(Community Recognition Statement, 23 March 2022, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

On behalf of the Sydney Electorate I commend The Salvation Army for the important alcohol and drug rehabilitation treatment they provide at their Surry Hills William Booth House. 

For more than 30 years, William Booth House has provided adults who experience problems with alcohol and other drugs with safe residential rehabilitation and support. I recently visited the centre to see the access upgrade to bathrooms and kitchenettes I was able to support through a NSW Community Building Partnership grant. Like other well-established inner city services, there are practical constraints in old buildings that don't meet current access requirements, and I commend The Salvation Army's work to address this. It was exciting to hear the Salvation Army is improving access and inclusion to alcohol/drug services with flexible client-centred programs and expansion into community-based, home and online support and as well as their longstanding residential program. Many inner city health and welfare services actively making changes to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of those people needing help to address problematic alcohol/drug use and get help to more people. I congratulate the William Booth Centre staff and managers for these important steps.