WHEN Rotary’s Men’s Health Education Rural Van (mherv) rolls through town, it will be on a dual mission: to offer free health checkups, and to collect donated mobile phones to be reborn into DV Safe Phones.
The mherv is a mini consulting room, custom-built to provide a relaxed, confidential and informal setting.
It is staffed by a registered nurse who conducts free health checkups, including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, often to people who rarely go to their doctor.
DV Safe Phones, supported by Rotary Clubs
DV Safe Phones, supported by Rotary Clubs of Australia, is a program that takes in old mobile phones, which are wiped clean of all information, and gives them a new purpose by helping DV victim-survivors stay connected, stay safe, and move on with their lives.
The successful program has proven that ‘safe phones’ are a vital link to emergency services, support networks, and loved ones.
This is a great chance for mherv to further support the community in a meaningful way, Woolgoolga Rotary spokesperson Michelle McIntosh told News Of The Area.
All that’s required is for people to drop
“All that’s required is for people to drop their used phones into the box when mherv is in town,” she said.
“Rotary will collect them at the end of the tour and send them to DV Phone for refurbishment and distribution.” Refurbished phones are then provided to Women’s Shelters and similar organisations.
“Your old phone could save a life,” Ms McIntosh said.
Since 2020, DV Safe Phones boxes have collected, repaired and distributed free mobile phones to domestic violence victims through their nationwide network of more than 500 agency partners (DV agencies, police stations, hospitals and safe houses).
The Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van will be on First Avenue in Sawtell on Thursday, 29 October; at Coffs Harbour Bunnings, on Cooks Drive, on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October; and in Dorrigo on Monday 2 November.
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