b'Current social contextRising poverty and inequality are contributing to increasingly complex consumer needs with further workforce challenges and an increasingly complex funding environment, placing unprecedented demand on community services.Increasing poverty Growing demand for and inequality community services and The intersecting crises of food insecurity, housingcomplexity of needsunaffordability and cost of living pressures areWe have seen a growing demand for our heightening the demand for our services. services and increasing complexity in the Charities and food relief organisations reportneeds experienced by consumers. Almost half unprecedented demand, with more peopleof consumers surveyed in the 2024 Consumer seeking assistance to meet basic food needs.Experience Survey identified they have recently Between August 2022 and February 2023, aaccessed more than one service. Our consumers survey revealed 53% of Australians struggledand our workforce are identifying the need for to afford basic necessities. Australians are stillus to continue to build the connections between grappling with post-pandemic inflation, whichour services, in recognition that poverty, trauma peaked at 7.8% in December 2022, the highestand disadvantage does not just impact one part since 1978.of a persons life.The housing crisis has deepened, driving upDisadvantage and need overlap in particular housing stress and homelessness. Public housingcommunities. People living in the most waitlists have grown by nearly 14% in five years,disadvantaged areas in Victoria are nearly while persistent homelessness has increased bythree times more likely to experience child over 24%. maltreatment (2.7 times) and more than twice as likely (2.5 times) to experience housing overcrowding. UnitingCare Australias Child Social Inclusion Index shows 35% of children living in Tasmania lack the opportunities and resources needed to fully participate in their communities, with Bridgewater-Gagebrook and Ravenswood in the top 10 most excluded areas in Australia. Tailored solutions that address the unique needs of specific communities and tackle deep-rooted disadvantages require closer collaboration with local communities. An ageing population is further escalating demand and complexity in aged care, health, and community services, straining workforce resources. Meanwhile, advancements in technology and artificial intelligence are raising consumer expectations, providing new possibilities for reimagining how our servicesare accessed and delivered.Sources: Right Lane Consulting. (2024). Based on: De Marchi. B. (2024).; Undernourished, stressed and overworked: cost-of-living pressures are taking a toll on Australians health. The Conversation.; ABC News.; RBA. (2024). Inflation overview.; Australian Government. (2024, January 22). Report on government services 2024 Part G, Section 18 Housing and Section 19 Homelessness services. ; Dropping off the EdgeVictoria. Crime Statistics Victoria (2022-23).; Centre for Population. (2024). National, state and territory population, December 2023.; Australian Computer Society. (2024). Technology Impacts on the Australian Workforce.; Uniting Care Australia (2024) Child Social Exclusion Index Nurturing Inclusion: Paving the way to improved child wellbeing.14 Uniting 2030 Strategy'