Winter Warmth ‘All About U Day’ showcases inclusion in action
The Winter Warmth ‘All About U Day’ captures what true inclusion should feel like – welcoming, practical and driven by people who genuinely care.
Deakin University placement students at MatchWorks delivered a community-driven initiative to support participants across Geelong as they navigate the challenges of winter. Held on 27 May 2026 at the Corio Village office, the second Winter Warmth Community Care Packs Program formed part of our All About U Day, providing timely support as temperatures drop and cost-of-living pressures continue to rise.
At the centre of the initiative was placement student Georgia-Rose, who led the team in working closely with the Corio office to bring it to life. Students took a hands-on role in engaging local businesses, coordinating donations, and assembling care packs, ensuring practical support reached those who needed it most.
This strong collaboration with community partners and local businesses contributed to a highly successful initiative, with key outcomes including:
- More than 80 attendees, including over 50 participants
- New sponsorship from Community Bank Lara, with strong engagement and positive feedback
- Distribution of 100 gift bags containing warm clothing and pantry essentials
- Support from Geelong Foodshare, including fresh produce and student involvement
- A total of 19 business sponsorships and donations.
For Georgia-Rose, leading this initiative was both professionally and personally transformative:
“Leading the Winter Warmth project was incredibly rewarding. With the encouragement of the MatchWorks team, I was able to connect with community partners, bring ideas to life and grow in confidence as both a learner and future practitioner.”
MatchWorks Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) General Manager, Casey Hardwick, acknowledged the collective effort behind the initiative:
“A huge thank you to the Deakin students and our MatchWorks Corio Inclusive Employment Australia team who brought this to life with energy, passion and purpose. Your efforts have supported our valued participants and made a meaningful contribution to our community.
I also want to acknowledge all of our community partners – your support and participation make these moments possible and ensure they leave a lasting impact. Thank you.”
The All About U Day offered far more than essential items. Participants also had access to training and upskilling opportunities, insights into in-demand industries, and connections to free health and wellbeing services. MatchWorks Employer Engagement Partners and Post Placement Support teams were also on hand to provide guidance.
As a leading disability employment service, MatchWorks remains committed to supporting participants in meaningful and practical ways, ensuring they feel equipped, confident and supported in their journey toward employment.
Participants also recognised the importance of initiatives like this, particularly as living costs continue to increase. Feedback highlighted the real impact of the day, with one participant sharing, “It was a great day, this will really help and everyone involved were very helpful. Thank you!” Another noted how timely the support was, saying, “Very helpful, especially this time of year. The food items are very helpful.” Others praised the overall experience, with feedback that “the event was very well organised and a lot of support and information was available.”
By bringing students, the MatchWorks team and the wider community together, the Winter Warmth initiative delivered essential supplies, helped strengthened connections and created a genuine sense of belonging and inclusion across the Geelong community.
To learn more about how you can support future initiatives or get involved, reach out to your local MatchWorks team or phone 1300 13 23 63.
