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Volunteering in the community - Sydney

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by akenne30, Mar 12, 2015.

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  1. akenne30

    akenne30 Active Member


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    Hi All,

    I've been looking into doing some volunteering work and getting into the RAK (random act of kindness) spirit. Now I'm thinking what better way to do that than to use the skills that I have as a Podiatrist.
    When I walk through the City centre and the suburbs some of the homeless guys feet are in bits....that's kind of what's prompted me to find out more.

    I've seen in the UK and in the US that there are initiatives in place and Pods carrying out treatments and helping with footwear for under privileged and homeless members of the community.

    My stumbling block at the moment is that the hostels that I've contacted seem to have Pods on board and the City of Sydney community services tend to be geared towards over 55's with only one centre (in Redfern) advertising podiatry, at a cost, online.

    The options I seem to be left with are:

    Going solo and possibly having assistance form work colleagues and employer.

    or

    Ask on this wonderful forum if anyone is involved in such a thing in Sydney or around the world that can advise or point me in the right direction.


    Cheers
     
  2. Rob Kidd

    Rob Kidd Well-Known Member

    Is 'The Talbot still running? That is where I would start. The Mathew Talbot foot care for homeless men started as a result of a chance conversation between Mrs Kidd and Professor Ian Webster at Liverpool Hospital. This was 1996. The then President of NSW Pod A was Mandy Macdonald, friend of mine and also my Saturday employer. At the time I was Head of Programme in Western Sydney. She and I went down to look, talk, make strategy and, essentially, make it happen. It did. That was a long time ago. A girl called Joanne Colhagen (a bit phonetic there) was a major player in setting the place up for us. Try the 'Talbot - Christ they need it.
     
  3. akenne30

    akenne30 Active Member

    Hi Rob,

    Thanks for the reply.

    Yes the Talbot hostel is still running, that was my first port of call. The gentleman over there noted they are well covered in health and have a Pod on board.

    What was the setup process like back then, Rob? I could imagine the red tape may now be ten fold?
     
  4. carolethecatlover

    carolethecatlover Active Member

    I'd help you. I see it all the time in Newtown, and the Salvos ran a program. I am a student at the new course at CQU kent street, but did 2 years at Newcastle. Am UK FHP and pedicurist and have tools.
     
  5. Ros Kidd

    Ros Kidd Active Member

    #3 The set up was easy, it was a mind set change for podiatrists though. Having said that since everybody on board thought it was a great idea all hurdles were jumped fairly easily.
    Ros
     
  6. Rob Kidd

    Rob Kidd Well-Known Member

    I am fascinated by the replies generated by this. To tell the true story (I am a hard socialist), Mandy and I went down to The Talbot one weekday, and the closer I got to the talbot, the more and more "deros" I stepped over until we reached the door. As I opened the door and turned to let Mandy in, I saw the sign for a Ferrari agent only a few metres away. Inequity has always got right up my nose, and I was boiling, so to speak, as we went in. After we had sorted it out, Mandy and I came out, and said to each other: "we either sign the pledge, or go to the pub; we chose the latter and three G&T's later emerged. I lived on a boat at the weekends at that time, and it was Friday. A few wines later I reflected big time over the whole thing. I am very proud of what happened at the talbot; I am very proud of all who worked there, and gave material goods; I am particularly proud of Joanne Kolhagan (sp?) who ran it for us. Give your time there - you will do good. Oh, Catlover, I will meet you you in the flesh in November: your homework is to find out why.................
     
  7. Helen White

    Helen White Welcome New Poster

    Hi Alan,

    The Australian Podiatry Association here in Sydney is still running the podiatry volunteers program at the Matthew Talbot Hostel so if you would like to get involved there, then do contact us on 02 9698 3751.

    Thanks

    Helen
     
  8. lucycool

    lucycool Active Member

    Hi
    I was wondering about the same thing for Melbourne - can someone point me in the right direction?
    Thanks,
    Lucy
     
  9. Anthony Lewis

    Anthony Lewis Active Member

    Central City Community Health Service - part of cohealth is a good starting point for homeless services in Melbourne.
     
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