“THF was a great organisation doing great work but was very old-fashioned and behind the times. Matrix helped respectfully make it into a quality, best practice contemporary service.
The review was amazing – having nearly every staff member consulted with, plus stakeholders and board, really contributed to trust and engagement.
We now have a full-service review for credibility and a Strategic Plan that gives us a solid foundation of what we’re doing and why, and an action plan to move forward.”
- Gowan Vyse, CEO, The Haymarket Foundation
Background
The Haymarket Foundation (THF) has operated in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo and Chippendale since 1974, working with people experiencing homelessness in combination with other complex needs: co-occurring mental health, alcohol and other drug issues and frequently, lifelong trauma and disability.
Their services include crisis accommodation facilities and other services for those who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness, plus alcohol and other drug counselling services.
Commencing in 2022, a new CEO found an organisation that, while very highly regarded for its work, was under-resourced for what it was committed to deliver, bringing negative impacts on staff morale, management effectiveness and overall organisational sustainability.
Matrix’s Involvement
Project: Organisational Review and Strategic Plan
Date: 2023/2024
Location: Sydney, NSW
In 2023 Matrix was asked to conduct an all-of-organisation review, to assess THF’s strengths and areas for improvement across its strategic positioning, governance organisational structure and culture and service delivery.
The review included a corporate document review, sector benchmarking, observations, and internal and external stakeholder consultation. This consultation involved interviews with the majority of service delivery and management staff, along with the Board and external stakeholders, which included funders, peak bodies and some previous clients.
Subsequently, Matrix returned to THF to facilitate development of their five-year Strategic Plan 2024-2029.
Outcomes
Working with Matrix, THF was able to align its historical strengths with a plan to operate effectively to address the existing and emerging challenges of its complex work into the future.