A Kings Cross haven since it was established in 1964, The Wayside Chapel is part support network, part resource centre and part social collective. The hard-working and dedicated team at the Wayside provide all kinds of services for the community.
Not directly trying to solve problems, council people out of habits, change views or mould identities, the Wayside is simply a meeting point. Their team don’t set out to save anybody, but simply wish to meet them.
This might seem a simple concept, but in reality, in terms of social work, it is quite progressive. Most community groups or institutions like the Wayside are set up in a more formal way. Experts are rigidly designated from clients into positions of ‘saver’ and ‘savee’.
Instead, Wayside functions as a community where people meet each other on equal terms because they have something to offer one another. Friendship, support, a game of cards, food, a shower or clean clothes… It’s these simple gestures, given on a human level rather than a clinical one, that really enable transformation.
We are excited to announce that Graham Long, the Wayside’s pastor, will be participating in our FutureStory project. Stay tuned for his interview and learn more about how Graham and the team at the Wayside are co-creating our community and the future.
Erin Moy
You can read Graham’s stories from the Wayside here.
The Wayside is a breath of fresh air – a place where people are welcomed. Possibly a different experience than they have elsewhere in our community. Perhaps a strong welcome can transform lives.
Great to see that the Wayside’s approach is very ‘human’.