Orygen Assist

What is Orygen Assist?

Orygen Assist is a volunteer-run program that provides essential items to young people experiencing mental ill-health and their families who may be facing financial hardship.

Volunteers operate a drop-in shop at Orygen Parkville as well as an online ordering and deliveries service available across Orygen sites for clinicians and staff, on behalf of young people and families. 

Each month, the program supports around 500 young people and families, distributing more than 2,300 essential items such as new clothing, personal hygiene products, non-perishable food, and fresh produce.

Every donation helps ease financial stress and ensures young people and families can access the basics they need to feel supported and cared for.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm

How you can help

Your contribution can make a real and immediate difference. By donating essential items or placing an online grocery order, you will help us stock our shelves and continue providing practical support to those who need it most.

Order online through Coles

You can send items directly to Orygen Assist by placing an order through Coles Online.

Visit coles.com.au and sign in or create an account.
Choose ‘Delivery’ and use the following address:
Orygen Youth Health, 35 Poplar Road, PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Select a delivery time during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).
In ‘Delivery instructions’, write: Deliver to reception, Attn: Orygen Assist.

Most urgent items

Healthy snacks (muesli/protein bars, popcorn, dried fruit, nuts)
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Tampons and pads
Long-life milk, cereal, soups, pasta, canned goods and rice

End-of-year items appreciated

At the end of the year, we like to include some extra treats that help young people and families enjoy a sense of celebration and comfort. If you’re able, please consider adding one or two of these items to your donation:

Long-life custard or desserts (pudding cups, jelly, fruit compote)
Boxed cookies, biscuits, or snack-sized chocolates
Savoury crackers, nuts, and dips
Non-alcoholic sparkling drinks or juices
Small gifts or self-care items (body wash, lip balm, hand cream)
Preserves, spreads, sauces and condiments

impact

In 2023 Orygen Assist:

distributed 1,000 items of new clothing, 700 hygiene & pamper packs and seven vans' worth of non-perishable food items; and,
fulfilled 200 individual orders across Orygen sites including Parkville, Werribee, Melton, Sunshine, Footscray, Craigieburn and Glenroy.

partner organisations

Orygen Assist is made possible by our generous charity partners Foodbank Victoria, Thread Together and Pinchapoo who supply these essential items.

volunteer profile

Name: Alexis

Role: Orygen Assist on-site volunteer

How did you find out about Orygen and volunteering at Orygen Assist?
I’ve always had a keen interest in what Orygen does and its mission to support young people. One day I found myself browsing the website and saw the volunteer registration page. I liked that it was an open-ended registration and that Orygen would get in touch as opportunities arose and would find something to suit me. My first role was at the Western Bulldogs/Orygen Youth Fest in the West event and after that, I joined the Orygen Assist team on an ongoing basis.

What impact do you see Orygen Assist having on the community?
Orygen Assist provides not only the essentials like underwear, hygiene packs, menstrual packs and food staples, but also some special extras that can bring a smile to someone's face because they weren’t expecting it. We offer spa packs with nail polishes and hair masks, fun patterned socks and at Christmas we had puddings, chocolate sauce and custard.

What is your favourite part of volunteering?
I like that I can be involved in a team of volunteers who all care about what we’re doing and share the same mission. Lauren, our volunteer coordinator, is so supportive and listens to our ideas for expanding the Orygen Assist offering.

Speaking with the young people who walk in is the best part of my shift. A particular highlight was seeing a young person’s face light up when they found a pair of leather boots in their size. I saw them again a few weeks later and we discussed how much they loved the boots and how they were excited to pack them for an upcoming trip. It made me think about how Orygen’s vision is to support young people to enjoy optimum mental health as they grow into adulthood.

Learn how to volunteer at the Orygen Assist program HERE.