Our Response to Covid-19 Situation

 

Supporting Families Continues

After working from home for much of the year we are now back in our offices and proving support to families in line with Government advice and a Covid-safe plan.

Our priorities continue to be reducing social isolation and reducing financial stress whilst assisting families through the recovery process in the aftermath of what has been a very challenging year.

How are we doing this?

We are now offering face-to-face appointments (observing social distance restrictions) to families in the area and continuing phone and internet support to families in farther afield areas of Gippsland.

We are also providing material aid to our families as needed and accepting donations of goods by appointment.

Changes we've made:

  • Our office is closed to the public - in order to reduce our impact on ‘the potential to spread’ as well as to protect our team members who are in various ages and stages of normal health

  • Our team are working from home

  • Donation of goods continue to be by appointment preferred - please get in touch with your offer. We are prioritising goods that are on our list of needed items right now.

  • NOTE: When you visit our warehouse for a pre-approved donation or collection, please be prepared to provide your name, phone number and postcode so that we can contribute to contact tracing in the event that there is an identified case of a positive coronavirus test.

How can you help?

  • Watch out for if we call out for something you can donate for one of our families (we will have some pretty clear and strict guidelines in place to help out).

  • If you are a $ donor and can afford to keep supporting us, please do! We still have costs that don't go away just because of Covid-19.

  • If you are a $ donor, thanks for sticking with us - we need you now more than ever as our fundraising capacity is significantly reduced. We know this is because businesses are suffering, so if you are a donor and need to pause your donations, don't feel bad. Just get in touch to let us know - we know you'll jump back on board one day when you can.

  • PLEASE SHARE posts on our socials (links below) that we have up over the coming weeks - we will need your help to spread the word and keep new families connected.

  • Reach out to new families around you. Take groceries to their front door when you have done yours. Call, message or video call a new parent. Share with a new parent ways that they can connect with others in similar situations.

 

FAQs

I need some help from Olivia’s Place.  What should I do?

Get in touch with us and arrange a self-referral - we can still support you through most of your challenges (or get you connected to the right people/place). 

 

I am a social support worker, can I still get help for the families I am supporting?

Please email admin@oliviasplace.org.au for more information about case-worker referrals. We are currently accepting agency referrals from a limited list of organisations - including Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies run from Morwell and our Indigenous Support Services across Gippsland.

 

Are you still open for donations?

Yes, but preferred by appointment only. Please get in touch with your donation offer. Please contact us if you are responding to a request for an urgent item.

NOTE: When you visit our warehouse for a pre-approved donation or collection, please be prepared to provide your name, phone number and postcode so that we can contribute to contact tracing in the event that there is an identified case of a positive coronavirus test.

Can I just leave my donation at the door?

No.  Please do not do this.  We won’t be able to check with you if your donation is suitable, or it may get wet and it costs us time and money to dispose of it.

 

Can I join the volunteer team?

Get in touch, there may be ways that you can be part of our team supporting Gippsland families right now.

 

Can I post my donation? 

Yes - our postal address is PO Box 688 Warragul VIC 3820. You can also purchase goods online for us if you would like to help.

 

Are financial donations helpful right now?

YES! Financial donations are CRUCIAL right now to ensure that Olivia’s Place can continue to operate and help families in need.  You can make a donation via our online donation platform or via EFT.

 

What are you spending the money raised on?

We are spending the money on purchasing new stock when we run out, organising deliveries to families where absolutely necessary, paying our rent and bills. Our small team of staff are still working hard to support families and to process the items we have here, making them ready for the families who need them. We can provide one family with an entire year of support for just $1,000 so your financial donation goes a very long way with our Organisation.

 

Have you had to reduce your staffing?

No. Our staff are more important than ever right now and we are supporting them to work from their homes. Our staff and services are amazingly resilient and able to respond to the environment and demands around us and we are excited to be able to keep supporting families through this challenging time.