Small Comforts from Community is a collaboration of Clubs within Rotary District 9800: a social impact project the success of which is reflected in the fact that this initiative has recently expanded. In addition to providing care bags and clothing to The Alfred and Upton House (Eastern Health), we now also distribute care bags to patients at the Royal Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospitals. Over 1,500 care packs are provided each year to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, people being admitted to mental health wards in our local hospitals.
This expansion has been made possible thanks to the support of the Rotary Clubs of Williamstown and Glenferrie, who joined a collaboration which already included the Rotary Clubs of Albert Park, Brighton North, Hawthorn, Malvern, and Port Phillip, with additional support from Donations in Kind. The project was established with the financial support of a Rotary Foundation District Grant The expansion into additional hospitals was also facilitated through a Centenary Grant from the Rotary Club of Balwyn. Members of our team are actively involved in liaising with the hospital staff, sourcing products as well as packing and sorting, and of course delivery to the hospitals. We regularly have sessions which are very popular with our Rotarians to pack the care bags. The hand-sewn “care bags” are packed with a variety of items, including a journal or notebook, a pack of coloured pencils, a pen, deodorant, lip balm, moisturiser, socks, and a hairbrush or comb—each item is brand new. These packs not only provide a sense of welcome and care but also significantly enhance patients' wellbeing and improve their rate of recovery. Also, by making each patient’s stay more comfortable, the care bags and clothing help alleviate some of the pressure on health workers, allowing them to focus on other aspects of patient care.
As an example of the impact of the project, the staff have commented on the responses of the recipients.
- Patients have expressed surprise and delight at the quality of the gifts. The new clothing, in particular, offers comfort, especially after often distressing experiences leading up to their hospital admission.
- Many patients arrive disorganised and distressed, often having misplaced or lost personal belongings. These thoughtful gestures make a real difference to their experience during admission.
- The journals provide a source of solace and self-expression for many patients.
And similarly, patients have been also expressed their joy on receiving items such as clean clothing and toiletries.
- I came in with only the clothes I was wearing, which I had been in for days. When the nurse gave me a fresh set of casual clothes, I finally felt more like myself again.
- I didn’t have toiletries with me when I came to the hospital. This simple gesture has given me comfort and a sense of dignity during my stay.
- I use my journal to write down my thoughts and plan for when I leave.
This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our Clubs work together—Rotary truly making a difference.
Captions top: Rain Herrmann Psychiatric Services Officer – Acute Inpatient Service, St Vincent’s Mental Health, Fitzroy; Katrina Flinn, Rotary Hawthorn & Jenny de Vos from Rotary Glenferrie
Above left: Packing Day Rotary Hawthorn. Right: Jo & Elsa from The Alfred accepting a delivery of care bags.