are heard, and their goals for a more positive future are worked towards,” Ms Drury said.

Without organisations such as St Bart's, governments and private entities would have to fill this gap, which is not feasible nor desirable.

NFPs bring groups together

Foodbank WA chief executive Kate O’Hara also sees the cohesive qualities of hard-working NFPs.

“The NFP sector plays a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and meeting the fundamental needs of our society,” Ms O’ Hara said.

“Through both the COVID pandemic and emergency responses over the past few years, it has become very clear that not-for-profit organisations can rise to meet any challenge and can work collaboratively and cohesively to meet the needs for its collective services.”

Over the past two years, NFP organisations have worked in overdrive to provide food assistance, welfare support, mental health support and animal rescue. And the list goes on.

NFPs have demonstrated the valuable role they play in society and that, without them, there are many services which would not be available, including feeding the hungry.

“Sadly, in our experience there are so many people who are only a few bills away from a crisis,” Ms O’Hara said.

“It is almost a domino effect of how unexpected bills can come in and you have to choose whether you pay the electricity, rent or buy food.

“Without enough food people, especially kids, will struggle at work and at school.

“If people don’t pay the rent on time, eviction becomes a real concern and so it mounts up.

“Relationships get strained and very quickly, this slope gets steeper and steeper as the debt climbs.

“It can all very quickly unravel. At Foodbank WA we see it every day.”

It’s this version of life without NFPs to fall back on that painted a very barren, inhumane and disconnected picture of escalating trauma for those who were already struggling, Ms O’Hara said.

'NFPs are the glue'

“At Foodbank WA, we firmly believe that NFPs are the glue between governing bodies and those that have lost their way or can get overlooked,” she said.

“The government simply cannot fulfil each and every requirement or need in society. Government process also affects capacity to implement quick response.

“That’s where we fit in.

“NPFs can be the society shapers that fill the gaps, connecting with all types of households.

“We act like the conduit between the various government agencies with which we work, as well as amongst each other to assist households living with a variety of stresses and need support including financial counselling, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol issues, social isolation and many other services.”

This vital work – providing a link between those who have and those who have not – is only possible with strong relationships between the private, public and NFP sectors.

“Our over-riding strategy means we will be able to ensure every Western Australian family and their children have the opportunity to reach their full potential and not suffer food insecurity and poverty,” Ms O’Hara said.

“This means closing the gap amongst all communities and populations regardless of who they are in our community and, lastly, ensuring that we can continue to address food shortfall and food insecurity whilst having the ability to grow and meet demand throughout the state.”