Dandelion Support Network
Dandelion Support Network works with hospitals, support agencies and case workers to connect with families in need of supplies including children’s clothes and nursery items.
Free to all recipients, the donations include car seats, prams, cots, toys and clothing. Operating from Caringbah, NSW all donations are collected and inspected for safety over three donation sites that also include Maroubra and Castle Hill.
“Our vision is that all babies and children have access to nursery items essential for their safety, well-being and development.” Gabrielle Humphreys, CEO Dandelion
The recycle service was originally started in 2011 as a small grass roots service run by two local Shire mums in their garage. Today, Dandelion has clients across NSW. This rapid expansion and growth in the demand for Dandelion’s services has seen over 10,000 families across Sydney and regional NSW provided with quality and lasting items.
Dandelion’s key goal is to promote children’s health and safety whilst promoting sustainability, repurposing and recycling of all donated items. With a team of five staff and around sixty volunteers, Dandelion in 2019 distributed free of charge 422 cots, 196 bassinet, 751 prams and 734 car seats to clients across NSW.
By developing a customised management and logistics system, Dandelion continually measures and tracks the social impact of their operations, including at a local council level.
In 2019 – 2020 in partnership with 630 social workers across 37 NSW government areas, Dandelion achieved a social return on investment of 2.5 : 1.
This encompassed 66 tonnes of nursery items provided for families in need that otherwise would have been consigned to landfill.
Big Sister Foundation and Dandelion have worked together since 2014. Big Sister has provided sustainability funding to enable employment of key staff, improve operational effectiveness and manage growth . Our current partnership focuses on staffing, sustainability, as well as meeting the growing in demand for many additional nursery items, such as cots, that aren’t available through donations.
Gabrielle Humphreys from the Dandelion Support Network explained the benefits of partnering.
“What makes the Dandelion partnership with Big Sister so unique is that the Big Sister Foundation isn’t just about funding. It’s a true partnership with sharing of ideas, mentorship, education and connections,” she said. “Our partnership with Big Sister, has enabled Dandelion to work towards long term sustainability and the opportunity to grow at a pace that we needed.”
For further information on The Dandelion Support Network visit their website: