At the heart of Newcastle’s community, Castle and Soul Hub have formed a powerful partnership, dedicated to providing essential services and creating meaningful opportunities for those who need them most. Both organizations share a common goal: to support and empower individuals facing hardship, including homelessness and mental health challenges, by helping them access vital resources and move toward a brighter future.
Soul Hub offers a welcoming and safe space for Newcastle’s most vulnerable residents. With essential services such as meals, pantry hampers, hygiene packs, and access to laundry facilities, they are more than just a place to meet immediate needs. Soul Hub connects guests with caring volunteers and a wide range of support services, providing hope and the possibility of long-term stability. As Guest Support Coordinator John explains,
“At Soul, everyone is welcome, because nobody is perfect, and anything is possible.”
Soul Hub's team recognized the value of creating pathways to employment for their guests, many of whom face significant barriers due to mental health challenges, homelessness, or other hardships. That’s where Castle came in.
Castle is a provider of Disability Employment Services, specializing in helping people who have a disability, illness, injury, or mental health condition that affects their capacity to work. Castle offers a tailored and dedicated service to address barriers to employment and ensure participants are set up for long-term success. With ongoing support at every step—from preparing for work to securing a job and thriving in the workplace—Castle is committed to helping individuals find sustainable, meaningful employment.
Castle also plays a vital role in the local community, working alongside businesses and other support providers like Soul Hub to make a lasting impact. By partnering with organizations that share a common purpose, Castle helps ensure that those facing adversity have the best possible chance to improve their circumstances and contribute to their communities.
Each week, Castle’s Service Relationship Coordinator, Jay Caruana, sets up shop at Soul Hub, engaging directly with guests to share information about the employment support Castle delivers. From the very start, Jay focused on building relationships with guests, creating a sense of trust, and having open conversations about how Castle could support them in finding employment. These efforts have quickly borne fruit, as the partnership has now supported four Soul Hub guests into employment support within the first three months.
John, Guest Support Coordinator at Soul Hub, has seen the positive impact firsthand: “We, and more importantly our guests, have really appreciated the support provided by Castle. From the beginning, Jay built very positive relationships with our guests, engaging in conversation and sharing information. As a result, a number of our guests have been able to take a positive step forward toward future employment.”
Jay attributes the success to Soul Hub’s dedicated team:
“The staff and volunteers at Soul Hub are truly invested in the wellbeing of their guests. Their personal approach makes a big difference in how people feel about engaging with support services. When people feel genuinely cared for, they’re more likely to take that first step toward change, and that’s where the magic happens.”
Together, Castle and Soul Hub are creating opportunities for people who may have once felt that employment was out of reach. Their combined efforts provide guests with not only essential services and care but also hope for a more stable and independent future.
This partnership exemplifies the power of local organizations coming together to make a lasting difference in their community. By working hand in hand, Castle and Soul Hub are proving that when people have the right support, anything is possible. The future looks bright as they continue to empower individuals to take steps toward employment, independence, and a better life.
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