Katrina Flinn reports on our mental health project.It is supporting some of the most vulnerable in our community by providing recreational equipment, activities, and art supplies.
The Rotary Club of Hawthorn with the support of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has recently completed a new project to supply recreational equipment for the inpatients of Box Hill Hospital’s mental health wards: Upton House and 1 East. This is an exciting extension or spin off of the care bags ‘Bags of Hope” and clothing project.
Originally we were asked for exercise bikes, a treadmill and a table tennis table to replace the existing equipment that was in very poor condition. The project hit a few hurdles and the hospital’s OH&S department decided against a treadmill and the exercise bike needed to have no removable parts. Through a contact of one of our members, we were able to get a donated exercise bike altered to lock in the handle bars and seat to meet the hospital’s requirements. We were also excited to provide a good quality sturdy new table tennis table.
As the project progressed we were also asked for games, puzzles, arts and crafts supplies to give the inpatients activities to do which aids recovery prospects.
We did a call out to our members, promoted the cause on local community social media pages and through our many contacts we have been able to supply Upton House and 1East with the following:
-2 guitars
-2 piano accordions
-table top pool table
-lots & lots of puzzles and games (new and gently used).
-tons of art supplies
-sensory items
-reading glasses
-basketballs and soccer balls
-herbal teas
-cosmetics and creams for sensory items
-magazines for scrap booking
-new mother gift packs, thanks to Highfield Medical
The needs increased due to the addition of a Covid ward in MHU, including an adolescent ward.
A further spin off was the supply of a great quality pool table to Servants Romana House and an exercise bike to Hamer House (both donated). The donor of the pool table, a local resident, even paid for the transport, she was so happy that their much loved table was going to such a deserving place!Due to the vast amount of donations this whole project was delivered for a much reduced cost. We will continue to top up art supplies as needed.
We are still looking for another 2 exercise bikes, they need to be manual (no cords) to allow for the required modifications. Art supplies and games/puzzles are also appreciated.
Rotary clubs are all about fostering community spirit and making a difference. To put a smile on someone’s face when they may be feeling isolated, vulnerable or disadvantaged is immensely gratifying. Jo one of the Unit Managers told me that we truly making a difference, more than we could possibly hope to understand. We are People of Action!
This project works on so many levels, it engages with community, it engages and involves members, it certainly makes a difference and it even has an environmental aspect, reusing articles that were no longer needed by their owners.
Thanks to the support from Rotarians and members of the community.