DISTURBING stories of a family who recently lost three relatives at once, a mother and two children who were made homeless due to domestic violence and another woman who was robbed of the cash she had saved for Christmas, as well as presents, have inspired initiatives to help vulnerable people.
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The Community Shed and a group accepting donations of babies clothing have been established to help people in trouble, especially during the festive season, inspired by the “pay it forward” philosophy.
Former social worker and founder Karlie Irwin said the initiative came about through the stories of hardship she heard after creating the Facebook group Orange Free, Buy, Swap, Sell or Wanted.
She said the site had helped several people in crisis.
“I heard a story of young single mum who’s struggling and doesn’t have a lot of income and her washing machine blew up,” Ms Irwin said.
“She’s got little children and we were able to find a washing machine ... the mum had been handwashing clothes, dragging baskets of clothes to friends and neighbours to try to keep clean clothes on the kids.
“Then there was a young boy who just moved into his first place ever after being homeless for several months. We were able to find fridges and couches and things that take the pressure and anxiety away from people at that time.”
She has been encouraged by the growing interest in the two groups.
“It’s started to become a platform for people to reach out, which has been wonderful, to tell stories of other people in the community who have experienced trauma or crisis, now it’s kind of turning into something else which is nice to see,” she said.
Drop-offs are welcome to be delivered to the shed, at 13 James Ryan Avenue of any usable items such as white goods, household furniture and goods and non-perishable food items, to will benefit needy people in the community.
ashlea.pritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au
