Introducing our new 5-Year Strategic Plan

We’re excited to share our new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which sets the course for the next five years and reaffirms our commitment to the people and communities we support.

As a not-for-profit organisation supporting diverse communities in Fairfield and Greater Western Sydney, it’s essential that our direction stays grounded in real needs, shaped by lived experience, and responsive to emerging sector trends. This plan represents a shared vision: one that sharpens our focus, clarifies our priorities, and strengthens our capacity to create meaningful impact.

A robust and collaborative process

Our new Strategic Plan was developed through a thoughtful and inclusive process. We engaged sector stakeholders, community members, and ran interactive planning sessions with staff using an Appreciative Inquiry approach. These workshops encouraged deep reflection on what’s working, what’s possible, and what’s needed next.

We also held planning sessions with our Board and leadership team to ensure that the strategy reflects both operational realities and long-term aspirations. Alongside this, we undertook a rigorous review of relevant literature and critically examined secondary data sources to ground our strategy in evidence and context. The result is a plan that brings together practical insights, community wisdom, robust data, and bold ambition.

A clear direction for the future

Through this process, we’ve set a clear direction – one that centres the voices of our community, lifts the quality and reach of our services, elevates our presence, and strengthens the partnerships that help us grow stronger together.

We remain committed to building a more empowered, inclusive, and resilient Fairfield and Greater Western Sydney. This is captured in our purpose: We help people find their place and forge a fair future.

“This strategy marks a pivotal moment for Community First Step. It’s a bold and practical blueprint that will guide our work over the next five years—anchored in evidence, driven by community voice, and focused on long-term impact. I’m proud of the collaborative process behind it, and excited by what lies ahead.” – Pandora Patterson, CEO

Our strategic priorities

While the Strategic Plan offers a high-level vision, we believe it’s helpful to share what each of our four strategic priorities mean in action:

• Community-led, evidence-informed service excellence

Partnering with and empowering communities to address social, economic, education, health and wellbeing issues, and using evidence and data to deliver holistic, responsive support that addresses unmet needs and creates lasting impact.

• A leading voice with our communities

Building advocacy capacity and amplifying community voices – engaging in policy development, practicing deliberative democracy, and building self-determination.

• Elevate our presence

Strengthening how we communicate and share our work – elevating the stories of the communities we work with and promoting community-led success. Positioning Community First Step as a trusted provider, collaborator, partner, and employer.

• Growth and partnerships

Building strong, purpose-driven partnerships, diversifying income streams, embracing digital transformation, and developing new models of care that respond to emerging needs and opportunities.

Looking ahead

Our Strategic Plan reflects where we’ve come from and where we’re going. It’s shaped by the people, for the people, and it strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful, intergenerational outcomes.

We look forward to bringing this plan to life in the months and years ahead, working together with our community to forge a fair future.