Annual
report

2023 — 2024

Sonder acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia. We pay respect to them, their cultural and spiritual heritage, and to Elders past, present, and emerging. We acknowledge the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma that has occurred since colonisation and commit to truth-telling as we walk alongside them toward reconciliation.

Sonder welcomes people from all cultures, faiths, backgrounds, and experiences, and celebrates all identities, genders, sexes, orientations and abilities. We embrace  diverse voices in our decision-making to ensure we deliver inclusive services.

What we do

Sonder is an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation that has been providing better quality health and support services to the South Australian community since 1993.

We support thousands of children, young people and adults each year to access multiple services that address their needs, delivered from a range of centres located across SA.

Our focus is on supporting individuals across six key domains – mental health, homelessness, Aboriginal health, alcohol and/or other drugs, employment and primary health.

Vision

Better Care, Better Health

Purpose

To deliver high-quality, local healthcare and community services.

Goal

We will be the leading organisation at delivering integrated primary care and community services to the most vulnerable people across South Australia.

CEO message

I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated employees, Members, Directors and stakeholders for their unwavering support and contributions over the past year.

As we reflect on the progress made this year, we can confidently say that the challenges of 2023 are now firmly behind us. This annual report chronicles the remarkable achievements of our teams, who have demonstrated unwavering diligence and impactful work despite the blurring pace of change across Sonder. These changes were essential for cementing the financial reforms designed to address the previous year's deficit and for implementing the new technology systems aimed at modernising every aspect of our service delivery and corporate support.

The modest deficit recorded this year was welcomed by the Executive and the Board as a positive indication that our turnaround strategies have been effective. The reduction in corporate costs was achieved without compromising our commitment to sustained excellence in service provision. The deficit incurred in 2023 resulted from substantial investments in major projects within a single financial year, necessitating a year of repair for 2024. However, these investments have become valuable assets supporting our modernisation efforts.

The impact of our service delivery teams is clearly illustrated in the data included in this report, underscoring our commitment to enhancing activity levels across all service streams. Our focus on improved productivity and data-informed reforms positions us well to meet our contractual obligations amidst the dual challenges facing our sector—increasing costs and funding that has not kept pace with the realities of our operating environment.

This conundrum was evident this year, as we were unable to sustain the losses in our newly established Disability Services portfolio over the preceding two years. In this reporting period, we saw the cessation of the Disability Services portfolio as we struggled to break even with our NDIS-funded services. This erosion of organisational savings has, unfortunately, been a common challenge among many providers in our sector.

The investments in data systems have now borne fruit. We have a clear understanding of targets and are actively monitoring the gaps that prevent us from seeing more clients and making a meaningful impact on their lives. This drive for efficiency will improve our relationship with funders, and we are determined to continue our quest to be the best provider of services in our sector. And with good data, we can confidently showcase our capabilities.

However, we are mindful that our shift towards leveraging data and advanced analytics to support staff in achieving their goals is not without risk. Such a transformation poses potential challenges to our organisational culture. The expectation from funders for excellence and compliance with targets, despite insufficient funding to cover costs, has eroded some of the positivity that our staff have held for Sonder as their employer. We are committed to working harder to regain that trust and re-establish Sonder as a preeminent employer in our sector.

Alongside these significant changes in service delivery and financial controls, the ongoing reforms to Sonder’s Constitution and membership structure, initiated two years ago, continued through this year and are expected to conclude next year. This modernisation of our corporate governance is a crucial element of our sustained reform efforts, enabling us to meet our commitments as outlined in our Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027.

Looking to the future, our focus remains on sustaining financial stability, fostering innovation, and cultivating a culture of excellence. We will continue to explore new growth opportunities, invest in our people, and uphold our commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

In that regard, we look to the new Medicare Mental Health Centre (formerly Head to Health) as a beacon of reform and innovation. This new model of care provides us with the opportunity to redefine what mental health services could look like for consumers and their families. Peer-led services working seamlessly with clinical and medical services in a community setting has been the goal of our sector for many years. If we get this model to work in Elizabeth, we can attract and retain a highly skilled workforce that share our values and be transformative for the communities we serve.

Perfecting this model will position us at the forefront of innovation and excellence – future proofing Sonder, creating stability to navigate sectoral changes, and enabling our staff to feel part of an agency that is committed to societal transformation.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated employees, Members, Directors and stakeholders for their unwavering support and contributions over the past year. Thank you for your continued trust and commitment.

Sageran Naidoo
‍Chief Executive Officer

Chair message

I am grateful for the dedication, innovation and endeavour of the staff and executive team at Sonder and this annual report speaks to their tireless commitment to our clients and their families.

A review of the 2023 financial year would not be complete without a review of the year that came before, and the year ahead. We invested heavily in systems and processes in 2023 and the financial impacts of those reforms was revealed in the extent of the deficit at the end of the 2023 trading year. And so, it is pleasing to note that this most intensive investment in ourselves has now achieved the positive results the Board had hoped for.

We have fully deployed these information systems and are using the advanced data analytics to enhance the services that we deliver. This aligns with our strategic objectives and confirms our commitment to our social justice imperatives. The Board is pleased too that these reforms have enabled us to have robust processes for monitoring expenditure and the Board is pleased indeed that we are returning to a period of break-even budgets. As a medium sized NGO, this financial stability is important for our sustainability in the face of immense cost pressures on our services. I am pleased that the Executive Team has worked diligently to reduce costs and drive productivity gains across all aspects of Sonder’s support departments.

The 2023 year also saw the Board having intensive engagement with our Members as we moved ahead with the modernisation of our constitution and changes to our membership structure. Those reforms will be concluded this year and we move ahead now with a modern governance structure. These reforms will enable us to address gaps in our Board composition and ensure we have the skills and expertise at the Board level to meet the complex demands on the organisation.

I am grateful for the dedication, innovation and endeavour of the staff and executive team at Sonder and this annual report speaks to their tireless commitment to our clients and their families. On behalf of the Board, I express my thanks to the many stakeholders who have remained committed to our cause and I am looking forward to many years of stability and impact built on the backs of these major reforms that have been undertaken over the past two years.

Dr Rizwan Latif
Board Chair

Our impact

Throughout the 2023-24 financial year, we supported 13,686 people in metropolitan and regional communities across South Australia.

Sonder Kadina

Mental health support for adults
Aboriginal health
Community health

Sonder Gawler

Mental health support for adults
Alcohol and/or other drugs support
Aboriginal health

Sonder Nuriootpa

Mental health support for adults
Alcohol and/or other drugs support
Aboriginal health

Solasta Klemzig

Counselling for children, young people, and adults
Mental health support for children, young people, and adults
Assessments for children, young people, and adults

headspace Onkaparinga

Mental health support for young people
Employment support for young people
headspace Marion
Mental health support for young people

headspace Adelaide

Mental health support for young people
Employment support for young people

Safe Haven Salisbury

Mental health support for adults

Northern Adelaide Head to Health

Mental health support for adults

headspace Edinburgh North

Mental health support for young people
Employment support for young people

Solasta Christies Beach

Mental health support for children, young people, and adults
Assessments for children, young people, and adults

Sonder Maitland

Community health
Aboriginal health

Sonder Port Adelaide

Mental health support for adults, families, and children
Alcohol and/or other drug support
Aboriginal health

Sonder Edinburgh North

Mental health support for adults
Alcohol and/or other drug support
Aboriginal health
Community health

Sonder
headspace
Solasta
Other

We supported individuals across 26 programs and services.

Mental Health

Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre
Enhanced Mental Health Services
Safe Haven
Western Wellbeing Hub
Clinical Care Coordination - Regional
Booked Psychiatric Assessments
Shared Care with GPs
Residential Wellbeing
Solasta

Alcohol and/or other drugs

In-Home Withdrawal Service
AIM
Partners Toward Wellbeing

Youth

headspace Adelaide
headspace Marion
headspace Edinburgh North
headspace Onkaparinga
headspace Early Psychosis
headspace Work & Study

Primary health

Healthy Habits
Integrated Primary Care
Steady Steps
Dietetics
Exercise Physiology

Homelessness

Toward Home

Aboriginal health

Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care
PACE

Our people

At Sonder, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of our dedicated and diverse workforce, whose commitment and expertise drive our ability to achieve strategic goals and deliver exceptional services to the communities we serve. By fostering an inclusive, respectful work environment where everyone feels valued, we empower our staff to thrive and contribute to the continued growth and impact of Sonder.

77%

of our workforce are women

of our workforce identify as gender diverse

19%

of our workforce are men

of our workforce identify as having a disability

44%

of our workforce identify as having a lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery.

of our workforce identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

18%

of our workforce identify as culturally and linguistically diverse

spanning over

different ethnicities

different countries of birth

Staff engagement

In 2023, we invited staff to participate in an engagement survey. 75% of staff participated in the survey.

Results indicated a strong commitment and enthusiasm from staff towards their roles and Sonder’s overall objective, with 83% of staff reporting feeling engaged in their roles.

92%

of staff believe Sonder is a truly great place to work

95%

of staff would recommend Sonder as a service provider

95%

of staff believe Sonder has a strong focus on the satisfaction of our clients

93%

of staff believe Sonder cares about the wellbeing of staff

“Working with Sonder has restored my confidence and faith – not only in myself, but in knowing that organisations can care about their people, both clients and staff. That doesn’t mean there isn’t bumps along the roads, things are not always perfect, but to me, Sonder has a willingness and spirit to do the best it can. That’s what sets the organisation apart from other employers.”

Karyn,
Country Mental Health & AOD Clinical Lead

Workforce development

In the 2023/24 financial year, Sonder facilitated a variety of workforce development opportunities for students and staff, demonstrating our commitment to cultivating talent, developing leadership, and offering diverse learning opportunities.

Investing in the future workforce

Sonder remains dedicated to the provision of quality student placement and internship programs. Throughout the past year, we strengthened our partnership with the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flinders University.

We are pleased to have employed six students from our placement programs, all of whom are now integral members of Sonder’s workforce.

We also launched our pilot initiative, the 5+1 Psychology Internship, with seven interns completing the program. This strategic response to workforce shortages provides a comprehensive framework for interns to obtain general registration through internal clinical supervision and professional development opportunities. Additionally, we employed a further four students who completed psychology-related placements.

Empowering our lived experience workforce

Recognising the shortage of skilled Peer Practitioners, and the need to embed this expertise within our workforce, we continued to facilitate our Peer Upskill program.

Participants are supported to obtain a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, with Sonder funding the course costs and supervision training.

In addition to facilitating the Peer Upskill program, Sonder offers a diverse range of peer-focused job opportunities and career pathways, including supervisor, senior, and leadership positions. Our efforts in this area are reflected in an impressive retention rate and an enhanced presence of peer workforce, now comprising 12% of our total workforce.

“Throughout my time completing the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, I learned how to practice peer support in a trauma-informed manner, using safe storytelling and a recovery-oriented approach. As I was enrolled in this course as part of my lived experience role, I was able to directly apply new learnings and skills within the workplace, working authentically alongside young people to build trust and encourage self-determination.”

Kiera Lowe,
Youth Peer Practitioner

Celebrating 30 years of Sonder

In November 2023, we celebrated Sonder’s 30-year anniversary. For three decades, Sonder has been on a transformative journey of innovation and growth. We have worked tirelessly to deliver high quality services to empower individuals across South Australia to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes.

Mental health services

Throughout the 2023-24 financial year, we remained committed to the delivery of high-quality mental health support for adults, children and families, ensuring each individual felt safe, heard, and supported.

              Across Adelaide’s northern and western metropolitan regions, and throughout Gawler-Barossa, we supported 6,318 individuals through 15,151 occasions of service.
            

41%

of clients we supported demonstrated improvements in their wellbeing, particularly in the domains of depression, anxiety and stress.

Service development and expansion

We were proud to have been selected as the commissioned service provider to deliver the Palliative Care Regional Navigation Service throughout areas in regional South Australia. The service forms part of Palliative Care Connect, a new statewide initiative that provides information and connections to palliative care and bereavement support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, and their carers.

In response to growing demand for holistic mental health support, we expanded our service offerings across the Gawler-Barossa region to include comprehensive psychosocial mental health support, focused on empowering individuals to take an active role in their recovery journey. The goal is to foster a sense of hope and self-efficacy, encouraging individuals to set personal goals that integrate social support systems, community engagement, and employment.

Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre

In April, Sonder launched the Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre, formerly known as Head to Health. The new centre, located in Elizabeth offers no-cost, walk-in mental health support for adults experiencing distress or crisis, without the need for an appointment or referral.

With the increased rates of psychological distress and socio-economic disadvantage in the northern region of Adelaide, the establishment of additional mental health services is critical.

The provision of immediate support is particularly essential, with 30% of clients indicating they would have visited an emergency department if the centre was not available. Impressively, 93% of clients reported an improvement in their wellbeing after visiting the centre.

“I've tried many organisations to help me deal with my mental health and trauma, but I feel like walking through those doors today was the best decision I've made. I wish it was the first door I'd walked through.”

Client,
Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre

Safe Haven

Our walk-in mental health service in Salisbury, Safe Haven continued to deliver unique and valuable support, with almost 80% of clients reporting an improvement in their wellbeing. The service has played a crucial role in reducing hospital emergency department visits, escalations of mental health distress, and suicide risks.

Of the 1,800 client visits, 18% indicated that they would have visited an emergency department if not for Safe Haven, leading to substantial cost savings for the healthcare system, with care provided at a significantly lower cost.

Safe Haven, like the Medicare Mental Health Centre, supports some of Adelaide’s most vulnerable populations. This includes individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds (79%) and culturally diverse communities (18% Aboriginal background and 20% culturally and linguistically diverse background).

“Three months ago, I came walking into Safe Haven after spending the last few months in and out of hospital… This place has saved my life."

Client,
Safe Haven

Solasta

As a social enterprise by Sonder, Solasta offers high-quality assessment and therapy services to children, young people and adults. Launched in June 2021 in Klemzig, Solasta expanded to open a second location in Christies Beach in July 2023, and now employs 26 clinical staff across both locations.

In the 2023/24 financial year, Solasta supported 1,540 individuals, a 27% increase from the previous year.

Solasta has been selected to join the Department of Human Services (DHS) provider panel for autism assessment and diagnostic services. This achievement validates our dedication and expertise in the field of autism and expands our capacity to reach more people in need. We are excited to collaborate with the DHS and other providers to enhance support for individuals with autism, ensuring they receive accurate diagnoses and comprehensive care.

solasta.net.au

Alcohol & other drugs services

Across our three alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD) services, we continued to make significant impacts, supporting over 660 people in the past year.

Our In-Home Withdrawal Service has been particularly effective, with:

86%

of clients decreasing their substance use and improving their wellbeing. This unique service enables individuals to safely withdraw from substance use in the comfort of their own homes.

“For me it was essential to detox at home as I have severe anxiety. I felt respected during the whole process and honestly, I can't say anything bad about the service.”

Client,
In-Home Withdrawal Service

AOD Services Manager, Debby Kadarusman presented at the AddictionZ Conference, highlighting the program’s impact and unique elements.

Financial modelling demonstrated the cost-saving effectiveness of the In-Home Withdrawal Service, with the service saving $5,016 per episode compared to traditional withdrawal services.

Through our AIM and Partners Toward Wellbeing (PTW) programs, Sonder effectively support individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health concerns. By addressing both issues simultaneously, these services help clients achieve better overall health, reduce substance use, and improve psychological wellbeing. Among AIM and PTW clients, 57% reported improvements in psychological wellbeing, physical health and overall quality of life, while 77% improved their management of substance use.

“I honestly recommend Sonder, such a nice friendly group of people that truly want to see their clients get better and to start living a better life. I’m now 8 days clean, and clean of any other substances. Their excitement for my improvement has enabled me to see that I can live a much healthier and happy life without drugs.”

Client,
AIM

Our In-Home Withdrawal Service has been particularly effective, with:

86%

of clients decreasing their substance use and improving their wellbeing. This unique service enables individuals to safely withdraw from substance use in the comfort of their own homes.

Youth services

We delivered 57,611 services to 3,960 young people facing mental health challenges. Our efforts focused on strengthening interagency partnerships to ensure holistic and integrated care, while ensuring the voices of young people were integrated into all aspects of service delivery.

Our headspace centres

Our headspace centres in Adelaide, Edinburgh North, Marion, and Onkaparinga continued to offer tailored support to young people. Each centre provides a range of services, including group programs, peer practitioner support, clinical care, drop-in assistance, and access to wrap-around services such as alcohol and drug use support, primary healthcare, and financial counselling.

Notably, 40% of young people who accessed headspace services experienced a substantial reduction in psychological stress, with an average satisfaction rating of 4.1 out of 5.

“headspace has helped me an incredible amount and I recommend them to everyone. Big love to Holly for being the best counsellor I've ever had! Always feel so comfortable and cared for here.”

Client,
headspace

Supporting young people experiencing or at risk of developing psychosis

Grounded in evidence from Orygen, the Early Psychosis program at headspace Adelaide emphasises early intervention and timely access to specialist support for young people experiencing or at risk of developing psychosis, and their families.

Despite challenges, including increasing complexity and acuity, the Early Psychosis program significantly expanded its impact, supporting 615 young people and providing 32,601 occasions of service.

This increased impact was achieved through integration and collaboration efforts with external partners, including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, to improve information sharing and facilitate direct admissions to inpatient units for young people.

Empowering young people to achieve work & study goals

Young people experiencing mental health challenges are significantly more likely to be disengaged from work or study. Our headspace Work & Study program at headspace Onkaparinga, Edinburgh North and Adelaide provides support to help young people start careers, find employment, or pursue education.

In the past financial year, we supported 210 young people through 2,014 occasions of service, resulting in 83 successful transitions into work or education.

We remained committed to fostering relationships with employers and training providers to ensure we understand their needs and workforce gaps, matching young candidates with appropriate opportunities.

Additionally, we implemented the Enhancement Model into our service delivery. The model is focused on supporting young people to develop practical skills, boosting their confidence and increasing their ability to secure and maintain employment or training.

In the past financial year, we supported 210 young people through 2,014 occasions of service, resulting in:

successful transitions into work or education

In the past financial year, we supported 210 young people through 2,014 occasions of service, resulting in:

successful transitions into work or education

Client story

Kyle's story

Kyle’s journey to employment wasn’t straightforward, marked by everyday battles with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Absorbing information during job training often left him feeling lost and overwhelmed, causing his anxiety to manifest in chest pains before starting a shift.

Read story

With experience in call centres, data entry and customer service, Kyle was eager to find work-life balance in a job where he could thrive.

Kyle’s determination led him to the headspace Work & Study program, where he found the support he needed to find employment.

When Kyle joined the program, he was initially interested in a variety of different career opportunities. With support and guidance from Holly, Employment Specialist at headspace Edinburgh North, Kyle was able to realise his employment goal: To find enjoyable work that would keep him motivated, even on days that were tough on his ADHD, anxiety, and depression. He also now understood prioritising work-life balance would be the key to his career success.

Completing online career tests helped Kyle to identify suitable jobs, and Holly helped in redesigning his cover letter and resume.

Reflecting on his experience with the program, Kyle said, “Holly gave me the tools and confidence to explore new career paths.”

Holly also eased his anxiety by contacting employers on his behalf. She secured an interview with Kyle at Salisbury Council, where he successfully landed a concierge job.

With Holly's support during onboarding, Kyle transitioned smoothly into his new role, setting reminders for tasks and deadlines. His success led to a second job with Libraries SA, balancing both roles and enjoying a varied work week.

Kyle now has a positive outlook on work and life, stating, "With Holly's help, I now have more confidence in my work and a nice work-life balance." His parent noted the positive impact on Kyle's wellbeing, saying, "Kyle has been a lot happier since having Holly’s help. He enjoys his work and meeting new people every day and has been up to doing more outside of work."

Relaunching headspace Onkaparinga

In April 2024, headspace Onkaparinga celebrated the completion of extensive renovations with a relaunch event, attended by youth representatives, local community members and leaders, ministers, and headspace staff.

Co-designed with input from headspace Onkaparinga’s Youth Reference Group, the renovations included expanded office and staff areas, additional consult rooms, and enhanced common areas. These improvements were tailored to meet the evolving needs of young people and create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.

Improving mental health literacy in sport

Our Sonder-operated headspace centres - Adelaide, Edinburgh North, Marion and Onkaparinga partnered with the AFL for the Movember - Ahead of the Game program.

This mental health literacy and resilience initiative aims to educate young players, umpires, and their support networks in community football clubs about the importance of mental health. Over the next twelve months, staff from our headspace centres will facilitate up to 150 workshops for teams of young players and umpires in community football club changerooms across Adelaide.

Partnering for integrated and coordinated care

In our commitment to providing coordinated and integrated mental health services for young people in Adelaide, we were proud to announce a partnership with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Through the partnership, we are working to establish clear referral pathways, facilitate knowledge and skill-sharing, strengthen collaboration efforts, and build greater integration between our organisations.

Raising awareness through community engagement

Over the past year, we have continued to improve access to mental health information, encourage help-seeking, and reduce stigma through community engagement efforts.

Our headspace centres participated in over 500 activities, including:

awareness day events

community awareness activities

focus groups

mental health literacy workshops

service overview presentations

social engagement group workshops

165

Youth Reference Group and stakeholder planning meetings

Funded by the City of Adelaide and City of Marion, we supported young people to attend a variety of social engagement activities such as visits to the Adelaide Zoo, movie sessions, painting workshops, TreeClimb, badge making, roller skating, pottery workshops, bowling, art gallery tours, and quiz nights.

In celebration of National headspace Day, we encouraged young people to pause, reflect, and reconnect through a range of localised activities hosted at each headspace centre.

Supporting headspace National’s partnership with Triple J, we hosted a Hottest 100 party at Seacliff, which was enjoyed by young people and the local community.

Aboriginal health

Sonder’s Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care (CTG ITC) program supports Aboriginal Peoples living with chronic health conditions in Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Outreach Workers and Care Coordinators work together to support clients to better understand and manage chronic health conditions, navigate the healthcare system and access culturally-appropriate services that enable them to self-manage their health.

              In the 2023-24 financial year, 597 people were supported through 52,660 occasions of service.
            

When asked about their experience with the program,

97%

of clients reported that they felt more confident with managing their health since accessing the program.

Client story

Mariah's story

Overwhelmed by complex medical conditions and frequent hospital admissions, Mariah sought help from her GP, who referred her to the CTG ITC program.

Mariah's main goal was to better manage her health, including her type 1 diabetes and Charcot foot. She faced multiple challenges, including frequent hospital admissions, mental health issues, infections, missed insulin treatments, chronic pain, and decreased mobility.

Sonder’s CTG ITC team supported Mariah by providing a knee walker, setting up a Webster-pak for medication management, and arranging appointments for specialist services. They also coordinated with other services to support her applications for the Disability Support Pension and NDIS.

Nicola, Mariah’s Care Coordinator, played a pivotal role in her journey. "Mariah’s determination to improve her health despite overwhelming challenges has been inspiring," Nicola shared.

Support from Mariah’s stepmother, counsellors, and various hospital teams complemented the care plan. Through meticulous planning and continuous encouragement, Mariah gradually began to manage her health more effectively.

Expressing her gratitude, Mariah said, “I would like to thank Sonder and everyone on the team for their support, advocacy, encouragement, and care. Helping me to get back on track with my health and wellbeing. To have real people who genuinely care and understand my situation has been a blessing.”

Mariah’s story highlights the importance of integrated care. With the support of Sonder’s CTG ITC program, she has been able to reclaim control over her health and improve her quality of life.

Engaging with community at Closing the Gap Day

Sonder and Nunkuwarrin Yunti partnered together again to deliver Closing the Gap Day, South Australia’s largest event dedicated to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Held on 21 March 2024 at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Kaurna Country, this highly anticipated annual event provides a platform to facilitate connections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and local services that can support their needs in health care, employment, aged care, disability, and more.

Over 3,000 people attended the event and enjoyed live performances, fun activities, and giveaways whilst learning about services that are available for them and their families from over 150 exhibitors.

Primary health

Cultivating healthier lifestyle habits

We supported over 350 people living with, or at risk of developing chronic health conditions through our Healthy Habits program. Delivered across areas in regional South Australia, including Gawler, Nuriootpa, Adelaide Hills, Port Pirie and Port Lincoln, this community-based program offers nutrition and exercise services to support improved health and wellbeing outcomes.

Throughout the year, we delivered 28 group programs and workshops, including activities such as gym workouts, nutrition and cooking groups, and wellbeing education sessions. Additionally, we offered specialised groups for women coping with breast cancer and for mothers and babies.

Program participants demonstrated significant improvements in their health and wellbeing. All participants reported high levels of confidence and motivation after completing the program.

              Impressively, more than 80% experienced substantial improvements in their self-reported levels of exercise, demonstrated by gains in strength and overall fitness. 
            

Additionally, over

80%

reported better nutrition and eating behaviours

“Having undergone chemotherapy for an extended period, my body and eating habits suffered significantly. Throughout my treatment for breast cancer, I gained over 20 kilos and developed arthritis in my back, ankles, and wrists. I lost bone function and strength, and my heart ejection fraction dropped from 74% to 50%, causing severe fatigue.

Since starting the program, I've noticed remarkable improvements: better bone strength, reduced arthritis symptoms, and improved eating habits. The support from the program has been excellent. The staff are friendly, helpful, and truly knowledgeable!”

Client,
Healthy Habits

Supporting Aboriginal health through exercise and nutrition

In the 2023-24 financial year, we enhanced our Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care (CTG ITC) program to include dietetics and exercise physiology, aiming to further support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in better managing chronic conditions.

Collaborating with final-year exercise physiology students from the University of South Australia, Sonder delivered 118 individual and 88 group-based exercise physiology sessions, tailored to address the specific health needs of CTG ITC clients.

We also facilitated monthly cooking and education workshops, creating opportunities for clients to learn healthy recipes while connecting socially and culturally. Over the past year, we delivered 19 group cooking workshops and 57 individual dietetic consultations.

In addition, we partnered with Nunkuwarrin Yunti to deliver a 10-week cooking program. Due to its success, we plan to expand this partnership in the next financial year to continue to provide nutrition and exercise support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Improving balance and confidence with Steady Steps

Launched in early 2024, Steady Steps is an innovative 8-week group exercise program specifically designed for individuals aged over 65 who feel unsteady on their feet, have experienced falls, or worry about falling.

Through engaging group exercise sessions and personalised plans, targeting specific needs and goals, the program empowers participants to reclaim their independence and improve their overall wellbeing.

Each session is facilitated by exercise physiologists and allied health assistants who work together to ensure participants receive the best care and support.

Since its inception Stead Steps has supported 21 participants through a total of 26 sessions.

Bridging healthcare gaps

Our Integrated Primary Care program plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals living with chronic health conditions throughout regional South Australia.

By coordinating access to a range of allied health services, including physiotherapists, dietitians, diabetes educators, exercise physiologists, and podiatrists, the program empowers individuals to take control of their health and enhance their overall wellbeing.

Working in collaboration with each client’s GP, the program’s dedicated Care Coordinator provides enhanced and integrated care.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the program supported a total of 1,482 clients through the provision of 6,846 services.

85% of clients reported a positive experience with the program and 64% demonstrated improvements in their chronic condition.

“I was able to get five appointments with physiotherapists in Clare. I have my last appointment in the next few weeks and due to their efforts, they have reduced long term pain dramatically. I would like to say thank you to Sonder for all your help that has enabled all this to happen.”

Client,
Integrated Primary Care

Homelessness services

Sonder supports people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness through Toward Home, an alliance consisting of Lutheran Care, Baptist Care SA, Mission Australia, The Salvation Army, Aboriginal Family Support Services, Hutt St Centre, the South Australian Housing Authority, and Sonder.

Organisations in the alliance work together to support people living in the Adelaide CBD, the inner and outer southern metropolitan, and the Adelaide Hills.

The services are designed to prevent, divert, and resolve homelessness, with the aim of shifting the focus of care from crisis management to early intervention.

Individuals experiencing homelessness often face a range of complex challenges related to their health and wellbeing, creating barriers preventing them from accessing secure, safe and long-term housing.

As a proud member of the alliance, Sonder provides an array of health and wellbeing services through a multi-disciplinary team of Care Coordinators, Mental Health Practitioners, AOD Practitioners and Peer Practitioners.

Sonder’s participation in the alliance underwent a restructure during the 2023-24 financial year, resulting in a greater focus on sourcing housing solutions for the most vulnerable people within the program.

During this time, Sonder supported 149 people with 78% experiencing mental health concerns, 27% experiencing disability, and 24% experiencing alcohol and/or other drug use concerns. Over 1,200 occasions of service were provided to support with issues concerning mental health, alcohol and/or other drug use, and physical health.

A further 4,000 occasions of service were provided in relation to advice, information and advocacy, and 2,000 services were provided specifically to individuals experiencing rough sleeping.

Learn more about towardhome.org.au

“April did an outstanding job in organising Matthew’s home, dental care and eye specialist. Matthew said that life would not be the same. Our family really appreciate what April did in just a few months.”

Client's family member

Sonder supported

149

people

78%

experiencing mental health concerns

27%

experiencing disability

24%

experiencing alcohol and/or other drug use concerns

Research & evaluation

Research

Sonder held its second Research Symposium, showcasing research and program evaluations that incorporate co-designed and participatory health practices. The event attracted 36 attendees from universities, research institutions, government, and NGO organisations.

The symposium featured presentations from researchers and professionals across South Australia and Canberra, followed by a panel discussion on the practical aspects and challenges of conducting co-designed research.

PhD Projects

In partnership with the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, Sonder commenced supervision of a PhD candidate.

This initiative stemmed from a prior research project that explored the support preferences of individuals on mental health service waitlists.

The project, titled 'What Consumers, General Practitioners and Mental Health Professionals Want: The Co-Design of a Transdiagnostic, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Online Intervention to Reduce Distress and Promote Wellbeing Among Australian Adults’, utilises icanactnow, a co-designed digital tool offering interactive, personalised, and self-guided support.

Working alongside researchers, Sonder clinicians and consumers, the PhD candidate will co-design the implementation of icanactnow and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing distress and improving wellbeing among users. Through this project, the candidate will gain experience in industry engagement, consumer collaboration, and implementation science, and the translation of research into practice.

Demand management

In response to growing service demand, Sonder partnered with the University of Adelaide for a one-year research project to explore and co-design solutions for service demand issues at Sonder’s headspace Edinburgh North centre, and the broader youth mental health system.

In this project, people with lived experience and service providers worked together through a series of co-design workshops, followed by six months of-observation to oversee the implementation of emerging solutions. The data from this project continues to be analysed as the PhD candidate progresses through their three-year candidature.

Client experience

During the 2023-24 financial year, we reviewed our client experience practices, working closely with program staff to improve survey accessibility and enable more timely and widespread reporting to enhance opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

Following this review, Sonder transitioned to program-specific surveys and a more user-friendly reporting dashboard. This dashboard provides real-time qualitative and quantitative data, accessible to all staff, facilitating better-informed service delivery.

Enhancing outcomes through monitoring and evaluation

Sonder continued to undertake program monitoring and evaluation to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients to enable service improvements, innovations and build evidence-based practices.

This past year, we developed several Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for programs including Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre (formerly Head to Health), Palliative Care Connect, Hutt Street Centre, Skills SA and Toward Home.

High-quality evaluations were also completed, including a lifespan evaluation of the Aboriginal health program, Closing the Gap – Integrated Team Care, an evaluation of Closing the Gap Day 2024 event, and evaluations of programs including Safe Haven, In-Home Withdrawal Service, and Steady Steps.

Professional development for health professionals

As an RACGP-accredited provider of quality improvement and continuing professional development, Sonder offers a variety of professional development and networking opportunities for individuals in primary healthcare and community services.

With over 20 years of experience, Sonder empowers professionals to advance their careers and stay current with the latest medical advances and best practices, ensuring high-quality care for their patients.

In the 2023-24 financial year, Sonder hosted 24 professional development sessions for GPs, health professionals and staff at Sonder. These sessions covered a diverse range of topics, including urology, pain management, weight management, psychological injuries, lower limb problems, mentally healthy workplaces, orthopaedics, fertility, alcohol and other drugs, and payroll tax.

A key initiative was our collaboration with Genea Fertility SA to deliver fertility-focused education sessions for GPs, providing valuable insights into this emerging clinical area. Another highlight was our partnership with Wakefield Orthopaedic to deliver a full-day orthopaedics conference, ‘Limbering Up’. Attended by 38 GPs, the conference featured presentations and interactive sessions on the treatment and management of orthopaedic injuries and conditions.

We extend our gratitude to our valued sponsors for their support throughout the year, including Genea Fertility, Return to Work SA, Wakefield Orthopaedic Clinic, SportsMed, CanView, Cannatrek, Urological Solutions, Boston Scientific, Teleflex, Brentnalls, Avant, SA Pathology, AbbVie, AstraZeneca and Bensons Radiology.

Building skills and capability within the RTO sector

In the 2023-24 financial year, Sonder launched a new project funded by Skills SA aimed at Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and employers offering traineeships or apprenticeships. The project aimed to equip attendees with the skills needed to effectively support diverse learner groups, including those with mental health challenges, LGBTQIA+ learners, and culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

Working collaboratively with headspace staff, Sonder designed and delivered three specialised education workshops. Throughout the year, we delivered a total of seven workshops for organisations including MEGT, MADEC and Childcare Services Training.

"This day was really fun, and I feel that the information was delivered in a great, engaging way. Well done to Miles for being such a great advocate – really engaging and happy to answer every question. We need more businesses and schools to have access to this!"

Workshop attendee

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors set the strategic vision for the organisation and oversee the strategic directions. They also play a vital role in monitoring the practice, financial and clinical performance of the organisation.

Dr Rizwan Latif

Board Chair

General Practitioner in Craigmore

Mr Danny Haydon

Board Vice Chair & Chair of Governance & Nominations Committee

Principal, Health Division, Brentnalls Health

Dr Richard Heah

Board Director

General Practitioner in Elizabeth

Mr John Manning

Chair of Risk & Finance Committee

Managing Director at Dewings Accounting

Dr Kali Hayward

Board Director

General Practitioner in Noarlunga

Dr Siân Goodson

Board Director

General Practitioner in Elizabeth

Professor Tracey Wade

Board Director

Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Flinders University

In 2023-24 financial year, Sonder has had a period of consolidation and some rationalisation of its corporate services structure and infrastructure.

This follows the prior year that saw large investments in systems reforms including ICT upgrades, new HR, payroll and finance systems, data dashboards and migration to cloud computing.

Sonder grew by 11% in revenue over the 2023-24 financial year to reach $35.4 million. The growth was derived from successful tendering for grants such as Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre (Head to Health). Some significant capital works grants were also completed to upgrade current sites and establish a new site at Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.

Expenses have reduced overall by 2.5% despite inflationary pressures including staff salaries growth to improve retention outcomes. Savings were made in reduction of corporate expenses including some unfortunate staff redundancies. Moving ICT to an outsourced model, facilities and vehicle utilisation have also contributed to effective cost saving measures.

The financial result for 2023-24 was a $333k deficit.

Nexia Edwards Marshall audited the Sonder Financial Statements 2023-24 and concluded that they give a true and fair view of the organisation’s financial position and performance and comply with Australian Accounting Standards.

Download Financial Statement

How our funds are used

Statement of financial position

2023/2024

2022/2023

Current assets

$4,906,781

$7,509,062

Non-current assets

$9,697,800

$8,216,992

Total assets

$14,604,581

$15,726,054

Current liabilities

$8,261,920

$8,704,239

Non-current liabilities

$4,396,052

$4,742,097

Total liabilities

$12,657,972

$13,446,336

Net assets

$1,946,609

$2,279,718

Annual report

2023 — 2024

What we do

Sonder is an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation that has been providing better quality health and support services to the South Australian community since 1993.

Vision

Purpose

Goal

CEO message

I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated employees, Members, Directors and stakeholders for their unwavering support and contributions over the past year.

Chair message

I am grateful for the dedication, innovation and endeavour of the staff and executive team at Sonder and this annual report speaks to their tireless commitment to our clients and their families.

Our impact

Throughout the 2023-24 financial year, we supported 13,686 people in metropolitan and regional communities across South Australia.

Sonder Kadina

Sonder Gawler

Sonder Nuriootpa

Solasta Klemzig

headspace Onkaparinga

headspace Adelaide

Safe Haven Salisbury

Northern Adelaide Head to Health

headspace Edinburgh North

Solasta Christies Beach

Sonder Maitland

Sonder Port Adelaide

Sonder Edinburgh North

We supported individuals across 26 programs and services.

Mental Health

Alcohol and/or other drugs

Youth

Primary health

Homelessness

Aboriginal health

Our people

Staff engagement

In 2023, we invited staff to participate in an engagement survey. 75% of staff participated in the survey.

Workforce development

In the 2023/24 financial year, Sonder facilitated a variety of workforce development opportunities for students and staff, demonstrating our commitment to cultivating talent, developing leadership, and offering diverse learning opportunities.

Investing in the future workforce

Empowering our lived experience workforce

Celebrating 30 years of Sonder

Mental health services

Throughout the 2023-24 financial year, we remained committed to the delivery of high-quality mental health support for adults, children and families, ensuring each individual felt safe, heard, and supported.

Across Adelaide’s northern and western metropolitan regions, and throughout Gawler-Barossa, we supported 6,318 individuals through 15,151 occasions of service.

Service development and expansion

Northern Adelaide Medicare Mental Health Centre

Safe Haven

Solasta

Alcohol & other drugs services

Across our three alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD) services, we continued to make significant impacts, supporting over 660 people in the past year.

Youth services

We delivered 57,611 services to 3,960 young people facing mental health challenges. Our efforts focused on strengthening interagency partnerships to ensure holistic and integrated care, while ensuring the voices of young people were integrated into all aspects of service delivery.

Our headspace centres

Supporting young people experiencing or at risk of developing psychosis

Empowering young people to achieve work & study goals

Client story

Kyle's story

Kyle’s journey to employment wasn’t straightforward, marked by everyday battles with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Absorbing information during job training often left him feeling lost and overwhelmed, causing his anxiety to manifest in chest pains before starting a shift.

Relaunching headspace Onkaparinga

Improving mental health literacy in sport

Partnering for integrated and coordinated care

Raising awareness through community engagement

Aboriginal health

Sonder’s Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care (CTG ITC) program supports Aboriginal Peoples living with chronic health conditions in Adelaide and regional South Australia.

In the 2023-24 financial year, 597 people were supported through 52,660 occasions of service.

Client story

Mariah's story

Overwhelmed by complex medical conditions and frequent hospital admissions, Mariah sought help from her GP, who referred her to the CTG ITC program.

Engaging with community at Closing the Gap Day

Primary health

Cultivating healthier lifestyle habits

Impressively, more than 80% experienced substantial improvements in their self-reported levels of exercise, demonstrated by gains in strength and overall fitness.

Supporting Aboriginal health through exercise and nutrition

Improving balance and confidence with Steady Steps

Bridging healthcare gaps

Homelessness services

Sonder supports people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness through Toward Home, an alliance consisting of Lutheran Care, Baptist Care SA, Mission Australia, The Salvation Army, Aboriginal Family Support Services, Hutt St Centre, the South Australian Housing Authority, and Sonder.

Research & evaluation

Research

Sonder held its second Research Symposium, showcasing research and program evaluations that incorporate co-designed and participatory health practices. The event attracted 36 attendees from universities, research institutions, government, and NGO organisations.

Annual
report