St Bartholomew’s House was established in 1963 at the Rectory of St Bartholomew’s Church in Kensington Street, East Perth, following discussions between Archbishop George Appleton and Dr James Watson. Having been Archdeacon of London, the Archbishop thought the name of St Bartholomew’s House suitable, relating it to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. (This hospital, founded by the monk Rahere, was originally established to care for the needy and homeless.)
The House fulfilled a vital role in giving assistance and shelter to men in crisis and need within the Perth area. Initially, mattresses were placed on the floor of the Church Hall behind the Rectory and facilities were primitive.
Since then the work has grown. In 1975, after a five-year fund-raising program, a hostel was built on the site of the old Church Hall. The hostel faces Brown Street and comprises 2 two-storey blocks, which provided single room accommodation for 37 men.
In the early 1980s the Rectory was replaced by the Peter Hodge Night Shelter, named after the Reverend Peter Hodge who was Chief Executive Officer/Chaplain of the House from 1966 to 1974. The Night Shelter, as it was then known, provided emergency accommodation for up to 27 men. It was opened by Archbishop Peter Carnley on Sunday, August 28, 1983.
In 1993 the Night Shelter was renovated and converted into mainly single room accommodation. No longer called the Night Shelter, its name was changed to the Peter Hodge Unit and was now part of the overall House.
In August 2002, a new Peter Hodge Hostel was opened. The building of this Hostel was made possible by St Bartholomew’s House having a joint venture with the Department of Housing and Works who provided the costs for the building of the hostel on St Bartholomew’s House land.
The needs of the men in crisis are still as great today as they were years ago; only the age of the group has changed. The House is now providing accommodation for much younger men.
In December 1987, St Bartholomew’s Council, in its desire to move forward, reviewed its position and concluded that it had reached the “crossroads”. The Council commissioned a report on how best to implement the necessary changes to permit ongoing growth and development. The report was completed in March 1988 and the Council adopted the recommendations made, which covered philosophy, the management structure, staffing, administration, policies and various physical changes.
The most important and difficult change for the Council to effect was that relating to attitude. St Bartholomew’s moved away from being simply a shelter for men in need, to having a more holistic and personalised approach to each resident. This was based on the following components:
These changes having been effected, St Bartholomew’s then faced the challenge of meeting the needs of men who sought help and of assisting them to independent living.
St Bartholomew’s offers the opportunity for the residents to improve their lifestyles. They are actively encouraged to develop life skills, which enables them to live and work successfully within the wider community.
The basic necessities, i.e. accommodation, ablutions, three meals per day and clothing are provided as the first step in this process. Support and advice are given, and men are assisted to achieve financial security by obtaining those benefits to which they are entitled.
Generally residents are encouraged to accept greater responsibility, to improve their self-esteem and sense of worth, to develop important life skills and to seek employment. Residents are also encouraged to participate in keeping their living environment clean and well maintained. Some residents enter in an agreement to assist with the regular cleaning of the hostels. Residents enter a work environment with the support and encouragement of the St Bartholomew’s House staff. Support is also given as they move out into the wider community.
Encouragement, support and assistance are given in an atmosphere of acceptance and friendship in which the individual is treated with dignity and respect.