22 November 2024
Joanne Nothling is the YouthCARE Chaplain at Comet Bay Primary School in Secret Harbour and has been for over 7 years. During her tenure as a chaplain she discovered that one of the most useful resources she has are small, soft, feely hearts.
“These hearts have been an invaluable source of joy and comfort for children experiencing any kind of loss or grief. Whether it be a family separation, death of a family member or pet, serious illness or high anxiety, children love to be given a fluffy heart. Children often keep the hearts in their pocket, and when they feel low or sad they give the heart a squeeze as a reminder that they are loved”, she said.
Joanne has been sourcing the hearts online, but recently found that they have become increasingly expensive.
“I decided to make my own and bought felt, stuffing and cotton only to realise that I was terrible at sewing and this idea failed miserably”, she said.
Joanne reached out to her local church and was introduced to the ladies crocheting group. She shared her heart behind the feely hearts, and they thought it was a wonderful idea. Within a week, the ladies had made over 100 feely hearts for the students at her school. What a lovely example of a local church coming together to support our YouthCARE Chaplains and school communities.
We thank Joanne Nothling for her unwavering dedication, initiative and passion for her school community.
If you feel called to a career that offers the opportunity to support school communities throughout WA, follow your heart and head to our jobs page to begin your journey with YouthCARE today.
During Joannes tenure as a chaplain she discovered that one of the most useful resources she has are small, soft, feely hearts.
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