about us

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide urgent response respite experiences and support to those affected by cancer with young children, to enable their family unit to take a break from cancer treatment schedules to enable rest and connection.

Our Purpose

To support families with a parent undergoing/ recovering from cancer treatment.

Our Vision

Our vision is to see every person affected by cancer have access to quality family time as an essential ingredient for their cancer recovery.

Our Strategic Objectives

Ensuring the care of our families is at the centre of our focus.

Position Homely Retreats as an integral part of every young family’s cancer journey and a key ingredient for their individual recovery process.

Engaging with the health professionals and community members to provide awareness about our support and respite services.

Build on and grow our existing community connections to facilitate an increase in support for Tasmanian families affected by cancer, whilst continuing a 30% annual increase of service.

OUR ‘BIG VISION’

Our aim is to expand and replicate Homely Retreats into mainland states beginning in 2024.

Our ‘BIG VISION’ is to build a nationally sustainable organisation that provides respite experiences for all eligible Australian families affected by cancer by 2028.

This means that EVERY Australian family with a parent undergoing treatment/recovering from treatment, whilst caring for children under 18 years, would be eligible for a complimentary weekend away with their loved ones.

Sounds good hey?!

We have new management!

Effective 1st July 2024, Homely Retreats is now managed by the National Cancer Foundation Australia. We are dedicated to supporting clients and their families/caregivers within the current framework while we await further guidance.  Thank you for your patience as we strive to achieve our charity goals.

John Thompson (Director)

Angela Vincent (Client Liaison Homely Retreats)

OUR FOUNDING TEAM

The founding team of champion volunteer board members, advisory and fundraising committee.

L-R: Jo Leslie, Alison Rogers (Co-Founder/ Fundraising Committee), Jay Chipman (Founder), Sonja Preston (Advisory/Fundraising Committee), Danielle Conlan (Advisory Committee).

OUR TEAM EVOLUTION SINCE 2018!

Jo Veldhuis (Former Director/Fundraising Committee ), Jay Chipman (Founder & Former Director), Jane McCann (Founding Member & Former Director- Launceston), Angela Vincent (Client Liaison Coordinator/Advisory Committee), Kirsty Willson (Former Advisory/Fundraising Committee), Sonja Preston (Founding member & Former Advisory/Fundraising Committee), Paul Bolton (appointed alternate Director), Lou Dalton (Former Fundraising Committee)

hear their stories