Service

It is now only 34 days til Christmas (which is 5 more Mondays!!!) and we are right in the midst of our 2024 Christmas Drive – “It’s in The Bag.”

This year, one of our main aims is to promote the message that connecting with a cause and truly understanding it is what lies at the heart of service. Service has genuine impact when we move beyond doing a ‘good deed,’ to empathising and understanding.

With this in mind, we would like to share a bit more about the charity and campaign we are supporting this Christmas and why it matters to us.

Share the Dignity is an Australian charity founded in 2015 by Rochelle Courtenay to address period poverty among women, particularly those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. The idea was inspired by an article Courtenay read about the extreme and undignified measures women in these situations were forced to take to manage their periods. Emphasising that access to sanitary products is a basic human right, she established Share the Dignity to provide essential menstrual products and restore dignity to those in need.

This Christmas, Share the Dignity is running the “It’s in the Bag” campaign, which encourages Australians to donate filled handbags containing essential and luxury items for women and girls in need, particularly those in domestic violence refuges or homeless shelters. Participants can pack bags with items such as toiletries, period products, and personal care items, along with optional extras like a handwritten note to provide a personal touch of love and hope. This campaign not only provides practical support but also aims to restore dignity and self-worth to recipients, reminding them that they are valued and cared for during a challenging time

What Actually is Dignity? Why is it Important?

Dignity in itself is such a complex concept. For us, it refers to the inherent worth of EVERY individual, and their right to be treated with respect and kindness regardless of their circumstances. It refers to the individual’s sense of being able to stand tall and understand their worth, regardless of circumstance. Everyone deserves to enjoy a sense of dignity. We think dignity is particularly important in times of vulnerability – such as homelessness, domestic abuse, and financial crisis – as it nurtures our sense of self and helps us maintain our identity and integrity, which can be so easily stripped away during times of hardship. In these moments dignity can become a luxury rather than a given.

When we are able to honour other people’s dignity we empower them, affirming that they matter and their feelings and experiences are valid. This act of recognition can have such an impact on a person’s wellbeing making them feel loved and instilling a sense of hope and pride in themselves, particularly during hard times.

By giving these bags this Christmas we have the opportunity to make a difference by honouring the dignity of those around us. It reminds us that we are connected in our shared humanity and human experiences and are all deserving of compassion and respect.

Written by Charlotte Humphreys and Lachie Green – Service Captains