We have the enormous privilege of watching people turn their lives around from destructive patterns and make the journey into life and freedom and positive change. It is never an easy transition but one that requires recognition of destructive patterns, positive choices, hard work, and support, but once those things are established there is a momentum that slowly builds and as the old life dies, it makes room for the new.

Recently we were down the coast and staying near a lake that had opened to the sea after being closed for several years. While closed, the lake becomes stagnant and unclear and sometimes smelly! On a daily basis while we holidayed, we watched the absolute wonder of the tides pulling out the old water and debris from the far corners of the lake, and then turn, and bring into the lake clear, unpolluted water from the ocean. We were struck by the tidal phenomena and the awareness that there are times and seasons and systems established on the earth that nothing can hold back.

Launching into the new year, we are acutely aware that 2026 is a new season, and with it comes the opportunity to let go of and allow the old, stagnant and smelly waters of the past season to flow out of our lives, and allow the fresh, clear, healthy waters of the new to flow in.

It’s the perfect time to reset, to let go of offences, negative attitudes, gossip, destructive habits, old mindsets, and to open our lives to forgiveness, love, health, purity, fresh direction, and all things good! Letting go requires humility, it requires some quiet space to assess the areas of our lives that are stagnant or unhealthy. It also might require some personal development in order to make the shift and a support team in place to encourage positive choices.

Let’s not miss the opportunity we have to receive all the beautiful clear water that the tide is bringing in as we open our hearts.

Much Love,

Meg and Pete

As we turn the page of the calendar on 2025 and open up to 2026 we are looking at some significant changes to the way we operate at the Warehouse.Over the break we have taken the opportunity to evaluate how the warehouse has grown and to assess the priorities that we place on our time, resources and capacity in order to best serve the needs of our Salt community.

The collection, maintenance and distribution of donated household furniture items has grown to such an extent that this side of the operation has taken its toll on our limited manpower, transport costs and warehouse storage capacity.As a result we have realised that our focus should be on sourcing, collection and distribution of the foodstuff that is available to us, both locally and through Food Bank, Second Bite / Fare Share in Sydney.

We look forward to serving our community with a stronger emphasis on their immediate needs.

Peter & Cheryl

Casual Disability Support Workers – Join the Salt Team

Salt is currently seeking passionate and reliable Casual Disability Support Workers in Shoalhaven to join our growing team.

We offer a variety of rewarding casual opportunities across our Home & Living (SIL) services and 1:1 community-based supports. In this role, you will support participants both in their homes and out in the community, helping them live more independent and fulfilling lives.

Regular shifts are available across a 24/7 roster, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and overnight sleepover shifts.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Assisting participants with personal care tasks such as showering, toileting, and dressing

• Supporting meal preparation and daily household activities

• Administering medication and providing mobility assistance as required

• Delivering meaningful, active support to help participants achieve their individual goals and build independence

We value candidates who demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to providing person-centred support for people with disability

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence using computers

• Initiative, reliability, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Flexibility and availability across a rotating roster

• Previous experience or knowledge in disability support (desirable but not essential)

Requirements:

• Willingness to obtain an NDIS Worker Check, Working With Children Check, First Aid/CPR and complete in NDIS leaning Orientation modules.

• Valid NSW Driver Licence, comprehensive insurance and access to a reliable vehicle.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference and want to be part of a supportive and dynamic team, we would love to hear from you. Please email resume to [email protected].

Belinda

As the new year begins, so do new beginnings for the participants of our Wellness AOD Program. Over the past months, we have shared stories of struggle, disappointment, hope, optimism, joy, and peace. This group continues to evolve, and with it, I’ve witnessed some truly remarkable changes in the people.

Some of the most powerful moments are the small ones: the person who spent their first three sessions staring at the floor now lifting their head and making eye contact, or the participant who finally found the courage to speak about an experience they never imagined sharing in a group setting. These moments matter. They are signs of trust forming, safety growing, and people beginning to believe in themselves again.

Last year, one of our participants entered rehab and is now halfway through his treatment. Another begins the process of residential rehab this week. When they complete their programs, we will be here ready to support them through recovery, offering housing, community, and a place where they are valued. I truly believe that most people seeking recovery are longing for connection, community, and acceptance. Salt Care provides exactly that, a safe space where people are understood, supported, and not given up on.

As we move forward into 2026, our growth in both numbers and strength is encouraging. We now have 35 participants who have completed intakes. Our Wednesday farm program has welcomed more than 10 participants each week for the past 10 weeks. Last week, we held our first Thursday Recovery Conversation Group at the Safe Shelter, which was well received by everyone who attended.

With harvest season beginning at the farm, participants who have watched the transformation of the land are eager to get involved. Being part of the harvest gives many a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

Our AOD Recovery House in Bomaderry continues to thrive, and we are preparing to open a second house within the next three months. Other service providers have begun reaching out after hearing positive feedback from participants, which is a testament to the work being done here.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Alex and Sally Campbell for preparing the farm and offering unwavering love and support to everyone who comes through. Thank you also to Joshua Banks, whose natural ability to connect with people makes a real difference, and to Rob, who has recently joined us and already brings so much strength and encouragement to the group.

This year holds the promise of new life, new hope, and new possibilities for people who may have once felt lost. Together, we will continue to walk alongside them one step, one story, and one victory at a time.

Cameron

We had a very big December in the Salt Store!

We were blessed to be able to provide toys to families who were doing it tough, helping to make their children’s Christmas special. This was made possible through East Nowra Public School and members of our Salt community. A huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who generously gave their time to make this happen.

Our volunteers also packed over 400 Christmas hampers, with the help of a local homeschooling group who kindly joined us for the day. It was a wonderful time of community, with everyone working together to ensure those around us could enjoy a joyful Christmas. We finished the day by sharing a lovely lunch together.

After a well-earned break over the Christmas holidays, our volunteers are excited to return to the Salt Store on Tuesday the 3rd and Thursday the 5th of February. We look forward to catching up with all our friends and neighbours again.

If you would like to volunteer and join our wonderful Salt Store team, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Take care,
Donna

Love is in the air, and our farm-grown seasonal flowers are blooming beautifully just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Our Posies for a Purpose are perfect as a heartfelt gift for someone you love, and every purchase helps support the work Salt Care does in our community.

You’ll find fresh bunches available at local cafés including:

  Hyper Hyper Coffee

  Flour Water Salt

  The local Jervis Bay

Every bunch tells a story of care from the soil at Sassafras to the hands that grew it, and the community it helps support.

We would love to introduce to you Elisha Ball who as part of the Salt Community has travelled overseas to NZ and Fiji for two years to serve the Fijian people through her OT skills onboard The YWAM ship Koha. Elisha will be sharing with us an update each newsletter as she represents Salt in the mission.

“I’ve arrived safely onto the medical ship, the YWAM Koha, stepping into new beginnings and rekindling friendships. We have spent the first week receiving teaching, listening, and praying into our challenges and God’s vision for this year. We built an honour code of conduct among the team. As you know, Jesus teaches us about honoring family and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ll be learning to love through tiredness and discomfort!

Many other medical ships and mariners in our port are working, highly qualified, and there to succeed (alongside some good Kiwi banter). I’ve been thinking about how we are perceived by others in the ship workforce, asking myself how I can show Salt and light in a tough work environment. We will be doing dry dock in a month, where we take the boat out of the water and do maintenance on the hull. I will be getting my hands dirty, eager to learn new skills.

Although this week has been a challenge transitioning to a new (and condensed) home, I feel so at peace and am honoured to be here with God on His mission.

Blessings and warm regards,

Elisha

If you feel led to give, see details below Direct transfer:

ACC Name: Elisha Ball

BSB:670-864

ACC: 41416402

Tax deductible donation:

ACC name: Salt Care

BSB: 062 585

ACC: 109-496-87

Description: Elisha Ball199

As we look ahead to the year to come, we’d love to invite more people from our community to get involved as volunteers across Salt.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and there are many meaningful ways to be part of the work – whether you have a few hours a week or a little time each month.

We’re currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:
• Salt Store – helping pack and distribute grocery hampers
• The Book Store – supporting our second-hand bookshop
• Safe Shelter – assisting with meals and evening support
• Wellness Farm – especially during harvest season, helping with picking and farm tasks

Volunteering with Salt is a chance to connect with others, contribute to your local community, and be part of something that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and our team will be in touch.

Thank you to every volunteer who already gives so generously of their time – you are the heartbeat of Salt!

Meg

With some of the mowing crew managing to take a break over the holiday period, the Salt & Co. mowing team have continually worked deep into the warmer months staying ahead of the grass getting too wild

This has been a great opportunity to push ourselves keeping up with demand providing a fresh lawn cut for our clients.

From mowing to pruning, weeding and hedging we’re covering a large scope of lawn services required.

If you need any assistance with your yard these warmer months please reach out to the Salt & Co. mowing service team at [email protected]

Mitch