Do you have any baby and children’s items that your kids are no longer using? Roundabout Canberra is asking for urgent help to support families in need in our region by donating your preloved goods.

Curating a program of recycling and reusing preloved baby and children’s goods, Roundabout Canberra is on a mission to ensure every child in our region has the best possible start in life. With maintaining dignity for all families as a core value, they help families who require a leg up with anonymity and compassion.

Since the beginning of 2024, the organisation has already helped support 647 children in our region, which equates to around 80 per week. Now they are calling on locals to help keep their supplies stocked as they continue their hard work. 

They are desperate for clothing in sizes 8-16, newborn car seats, and prams. The other items in high demand include clothing in sizes 5-7, linen for single beds, capsules and car seats for under 8, baby baths, cots and bassinets – due to safety requirements, please check before donating these items.

Last year, Roundabout supported more than 4,100 children and they now find themselves struggling against the wave of growing demand for essential items.

“The increased demand is very much linked to cost of living pressures. We are hearing time and time again about the difficult choices families are having to make. But there are a few other exacerbating factors such as coming out of the holiday season, and the additional pressure that comes from the return to school for older kids,” says Hannah Andrevski, founder and CEO.

Providing safe and high-quality baby and children’s items to families in need can have a drastic impact on the lives of the family. For some families, like those leaving dangerous situations, receiving a care package donated by the community can help them feel like they are valued and cared for during a challenging transition.

“Most of the families we are assisting are facing significant financial pressures with many having to make difficult choices between paying for food, housing, petrol and essentials for their children. This year, we are seeing a rise in the number of single mothers who have escaped domestic violence – an unimaginable experience for both a woman and her children,” Ms Andrevski says.

Since its establishment in 2018, Roundabout Canberra has helped 12,782 children with the ongoing support of the Canberra community. But Ms Andrevski and the dedicated volunteers know they can help more. Even the smallest donations come together to create a huge impact, she says.

“Your donations can make a significant difference to the lives of local families. We urge the Canberra community to consider contributing whatever they can, whether it’s great quality used clothing, linen, a pram, some nappies, wipes or toiletries. Together, we can provide vital support to those who need it most.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Roundabout Canberra warehouse located at 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt on Monday, Wednesday-Friday between 10am and1pm and on Saturdays between 1pm and 4pm.

On the southside, you can donate clothing and linen to Roundabout Canberra at Club Kalina, 2/167 Soward Way, Greenway on Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

As the weather starts to cool down, the demand is set to increase. If you have winter linen and clothing, please consider holding on to it for Roundabout winter goods focus which starts from mid-April.

“We definitely expect to see increased demand as we head into winter. There’s always very high demand for winter linen and clothing which we expect to see increase this year with the way things are going,” says Ms Andrevski.  

If you want to help Roundabout but don’t have any baby or children’s items around the house, consider a financial donation to aid the purchase of wipes, nappies and hygiene items. Head to the Donate Now page on the website to make a tax-deductible donation.

A full list of items you can donate, and all other information about Roundabout Canberra can be found at roundaboutcanberra.org

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