With special guest:
- Philip Penfold
Charity starts at home.
Philip Penfold, our guest today, was born and raised in Maitland NSW. When he spent 18 months in the USA he witnessed first-hand how community minded the Americans were and it inspired him to do something for his own hometown.
Philip did not have to look too far before he realised that homeless men in the Hunter region desperately needed someone to care. This led to the establishment in 2011 of Hunter Valley Men’s Crisis Support which provides assistance to homeless men in Maitland/Lower Hunter. This support group aims to give blokes a hand up when they are at their lowest point. They do this by providing practical, short-term assistance to men experiencing or at risk of homelessness or financial difficulty.
Homelessness is sometimes not obvious because the men will resort to sleeping in cars even on freezing nights. Philip tells us that homelessness could happen to any of us when a few things go wrong. With the mining industry cutting back in the area and the ever present risk of family breakdown this problem will not go away.
Many men will hold on to their chivalry in trying circumstances so that if there has been a family breakdown they would rather stay close to their family and homeless rather than seek work elsewhere. Family breakdown also is a large factor in the high rate of suicide.
As part of his community consciousness Philip Penfold is a councillor on the Maitland City Council currently serving in his second term. As a Councillor Philip keeps up to date with local activities and services including the Men’s Shed movement. He is able to direct those seeking his help to the appropriate provider. But as the first step on the journey to recovery Philip provides his personal contact details, his telephone number, 0427330731, his email hvmcinc@gmail.com and his address PO Box 2374 Green Hills 2323. He is seeking supporters to make a regular donation of say $2-$5 each pay to allow the continuation of the great work done locally.
Philip Penfold is a model for taking action locally and an inspiration to us all. Do not miss listening to what he has to say.
Philip Penfold
Philip Penfold was born and raised in Maitland. He was first elected to represent the people of Maitland’s interests 6 years ago as a Councillor on Maitland City Council. He is currently in his second term.
Philip was a branch manager at Greater Building Society before he established the Mortgage Choice franchise at East Maitland. He lives in the area with his wife, Councillor Nicole Penfold, and has two sons. Philip is the former chief instructor of Hunter Valley Karate.
Song selection by our guest: The Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics