Mental Health Gift Hampers delivering connection to vulnerable farmers
An idea to deliver a hamper of goodies to a farmer struggling during the pandemic has grown into a mental health support initiative nominated for a major regional award.
RECEIVING packages in the mail has been a highlight for lots of people stuck in isolation this year.
But Carly Noble knows that for some, it can be a lifeline.
The farm manager of Parkside Run Farm in Arnold, in central Victoria, stumbled upon an initiative to help farmers feel connected amid the pandemic, which has seen her nominated for a Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Award.
“I had a friend casually mention that he had contemplated suicide with his farm business and I was really concerned. I just packed up a heap of stuff, and sent off a hamper in the mail.
“He was kinda gobsmacked by it,” Mrs Noble said.
From there the Mental Health Gift Hampers initiative grew to sending out 15 hampers a week to vulnerable people, with a team of volunteers helping deliver a current total of 188 packages worth $9400 to six different shires.
Mrs Noble has been surprised by the response her idea has received and acknowledges it wouldn’t be what it is without the help of local community members, like Ruth Barkla and Vanessa Parker, donating products and their time.
“It kind of seemed insignificant (that I sent out) my little box and that’s what started it all.”
“The volunteers are amazing they need all the praise, they’re the ones on the front line,” she said.
The future of the gift hampers looks bright, with more than 50 businesses jumping on board and side projects such as a Pay It Forward program in cafes and delivering hampers to primary schools in progress.
Mrs Noble said she would continue to coordinate the efforts as long as they were making a difference.
“We know that we’re doing the right thing when cards come in the mail from recipients saying it came at the right time.”
“We’ll just keep running with it while the need is still there and while we’re helping,” she said.
To nominate someone for the Regional Achievement and Community Awards, visit awardsaustralia.com
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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