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Changing Systems, Changing Lives: How Uniting Keeps People at the Centre
13 July 2025 by The Communications Team
Uniting NSW.ACT has set out a simple but bold aim: to help people live better lives by challenging the systems that hold them back.
On Day 2 of Synod 2025 Uniting NSW.ACT presented their report to members.
Uniting NSW.ACT has set out a simple but bold aim: to help people live better lives by challenging the systems that hold them back. Its latest Statement of Missional Intent shows how it’s doing this, working alongside the Uniting Church to serve people and push for deeper change.
Working for fairness and inclusion
Uniting’s work covers a lot of ground. It delivers care and support to seniors, families, children, people living with disability and people facing homelessness. But it doesn’t stop there. Uniting also uses its voice to call for change in laws and policies that keep people trapped in disadvantage. This includes pushing for drug law reform, more funding for early learning, better support for kids leaving state care, and stronger action on climate change.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea: people matter. That means making sure everyone, especially those who are excluded or disadvantaged, can live with dignity and hope.
Putting First Nations justice into practice
Uniting is guided by the Covenant the Uniting Church made in 1994 with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. This isn’t just words on paper. It’s about action: growing the First Nations workforce, building cultural capability across services, and shifting decision-making to First Nations-led organisations.
Uniting has also created partnerships with Aboriginal communities and businesses, launched cultural training, and supported campaigns like raising the age of criminal responsibility.
Beyond care: changing systems
Uniting knows real change means tackling root causes. That’s why it combines direct help with advocacy and innovation. Some of its key efforts include:
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Early learning: making sure every child can attend preschool and be ready for school by age five.
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Out-of-home care: reducing the number of children, especially Aboriginal children, in care.
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Youth transitions: helping young people leaving care find housing, education or jobs.
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Fair Treatment: shifting drug policy from punishment to support and treatment.
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Climate justice: reducing the organisation’s environmental footprint and calling for fair climate action.
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Support for older people: pushing for affordable aged care and housing so seniors can live safely and stay connected.
Faith in action
Uniting’s work is shaped by its Christian foundation: “Christ invites us to serve humanity to create an inclusive, connected and just world.” This belief guides how staff and volunteers act every day—with compassion, imagination, respect and courage.
Through chaplaincy, pastoral care, and shared projects with local congregations, Uniting keeps its faith at the centre of its work. Volunteers, staff and leaders are supported to grow in understanding these values so that service isn’t just about meeting needs, but about seeing and honouring each person.
People first, systems change second
At its core, Uniting’s mission isn’t only to fix immediate problems, but to build a fairer society. It does this by listening, partnering, learning, and daring to try new ways. The report shows that real change takes both compassion for individuals and courage to challenge broken systems.
And it all comes back to one idea: everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, hope and belonging.
About the Author
As part of Synod Mission Services, the Communications Team provides communications services for the Synod of NSW and the ACT to tell the story of the Uniting Church to both its members and to amplify the mission, advocacy and work of the Uniting Church to the community and the media. Congregations across the Synod are comprised of tireless volunteers, who are God's "hands and feet" in their communities and the Communications team loves to share these stories.
The team also manages media enquiries and media training, end to end event management, strategic social media management, website development and design and the production of print media. The Communications team works closely with Congregations and Presbyteries, and offer advice and training for digital ministry best practice.
For more information from the Communications Team, click here.
Just One Gift Can Change a Life This Christmas
02 December 2025
Western Sydney’s grassroots community services are joining forces this Christmas to launch the Just One campaign—a collective appeal showing how one act of kindness can change the course of a life.
Five local organisations unite to support Western Sydney families in need
Western Sydney’s grassroots community services are joining forces this Christmas to launch the Just One campaign—a collective appeal showing how one act of kindness can change the course of a life.
The campaign brings together five Uniting Church organisations—Parramatta Mission, Junction 142, Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney, Bidwill Uniting, and Gateway Family Services — each providing essential, local support to people doing it tough.
From emergency meals and safe beds to a crisis call helpline, playgroups, and Christmas hampers, the Just One network of care meets people where they are, offering practical help and compassion when it’s needed most.
“Hardship rarely comes on its own,” said Craig Corby, spokesperson for the Just One campaign.
“Someone who can’t afford food might also be struggling with rent or isolation. By working together, these five organisations ensure help reaches people in joined-up ways—food, shelter, support, and hope.”
Every dollar donated to Just One is shared equally among the five partners, multiplying the impact of each gift.
This Christmas, the campaign invites the community to make Just One gift—a donation that can:
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Provide a warm meal or shower and hygiene pack for someone experiencing homelessness.
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Fund a helpline to answer the call of a person in crisis.
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Deliver a Christmas hamper to a local family.
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Support a playgroup that helps parents connect and rebuild confidence.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by need,” said Terese Williams, Gateway Family CEO. “But this campaign reminds us that one gift, one meal, one phone call, one moment of care—it all adds up. Together, we can change lives right here in our own neighbourhoods.”
The Just One campaign is coordinated through the Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, with 100% of funds supporting frontline work across the five partner organisations.
How to Help
Visit here to donate or learn more about how Just One act of generosity can change a life this Christmas.