STEPS participants have been working alongside non-profit organisation Rosies – Friends on the Street, to prepare a hundred meals a week for people experiencing homelessness and social isolation in Cairns. Since first partnering with Rosies in October 2023, STEPS have prepared over three thousand meals.

Every Friday, Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) participants spend the day cooking over one hundred meals to help the local community and give participants hands-on and holistic learning experiences.

Chloe Hunter, a STEPS Participant Support Officer based in Cairns, says the goal of STEPS’ partnership with Rosies is to help participants grow through serving others.

“Cooking for Rosies is just one of our class-based activities that encourage our participants to do something for others who may be worse off than they are,” Ms Hunter said.

“These kinds of activities help to build confidence, particularly social confidence, and build new friendships. Our participants interact with each other while they prepare and cook, and they connect with the community through this beautiful act of cooking and giving support to the people who really need it.”

The participants have said that they love their Friday cooking sessions, as they give people the chance to exchange stories and share how they cook different recipes from different cultures.

“We’ve had people in our programs, both volunteers and participants, who have lived on the streets and relied on resources like Rosies for their meals,” Ms Hunter said.

“Even with other organisations partnering with Rosies, and all of the food prepared, there’s still not enough. We need more support, and we hope that sharing how rewarding our experience has been will encourage others to get involved with their local Rosies team.”

If you are in Queensland and want to help Rosies bring essential meals to the homeless and socially isolated in your community, visit their website to find out more information.