This weekend eight volunteers met for a ‘working bee’ in Lane Cove, NSW to assemble hygiene packs for the homeless.

The hygiene packs are provided to rough sleepers by our Community Care Van volunteers. Poor health amongst the homeless is common and much of it is preventable. Providing them with a simple hygiene pack containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap can have not only a big impact their daily lives but longer term physical health.

Oral disease has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and poor diabetes control and the homeless are 12 times more likely than individuals in stable housing to have dental problems. The University of Queensland has highlighted poor dental health as one of the most detrimental aspects of homelessness in Australia.

In just over two hours, the group of volunteers – ranging in age from 5 to 80 – assembled 840 hygiene packs.

Learn more about our volunteering opportunities, including the Community Care Van and Hygiene Packing Working Bees by visiting our Volunteer section.

Our Charitable Works are funded entirely by donations, please consider a tax deductible donation to support our activities to.