SESLHD combines domestic violence awareness with Christmas giving
To support the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Nurses and Midwives co-ordinated domestic violence awareness-raising activities throughout SESLHD on Friday 22 November 2019.
All sites then launched their Christmas Giving campaign to donate to charities supporting those affected by domestic violence.
Poster displays at Calvary Healthcare Kogarah; a fundraising cake stall at the Royal Hospital for Women; a street march in Randwick; staff at St George, Sydney/Sydney Eye, War Memorial and Sutherland hospitals wearing white and having morning and afternoon teas - many initiatives took place throughout SESLHD.
Kim Olesen, Director, Nursing & Midwifery, SESLHD, congratulated the nursing and midwifery teams for organising the charitable giving as well as working in their everyday roles.
“Due to these amazing efforts, our staff will be more aware of domestic violence behaviours and its effects, and those in need will be appreciative of this kind and caring gesture,” Ms Olesen said.
Coin and ongoing donations are being accepted for local registered charities in our communities which will provide for those in need this Christmas, including Share the Dignity, Dandelion Support Network, Platform Nine, Matthew Talbot Hostel and The John Franklin Christmas Lunch.
Staff at the Royal Hospital for Women threw their support behind SESLHD’s Shining a light on Domestic Violence this Christmas campaign, focusing on the Share the Dignity campaign. Donors are packing bags with everyday essentials and feminine hygiene products, such as toothpaste and deodorant for a woman in need, along with a handwritten note.
Prince of Wales Hospital held an event titled Baked with Love, featuring plates of baked goods and healthy treats from many hospital departments, with items sold in return for a gold coin. Guests remembered their colleague, Gigi Kerollos, who passed away following a violent incident earlier this year. A placard was made in her honour.
Leaders including Chief Executive Tobi Wilson and staff from Prince of Wales Hospital, including General Manager, Jennie Barry, also took part in a march - Step Out Speak Out - walking from Randwick to Coogee to take a stand against violence.
“To be a part of a community event Stepping Up Speaking Out against domestic violence was a great way for us to come together showing our support. It was particularly important to us this year as we remembered Gigi Kerollos - it gave us all an opportunity for some personal reflectional," Ms Barry said.
St George Hospital staff were invited to wear a white shirt on 22 November 2019, in exchange for a gold coin donation raising funds for the Dandelion Support Network. Multiple departments, wards and servicers held afternoon teas, with a cake stall held in the main entry.
Staff at Sutherland Hospital came together over a barbecue lunch on Thursday, 21 November 2019. It was hosted by the Social Work Department, in partnership with the Sutherland Hospital Domestic Violence Committee, which also coordinated an information stall in the atrium.
