About Rosies
Mission: Rosies is a community of people sharing the Oblate spirit of daring. Inspired by Gospel values, Rosies reaches out to those who are experiencing homelessness, loneliness or social isolation, to be present with them, offering them the experience of community, belonging and friendship.
Rosies aims to offer friendship and unconditional acceptance to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or are experiencing social isolation or loneliness. Just as you would offer a cup of tea or coffee to a friend who was visiting your home, we do the same for our friends on the street.
While many organisations focus on offering referrals, accommodation, education, and training few explore the loneliness that often comes with those who are homeless or socially isolated. 1 in 4 Australians say they are currently experiencing an episode of loneliness1 and 1 in 10 Australians aged 15 and over report lacking social support2. These are staggering numbers especially when you consider that social isolation has also been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, suicide, the development of dementia, premature death, poor health behaviours, smoking, physical inactivity, poor sleep, and biological effects, including high blood pressure and poorer immune function.
Many of the individuals that come to visit us on outreach have housing or jobs but are still having trouble making ends meet or simply lack a strong support system. At Rosies we welcome all of our friends with open arms and friendly smiles, you’d be amazed what a cuppa and a chat can do to change someone’s self-worth and build confidence.
Sources:
1 Australian Psychological Society 2018. Australian loneliness report: A survey exploring the loneliness levels of Australians and the impact on their health and wellbeing. Melbourne: APS.
2 Relationships Australia 2018. Is Australia experiencing an epidemic of loneliness? Findings from 16 waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia Survey. Canberra: Relationships Australia.