About us
About

About us

Samaritans is here to support and help people through tough times. We give our help unconditionally with care and respect, empowering individuals to build their resilience and find their place in the community. Our belief in social justice means we stand up for what is right and are not afraid to amplify the voices of people in our society who go unheard.

Our story

Samaritans was borne from the desire to help people through their tough times.

Our work began back in 1984 to fulfill the social justice mission of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.

As an organisation we grew significantly since the early 1980s, and now operate over 100 support services throughout the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Mid-North Coast regions. In 2012 our work spread to Mudgee in the Central Western NSW.

Throughout these regions we offer support to many people in need including young people and families, those with disability or mental health challenges, people experiencing homelessness or crisis, and the wider community.

Our work

Samaritans is here to support people in their early years of life through our work in foster care, family support and preservation, and in our Early Learning Centres.

We are here to enrich and empower people’s lives through our disability support and mental health programs.

When people are in crisis due to experiences such as domestic violence and homelessness, Samaritans is there.

When hardship or loss means there’s not enough food to put on the table, Samaritans is there.

When people want to rebuild their lives, including those exiting prison and people with gambling addiction, Samaritans is there.

Samaritans is here for everyone. People are diverse, and so are we.

Mission, Values & Service Philosophy

Our Mission

Based on the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion, our mission is to enable people’s spirituality—worship, reflection, and prayer.

Telling people about the way of Jesus, nurturing people in the way of Jesus.

Responding to human needs with loving service, addressing violence and unjust structures—pursuing peace and reconciliation and caring for creation.

Our Values

  • Compassion – recognising, serving and supporting all who are suffering
  • Integrity – promoting honesty and equity
  • Justice – pursuing healthy communities and enabling the common good
  • Faith – relating with God and finding meaning and purpose
  • Courage – engaging uncertainty and difficulty with dignity
  • Wisdom – acquiring and applying knowledge and insight

Our Service Philosophy

Placing people at the centre of our work, you will have:

  • Reliability – I am consistently provided safe and effective services, education, or ministry.
  • Individuality – I am supported to be myself and achieve my goals.
  • Dignity – I am valued and my rights are respected.
  • Empowerment – I am equipped to be my best self and live my best life.

Our Vision

We aspire to be people’s first choice of parish, agency, school, or service.

People flourishing because of what we do, inspired by the way of Jesus.

Our ethos

In 1984, the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle established the Samaritans Foundation as its social services arm, to provide benevolent relief to those suffering poverty or distress (such as sickness, disability, destitution, suffering, misfortune or helplessness). The values of the Samaritans are anchored in the Christian faith and embody the message of the Good Samaritan, which is to love your neighbour as yourself.

Samaritans great strength comes from its workforce: people with compassion and professional care, who draw upon their diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Samaritans exists to reach out and walk beside those in need – whether that be for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the vulnerable, the incarcerated, and people living with disability. Like the Good Samaritan, every day our people respond in love to those in need rather than turning away, leaving it for someone else to do, or claiming they are too busy.

At Samaritans we aim to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and to join with them in nurturing their resilience, strength, and skills. To do this we welcome the support of all staff, volunteers and partners who are committed to serving others in a way consistent with Samaritans values of compassion, integrity, justice, faith, courage and wisdom.