The festive season should be a joyous time when family and friends celebrate together. But sadly, for some people, the festive season can exacerbate isolation and loneliness.

Camcare helps to combat social isolation through bringing the community together and providing comforting and comfortable spaces for people who are isolated, lonely or in crisis.

Here are some of the ways that we helped people to connect this year:

• We developed a meditation garden (pictured below) to allow people to relax in nature.
• Our free community barbecues recommenced as quickly as possible (following lockdowns) to allow people to connect in the Camcare garden, eat together and be connected with services.
• We started the Access to Community program to link isolated people into their communities, improving their sense of belonging and, in turn, their sense of worth, health and wellbeing.
• We continue to provide low income families and individuals with festive hampers, vouchers and gifts for children to celebrate the holiday period.

Donate to help people connect this festive period

Camcare is here to support isolated families and vulnerable community members during the festive period and all year round.

But we need your help this festive season so we can provide hampers and gifts to families and individuals in Boroondara doing it tough. People experiencing hard times because of unemployment, family violence, housing stress or chronic ill health.

Your donation can make a significant difference for someone in need. It can help them or their families feel connected and loved at what can be an incredibly tough time of year.

We can’t do it without you. This year, recognise the festive period by providing support to someone locally who urgently needs it.

To donate visit https://www.givenow.com.au/camcare

Thank you for supporting Camcare and our work in the community.

Donate to help people like Nicole*

The Access to Community (A2C) program supports socially isolated people to become more connected with their community.

Nicole, who is aged in her mid-40s, heard about A2C at Camcare’s Thursday Fresh Food Market  and joined the program. She was linked with a Volunteer Community Connector (VCC) who is familiar with the local community and worked with Nicole to find suitable groups, clubs and classes in her community.

Nicole revealed that she was new to the area and living in transitional housing with her teenage child due to family violence. We learned that Nicole does not drive due to a medical condition, and has never used public transport – instead she relied on her partner to transport her.

Nicole and her VCC joined a local walking group. She really enjoyed the activity and plans to attend independently. Her next goal is to travel by tram with the help and support of her VCC.

(name has been changed) 

Learn more about supporting Camcare this festive season.