Wesley Mission Annual Report 2020 - Flipbook - Page 13
3,759 food hampers
Together, doing all the good we can
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Our values
COVID-19 Response Group
Christlike servanthood
Unfailing integrity
Courageous commitment
Pulse survey
In May 2020 we surveyed 300 managers,
asking for their experience working at
Wesley Mission. Our resilience in the face
of the pandemic was demonstrated by an
increase of four percentage points to 87
per cent of respondents, who agreed that
they’re satisfied and engaged in their work.
There were also improvements in
collaboration and the impact of people’s
job on their wellbeing.
Accelerating digital transformation
Wesley Learning & Development steadily developed
more online learning courses so that important
information could continue to reach our new staff and
managers across NSW and beyond. One of the upsides
of the pandemic was an increase in the acceptance of
online learning and communicating. This allowed us to
accelerate the transition process to host more courses
live online using platforms like Zoom and Microsoft
Teams, and develop e-learning modules for learning
on-demand.
Leading in COVID times
The assembled CRG includes cross-functional
contributors to deliver a whole-of-organisation
approach. Early priorities included:
In a collaboration between Wesley Learning &
Development and the COVID-19 Response Group,
‘Leading in COVID Times’ was developed for managers
on topics including, ‘How to support teams working
from home’ and ‘How to adapt your leadership style’.
These workshops also allowed managers across the
organisation to share their experiences and learn from
each other, and to get support from General Managers
and the COVID Response Group in a Q&A session.
Staff
• k
eeping our essential services open and ensuring
those, which closed temporarily, could re-open
as soon as possible
• implementing protocols as advised by NSW
Health, delivering critical training to workers and
provision of protective equipment
• s upporting individual services to define and
implement COVID-19 Safety Plans, applying
mandated infection control protocols and social
distancing measures
Volunteers
2,251
employees
813
938 part time
500 casual
full time
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Here at Wesley Mission, the safety of our people
remains our priority. Our business continuity and
crisis management plans, when enacted, restore
critical business operations and prioritise the safety
of the people we serve and our staff, in the event of
business disruption. Recognising the COVID-19
pandemic would need an extended response, with
increased demand from the community, a
dedicated COVID-19 Response Group (CRG) was
established to coordinate our actions.
staff
onboarded 85%
605 new
1,907
live
in
enrolments in
35% full time Greater Sydney 157
15%
73%
live in
regional
27%
87%
areas
agree they’re satisfied
Wesley Learning &
Development training events
and engaged in their work
4,592
• d
eveloping a working from home crisis activation
policy supported by a dedicated technology
team to assist rapid redeployment.
volunteers
including
2,043
corporate volunteers
saving
contributing
92,598
hours
$4,231,729 in wages
From mid-March to the end of the financial year,
two confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff
saw quarantine protocols enacted with no further
transmission occurring and the safety of the people
we support and our staff, protected.
The CRG is still functioning. They’re continuing to
monitor, inform and deliver updates to ensure latest
health advice is applied and our organisation
remains vigilant.
delivered
by Wesley Operation Hope
3,586 people supported
by Wesley Emergency Relief
Wesley Information Services facilitate
flexible working
Despite physical distancing restrictions, we
continued to work seamlessly together, thanks to
Wesley Information Services. Responding to the
working from home crisis activation policy, we
deployed a dedicated technology team to support
continuation of service provision, requisition of
equipment, setting up remote working and ensuring
data security outside of Wesley Mission networks.
During this period the Wesley Mission service desk:
• d
eployed 493 computers and devices
• responded to 9,064 service calls
from staff.
To ensure the safety of our
team in the event of an
outbreak or other crisis, staff
working from home or an
alternate site checked in daily
using the Wesley Whereabouts
app. Deployed quickly, the app
was built on Microsoft Power
Apps and was designed to
support staff wellbeing and keep
an accurate record should contact
tracing be required.
Pandemic significantly increases
urgent requests for help
We come alongside people facing financial
stress to help build their capacity for the future.
Wesley Emergency Relief provides immediate
assistance to anyone in imminent risk of being
unable to pay essential bills. From March to
June, 2,201 people received this type of help,
an increase of 85 per cent on the same period
last year. Families and individuals seeking
support shared the strain they’re under, where
some lost jobs due to the economic downturn,
some had their working hours reduced and
others whose visa conditions left them unable
to apply for government assistance.
Practical support was provided through bill
relief, food vouchers, critical medical
expenses, rent arrears and vouchers for
essentials such as clothes and school
uniforms. We helped families maintain their
tenancies, keep their power on during the cold
winter months and provided help and hope to
people who’ve been most affected during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
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