Half of Australians experience more financial stress during winter, according to new research conducted by YouGov for the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

Vinnies shops throughout the NSW North Coast region urgently need more volunteers to help with retail operations. The organisation says some stores have had to reduce opening hours or close on trading days due to a critical shortage of volunteers.

Homelessness Week is happening now. This year’s theme – 'Homelessness Action Now' – aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness and the solutions needed to address the issue at a national, state and local level.

The 2022 NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout is this week with participants across the state braving the cold to raise vital funds and awareness in support of local services provided by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

One of the major recipients of Ballina RSL's latest round of ClubGRANTS is Mary's Place, a drop-in centre and support service for homeless people and travellers in the area, supported by Vinnies.

Both Rural Aid and Vinnies have launched flood appeals in the wake of the current weather events

The doors are open at St Vincent de Paul Society’s new drop-in centre in Ballina, servicing a population with one of the highest homelessness rates in regional NSW.

A date to put in your diary is 23 October – that's the day that the sleepout for Vinnies Fred’s Place homeless service in Tweed Heads will be held.

Wondering what you can do to help our Northern Rivers neighbours impacted by devastating fires further south?

Exclusive: A mass exodus of around 17 long-term volunteers at the Byron Bay St Vincent De Paul centre is being downplayed by management, despite claims of poor treatment and a change in management direction.