Strengthening a century-old legacy through strategic transformation: Uniting Vic.Tas
Uniting Vic.Tas is the community services arm of the Uniting Church. Since 1890, it has delivered life-changing programs across Victoria and Tasmania. For over a century, Uniting has stood beside individuals, families, and those most vulnerable in our communities.
Deeply committed to inclusion, dignity, and social justice, Uniting Vic.Tas provides crisis housing, mental health support, family services, aged care, and community development. Everyone matters — that belief shapes every service. Diversity is celebrated, and all lived experiences are honoured, no matter a person’s background or identity. More than delivering services, Uniting partners with people and communities to drive lasting change.
In 2017, Uniting Vic.Tas formed through the merger of 21 UnitingCare agencies and Wesley Mission. This merger united deep experience and community connections across two states. As the organisation grew, so did its complexity. Uniting saw the need for clarity of purpose, a unified service portfolio, and an operating model that could scale. It also needed to stay true to its founding values.
Partnering with Right Lane Consulting for strategic transformation
Over 11 months, Right Lane Consulting supported Uniting Vic.Tas through a major strategic transformation. We helped define the organisational strategy — Uniting 2030. In addition, we developed a clear service and operating model. This included balanced robust analysis with co-design and deep stakeholder input.
We examined key external factors shaping Uniting’s future. These included rising community needs, funding pressures, workforce challenges, and shifts within the Uniting Church and wider society. At the same time, we listened. Through broad consultation, we heard from the Board, Executive Team, workforce, consumer partners, and external stakeholders.
This work resulted in the co-created Strategy 2030, launched publicly in April 2025. The strategy sets out an inspiring vision for an inclusive, connected, and just future. It includes five ambitious goals, each tied to this vision. You can view Uniting’s 2030 strategy at a glance here.
Designing the service portfolio and operating model
To support the delivery of the Uniting Strategy 2030, a future service portfolio and operating model framework was developed. This included development of a current and future service portfolio map and identification of growth opportunities as well as mapping current functions, identifying resourcing priorities, and modelling structure options aligned with industry benchmarks. This work resulted in a high-level, future-ready structure for Uniting’s Support Services.
‘It has been a fantastic collaboration. My key reflection is that it hit the mark on all fronts. Working with Right Lane, you were very adaptable and flexible. We came in with slightly different approaches, but we melded really well and very quickly. There wasn’t a single moment where we faced major issues — we adapted and flexed together throughout.’
‘One of the biggest successes was how RLC created a safe space for us to speak the truth and fill you in.’
‘I’ve been involved in many consulting engagements over the years, and I’d happily repeat this one. It was really solid.’
‘I struggle to think of anything that could’ve been done better. The products delivered throughout the project, were great.’
‘Thank you for all your efforts. It’s been a fantastic partnership which challenged the organisation in the best ways.’
A partnership for impact
Right Lane Consulting is proud to support Uniting Vic.Tas’s strategic transformation. Together, we turned complexity into clarity and vision into action.
Our purpose is to help organisations that do good, do better. If you’d like to learn how we can support your strategic transformation, please get in touch.
