Mend and Make Do Crew helping others take a load off in lockdown

It may be lockdown, but a dedicated band of volunteers are busier than ever sorting donations into ‘kits’ particularly for new mums in need.

The doors may be rolled shut, but skeleton staff at the Mend and Make Do Crew in South Grafton are busier than ever providing support for those doing it tough.

And co-ordinator Ursula Tunks said that for many in the community, fresh from the horror of the recent bushfire season, the need for assistance doesn’t stop just because we’re locked down.

“Absolutely not, and we’re taking the opportunity to work through our collections, and put together their assistance kits, which range from toiletry packs for adults, families and kids, to fully kitting out homes for young families who have been or are at risk of being homeless,” Ms Tunks said.

“We’re just getting through, and with the large range of donations we’re working through, we’re starting to find the floor of our studio and get more kits together.”

“We’ve been involved with the Tresillian service, and a group or organisations who are getting together to support new families, particularly new mums.”

“We do the set up for the home, all the bed linen, curtains, cookware, kitchen and all the baby stuff – the baby clothes come in and we wash them.”

Mend and Make Do Crew co-ordinator Ursula Tunks readies another kit go out to the community.

And even in such serious times, Ms Tunks said the rewards for her and her volunteers were great, just to see the reaction of the case workers, many of who had dealt with the issues repeatedly.

“It’s awesome working with the teams – we don’t know who the clients are, put to see these case workers feeling so good for what we’ve been able to achieve for these young families.

“To see them so happy, or teary - it’s the part I really love, knowing you’re helping take a load off.”

The service is funded by the op shop they have on site, and Ms Tunks said while their income was down during lockdown, they were well prepared to keep working until the doors reopen.

“Hopefully when the lockdown ends, we can get back to our social inclusion work and other classes,” she said.

Mend and Make Do Crew volunteer Georgina Mackenzie-Green gets busy with some mask sewing.

The group received funding for our She Shed He Shed project from the Yulgilbar Foundation which is a 12 month project, designed to be a comprehensive gender neutral project that caters to all the primary ‘off grid’ arts and crafts.

Through the project, it aims to build community resilience by increasing social connectedness and general wellbeing and create opportunities for self-expression.

The one thing that the service will always need is more volunteers, and Ms Tunks said the best thing people could do was visit their web page at https://www.mendandmakedocrew.org/ or their Facebook page and get in contact.

“They really do have to be willing to get in and get their hands dirty,” Ms Tunks said with a smile.