our impact
WITH YOUR HELP WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED 4.2 MILLION NAPPIES TO FAMILIES IN NEED SINCE 2013
“The Nappy Collective provision of nappies has become integral to the support we are able to provide women with babies escaping domestic violence. It is one less support need that can be addressed efficiently and with dignity.”
“The Nappy Collective’s contributions over the years have had a significant impact on our organisation, but more importantly, on our community members. Having nappies has allowed us to reach a much bigger group that needs the help immensely.’”
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our collective giving model was disrupted and we were unable to run our May and September Collectives. We adapted our work by launching our #1millionbums campaign, aiming to double our impact and distribute 1 million nappies. Launched in April 2020, we called for virtual nappy donations, nappy donations from nappy suppliers and philanthropic funding to help cover distribution costs. We also ran a direct nappy drive in October, as social distancing rules began to ease in some states and territories. By the end of the year we had exceeded our campaign goal and distributed a record 1,041,410 nappies to families in need.
2019
In 2019, we saw our Collectives in May and September continue to grow in support. We collected and distributed more nappies to families in need than ever.
Stories from our community partners
Belinda’s story
As Belinda* was moving interstate, she found out that she was pregnant as a result of an assault. Coupled with that trauma, she had a history of mental health issues. When we completed our assessment, we identified that Belinda needed everything that was essential for a new baby. We provided her with enough nappies from The Nappy Collective for her son until he was toilet trained. She was so grateful for everything – sometimes crying when we would drop off another bundle of nappies. Through these donations she learnt how to budget. Belinda would tell me how she could now buy dinner with her spare money. Through our assistance, Belinda received counselling and mental health support and her son was referred to the enhanced maternal health nurse, play group and a pediatrician. We were also able to link the family into housing and they are now living in a house with a back garden.
Riya’s story
Riya* was a single 25-year old mum living in a two-bedroom unit in state housing with sole care for her unborn baby, a 9 month old baby and 3 year old child. She was trying her best to support her family’s needs in an environment impacted by family violence and financial hardship due to the financial control displayed by her children’s father. She told workers that she was feeling helpless and hesitant to ask for help as she did not want to be seen as an unfit mother. Thankfully, we were able to assist the family with their basic needs such as food vouchers provided by St Vincent’s, nappies by The Nappy Collective, clothing and toys by St Kilda Mums, financial support by Centrelink. Helping the family by providing basic needs helped remove the immediate stressors for Riya and enabled workers to assist the family by providing counselling. It allowed time for ground work to be done to enable a positive future without family violence and financial hardship.
Pat’s story
Pat* was a 22-year-old single mum with a 12-week-old baby. She had recently had a period of homelessness where she was staying at friends’ houses and storing belongings in her car. She had just moved into a property supported by our organisation and due to moving costs she was struggling to have enough nappies on hand. Pat was feeling completely overwhelmed and unsure of what to do or tackle next. She had no local support apart from our service. Once bills, rent, food and baby formula were deducted from her Centrelink payments, she had little money left to purchase nappies. I was able to supply Pat with enough nappies from The Nappy Collective to get her through the next fortnight so she didn’t have to worry about finding the money for them. I also helped her with referrals to health services and for baby clothing and equipment. Pat spoke about the great help the nappies were and how much freer this made her feel.