Dedicated to Serving the Community
Anglicare WA started life in 1976 as the Anglican Health and Welfare Services (AWHS) after Archbishop Geoffrey Sambell produced a report in 1972 and outlined his plan for such a service to Synod in 1973. Today we continue to honour his vision and determination for a just and fair Western Australia.
A Common Thread of Care and Compassion
Our Connection - a Message from Anglicare WA's Chaplain
Anglicare WA emerged through the Anglican Church, and we proudly remain part of the Anglican Community today, together with embracing inclusivity and diversity across our entire WA community.
Half a century on, Archbishop Geoffrey’s concept of a welfare and justice arm of the Anglican Church has evolved and expanded in its scope and range of services. In our growth, we acknowledge the importance of our continuing relationship with the Anglican Community across WA, which comprises the Dioceses of Bunbury, Perth and North-West Australia.
Church partnerships with parishes, schools and other Anglican care and service agencies strengthen the work of Anglicare WA and enable the Anglican community to fulfil its calling to serve. These relationships have strengthened our ability to reach out to a growing number of children, young people and families all over our state.
Anglicare WA offer a number of resources to assist faith communities in their community service. We have a range of resources available to parishes and provide advice and consultancy for local projects through our Church Partnerships team.
Chris Thomason
Chaplain
Archbishop Geoffrey Sambell's Vision
In the 1960s, the Anglican Church began moves to establish a social service agency in Western Australia. However, it was not until the early 1970s that concrete progress was made.
In June 1972, the 5th Archbishop of Perth, Geoffrey Sambell, produced a paper titled 'The Church and its place in health and welfare services'. The following year, as part of his Synod Charge, he set out a how and why the Church was to develop in its dedication to social welfare.
Sambell’s vision entailed a service agency that would empower clients to experience a sense of health and wholeness, and which “must always be ready to give an account of its services, to maintain standards…to continually evaluate its work and its performance and the needs it is servicing.” Indeed, the earliest work of the Field Services team was to consult with Anglican parishes to determine what needs existed in their local areas.
For People, Not for Profit
Since our founding in 1976, Archbishop Geoffrey’s vision has evolved and expanded over time, but today we still we embody the same spirit and values that drove him.
Underlining Anglicare WA's commitment to providing help to those in need are the values drawn from the history and connection to the Anglican Church. Anglicare WA’s vision and purpose aligns with Anglican’s churches mission to respond to human need by loving service and to seek to change unjust structures of society, challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
Anglicare WA values underpin the belief that we exist to assist people to move from "surviving to thriving" in today's society.
In difficult times everyone deserves to receive the help they need. We believe that everyone deserves to belong, have a hopeful future and know that they have the support they need to thrive.
Care for All
We want everyone to benefit from the care and service we provide, not just people of a religious faith.
Anglicare WA is a dynamic organisation dedicated to serving Western Australian individuals, families and communities. We offer no restrictions on who we support, just open doors and a genuine welcome. One of the core values of Anglicare WA is to be fiercely inclusive. Everyone who needs our services deserves our very best.
Anglicare WA employs people with diverse world views and experiences, all united in our shared core values and commitment to positive social impact. This deepens our capacity and our wisdom for fostering a resilient and connected community.
