“Childhood poverty is a major problem, too big for any one individual or organisation. We started because it became very apparent that there was poverty around us and it needed a community response.

“We provide the space, the logistics and the expertise, but really it’s the community we represent.

“That’s why we call ourselves We Care Connect – because we’re connecting the community.

“We’re connecting dozens of wonderful people who volunteer with us and we’re connecting with hundreds of community donors who give us all the practical items we need that families are struggling to provide.”

Each week a team of almost 60 volunteers sort through pre-loved items and bundle up packages specific to requests that come through from a network of over 300 case workers, social workers and teachers.

“We make sure that everything we give out is first class,” Derryck said.

Helen Burkett has been volunteering with We Care Connect almost since the beginning and said it’s incredibly rewarding work.

“Parents worry more about their children than themselves and we like to think that we take that initial concern away so that they can concentrate on other parts of their lives,” Helen said.

“We put a lot of effort into the packages we give out to help the kids fit in with their peers and we know that makes a huge difference to their lives.”

Sadly, demand for the grassroots charity has grown exponentially in recent years.

“When We Care Connect was founded in 2016, we supported just over 400 children. This year we anticipate to support around 4,500 children,” Derryck said.

“Covid played a large role in this, but recently we’ve seen the biggest increase ever due to a combination of a sudden onset of cold weather, soaring fuel prices, rent prices and food prices.

“Families that were coping are no longer coping and that’s why we’re being inundated at the moment.”

We Care Connect Team Member, Helen Barker, said no parent should have to make a decision between buying groceries for the week or a warm blanket for their child to have in bed.

“The families we’re supporting may be experiencing severe financial hardship, domestic violence, dealing with a medical diagnosis or be single parents that need a helping hand,” Helen said.

“To be able to improve quality of life, reduce that financial burden, and reduce risk of social marginalisation is such a special thing to be able to do for these children.”

In addition to previous funding for a van, We Care Connect recently received a grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation to expand their program in Newcastle.

“One of the biggest challenges for an organisation is funding,” Helen said.

“This partnership means we’ll be able to provide Hunter families with the same access to items that families receive here on the Central Coast and we can’t wait to offer that service.

“Both us and the Charitable Foundation share the same belief that children shouldn’t live in poverty. Together we can help change that cycle of poverty and provide every day essentials that these families deserve.”