Our Stories

Charlie’s Gift values all those within its community and believes we all have what it takes to be the heroes in someone else’s story. We have seen first-hand that small gestures and a little generosity can be the difference between our aged experiencing optimal or poor wellbeing and end of life experiences. Supporting Charlie’s Gift in any capacity means that you too become the heroes in someone else’s story.

One of the fabulous things about being part of Charlie’s Gift is volunteering and providing small gestures to bring moments of joy and connection to our aged. Ever since I was little, I saw something awe provoking in the elderly. Looking in their eyes told me much. Many of the elderly in my street were my best friends and to this day I think of them with fondness and gratitude.

Charlie’s Gift values lie within the importance of the “gift of giving” to enable wellbeing and connection for all our aged. However, we also know that the “gift” goes both ways and we receive just as much as we give.

Despite limited funding and the impact of the Corona Virus, we have managed to bring a little joy to many aged within our community. These are some of our stories.

We welcome anyone of any age to become a Charlie’s Gifter. Together we truly will make a difference

More than a Pair of Shoes

Through volunteering, a friend was made. For confidential reasons, not much can be said about this friend. For the sake of this story, we will call her Sally. What I can tell you is that Sally is 92 and born and bred Novocastrian. Her adored husband passed away a few years back and she now lives alone. Sally has friends but not many can drive and visit or manage to take her out.

Sally is an artist and looking fashionable remains important to her.

This is a story about what holds meaning for our aged and how fulfilling the needs of a fabulous 92-year-old woman became a fun day out, a fond memory, and supported our local small businesses.

Sally’s mobility/balance was deteriorating and she was prescribed a pair of practical but in her words “hideous shoes” with orthotics. Sally has loved shoes all her life and hated that she had to wear dowdy “old ladies” shoes to provide mobility support. A Charlie’s Gifter suggested she visit a local shoe store known for both comfort and fashionable shoes, with many catering to orthotics. The same volunteer suggested they make a “girl’s day” afternoon out of it and go somewhere new for lunch and a browse around. Sally was delighted and a date was confirmed for the following week.

The Charlie’s Gifter arrived to Sally fully decked out in her favourite outfit. She looked radiant and excited.

After lunch and a little meander through the mall, Sally was taken to the shoe shop. Because time was not an issue, Sally could browse around and pick out all the shoes she wanted to try on.

The Charlie’s Gifter found Sally a comfortable seat and assisted Sally to try on many, many pairs of shoes. Some fitted. Some didn’t. Some Sally tried on just for a laugh. She was pleased to see many catered to her orthotics. She modelled them up and down the store. She was overjoyed. So overjoyed in fact she ended up purchasing 3 pairs of lovely shoes before leaving the store.

Sally didn’t know this particular shoe store existed and even if she did, she would not have been able to get there independently.

On returning home, Sally stated that “it had been a long time since she had a ‘girl’s day out’ and she was very grateful and would not forget it”.

This is what Charlie’s Gift is all about – befriending our aged, listening to their wants and needs and finding ways to provide these wants and needs in a manner that creates joy and self-value.

Don’t forget – you can be a Charlie’s Gifter too and spread the joy.

What can be Done During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Like most organisations, Covid19 put a halt to our plans for 2020. It is hard to arrange promotion and fundraisers or to partner with small businesses when self-isolation is the new norm.

On a positive note COVID19 has shown many what Charlie’s Gift has always known;

we are all connected
what affects one, affects many
to help all people in need it takes a village and community “togetherness”

The following are small ways Charlie’s Gift has been able to help.

The "We Care" Packages

Charlie’s Gift donated $1500 worth of “We Care” packages to our local hospitals. The hospital’s ED Nursing Manager would then hand them out to our aged who needed their spirits uplifted and/or would benefit from some “goodies” during lock down and isolation. Each bag was filled to the brim with the following products purchased from several of our local businesses:

Shampoo and Conditioner
Long handled washer
Dove soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Mouthwash
Shower Cap
Comb
Thick colouring in pencils
Mindfulness colouring in book
Pen
Notepad
Packets of biscuits
Box of Twining’s tea bags
Assorted sweets and chocolates.
Cute nail brush
Raiser
Emery board
Pack of chips
Toilet roll
Oat bar
Small pack of tissues
Fridge magnets
Falls prevention magnet
Supports contact list

In all, 40 “We Care” packages were handed out to:

The Mater

Belmont Hospital

John Hunter Hospital

Saying it with Flowers

Charlie’s Gift really felt for our aged community locked down and isolated in residential care, not knowing when they would see family and friends. The Manager of Maroba Residential Care informed us that there were particular residents feeling low during the height of the lockdown. To bring some brightness to their day Charlie’s Gift donated a box of flowers and personalised cards to those most in need of cheering up as well as a box of chocolates for staff and residents to enjoy.

The flowers were beautifully arranged by Newcastle’s “Flower’s by Design”.

Chocolates for staff and residents to share.

The Thank You's

Charlie’s Gift was touched by how many people took the time to reach out and thank us for their Care Packs.

Two woman particularly touched our hearts, we will call them Mary and Edna.

Mary

“I just wanted to thank you personally for my lovely gift. I was feeling very low as my husband passed away this year and then I ended up in hospital worried I may not get to go home. One of the nurses gave me one of your packages and it was so nice knowing my community did not forget me and that there was a number I could call if I needed some help”

Edna

“Hello Charlie’s Gift, I wanted to ring and let you know how delighted I was to receive your package. I was feeling very down as I broke my ankle and my husband had to go into residential respite. I had just learned that he might not be able to return home. It was so nice feeling that someone cared and the gifts were very generous. I will keep your number on the fridge, thank you so much…”

Often Our Aged Don't Need Carers, Just a friend and Some TLC

A Charlie’s Gifter befriended one of our aged, let’s call her Ivy. She noticed that Ivy was very low in spirits during a visit. Ivy said that she had been fighting an affection for months, that her dog is recovering from a painful operation and she hasn’t been sleeping or eating well.

Ivy lives alone. She has the support and home visits for a couple of hours most days but not enough to break through the loneliness and vulnerability she was feeling.

Our “Gifter” asked Ivy if she would like a “girly weekend” and a little TLC. Ivy was delighted. In 2 days and 3 nights Ivy was able to rest when she needed knowing her pup was being looked after, had someone to share all meals with her and so ate more, could relax and enjoy morning and afternoon tea with some company, share her stories and enjoy watching movies with a friend who would laugh and cry with her.

Ivy’s spirits improved greatly as did her health recovery. Our “Gifter” also had a great time, and learned about Newcastle’s history, how to brew the perfect cup of tea and how to knit like a pro.

A Charlie’s Gifter is the friend all our aged deserve.

Don't Think the Men Miss out

This lovely gentleman is growing towards a Centenarian. Befriended by a Charlie’s Gifter he will have support when/if the times comes. Upon receiving an Easter treat he was touched enough to contact us and let us know how appreciative he is of our support.