Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands has upgraded how they serve the community with their new Technology Hub, which harbours eight workstations with computers and headphones. For over 13 years, Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands has served the local community by offering a helping hand to anyone who could use some help.
The Technology Hub is a joint endeavour with Mastercard in which the Mastercard tech team and engineers volunteered their time to install the equipment they donated. There was no funding for this ambitious project but between the volunteers at Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands, Mastercard, and assistance from a few local businesses, they were able to pull it all together.
Linda Strickland, the founder and CEO of Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands, says how the Technology Hub has already proven useful in the short time since it has opened. It allows anyone who does not have access to a computer or Wi-Fi a place to come and use the internet, in a no judgement environment.
Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands was founded in 2011 by Linda and her daughter Cassidy and is still running strong with about 45 volunteers on rotation. The unfunded charity started very small and did not have the space they have now, but services have been added and extended over the years as demand grew to where they are now. Linda says each week they service hundreds of people, with them servicing 45 people for dinner alone on the 22nd of September.
The unit the business resides in was once spacious but is now filled with donated items and free services for those in need. “We outgrew the space in 2019 after the bushfires”, Linda says and yet thanks to help from a local storage service, they were still able to make room for the new Technology Hub.
The Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands unit in South Windsor also offers a chance for people to sit on a beanbag and watch some TV, or even just use the room to get out of the weather. It also dons toilets and a free shower with most of the unit’s space being taken up with crates of donated and bought goods.
Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands services the Hawkesbury 5 days a week. They have free meal services every Saturday and Sunday from 6pm-7pm in which anyone is welcome to come down for dinner. The drop in hub is 8am-1pm every Wednesday to Friday where people can come for tea and coffee, to watch the TV, use the computers and other amenities, or even just for a chat.
Every Saturday from 2pm-4pm the volunteers sell hampers filled with rescued food that has been purchased. The hampers are only $20 but are filled with a large number of goodies and each week the hampers change based on the availability that week.
As a charity, the organisation gives what they can to those who need it. They have camping gear for the homeless, free food and toiletries for those in need. Linda says, “Anything that comes in for free, goes out for free”. Everything that is donated to the organisation, is available for those who may be struggling at absolutely no cost.
Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands also does other programs and events over the course of the year such as the free Christmas Day Lunch for anyone who could use the company and a meal on the day. They also do a back-to-school program, disaster relief and remote Aboriginal community runs.
Some programs even come about just as the need arises. Linda talks about how she had noticed some of those who were struggling couldn’t afford the upkeep of their dyed hair, so she organised a drive for hair dye and hair wash products to maintain the colour.
Linda says that these types of drives help people to be more comfortable with themselves. The Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands Facebook page is a great up-to-date source for information on their current programs, services and any updates: www.facebook.com/HawkesburysHelpingHands.
As an unfunded charity, Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands relies solely on donations to operate their services. For anyone who wishes to donate to Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands, you can go to their website to make a financial donation and/or follow their Facebook page as they often put an appeal for any items they need. Their website is the best location for information on how you can help: www.hawkesburyshelpinghands.org.au/.
On there you can also find contact details, operating hours and a form for anyone who wishes to volunteer with them. Their unit is located at Unit E 28 Walker Street, South Windsor if anyone needs a helping hand or wishes to make a donation.
