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…
People often make unfair assumptions about homeless people but homelessness happens for a variety of reasons and happens to people in all walks of life. Hollywood stars Hallee Berry, Jennifer Lopez and Sylvester Stallone are just some of the famous faces who were homeless at a stage in their lives. We understand that the needs…
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…