Meera Atkinson
While many organisations exist to help the disadvantaged, Reclink exists purely to give them good times and the priceless gift of social connection.
Unpack the issues...
Reclink is a charity with a mission: to provide sporting, social and arts activities to enhance the lives of people experiencing disadvantage. From its humble beginnings in 1988, when founder Peter Cullen began using recreation as part of his street outreach work, Reclink has evolved into a highly successful model of social inclusion that networks with over 200 member agencies addressing a wide range of social issues.
Adrian Panozzo, chief executive office (CEO) of Reclink, says the organisation runs about 150 programs a month around Australia. From sports — football, cricket, lawn bowls, golf, and swimming — to other recreations such as camping, knitting, painting, dancing and Thai chi, Reclink boosts confidence and helps isolated people build social skills.
Reclink also hosts luncheons, BBQ’s and high teas and has seven community choirs around Australia including the renowned Choir of Hard Knocks.
Those who participate in Reclink activities experience many different forms of disadvantage, including socioeconomic disadvantage, homelessness, addictions and domestic violence. Reclink, says Adrian, is for, “anyone who is disconnected from what we may experience as mainstream community life.”
While many worthy organisations assist those in need, they usually have their hands too full tackling major issues to consider the social needs of those they serve.
“Social workers and agencies just aren’t resourced to provide social therapy like a sporting, recreational or arts programs,” says Adrian. “Often they’re focussed on a crisis response — getting people into a house or recovery program or helping them deal with a justice issue.
“Over 60% of our agencies have less than a $1000 a year to spend on sport and arts programs. More than half our member agencies don’t have anyone with training in the delivery of sport or arts programs. They’re very skilled and professional social workers in clinical response but they’re unable to make available sports and arts experiences.”
Nevertheless, meeting the inherent desire for social contact and fun can result in more progress being made on the critical fronts. 
“A social worker once said that in the 30 minutes after a Reclink activity, she could do three months of social work because of the environment and the positive sense of wellbeing that comes from the activity,” says Adrian.
“Some of these people have deep and chronic issues around homelessness and mental health. The problem might still be there tomorrow but when they move away from it and have an experience that is positive and empowering they return to the issue with more structure and purpose and optimism.”
Often when people look at those considered to be disadvantaged, they see a stereotype and fail to see the person beyond the stereotype. Reclink sees the potential and social being in everyone.
“We never underestimate how people respond to the power of purpose and something to look forward to. Just the invitation itself sometimes is enough to break that cycle of despair,” says Adrian.
“You take someone who is homeless and put them in a program for a day and the hardness on their face goes away and is replaced by smiles.”
Adrian says the effects of boredom, isolation and marginalisation can’t be underestimated and lead many to feel invisible.
“One woman told me that before Reclink she could go weeks without a conversation with anyone. She couldn’t remember the last time someone spoke her name and this was a woman who was surrounded by hundreds of people a day.”
Ultimately Reclink activities are a celebration of life and a way to bring people together. Time and time again, Reclink staff witness that, given the opportunity, people grow and respond in amazing ways revealing the resilience of the human spirit.
But, says Adrian, you don’t have to be organisation to provide that opportunity.
“When people ask how they can make a difference, I say as an individual all it needs to start with is eye contact or the offer of a conversation or asking someone how they are.
“As a nation at a time when we could become insular, driven by fear and selfish about our own individual needs I think we need to look to the community and others.
“I’m a strong believer in serving. When people are worried about unemployment and the climate and the national debt we need to be generous about how we look out for each other and that can start at a very local community level.
“Don’t be overwhelmed by the bigness of some of these issues because the solution is inside you by just connecting and reaching out to others.”
Unpack the issues
- How might you connect and reach out to some who is experiencing disadvantage?
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