‘Dignity bags’ offer help to those in need

Published: 

6 August 2021 1:24PM

To mark Homelessness Week in early August, the department’s Housing staff in the South West region worked with Uniting Care Community to create ‘dignity bags’ to provide to customers in need.

The bags were made from recycled pillowcases and filled with a range of toiletry and personal items.

The bags were distributed through Housing Service Centres and community partners in Toowoomba, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast.

Rose, Senior Housing Officer at Logan Housing Service Centre handed out some bags to customers going through a hard time.

“We provided a bag to a gentleman in Logan who had lost all his belongings when his car was stolen. He had been sleeping rough but managed to secure a room in a share house ready to start again.”

“When I handed him the bag, he was very grateful and immediately thanked us for it,” Rose said.

In the Redlands, the ‘dignity bags’ were provided to customers who were sleeping rough and helped into temporary accommodation.

In Toowoomba and Ipswich, the bags were given to a variety of customers, some who were homeless or rough sleepers.

On the Gold Coast, a lady was referred to the Housing Service Centre, because she had nowhere to stay during the South East Queensland lockdown and had no money or food.

Belinda, Area Manager of the Gold Coast Housing Service Centre said, “We helped the customer with temporary accommodation, provided her with a ‘dignity bag’ and a grocery card. She was very appreciative of the help we provided.”

Rose said the ‘dignity bags’ helped vulnerable people in the community in the South West region.

“The bags show our customers that we are human too and we understand what they are going through. They have been a breath of fresh air to those experiencing hardship.”

The ‘dignity bags’ were originally funded under the Dignity First Fund through an initiative delivered by Uniting Care Community.

If you, or someone you know needs housing help, please contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.