Sitting between patient rooms in the Prince of Wales Hospital’s Kiloh Centre, is a walk-in wardrobe with full-length mirrors and a fitting room at their disposal.
“A lot of our clients are involuntary,” Keith said.
“They could be picked up off the streets, they may not have any family and as a result, come in with no supportive clothing.
“[Before Keith’s Closet] we might have given them some clothing left here by others … or they might just have some sort of robe to wear, which isn’t the way forward at all.
“I wanted to change that.”
The clothing stocked in Keith’s Closet is donated from staff, sporting teams, such as Revesby Workers’ Football Club – of which Keith is a member – and the public.
“I’m extremely proud our clients are getting so much joy out of it, and it makes a significant impact in terms of the client’s rapport with the doctors and the nursing staff,” Keith said.
“The focus isn’t just on medication and they instantly feel good, you know what it’s like to put on some new threads, their mental state definitely improves.”
Keith believes a clothing support service like this should be introduced into mental health services across the country, with the goal of making Bankstown Hospital the next.
After being nominated for a 2021 Westfield local hero program with the chance of winning a $10,000 grant, Keith is hoping to make this dream come true.
To help him on his mission, vote for Keith at westfield.com.au/local-heroes.
