4 minute read

There are dozens of ways an end of financial year donation help people with mental health challenges on their recovery journey.

This year, residents and staff at Mind’s youth residential rehabilitation service in Rosanna, Melbourne, are hoping a donation can help to upgrade their courtyard.

The courtyard is the service’s only outdoor space, but it has become run down over time and Apollo’s team leader Tyson Ree says fixing it is residents’ number one request.

Nico (20) is a resident there – he says he would love to help turn it into a space outdoors to enjoy, sit and read, chat and do some gardening.

“Some kind of good furniture, even just tables and chairs would be great, to sit and enjoy the outdoors,” he says.

“Being outdoors is good for the mind, good for the body, which is obviously important to us.” 

Service Manager Lester Burford says small donations will be enough to buy some outdoor furniture and a few tools to fix up the space.

“Something like this makes a massive difference to the lives of the young people who access our services,” he says. “Making a space not only means something to them, but can be enjoyed by all future residents as well.”

Something like this makes a massive difference to the lives of the young people who access our services.

Lester says fixing the courtyard will be a positive group experience that provides residents with a sense of accomplishment.

Nico is hoping donations will help him get some gardening supplies as he is especially keen to get the garden going again. 

“Gardening would be good for the space too; it has a cute dirt bed that hasn’t had anything done with it.”

Mind youth residential services provide a wide range of support that can be transformational for young people experiencing mental health challenges at a crucial time in their development.

Whether it’s for outdoor furniture, gardening supplies, yoga mats or art supplies, there are dozens of ways donations can help young people on their recovery journey.

Donate here and select “Victorian residential youth services” from the dropdown to support youth residential services. Donations are also tax-deductible. 

Mind thanks everyone who can make an end of financial year donation.