Fresh sheets a service to seniors

Who would have thought that changing someone’s linen would help change their life?

New South Wales volunteer group, The Crows Nest Centre, is changing the lives of many elderly, disabled and mentally ill people living at home.

The centre was recently awarded the 2011 Sydney North Volunteer Team of the Year Award, and is now in the running for the 2011 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year.

Peter Clayton, of Neutral Bay, has volunteered for the service for more than 12 years, and last week changed linen ofn his 10,000th bed.

“The laundering of the sheets and the making of the bed becomes impossible when you are old and frail,” Mr Clayton tells the Mosman Daily.

“To have someone say to you, ‘if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be able to live at  home’ just makes you feel 10-feet-tall. It’s immensely rewarding,” he adds.

The service, which has been running for 12 years, was last year nearly forced to close due to lack of funding.

The linen service comprises a team of 53 volunteers who attend clients’ homes fortnightly to make their beds using clean linen while taking the old linen away to be washed.

If you would like to become a Crows Nest Centre volunteer, call (02) 9439 5122.