Greater Western Water (GWW) Managing Director Maree Lang and Minister for Water Harriet Shing joined volunteers at St Mary’s House of Welcome in Fitzroy last week to serve lunch to Melburnians experiencing homelessness and hardship.
The visit was an opportunity to connect and talk with some of the centre’s service users. They also learned more about the not-for-profit’s ‘Look Good, Feel Good’ program. This program received $5000 in Thriving Communities sponsorship funding from GWW.
The ‘Look Good, Feel Good’ program aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of people experiencing homelessness and social disadvantage.
Providing hot showers, towels, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and clean clothes, the program also offers an entry point to other vital services at the centre, such as meals, social activities and referrals to specialist support.
Ms Lang said GWW was pleased to support the community organisation to make a positive impact.
“We’re proud to contribute to St Mary’s House of Welcome ‘Look Good, Feel Good’ program, providing essential support where it’s needed most in the community.”
“We want all our customers to thrive. Local community sponsorships are one way we can help create opportunities where people feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.”
Thriving Communities sponsorship helps those in need
Robina Bradley, CEO of St Mary’s House of Welcome, explains that many people who are rough sleeping or experiencing homelessness have no access to their own running water or hygiene products. That’s why the ‘Look Good, Feel Good Program’ is so important to the agency’s service users.
“The ‘Look Good, Feel Good Program’ provides vital services to some of our community’s most socially marginalised and vulnerable people. Many of them are homeless and sleeping rough, and are frequently struggling with isolation, mental health issues and poverty.”
“Effective hygiene is vital in improving mental and physical health, social inclusion, and wider opportunities. Being clean makes a significant, positive difference to mental well-being and decreases the risk of physical ill health.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Greater Western Water for funding through the Thriving Communities grant program to help us ensure we can continue to provide this vital program for those who need it most.”
Read more about the Thriving Communities grants and sponsorship program. The next funding round opens in March 2024.
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