An organisation which helps people navigate the hospital system during health crises has been given a $3000 boost by the BEST Community Shed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fresh from donating a 20,000 litre water tank to Bundarra (in which residents have been boiling their water due to elevated turbidity), the volunteers were pleased to support the hard-working charity Friendly Faces, Helping Hands.
“That’s what we’re all about, is helping the community,” storefront manager Robyn Kenny said.
Friendly Faces, Helping Hands is a website and hotline for anyone looking for support with the health system. The charity can help link people with patient transferal services, find cheaper accommodation and parking and use the various support systems available to them during hospital stays.
“It was fantastic,” chief executive officer Kelly Foran said. Kelly founded the charity in 2011 after a facing what seemed to be an impenetrable support system during a whirlwind of personal health crises including a brain tumor, stroke and the loss of her son’s eye from cancer.
“She just moved everyone to tears, her story,” Robyn said.
“She’s very passionate about what she does.”
The donation marks $25,000 given to the community by the Shed, which celebrated its second birthday on Monday, February 11.
“That’s BEST Employment’s vision, is to see our communities, particularly those most disadvantaged; independent and free from disadvantage,” BEST Employment chief executive officer Penny Alliston-Hall said.
The funds will go help Friendly Faces, Helping Hands give out a series of kits designed for people facing unexpected hospital stays.
Each kit includes an overview of the charity’s work and background, a checklist to remind patients of the basics they will need during their hospital visits and space to keep their receipts from the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) which pays a percentage of travel, accommodation and occasionally food costs.
If you are facing an unexpected health crisis, visit the Friendly Faces, Helping Hands Foundation website or call their hotline on 1800 014 234.
The BEST Community Shed will celebrate their second birthday at the Otho Street storefront on Saturday, February 16 and their furniture shed clearance behind the old Inverell Times building in Otho Lane, with several gift vouchers, lucky dips and $5 clothing bags on offer.
The Shed has shower and laundry facilities available for travellers and those without water access.
Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
