Support for some people doing it tough
We have agreed to assist in providing care packs and clothing for people being admitted to the Alfred Hospital Mental Health Unit. The Unit has 50 or so patients at any one time and staff say people being admitted are highly anxious and frightened and many arrive with no physical possessions or care items. The Hospital is only able to provide basic hygiene necessities.
In a project initiated by Bronwyn Stephens, Past District Governor and member of Rotary Club Melbourne South, we will work with that Club and others to provide a store of basic care packs that can be made available to each person on admission. Additionally, as typically 40 % of people in the Unit are homeless, a store of new clothing will be established to assist as part of the project.
The project is a collaboration of Rotary Club of Melbourne South (lead club), RC Albert Park, RC Port Melbourne, RC Malvern, RC Hawthorn and RC Glen Eira as a. The clubs have made various financial contributions towards the project and as a multi-club project and project has been approved for a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation ( District Grant).
Rotary Hawthorn’s inaugural fundraising lunch raised money for mental health as well as Rotary Hawthorn projects, so the funds committed as our contribution to this project are already available.
This project sits really well with our Club’s focus on support for the disadvantaged and provides a great opportunity for us to work with other clubs in doing something that will be of real practical benefit.
More on opportunities for our involvement as the project rolls on, but at this stage, to get the maximum impact with the available funds, assistance or suggestions in linking with potential donors/suppliers of the care pack items and clothing would be very welcome.
For more information contact.
Denbigh Richards
Community Service Director
Or Katrina Flinn
Consortium Committee member representing Rotary Hawthorn