Established in 2015, Share the Dignity makes a difference in local communities every single day with their work directly benefiting women in need throughout Australia.
Founder Rochelle Courtenay, first heard of homeless women going without basic sanitary items whilst reading a media article in 2015. Rochelle decided to take immediate action, collecting sanitary items within her local community and distributing to local shelters.
Today, Share the Dignity collects thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products every year for women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty.
In 2016 they introduced the #Pinkbox Dignity Vending Machine program, supplying vending machines, that dispense free period packs which contain 6 tampons and 2 pads. Machines are currently installed in public toilets, charities, homeless hubs, domestic violence refuges, community centres, Aboriginal health services and schools across Australia.
Share The Dignity is run on the power of volunteers across Australia with their campaigns striking a chord with communities everywhere.
Share the Dignity hold a number of volunteer-driven nationwide donation campaigns and events each year including:
- It’s in the Bag
- Dignity Drive
- DigniTea
- Yoga4Dignity
- Run4Dignity
Each year they co-ordinate their #itsinthebag Christmas collection during November and December. These campaigns are co-ordinated by individuals often in workplace or community groups. This year the event will kick off on November 22 and finish on December 7.
People are encouraged to gift a handbag or two with essential items and then add their own flavour by filling the bag with items that would make a woman feel special, pop in a thoughtful note or Christmas card and show her someone cares.