Jordan Springs’ charity, Our Community Cares, have donated VR headsets to Nepean Hospital to aid Palliative Care patients.

They have donated five headsets, cases, and straps whilst Mike Vasavada from Mobiddiction has uploaded many experiences. These will be supported as an ongoing donation by Mike and the Mobiddiction team, and as he continually uploads more experiences, Our Community Cares will continue to donate the internet functionality via a Telstra WIFI.

“The VR program is where we purchase VR headsets for the purpose of donating them to areas of the community, where they can provide a patient comfort. The headsets have had many wonderful experiences uploaded to them so that a patient can experience as real as possible experience from the comfort of their hospital armchair or bed” explained Kris Gauci of Our Community Cares.

“The experiences range from scuba diving in the Barrier Reef to walking the streets of London. I have tried the headsets and was amazed at the reality of the experiences. This is hoped to give a little bit of joy to those in Palliative Care to improve their final stage of life, and later to many more areas of need” she added.

Our Community Cares have plans to expand the VR program in the future.

“In the beginning, we only thought about this technology to help those in Palliative Care. It is now the start of what we hope will be appropriate short term therapy for those attending Nepean Cancer Care Centre, cancer wards, more for Palliative Care wards as they expand, aged care wards and for the aged care facilities around our local area” Kris confirmed.

Kris believes it’s important to have programs like this to support the local community.

“Illness and age come to most everyone. As a community, and as an organisation that’s sole mission is to help those less fortunate than us, we all need to band together to improve the lives of the vulnerable, aged, and ill. I can only imagine how outstanding life would be in Penrith if we could get the entire community to support each other for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.

“For the ten years Our Community Cares has been operating, I have witnessed time and time again, the generosity of the Penrith community in supporting the programs we initiate, and love that we all are there for each other. If we don’t do it – who will?”

The charity will be providing a gift wrapping service three days prior to Mother’s Day in Westfield Penrith and Nepean Village. A gold coin donation minimum per gift is required.

Their popular High Tea for 2023 will also be held on 29th July at St Marys Band Club. Tickets are on sale now and are $40 per person, with a table seating 10 people. Email kris.gauci@ourcommunitycares.org.au for more information.

“This is our 10th Anniversary High Tea, and we are celebrating by theming the afternoon in roaring 20’s – Gatsby. It’s not mandatory to come dressed up but it will be a lot of fun” she announced.

To find out more about how to support Our Community Cares, visit www.ourcommunitycares.org.au or find them on Facebook.