Families across nine public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington were shocked to find police at their doors, barring them from the leaving, when they went into hard lockdown on 4 July due to the high number of COVID-19 cases.
But MacKillop CEO, Dr Robyn Miller, was among those on their doorsteps within 24 hours to support families through the practical and psychological challenges the lockdown created.
More than 40 MacKillop staff worked day and night providing phone and on-site support to families struggling to meet their children’s needs while unable to leave their flats for two weeks.
We brought food and baby formula. We went to the chemist to have urgent prescriptions filled. We brought games and activities to keep kids occupied while confined, and gave advice and emotional support to parents in extreme stress.
“It was a privilege to connect with people at their most vulnerable, to feel their frustration, hear their fears and share their stories,” says Sandra Roldan, Manager of MacKillop’s Community Services.
For a community including many with past experiences of trauma, limited access to media and language barriers, the emotional support our staff provided was also critical.
However, Sandra says, “I met some of the most beautiful souls…their care and compassion for others shone brightly and their ability to laugh and find hope in those very trying times was inspirational”.
