The work we do at Dandelion Support Network is just one aspect of help for families in need. In 2011, Dandelion began working in partnership with just two hospitals, The Sutherland and St George Hospitals. Now our partnerships stretch to help families in need all across greater Sydney and the Illawarra.
We now partner with more than 200 community service organisation branches and 14 hospitals to support some of the most vulnerable children and families in our community.
We rely on social workers to share with us what families really need and to ensure our donations find a suitable home where they truly make an impact. Dandelion does not work directly with the families it supports. Instead we operate through hospitals and other agencies and are inspired by the heartfelt stories that social workers share with us in confidence about the lives we are touching.
We do not accept self-referrals. If you need assistance, please get in touch with a local support agency.
Who we work with
Dandelion Support Network is a group of volunteers who accept, sort, and safety check nursery items, clothes, toys and linen for babies and kids. Once prepared, the donations are then passed on to families in need through referrals from social workers at hospitals and welfare agencies. Unfortunately due to regulations, we can not take self-referrals. . If you are unsure of who your local support agency is, please contact us and we can provide the names of agencies we work with in your area.
Partnering with Us:
Before we can partner together, there are a few things to note:
Pick up
Our insurance and policies prevent us from dealing with the recipients. We require someone from your office to collect the items from Taren Point, in southern Sydney. Pick up is Unit 4, 141-151 Taren Point Rd by a representative of your organisation at a pre-arranged time.
Fee for Service Delivery
Dandelion will soon offer a delivery service for referrals for a fee to cover costs incurred.
MOU
As part of our registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission, you will need to sign a standard Memorandum of Understanding and return it via email or post.
Waitlist items
Due to huge demand and limited supply, we often have wait lists for items such as cots, bassinets, prams and car seats. We do our best to prioritise these items and provide them to families in need. If these are needed urgently however, it may be an idea to try other avenues.
Make a Referral
If your organisation meets all of the above criteria please email refer@dandelionsupport.org for further information. We look forward to supporting your client and to working together to make a difference. If you are already a partner and want to make a referral, please complete our online referral form.