Nepean Volunteer Services (NVS) plays a broad role in the community as a non-profit organisation, but is soon to add another feather to their cap – a knitting club.
NVS runs four services including a volunteer referral service that recruits volunteers for various organisations and runs the Nepean Neighbourhood Aid Service, which provides social support to frail aged and people with disabilities.
They also provide free training to services that utilise volunteers and run a Community Visitor Scheme that provides social support to clients using nursing homes and hostels.
However, when Neighbour Aid volunteer Jackie Moore suggested a knitting club, NVS members couldn’t resist the opportunity to help out further.
“At present we will be commencing a monthly knitting group where our volunteers and clients are invited to knit for a cause – the name of the group will be the NVS Knit for Causes club,” said Neighbour Aid coordinator Kim Vlotman.
“This group will assist with social interaction of group participants whilst assisting a cause.
“The first cause we will be assisting is for the homeless, children and elderly who are in need of scarves to keep warm this winter.”
NVS will be the drop off point for not only clients and volunteers of NVS, but for the whole Penrith community. NVS will then send the scarves to services.
“NVS would like the community of Penrith to be involved in this cause, therefore would welcome any donations of wool, needles or crocheting hooks,” Ms Vlotman said.
NVS Executive Officer Brigitte Madeiski, opened the club at its first meeting on Tuesday and welcomed the first cause of making scarves, one of many initiatives which will follow.
The club kicked off with Marilyn Griffis donating 23 scarves for children.
NVS services are funded by the Departments of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Health and Ageing and Department of Community Services.
The group was started in 1985 when residents recognised a need for volunteers to support the aging.
NVS is located at 106/114-116 Henry Street, Penrith. To find out more, email [email protected] or drop by.
