‘Bringing back that spark in people’; Hobart teen shares hope through care deliveries

Margate teenager Matilda Moritz is using her own experience waiting in hospital to create meaningful change for others — one pack at a time.

Matilda Moritz 17 who is behind the Hope Unfinished Project care packages for those in hospital. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Margate teenager Matilda Moritz knows first-hand how isolating and boring a stay in hospital can be.

“My sister spent a really long time in hospital, but also I have been an inpatient and outpatient over the years,” she said.

“I know how isolating it can be and I think any gesture that gives you something to do, but also gives you hope is something that’s really worthwhile doing.”

Ms Moritz, 17, began the first of many care packages this June to mark her first year out of the Child and Adolescent Ward and the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

She established this into the not-for-profit The Hope Unfinished Project.

“Currently, it’s all coming from the money that I make from my job, with some help from my parents as well,” she said.

Matilda Moritz 17 who is behind the Hope Unfinished Project care packages for those in hospital. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I put in activity books, craft kits, pencils, self-care products like some nice body washes, and toys, anything that sort of takes your mind off of things.”

The packs are typically delivered to the Royal Hobart Hospital, with staff on the ward eager to encourage the project.

“I’ve also spoken to some of the staff when I’ve been going in, they also had glowing things to say about it, saying that it really has seemed to make a difference in bringing back that spark in people, which is nice to hear.

“I think the experience of your stay really depends on the independent support you have; for my sister and I, we’ve had so much support from our parents coming in and I’m aware that a lot of other people don’t have that.

“The Royal does an incredible job, but they have so, so much to do and they’re stretched so thin.”

Matilda Moritz 17 who is behind the Hope Unfinished Project care packages for those in hospital. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Moritz hopes to share the hope around, working alongside charities like Tassie Mums, Salvation Army and Hobart City Mission to donate the care packs for them to distribute.

“It makes it easier to make sure that they’re going to good places and they can distribute things better than I can on my own,” she said.

To support the Hope Unfinished Project, head to the Hope Unfinished Project Christmas Drive page on GoFundMe.

Originally published as ‘Bringing back that spark in people’; Hobart teen shares hope through care deliveries