Women In Social Enterprise (WISE) coordinator Susanna Carpi wants people working in the care sector and support services industry to come together and talk about how to handle the big social impact issues facing our community.

She’s keen to see business people, organisations, service providers, professionals and community members committed to lasting positive change attend the Social Impact! Lismore networking event this Thursday, August 28 at the Lismore Regional Gallery. 

According to Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers, healthcare and social assistance is the largest employer in the Lismore City, making up 22.6% of total employment.

Women In Social Enterprise (WISE) coordinator Susanna Carpi.

“The social services and caring industry is huge in our region,” Susanna said. “A lot of changes in service delivery have taken place over the past few years and this has caused issues, even creating competition for funding.

“The aim of Social Impact! Lismore is to build community spirit in a cohesive way and openly share resources to ensure social longevity for our services and clients.

“Our first step is to strengthen connections with each other, voice concerns and passions and what we’d like to see happen.”

WISE is a project of local charity Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc (NORWACS). Susanna said its aim is to develop a program develop for women and community through social enterprise with financial sustainability. 

“When I first stepped into the WISE role, I needed to discover and define the problems facing us,” Susanna said. 

“It became apparent we have wonderful crisis and employment support, but have gaps in support pathways to successful outcomes, such as a lack of accommodation support, or people not knowing what is out there. 

“Sometimes services are duplicated and sometimes collaborations are not supported or even considered suspect.

“No one knows what anyone else is doing, even when there are great programs out there and clients and participants are hampered by old attitudes and skewed past structures.

“If we can connect and come together with common interests as a cohesive community, we can collaborate and codesign programs.

“One of the bigger issues we are facing is homelessness. We need to focus on the wellbeing of women and social equality and not what we can do in isolation.

“Whether you are working in aged care, disability, crisis, domestic violence support, homelessness, women’s, youth, refugee, cultural or health services services, come along and bring your knowledge, experience, and wisdom to the networking event.”

Social Impact! Lismore is a free event but RSVPs are appreciated so catering can be organised.

Social Impact! Lismore will be held at Lismore Regional Gallery on Thursday, August 28, 5.30-7.30pm. 

For information or to RSVP, visit https://www.latest.facebook.com/events/2323229781248649/