Like any part of the body, the brain needs exercise to keep it strong, happy and healthy. Reading is one way to keep your mind active and has been shown to benefit mental health, improve memory and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Books offer something for everyone. Whether you’re…
The volunteer team behind the mobile library services in Perth continue to be continues to be the driving force that ensures people experiencing homelessness can access books and reading glasses, according to The Footpath Library’s new Perth Programs Manager, Camille Grubba. “The volunteer team in Perth is amazing,” explains Camille. “Our volunteers have stuck through…
After receiving the title of World’s Most Locked Down City, Melbourne is starting to move again and that includes The Footpath Library. The need for social connection and conversation, as well as books, reading glasses and beanies has never been greater, and thanks to The Footpath Library volunteers, people experiencing homelessness are able to get…
Apart from running our regular mobile library outreach at Martin Place, The Footpath Library is currently piloting a monthly service, The Hub, in Sydney inner west, where people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage can access a range of support services. The Hub aims to provide a welcoming, safe space and a ‘one-stop-shop’ to ease the challenges…
Today marks the beginning of National Homelessness Week, which is an annual event to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in Australia. On any given night, 116,000 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness (ABS, 2016). At The Footpath Library, we believe that number is under-represented. “The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the devastating…
Gary Buck, who works for Virgin Australia, initiated and manages the donation of thousands of books left on aircraft at Brisbane airport. Virgin recognised his ongoing selfless commitment to The Footpath Library as part of a company documentary. Check him out here in this video.
The Footpath Library (TFL) was founded over 10 years ago with a simple mission – to bring the joy of books to people experiencing homelessness. Since its humble beginnings – literally a scattering of books on the footpath – TFL has grown to serve over 100 homelessness providers in four cities and over 300 individuals…
I rang the number on my mobile associated with a text message I had received moments before. A young female voice with a Scandinavian accent answered and identified herself as Anna. “where are you” I asked. “I am outside the cafe she replied. I was too. I scanned the lunchtime crowd and spotted a fair-haired…
Reading is one of life’s simple pleasures. There is nothing like getting lost in a book and becoming so immersed in a story that the characters start to become real. You become so involved it is almost like you are part of the story. It doesn’t matter where you read the book, this fictional little…
PRIMARY SCHOOL WINNERS AND PRIZES First: Phillip Greenwood, St. George Christian School, Hurstville, NSW (16GB Samsung Galaxy Tablet) Second: Georgia Holmes, Earlwood Public School, NSW (Panasonic TZ80 Superzoom Still Digital Camera) Third: Savannah Rogers, MLC Primary School Claremont, WA (Beats Solo 2 Headphones) SECONDARY SCHOOL WINNERS AND PRIZES First: Gabrielle Lim, Kilvington Grammar School,…
Each year, across Australia, The Children’s Book Council of Australia brings children and books together for Children’s Book Week. During this time schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children’s literature. This year’s theme is Australia! Story Country, so keep a look out and get involved in a book parade or activity near…
This month hosts National Homeless Week with the theme #HomelessnessCounts – highlighting that the lives of people experiencing homelessness are important. It also relates to the upcoming ABS Census and the importance of people experiencing homelessness being included and identified correctly in the Census count. This data is important as it outlines the severity of…
The annual Sydney Homeless Connect event took place for the seventh consecutive year at Sydney Town Hall last month. The 100%-volunteer-run not-for-profit connected hundreds of volunteers and service providers with people across New South Wales who are experiencing homelessness. Thanks to the help of Clayton Utz and some of our regular volunteers, TFL was able…
Entries for our Epic! short story competition are now open and we are excited to announce even more reasons to enter, with generous prizes courtesy of For Pity Sake Publishing. First prize for winners in Primary and Secondary categories: Samsung Galaxy Tablet, 16-gig wifi with a 32-gig Verbatim SDHC card Second prize for winners in Primary and…
Volunteer Claudia Sheridan had already heard about The Footpath Library after a family member showed her a documentary on Channel 9 a few years ago. CS: I have had some prior experience working in digital media, so when I saw the advertisement for a social media manager online, I thought it sounded like the perfect…