Homestyle Aged Care Volunteer with Geelong Mums

Homestyle Aged Care are thrilled to share that they have begun an off-site volunteering program involving two of their Geelong homes, Sea Views Manor and Kensington Grange in December 2023. Working with the dedication and support of Lifestyle Co-ordinators Jessica Curley and Alana O’Keefe facilitating the pickup and drop offs of goods from the Geelong Mums Warehouse, and then organising the volunteer activities in their respective homes.

Alana and Jessica initially visited the Geelong Mums Warehouse and took lots of photos to show the residents the backend operations and sorting that goes on in the Warehouse firsthand. They decided that as a first initiative of this off-site volunteering program, the residents would sort and fold baby clothes, and arrange them into gift packs, which are then delivered back to the warehouse and then given to a Geelong mum in need. The residents pop a sticker ‘This pack was put together by resident name’ on each completed pack with their name.

Established in 2013, Geelong Mums supports over 8,000 babies and children each year. As a branch of the St.Kilda Mums, it’s purpose is to rehome essentials such as prams, cots, toys and clothes to give kids the best start in life.

From one idea, exponential things grow.

The ‘Folding Sessions’ at Kensington Grange have been a great success to date. Each week the attendance grows of residents wanting to join in. There has been a lot of laughter and reminiscence during these activities with conversations about cloth nappies, raising children and how times have changed.

The knitting group at Sea Views Manor are now knitting squares to be sewn together to make blankets to be gifted, and each mum who receives a knitted blanket will also receive a toy fixed by the volunteers.

Residents at all different stages of their health, those in good health, those not so mobile, and residents living with dementia have all been able to participate and enjoy these sessions. Some residents have even requested to fold bags in their rooms over the weekend as they have found great purpose in this activity.

We are proud to be welcomed as part of the Geelong Mums Community as we believe it is important to give back.

Thank you to the residents for your work and commitment to this program, and to the Lifestyle Co-ordinators Alana and Jessica for embracing this opportunity with great enthusiasm. We look forward to connecting further with the Geelong Mums in 2024.

Click here to find out more about Homestyle Aged Care