Our actions today build a better world for tomorrow
Our daily impact is local.
It’s almost unfathomable just how many families are living in poverty in the local suburbs of every city in Australia. Each day our actions make an immediate difference to families in need.
But our sustained impact can be global.
We choose to address childhood poverty in a way that contributes to global sustainability. Every day we up-cycle, recycle and rehome items, and our community reach strives to inform and educate.
1 in 6
Children in Melbourne live in
poverty*
In the past financial year.
Together, we have helped 4,271 babies and children.
Provided more than 100,200 essential items.
Saved over 67 tonnes of salvageable items from entering landfill.
Three Pillars of Impact
Big Group Hug’s three pillars are a roadmap to building a world where children get the best start in life. We see three critical areas where we can contribute in a meaningful way:
- family resilience
- community connectedness
- global sustainability
Build connected communities
To build connected communities by offering ongoing opportunities for community members and organisations to engage in meaningful philanthropic and altruistic work.
Nurture resilient families
To nurture resilient families by relieving some of the financial burden and stress experienced by those who may struggle to provide the essentials for their children, enhancing family bonds.
Foster a culture of sustainability
To promote a sustainable world for the future by encouraging upcycling, recycling, and rehoming of pre-loved items, thereby reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfills.
We are proud to play a role in responding to community crisis
Our service has swiftly become a vital part of the local government’s response to social issues such as:
- family violence
- homelessness
- seeking asylum
- financial hardship
- living with a disability
- unemployment
We are heavily relied upon by agencies including local government, larger charities such as Anglicare, Berry Street, and The Salvation Army, as well as women’s shelters and foster care agencies.
We provide items ranging from newborn nappies to schoolbooks, and from emergency packs for displaced children to clothes for kids facing daily disadvantages.
Just one clothing pack from Big Group Hug would cost a family approximately $350 if they had to purchase it brand new.
We helped 4,271 children in 2022FY, providing over 103,000 items, including 241 cots and portacots that ensured babies had a safe place to sleep.
In 2021, Big Group Hug received requests for material aid from 92 different agencies in need of our service.
Meet Sharon and her Boys
Sharon* arrived at her Maternal and Child Health Centre carrying her newborn son while trying to encourage her one-and-a-half-year-old son to walk instead of clinging on to her. Another mother opened the door for her saying, “Darl, you need a double pram!” Sharon nodded, but actually, she needed much more than a double pram. Inside the nurse’s room, Sharon’s baby needed a nappy change. She desperately searched her bag. “Forgot your spare nappies?” the nurse asked. Sharon broke down. She had no more nappies. Not for her newborn. Not for her toddler. Sharon had escaped from family violence a week earlier, putting her two kids in the car and driving away with only the clothes on their backs. She was living in emergency housing and did not know where to turn for help. Her nurse knew where though. “We requested a double pram, clothing, toys, nappies, port-a-cot and bedding. Within days the family had received all items, thanks to the Big Group Hug team.”
PILLAR TWO
We embrace families in immediate need
In the early days, Big Group Hug primarily focused on providing material aid in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The problem with childhood poverty is that it reaches beyond council boundaries, and so do we. Our primary warehouse is based in Bundoora, and our secondary hub is located in Airport West, but we endeavour to respond to all requests regardless of location.
Meet Henry, a committed Grandfather
Henry*, a grandfather, was already struggling to make ends meet. But when his daughter and her baby moved in, his situation became desperate. His daughter was struggling to care for her baby, so Henry took on parental duties including sleepless nights, nappy changes and financial responsibilities. Our gift of nappies, wipes and toiletries provided immediate relief to some of Henry’s most urgent needs as a carer grandfather. This allowed him to spend his limited income on other necessities such as food and rent so they could all continue to have a roof over their heads.
PILLAR THREE
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
The work we do at Big Group Hug directly and meaningfully contributes to the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The four goals where we can make the largest contribution are:
- Goal 1: No poverty
- Goal 2: Zero hunger
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
We believe in the power of the community working hand-in-hand to ensure no one is left behind. Together we’ll create a world that is kinder, fairer and more sustainable for future generations.
Meet Rajwinder, a loving new mum
Rajwinder* was over the moon when her holiday visa to Australia was approved. Pregnant, she planned to visit her husband in Australia before returning home in time to deliver her baby. Her husband was to stay here in Australia to finalise his application. Then two things happened at once: her husband got deported leaving Rajwinder alone in Australia, and she gave birth prematurely. She was stranded with a week-old premature baby, limited English, no family, no contacts, no income and none of the essential items needed to take care of her baby at home. Her Maternal Child Health nurse immediately put in a request to Big Group Hug to get Rajwinder those key items she and her baby needed. Taking some of the stress away for Rajwinder allowed her to focus her energy and love on her newborn baby.
Contributing to a sustainable future
We give pre-loved donations a new life so that they can in turn give a child a better life.
Every day the Big Group Hug team up-cycles, recycles and rehomes items. We go to extraordinary efforts to find a use for second-hand donations and avoid disposing of them.
Our dedicated volunteers launder and repair second-hand goods to ensure they’re in good condition and meet Australian safety standards. Any donation we can’t use gets passed on to one of our partner organisations, avoiding landfills whenever we can.
In the 2022 financial year, we distributed the following to families:
- 82,000 unused nappies
- 6,000 books
- 4,437 toiletry items
- 3,631 pieces of clothing
- 3,458 shoes
- 2,373 toys
- 973 tins of formula
- 533 prams
- 498 car seats or capsules or boosters
- 206 high chairs
- 191 baby carriers
- 241 cots or portacots
- 71 baby monitors, AND MORE!
Did you know? 200,000 car seats end up in landfills each year
That’s just one example of waste we can improve on by re-cycling pre-loved items and rehoming them with a family in need.
