What is Newtopian outreach?
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Newtopian Outreachers – Walking With Community in Newtown
Every week, a team of dedicated Newtopian Outreachers hits the streets of Newtown—offering a friendly face, a listening ear, and practical support to people experiencing homelessness. Whether it’s helping someone find crisis accommodation, directing them to a free meal, or connecting them with local support services, these volunteers are making a real difference—one conversation at a time. But it’s more than just assistance. The Newtopian Outreachers program is about building understanding, changing perceptions, and creating a more compassionate community. Volunteers are encouraged to share what they learn with their friends, families, and networks—sparking important conversations and inspiring action across the community. A Movement That Started in Newtown
Launched in 2018 with the support of Inner West Council, the Newtopian Outreachers program began as a pilot project through Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. Now in its seventh year, it has trained 33 passionate locals who are committed to standing in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. This program proves that small acts, grounded in care and connection, can shift the way a whole community sees homelessness. |
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Check out this video of our team in action:
Homelessness Response at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Concerned About Someone Sleeping Rough in the Inner West?
If you’ve seen someone sleeping rough and think they may need support, we’re here to help.
📩 Let us know here and one of our outreach workers will assess within 24–48 hours.
We’ll do our best to connect them with the right support, services, and – ultimately – a safe place to call home.
If you’ve seen someone sleeping rough and think they may need support, we’re here to help.
📩 Let us know here and one of our outreach workers will assess within 24–48 hours.
We’ll do our best to connect them with the right support, services, and – ultimately – a safe place to call home.
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Our Homeless Outreach Worker supports people experiencing rough sleeping across Sydney’s Inner West with a person-centred, trauma-informed, and assertive approach. We meet people where they are – on the street, in parks, or public spaces – building trust and offering practical, non-judgemental support. Outreach focuses on safety, dignity, and each person’s goals, whether that’s housing, healthcare, or reconnecting with services. We assist with:
Every person deserves care, dignity and support. By working together, we’re showing that homelessness is not inevitable – it’s solvable.. Together, we can end street sleeping in our community. |
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Inner West Homeless Assertive Outreach Collaboration (IWHAC)
Established in 2016, IWHAC is a partnership of local services working together to support people sleeping rough in Newtown and the Inner West.
Using a collective impact approach, the collaboration aims to respond quickly, break down barriers to housing, and connect people to essential health and wellbeing services. By combining resources and expertise, IWHAC works to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
NNC, HOMES NSW and Inner West Council form the backbone of this collaboration with our key partners
We provide regular street patrols to take service to where people are sleeping rough and coordinate their housing and health pathways through monthly care coordination meetings that prioritise urgent action.
Using a collective impact approach, the collaboration aims to respond quickly, break down barriers to housing, and connect people to essential health and wellbeing services. By combining resources and expertise, IWHAC works to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
NNC, HOMES NSW and Inner West Council form the backbone of this collaboration with our key partners
- Sydney local health District
- NEAMI National
- Mission Australia
- Wesley
- Bill Crews Foundation
We provide regular street patrols to take service to where people are sleeping rough and coordinate their housing and health pathways through monthly care coordination meetings that prioritise urgent action.
For all enquiries about the program please contact Karen Hunter at [email protected].