May 2026 Newsletter
I recently witnessed a person who is part of our AOD program virtually skip down the long driveway at Sassafras Nuts on their way to the cottage, to participate in their group work. Their enthusiasm was palpable. The difference was that they had found a sense of belonging through connection that was providing them with the confidence to do the work needed to heal.
Whether volunteering at Salt, being a participant in a program, or connecting into one of our small groups or church life, one of the key goals at Salt is to provide safe spaces for people to connect and belong. Connection is key to healing and having an emotionally and spiritually healthy life. As humans we are divinely wired for it and it’s in our initial family connections we discover our value and sense of self. When these connections are damaging or absent, all sorts of problems arise.
The beauty of providing spaces to connect and belong means we are seeing people recover their lives from addiction and disfunction as they bravely step into connection. It is an incredible thing to be a part of, and to walk alongside people who have a history of broken connections and witness them start to trust again and then begin to heal as they apply the programs that are offered to them.
Thank you for supporting Salt Care and making this possible!
Much love,
Meg and Pete
Most of you are aware that Sassafras Nuts was purchased for Salt to create a Wellness Farm that offers a naturally beautiful space for people’s lives to be healed through connection with their Creator, nurture themselves and community. The bonus has been that the farm came with 1000 chestnut and walnut trees and so we have all been on such a steep learning curve in order to make the most of all the nuts!! All we can say is, that the team from the beginning until now has been phenomenal and it has been such a joy watching the farm become a space of both industry and healing as volunteers from everywhere come to manage the harvest, the flowers that are commercially grown, and the programs that run up here.
Every March and April the nuts fall from the trees, and we have had such an incredible harvest this year as the community is welcomed in to pick their own nuts, then all the rest of the nuts are taken to the Sydney markets. It’s a huge season for all of us, but a big shout out to Sally and Alex who have gone over and above in ensuring all the jobs get done this Harvest.
Harvest Fair was a wonderful celebration with market stalls, a jumping castle, pony rides and workshops for all to enjoy, as well as lots of nuts to collect. What an incredible day for the whole community! We could not have done it without Sam and Simon volunteering their time to pull it together, and Donna coordinating the volunteer teams. Thank you to all of you who make this farm the community farm that it is becoming.
Meg and Pete
The AOD recovery group at the farm continues to grow, and this month has been especially
meaningful. With harvest in full swing, participants were able to see the farm in action and take part in a yearly event that brings people together in a powerful way. Introducing community to people in recovery is something we believe deeply in. When someone has been living in addiction, community and connection often slip away, and rebuilding those bonds can feel overwhelming in the early stages of recovery.
One of the first challenges we see when working with people experiencing addiction is the deep sense of shame and hurt that comes from losing relationships or feeling disconnected from family because of past choices. Watching participants step into the rhythm of the farm, embrace the community around them, and allow themselves to belong again is genuinely inspiring.
This month’s classes focused on connection in recovery, the power of the past, and unlearning negative self-beliefs. These sessions opened the door to honest conversations, vulnerability, and moments of real insight. As the group grows in strength, participants continue to show that change is not only possible, it’s already happening.
Community connection gives people a place to stand, a place to heal, and a place to grow. It reminds us that recovery is not a path walked alone. The opposite of addiction is connection.
Cameron
Struggling with unpaid fines? Salt Care is an official Work and Development Order (WDO) sponsor, which means you can reduce your fine debt by volunteering or participating in our support programs.
There are two main ways to reduce your fine debt on a WDO with us:
Volunteering: For many roles, volunteering with Salt Care reduces your debt by $30 per hour, up to $1000 per month.
AOD Program: Engaging with our Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) program allows you to clear up to $1,000 per month based on your participation.
This provides a practical way to resolve your debts while accessing support systems that help stabilise your long-term situation.
Once you start the program, Revenue NSW can lift enforcement actions like license suspensions.
If you’re ready to resolve your debt and gain new skills, come chat with our team today to find a pathway that works for you.
Anita
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and we have the perfect gift.
Our beautiful flowers are available at Hyper Hyper Coffee and Flour Water Salt in Nowra and The Local in Jervis Bay. They’re grown on the farm, bursting with colour and every bunch you buy directly supports the work of Salt Care in our community, so it really is a gift that gives twice.
Pop in and grab a bunch for the special woman in your life before Mother’s Day on Sunday 10 May.
There’s been a lot on throughout April at Salt! Over the Easter weekend we deliberately slowed down as a community to focus our attention on Jesus. We began with a Thursday service under the big tree at Salt where a group of us came together in quiet contemplation and prayer to share communion and spend some time in the scriptures. The following morning, Good Friday, we had the fires burning in Sassafras and the hot cross buns on the BBQ for a Good Friday service at the farm. What a privilege to gather under the chestnut trees and sing worship to our Saviour, as we reflect on all He gave for us.
As Sunday morning rolled around, we all came together again in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The kids play-acted the resurrection and released balloons and streamers over us all as we joined in the fun. There was such a sense of joy amongst us as we connected with God and each other.
Harvest season may be over, but we have some bags of nuts left over from our most successful year yet! If you’d like to buy some, you can place an order online and collect from Salt Base on Thursday and Friday next week. 1kg bags are just $12!
