Wednesday the 22nd, a balmy evening, two Essendon Rotary Club members accompanied Nathan, Peter and nurse co-ordinator Teddy from Youth Projects on their regular mission to roam the streets of central Melbourne from 7:30 to 10:30 pm to mingle, fraternise and consult with the homeless. The Rotary Club of Essendon partners & supports Youth Projects.

The major purpose of the evening was to befriend and offer help if needed with food packs, hats, clothing and sunscreen lotion. During conversation they offered the street dweller to attend their newly renovated premises, The Living Room in Hosier Lane where they could shower, relax in the lounge room, use computer facilities or have a meal. They could also see a general practitioner, physiotherapist, dentist, podiatrist and have nursing care of wounds and other ailments dealt with. Unfortunately The Lounge Rome cannot offer accomodation.

 

 

 

 Our first port of call was behind Federation Square where The Big Umbrella, a food relief organisation going on for 13 years, catered for over 60 with an extensive array of delicious meals from food salvaged from stores and cooked in a professional kitchen. They even managed to create a birthday cake for one of the ladies at short notice which was delight for all. Behind the scenes however our nurses were in continuous discussions with particular clients about their wellbeing, mental health and the administration of medicines.

 

 

The experience was humbling with the prevalence of homeless poverty seen in the streets but also by the compassion and caring nature of the nurses from Youth Projects.

 

 

 

 

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