For nearly 20 years, Set Free Care has been quietly and consistently showing up for people on the Gold Coast – offering not just services, but safety and genuine human connection.

In the last year alone, their impact has been extraordinary. More than 10,000 meals were shared, over 4,000 showers provided and nearly 2,000 free grocery bags filled with food were placed into the hands of people who needed them most. Each number represents a person treated with respect, care and compassion.

When natural disasters have hit the Gold Coast, Set Free Care has stepped up without hesitation, opening their doors as an evacuation centre and becoming a place of refuge for people experiencing homelessness during dangerous weather events.

“Recently we were open six days and six nights, 24 hours a day. They slept in our hall because the weather was too rough,” said Ellen, Operations Manager at Set Free Care.

This work is made possible through strong community partnerships and a shared commitment to caring for others. “Without charities like Foodbank, OzHarvest and Orange Sky, we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of the work we do around here,” Ellen shared.

Run by dedicated staff and passionate volunteers, Set Free Care is a welcoming hub where many services come together under one roof. It is a place where people are known, seen and valued. Jeannie, one of Set Free Care’s committed staff sees this connection every day. “A lot of people come here every day. We pretty much know everyone who comes in and can then know who in new to the area.” New faces arrive each week, and everyone who walks through the doors is met with support, no matter their circumstances.

For many, Set Free Care becomes a lifeline during moments of deep uncertainty. “Many people can’t find their place when they start living in their car. Every week we have new people who have had to start living in their car or on the street,” Jeannie said.

What makes the centre truly special is the sense of community and shared care that grows within it. Volunteers – many with lived experience – play a powerful role in supporting others. “Lots of our volunteers have lived on the street and go out and tell them where to go. They help each other out and keep an eye on one another,” Jeannie explained.

That cycle of care can be transformative. Jeannie shared, “Some people that have come to Set Free Care have come from the street, they have connected with a rehabilitation service, then they come back and volunteer and ended up in homes.”

Today, two volunteers who are currently living on the street come in every day to support Set Free Care. “It keeps them busy and stops them from doing other stuff that they don’t want to do,” said Jeannie.

At the heart of everything is food, a powerful connector. Through daily meals, food hampers, showering facilities, an op shop and a permanent Orange Sky Laundry set-up, Set Free Care provides practical support alongside warmth and belonging. Their dining hall has become a place where people gather, connect and comfort one another, especially when facing some of life’s biggest challenges.

Through dignity-first care, strong partnerships and the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers, Set Free Care continues to make an incredible difference on the Gold Coast – reminding people that they matter, and that they are not alone.