The Allan Labor Government is ensuring parents and carers across Victoria have access to essentials for their babies, particularly those facing crisis or disadvantage.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor today met with The Nappy Collective to hear the profound work the charity is doing to build new community partnerships and expand its nappy donation points across the state.
The Melbourne-based charity received two grants from the Labor Government over the past year to help support their operations and provide relief to families in need.
In September 2023, a one-off grant of $110,000 was provided to The Nappy Collective through the More support for mums, dads and babies 2023-24 state budget initiative. An additional grant of $100,000 was awarded by the Department of Health in January 2024 which will be used to launch two new programs.
These two programs - School Collective and Corporate Collective - will allow participants to contribute financially to The Nappy Collective while gaining valuable education on nappy stress and wider social disadvantage through a series of guest speaker presentations.
Research from The Nappy Collective shows that one in 10 Australian families don't have enough nappies due to reasons outside their control, such as homelessness, escaping domestic violence, major weather events or other emergencies.
The Nappy Collective has distributed more than 2.6 million nappies since launching in 2013, and now boasts over 150 collection points across Victoria. Early parenthood can be a stressful time for new parents, which is why we are strengthening maternal and child health and building more early parenting centres across Victoria.
Alongside continuing the Victorian Baby Bundle program for first time parents, the Labor Government is also boosting universal maternal and child health hours, and providing $4 million for increased breastfeeding support to mothers through more access to lactation consultants and appointments.
The Labor Government is also strengthening local community groups and support networks for families by investing in new grant programs for dads' groups, multicultural story-time, and funding for local volunteer-run groups such as Olivia's Place.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"Given the current cost of living pressures impacting many Victorian households, the work of The Nappy Collective is even more important with the charity establishing new community partnerships and nappy donation points across Victoria."
"Being a new parent is one of the most incredible, yet challenging experiences - and for Victorians experiencing vulnerability or in crisis, this work provides significant relief when they need it most."
As stated by Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor
"These grants are a massive boost for The Nappy Collective which provides families in the Albert Park community with the essentials their babies deserve."
