We are excited to announce that The Living Room has been announced as a 'Team Innovation' Finalist in the first ever HESTA Impact Awards! 

The Living Room has been recognised for improving health outcomes and patient wellbeing by going above and beyond to provide people experiencing disadvantage with access to essential health services as part of the 2021 HESTA Impact Awards.

Finalist achievements covered sustainability, gender equity, health and diversity and inclusion initiatives, including a hospital-wide recycling program, health literacy sessions for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and a free online career support program for women in need.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said she was impressed with the calibre of the finalists, who are in the running to share a $30,000 prize pool.

“Our health and community services professionals care about the future of our society, economy and planet and do incredible things every day to make the world a better place,” Ms Blakey said.

Launched last year, the Awards were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for making measurable progress to tackle world challenges, including ending hunger, inequality and reducing climate change, by 2030.

Youth Projects was announced alongside 10 other award finalists celebrating achievements across sustainability, gender equality, health and diversity and inclusion initiatives across three categories. 

When asked about the most rewarding part of our service to the community at The Living Room is, Youth Projects CEO, Ben Vasiliou shared, 

"The most rewarding part of The Living Room is the change we see in the people we support. Whether it be through addressing health concerns or attending counselling, or as simple as giving someone a signified place to have a shower, charge their phone, get new clothes, and have a meal. "

"To be able to lifts their spirits by providing access to the most basic of human rights is truly amazing to see each day."

An independent judging panel will select the winners across three categories (Team Innovation, Outstanding Organisation and Individual Distinction) who will each take home $10,000 to help them continue their work to create a better and more sustainable future. The Award winners will be announced on Wednesday 24 February 2021 via a live, public broadcast on awards.hesta.tv

Youth Projects would also like to congratulate the ten other finalists announced today - each and every organisation and individual are creating a better world.

 

For more information and the list of finalists, check out the HESTA Impact Awards.