DONATION Chain founder Helena Blomeley said she is “relieved” to have received funding to get started on building permanent shower facilities for the homeless in Frankston.
Donation Chain’s campaign received a second big thumbs up at the last Frankston council meeting when they approved a $10,000 funding boost for the project, which matches the $10,000 put in by the federal government.
“Having permanent shower facilities for everyone every day is just so important. It’s such a crucial thing, when people think of support for the homeless they think of food and clothes. Showers are a real missing link in the cycle of getting out of homelessness,” Ms Blomeley said.
“We’re working in conjunction with Launch Housing on this. I’ve worked with them before and I’m really excited to work with them again, they are just brilliant. In their structure, everything is accommodated for, they accommodate for every need, there’s nothing missing. In Dandenong they have a public shower service with towels and toiletries.
“I do a lot of outreach work and I meet a lot of homeless people. I’m so relieved for them.”
As part of her advocacy campaign to secure funding, Ms Blomeley undertook the daunting task of forgoing showering for a week before washing at the public showers on the Frankston Foreshore. Those showers are out in the open, and only serviced with cold water.
“It’s been three years that I’ve been trying to get this done. I think people just assumed that there were showers available, so I’ve just been raising awareness. When I did the live video where I showered on the foreshore, people weren’t aware there was nothing there.”
“Everyone I asked to do it with me said no, because they had work or kids or a function where they had to look appropriate. But people in these situations also have to look appropriate.”
The shower facilities will be based at the comfort station on the end of Playne Street. Frankston Council have allowed for a toilet room in the facility to be repurposed. It will be manned when open and locked when unattended.
Ms Blomeley thanked the work of Frankston councillor Steve Toms and Dunkley MP Chris Crewther for their efforts in securing the funds.
Cr Toms said “these permanent shower facilities are integral for providing essential services to the city’s most vulnerable. It is an essential priority of council to care for our homeless population.”
Mr Crewther said “I have been working with Donation Chain Inc. for a few months now to secure funds and a location for local permanent, public and private hot showers for use by the homeless, the vulnerable and those in need. I was very pleased to secure $10,000 from the Federal Government towards building this, and I must thank Helena and her team for their significant advocacy without which this wouldn’t have happened.”
Donations can be made to Donation Chain through the BSB 033 179 and the account number 33 55 48.
They will be hosting a Christmas Twilight Market at Seaford Community Centre on 1 December.