Lou's Place

Charity - Lou's Place (Kings Cross, NSW)
Item/s - Knitted or Crocheted Blankets & Gifts
Links - Facebook | Website

Lou’s Place is a daytime refuge for women in the heart of Kings Cross. Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place for women, meeting them at their point of need and supporting them in rebuilding their lives.

Many of the women who come to Lou’s Place are in crisis. Approximately 70% are homeless, most experience mental and/or physical health issues, and nearly all are survivors of neglect and abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, and frequently, substance abuse. Lou’s is a drop-in centre where they can find a safe place to begin restoring their security, stability and self respect. We provide safety on many different levels – from isolation and loneliness, hunger and cold, ill health, the dangers of the street or even the dangers within their own homes.

We have received beautiful patchwork knitted rugs before from knitting groups and we have almost run out so we would love to receive some more. We celebrate our clients' birthdays and sometimes our present is the only gift they receive on their birthday so any handmade gift ideas would be gratefully accepted. For more information please visit our Facebook page and website.

Peninsula Health - Frankston Hospital & Rosebud Hospital

Charity - Peninsula Health

Item/s - Knitted and Crocheted Beanies for babies, children and adults, Calico Dolls, Trauma Teddies and Blankets

Peninsula Health is the metropolitan public health service for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. We provide patient care at both Frankston and Rosebud Hospitals. We also offer extensive medical services through the Mornington Peninsula including acute medical, paediatric, surgical and maternity care, critical care, mental health services, aged care, rehabilitation, palliative care, residential care, community health, health education and promotion, outpatient services, aged care and assessment, investigative and medical support services, allied health, and clinical training.

Peninsula Health consists of 15 sites, employs over 5,000 people and is supported by more than 800 volunteers and auxiliary members. Peninsula Health doesn't have a volunteer craft group (we’d love to though!) but we do receive occasional craft donations. We always appreciate donation of knitted or crocheted beanies and scarves for our cancer and aged care patients, blankets and beanies for our special care paediatric nursery (such tiny things!),  Calico dolls for paediatric patients, Trauma Teddies for patients admitted to our Emergency Department and Crochet blankets for Palliative Care. For details on how to make trauma teddies, contact Peninsula Health’s ACE volunteer coordinator Jenni O’Sullivan on 0448 598 438 and you can view the free knitting pattern HERE. Please be mindful sick patients often have sensitive skin so donations need to be made out of material that is soft, warm and not itchy. For more information about Peninsula Health visit our website:

Project Respect

Charity - Project Respect
Item/s - Knitted and Crocheted Beanies for Women, Children and Babies

Project Respect's vision is for a world where women are free from trafficking, prostitution and sexual exploitation. We support women in the sex industry; through direct outreach, practical assistance, referral, ongoing emotional support, social inclusion and a sense of community.

The Project Respect team is made up of a diverse team who believe women matter and who are committed to supporting women in the sex industry. This includes women who have been, or still are involved in the sex industry holding positions throughout the organisation; from the Committee of Management, right through to volunteers. We believe this enables Project Respect to maintain the most current and extensive insight into the Australian sex industry.

If you would like to donate handmade items to assist us in our outreach, we would greatly appreciate any crocheted and knitted items for women, children and infants including blankets, memory blankets and pillows, beanies, and muslin wraps. For more information visit our Facebook page or website below:

Canberra Hospital Foundation

Charity - Canberra Hospital Foundation

Item/s - Knitted and Crocheted Adult Beanies, Scarves, Blankets and Premature Baby Beanies and Blankets

The Canberra Hospital Foundation launched in 2011 and assists the Canberra Hospital to provide exceptional clinical care by raising funds for equipment, to support research and to enhance facilities for patient and family centered care.

Patients and their families are always grateful to receive handmade items during their stay at the Canberra Hospital. Knitted and crocheted items such as scarves, beanies, blankets, premature baby clothing are greatly appreciated. Contact the Canberra Hospital Foundation for details on how to donate. Visit our Facebook page and website below for more information.

Warming Beautiful Souls

Charity - Pediatrics
Item/s - Handmade gift for children & teenagers

Warming Beautiful Souls was created to bring moments of happiness to children battling cancer, inspired by the beautiful children we met during our own daughter Maya's journey with cancer. Maya was born with Rhabdomyosarcoma and spent most of her 23 months of life in hospital receiving treatment, before finding eternal peace in November 2013.

After months of distributing hundreds of wonderful donated gifts to children fighting cancer in eight hospitals around Australia, we decided to expand our focus. On each hospital visit it tore at our hearts that so many children were suffering prolonged and repeated hospitalisation, for serious illnesses other than just cancer. A child suffering is a child suffering, despite their illness. So we have expanded our focus to include all children suffering serious illnesses.

We are pleased to announce that WBS now has wonderful people in each state/territory helping distribute the items people donate, so your gifts will go to children in your local major hospital. Warming Beautiful Souls accepts handmade gift for babies, children and teenagers including knitted, crocheted and sewn goods. For more information and a list of local distributors visit the Facebook Page

The Babes Project

Charity - The Babes Project
Item/s - Quilts and Blankets for Babies

The Babes Project is rewriting the motherhood experience for women facing crisis pregnancy; The Babes Project establishes pregnancy support services and accommodation for women and children in the perinatal period, throughout Victoria.

The Babes Project believes that all women should have access to the information, support and understanding needed to make great decisions regarding the life of her and her child. Their programs include: Pregnancy and parenting support work, advocacy for women to have access to all she needs to proceed with her pregnancy and beyond, and developing safe spaces for women.

The Babes Project can only receive certain gently-used hand items for distribution to our clients. It is important that all donations are in excellent condition. Please wash thoroughly before donating. They are currently interested in receiving hand made baby quilts, wraps and blankets. For more information please visit their Facebook Page and website via the link below.