The Nurtured Village Hampers Mackay

Wrapping Local Mothers In Love And Support

In the heart of Mackay, a quiet revolution is stirring, fuelled not by government grants or red tape, but by something far more powerful… mums helping mums.

Leading the Mackay branch of the nationwide Nurtured Village Hampers initiative, Amanda Potter and Courtney Simpson have been running this grassroots effort since January last year, providing vital lifelines to mothers weathering the storm of motherhood amid rising living costs, domestic violence, and housing uncertainty.

“Every month, we rally around one family as a community and collect whatever they need,” Amanda explains.

And that support has been nothing short of life-changing.

“We’ve helped families whose newborns were suddenly placed in cardiac care,” Amanda says. “And families who don’t qualify for government aid, but find themselves in crisis with nowhere else to turn.”

Whether it’s delivering hampers filled with nappies, meals, wipes, and self-care items, or stepping in with emergency help for women seeking refuge in motels from domestic violence, Amanda and Courtney are responding to an urgent and growing need.

“We’re seeing more and more families moved from motel to motel,” Amanda shares.

“It’s far more distressing now than even a few months ago. Rising interest rates and soaring grocery prices are pushing even middle-income families to the edge.”

But their work runs deeper than just material aid. At its core, Nurtured Village Hampers is a maternal mental health mission – one that aims to replace isolation with connection, and fear with solidarity.

“We want every mother to feel like she has a village around her,” Amanda says.

“And the numbers don’t lie – our surveys show 95% of mums felt isolated. That loneliness is directly linked to postpartum depression.

“We aim to lift some of that weight.”

Amanda’s fire for the cause comes from her own journey.

“I’m doing this because I don't want other women to go through what I did.”

Every hamper delivered is more than a bundle of supplies – it’s a message whispered through kindness.

“You are seen, you are not forgotten, and you are not alone.”

“A mum recently broke down crying in my arms after receiving a self-care hamper,” Amanda recalls.

“She said, ‘I don’t feel alone anymore.’ And that’s why we do this.”

As Mackay prepares for the Together for Shelter expo, Nurtured Village Hampers shines as a ray of hope – breaking down harmful stereotypes around homelessness and reminding the region that crisis can knock on any door.

“We’ve supported families with jobs who simply can’t keep up with the cost of living anymore,” Amanda says.

“This crisis is hitting everyone.”

And the community’s support is more vital than ever.

“We always need nappies, wipes, Coles or Woolies vouchers – even simple things like bath products for our mental health packs,” Amanda says.

To join the movement, locals are encouraged to connect via Facebook or email: mackay@thenurturedvillage.org

In a time when hope feels in short supply, Nurtured Village Hampers is wrapping struggling mothers in love, dignity, and the warmth of a village that shows up – one hamper at a time.

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Courtney Simpson (left) and Amanda Potter (right) have led the Mackay branch of the nationwide Nurtured Village Hampers since January last year.

In the heart of Mackay, The Nurtured Village Hampers is quietly transforming lives - offering struggling mothers not just essential supplies, but a powerful sense of community, connection, and hope when it’s needed most. Photos supplied

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