Our Village Network Inc

Our Village Network Inc is a grassroots charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable babies and children across Victoria by providing essential nursery and children’s items. It operates as a community-driven organisation that connects families who wish to donate pre-loved baby goods with those in urgent need, working closely with social workers and maternal and child health nurses to ensure these items reach the right recipients. The organisation also focuses on reducing waste by extending the life cycle of children’s goods through repair and reuse, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Our Village Network Inc is to rehome essentials to give children the best start in life, ensuring every child up to the age of six who needs support can access safe and quality items. Its vision is encapsulated in the phrase: “Share more. Waste less. Every child thrives.” The organisation aims to nurture the potential of children by alleviating economic and social pressures on families, fostering secure and thriving early childhood experiences, and promoting a circular economy to protect the planet.

Main Objectives

• Support every Victorian child up to six years old who requires assistance
• Reduce waste by promoting the reuse of baby and children’s goods
• Expand their service reach beyond Victoria
• Collaborate with social services and health professionals to identify and assist families in need
• Maintain high safety standards for all items rehomed

Benefiting Groups

The primary beneficiaries are vulnerable babies and children aged 0-6 years, along with their families who face economic or social hardship. The organisation also supports social workers and maternal and child health nurses by providing them with resources to assist their clients effectively.

Services and Activities

• Collection, cleaning, safety-checking, and rehoming of essential nursery and children’s items
• Partnering with social workers and maternal and child health nurses to distribute goods
• Engaging a large volunteer network to manage donations and logistics
• Promoting environmental sustainability through the circular economy by reducing landfill waste
• Providing educational resources and guidance on item safety and maintenance

Together, these efforts create a supportive community that not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term wellbeing for children and families while caring for the environment. For those wishing to contribute, opportunities exist to donate goods, time, or funds through their website.