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“OneCare Geelong use to provide 70 sit-down meals to disadvantaged and isolated people per week, now we are providing 500 pickup and delivered meals per week.

“People can register for assistance at our website https://www.onecaregeelong.org.au/ and follow the COVID-19 links. Note that we can only deliver to certain postcodes.

“Once you are registered, if you can come to us, we’d love to see you on a Tuesday and Thursday between 10am and 12pm at 61 Candover St Geelong West.

“Our takeaway meals and emergency pantry packs will be available. We are committed to continuing our service while adhering to additional hygiene needs and safe social distancing restrictions. We might not shake your hand when you arrive but we will give you a big smile!” OneCare Geelong.

Continue reading “OneCare Geelong, update.” →

Eshan (his name has been changed to protect his identity) is an enthusiastic, hardworking, young man seeking asylum in the Geelong region. Did you know that asylum seekers who lose their jobs due to Covid-19, aren’t eligible for any government income support? How are they meant to eat, cover basic living expenses let alone find the funds to pay legal fees for their visa or appeal processes? CRAG, the Combined Refugee Action Group for this region are helping many people like Eshan with their legal costs. If you can help with these legal costs, please sign up for their newsletter for more information or donate via their website, email combinedrefugeeactiongroup@gmail.com

Unfortunately, Eshan’s initial application for asylum was rejected however, a barrister has found a number of points of merit for an appeal to the Federal Court, which has given Eshan some hope of securing a protection visa and being able to stay in our beautiful country.

Under the current ‘fast track’ process, Eshan doesn’t have access to a thorough case review through a tribunal. The only avenue for appeal is through the court system.

Continue reading “Asylum Seeker, Eshan.” →

The Free Conversations Movement. Thanks Adri, from Barcelona, for reaching out and introducing me to Free Conversations. Adri is forming a global group of storytellers, with the aim of collaborating and sharing ideas. Before lock down, in Barcelona, Adri would take to the streets with two chairs and a sign, Free Conversations. On Easter Sunday I tried it at my oval, social distancing observed. Here are the first two, of a number of conversations.

1.“As a nurse, I don’t know how they are coping. I had to deal with 5 deaths in a day but how you would deal with a 100… It took me weeks to get over it. Being in ICU and knowing that there is nothing you can do but try your best. We are very lucky here in Australia that have such a great health system but hearing about what is happening in Milan and NY is so upsetting. Hopefully it won’t get to that stage here.

“Mind you, it has brought out a really positive side in people. You walk your dog and everyone is waving and saying hello. Everyone is being really kind.

2.“What’s your favourite thing at school?” Prep child on bike “I love learning.” Turns out Dad works for Ford Motor company. They are making face shields for medical workers. Mum is a midwife at Geelong Hospital, they’re still there. Elective surgery has been stopped and lots has been moved to St John of God or the Epworth. “There has been lots of preparing, we’re just hoping it is all for nothing.”

Stories: Jacqui Bennett. Photo: Adri in Barcelona

National Volunteer Week (NVW) Volunteer Ambassador Nominations Are Now Open! In these challenging times, volunteers across Australia, and the world, continue to make an amazing contribution to help people live better lives.

This National Volunteer Week 18 May to 24 May 2020, we want to celebrate and reward exceptional people who willingly give their time, and by doing so are “changing communities, changing lives”.

Humans in Geelong in partnership with genU and Volunteering Geelong are searching for 6 to 8 volunteers that would be willing to share their inspiring volunteering story with us, and act as online ambassadors in order to raise awareness about the power of volunteering during NVW.

We are pleased to announce volunteer ambassador nominations are open from now until Monday 4 May 2020!

It’s so quick and easy to nominate, tell us in just 100 words – simply click the link below!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VolunteerAmbassadorNom

#InThisTogether #WeLoveVolunteers #NVW2020 #humansingeelong

Photo from genU of previous ambassadors.

“Mate, why don’t we do something that goes past telling blokes to just have a chat, and try to understand the actual issue at hand, and while we’re at it, push social connection and drive real change when it comes to men’s Mental Health in Geelong.”

And with that, the idea of Right Mate was born.

Chris Lytas & Luke Outerbridge were introduced to each other by a mutual friend in July 2019 who had an idea that if she brought these two together, good things would come of it. After 9 months of planning, the formation of a committee of passionate men, the brand was incorporated and on Monday 6th April 2020, the website www.rightmate.org.au went live.

Continue reading “Right Mate.” →

“I’d been to New Zealand so was in isolation at home in Anglesea for 14 days. It was day 4, and it was driving me up the wall. So, when my friend asked me if I could sew some hats for nurses, it gave me a sense of purpose. Now making hats is giving purpose to hundreds of happy sewers and we’re supplying hospitals all over Australia.” We hear from Deb Elliott, Co-ordinator of the Helping our Hospital Heroes Australia Project https://www.facebook.com/groups/247717806396383/ . Please share! “We ask for amazing volunteers across the country to make hats or donate fabric. The volunteers not only have a sense of purpose but they communicate and connect over the project too.

“My friend was from the Rotary Club of Sunbury, Victoria, they’d received a request from one of their members, who is a Nursing Unit Manager at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, looking for volunteers to make hats for nurses.

“Nurses don’t normally wear hats on hospital wards but they wish to now, as they have been informed that the virus can remain on surfaces for up to 4 days. While many wear their hair up, it is still an area that is left vulnerable. Both male and female nurses want to protect their families as much as possible and don’t want to run the risk of taking the virus home with them. These hats are not intended to replace Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

Continue reading “Helping our Hospital Heroes Australia, Deb.” →

Is there a volunteer you’d like to see rewarded? Please share. The Volunteer Ambassador Awards, aim to celebrate champion volunteers who are doing great things in our community!

genU in partnership with Volunteering Geelong, and Humans in Geelong, are searching for 6-8 volunteers that would be happy to share their inspiring volunteering story and act as ambassadors in order to raise awareness about the power of volunteering during National Volunteer Week (NVW) May 18-24, 2020.

The year 2020 has seen extremely difficult and life-changing events, which have had a huge impact on communities and organisations. We know that volunteers continue to play a huge part in responding to the needs of their communities during these challenging times. This NVW we want to ensure that we celebrate and share the inspiring stories of volunteers who are going above and beyond, and by doing so are “changing communities, changing lives.”

We know that these volunteers are extremely humble and not likely to self-nominate to share their story, despite their outstanding contribution to their community – so we are seeking nominations from organisations.

Nominations for Volunteer Ambassadors will open on Monday 13th April and will close on Monday 4th May 2020. We’ll share a link to the electronic nomination form when nominations open.

Unfortunately, the Thank You Event scheduled for Friday 22nd May, 2:00 – 4:00pm has been cancelled.

Thank you for celebrating volunteering in our region and for embracing NVW initiatives in 2020!

Information on behalf of genU, Volunteering Geelong and Humans in Geelong. Photo: Rotary Club of Kardinia Volunteers at the Humans in Geelong Expo 2019 taken by Jake Langenegger.

Trigger Warning – this story discusses suicidal thoughts, strategies and hope.

“We had no idea that our son, Kyle, was struggling with his mental health. At 15, he became suicidal. This was the scariest time for Pepe and me.” We hear from Kyle Jdali’s mum, Keran. Read Kyle’s story on Humans in Geelong website.

“Growing up as a toddler, young child and teen, Kyle would often have temper tantrums and be more emotionally sensitive. I remember speaking to a nurse once when Kyle was about 10 years old and she told me that it was very normal in today’s society for children to go through puberty and hormonal changes at a younger age.

“He seemed like any other normal teenager who liked to be by himself, a bit sulky at times, so on that Sunday (March 2018), when he came to talk to Pepe and I, we were in complete shock. We managed to hold it together and praised him for opening up.

“Naturally, we blamed ourselves. What could we have done differently? We’d always been a very close, connected family who ate meals together, played board games, talked, went out for meals etc. Later Kyle told me that because I had shared my own mental health struggles as a teenager, it had helped him to open up. We had no idea that Kyle had been feeling so low, and I know only too well how easy it is to live two lives, you can hide it so well. It could happen to anyone.

Continue reading “Kyle’s Mum’s story, Keran.” →

Could you use or be an Angel Next Door? An unusual upside to the Aussie toilet paper crisis is proving a saviour for people stranded by the coronavirus shutdown. Geelong’s Aamir Qutub, like many others, found himself caught short of toilet paper and called his sister, Saba, to see if she could help.

Luckily, she could. But triggered a Eureka moment for the web developer, who threw himself into a website project he’s called Angel Next Door.

Angel Next Door harnesses the goodwill of local neighbourhoods to help people doing it tough in the coronavirus shutdown. “Aussies are quick to help others in a crisis but, right now, it’s hard to know just who needs help or where to turn when they do,” he said.

“Angel Next Door is helping to fix that with a simple website that offers greater security and privacy than other help sites. Plenty of people are doing tough right now. It’s not just toilet paper – they’re facing challenges with food, with groceries, medicines, money, jobs, stress and lots more.

Continue reading “Angel Next Door.” →

“Could you write a letter to an elderly local to make their day? If you’re searching for a way to help someone during COVID-19 why not join this Pen Pals program. Brighten up a senior’s day by sending them a letter, a drawing or video. Simply register at https://homeinstead.com.au/penpals/ and we’ll match you up with someone.”

The new facebook page for @penpalsathomeinstead is http://www.facebook.com/penpalshomeinstead/

This initiative comes from local Giselle and her Italian husband Giovanni, the owners and directors of Geelong’s Home Instead which is based in Pakington St, Geelong West. They care for over 350 elderly in our community and saw the need for this initiative. They are encouraging the community to write to our most vulnerable. To share messages of hope and joy, to make seniors feel connected with their community and to help them overcome any feelings of loneliness that they may be experiencing.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with responses already from 11-year-olds to all ages. We pass their messages of hope on to our clients and those connected with age care. If the senior agrees to join in, they are welcome to reply back. It could be the same message that might be read to a number of people, bringing hope and joy to many. It is nice to share videos and drawings also.

Continue reading “Pen Pals needed.” →