Knitting baskets with unfinished scarves in them are popping up around Hobsons Bay in a campaign to raise awareness of youth homelessness.
The idea is for someone to knit while waiting at a laundrette, hairdresser, medical centre or other business and then leave the scarf in the basket for the next person to continue.
Altona-based homelessness service Latitude: Directions for Young People said the idea was developed in partnership with Altona Village Traders Association and the Altona Country Women’s Association.
Latitude manager Rhonda Collins said the knitting basket was a symbol.
“It’s bringing people together,” she said. “It’s creating that social inclusion.”
She said there were 146 on the youth homelessness priority waiting list across Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.
Ms Collins said many people were unaware of Latitude’s work.
“A lot of people don’t know what we do,” she said.
“Homelessness doesn’t mean you’re sleeping in the park all the time.
“It’s about raising that awareness of couch-surfing and people who might be on the cusp of leaving home to get in contact with us before that happens.”
Latitude, at 2 Somers Parade, Altona, has a drop-in pantry and is always seeking donations of food that’s easy to prepare.
Knitting baskets are at the Eco Laundry Room, Powder Puff hairdressing salon, Altona Medical Centre, Pier Street Medical Centre, Runkle Dell Rouge, Newport Gardens Early Years Centre and Pitstop Cafe.
Details: www.latitudedirections.org.au
