Jackson (L) with the Rugs with Love Volunteers.

Just in time for winter, local volunteer group Rugs with Love has delivered a heartfelt gift to the young people living at our Marltarra Tiny Homes Campus – 10 hand-knitted rugs, each made with care, compassion, and community spirit.

Each rug was lovingly handmade and thoughtfully selected to suit the individual tastes of its recipient.

“This is something just for them, with no strings attached,” Jackson, Junction’s Senior Youth Development coach, said.

“These rugs are something they can take ownership of and keep for the rest of their lives.”

One young person, upon receiving their rug said, “No one’s ever made anything just for me.” The moment captured the heart of the initiative – creating something personal and meaningful for those who often go without.

Rugs with Love has been meeting monthly for the past 19 years. The group not only knits but also supports each other’s mental health and wellbeing.

Despite facing serious health challenges – including shoulder reconstructions and even a triple bypass – members have continued knitting, driven by a shared purpose and love for their community.

“It’s overwhelming and fulfilling,” Pauline, Rugs with Love Coordinator, said.

“We’ve made hundreds of rugs, including 200 for children in care. It’s all about connecting communities – and it’s good for us too.”

The rugs were handpicked for each young person, with colours and styles chosen to reflect their personalities. One was green, another tan – small details that made a big difference. As one recipient put it, “It makes me feel like I’ve walked into my grandma’s house.”

The rugs were hand delivered to the young people at Marltarra last week.

“It’s beautiful. And as long as there are kids like this, we’ll keep knitting,” Pauline said.

With another 10 rugs already planned for the next group of residents, Rugs with Love continues to weave threads of kindness, resilience, and hope – one stitch at a time.