# https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/ llms-full.txt ## Support During Tough Times # Helping and caring made easy. Gather My Crew is an Australian charity that provides free tools, education, and guidance to help people support each other through tough times. ## How can we help today? ## I want to help someone We're going to show you how to offer support that's meaningful, useful and compassionate. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/give-help/) ## I need help We'll help you gather your crew, and turn offers of "let me know if I can do anything" into practical support from the people who already care about you. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/need-help/) ## Referral Partners Our referral hub has everything you need to refer Gather My Crew to your patients, clients or community. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-hub/) ## How Gather My Crew helps Gather My Crew gives people the tools, resources and confidence to ask for help, offer support and coordinate help and care when life gets tough. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-female-app-user-a.jpg) ## Free, easy-to-use app Our app helps people coordinate practical help and care. Our in-app guidance makes it easier to offer and accept support. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-father-sun-tablet.jpg) ## Resource Library Our printable resources, video library and educational content support communities to look after each other. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-library/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-nurse-patient-a.jpg) ## Referrer Hub Partnering with health and community organisations, so more patients and carers have access to help and care. [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-hub/) ## Who we help Individuals and families navigating illness, ageing, recovery or loss. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-familiy-dog.jpg) Friends, neighbours and community members who want to help but aren’t sure how. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-friends-sofa.jpg) Carers, by helping them share the load across a support crew. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-carer-with-client.jpg) Health and community professionals who understand the benefits of patients having a support crew. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-nurse-patient-b.jpg) ## How we’re making an impact If you’re here because life’s hard right now, or because you want to help someone who’s doing it tough, you’re in the right place. # 95,000+ ### people helping and caring for someone doing it tough. ### 15,000+ crews formed, with thousands of Australians surrounded by care from their own community. ### 450,000+ hours of help and care, including transport, clean sheets, meals, childcare, and company. ### $22,000,000+ replacement cost of helping hours in the community ## Make a donation Your donation helps equip people with the tools and resources to support one another when it matters most. [Make a donation](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/make-a-donation/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-mother-daughters.jpg) Testimonials ## What our users say [The practical tasks were a lifesaver – not only for the everyday needs like meals, watching kids, washing, etc., but also for help with completing renovating tasks to get the bathroom and laundry finished.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Stephanie.png)\\ \\ **Stephanie’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/stephanies-story/)[Our friend could not believe all the help she was receiving from work colleagues with a variety of scheduled drop offs.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacqueline.png)\\ \\ **Jacqueline’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacquelines-story/)[Gather My Crew really has been a ‘godsend’ for us. It is amazing that such an app exists for free.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Rachel.png)\\ \\ **Rachel’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rachels-story/)[I’ve appreciated being able to update everyone on my progress in one message, rather than lots of individual messages. This has saved me lots of time and energy, which is priceless when walking a cancer journey.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jen.png)\\ \\ **Jen’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jens-story/)[The app allowed us to let people know our needs both at RCH in Melbourne and at our home in Geelong. The app allowed me to give updates but also took away the constant need to reply to everyone which is very exhausting.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacinta.png)\\ \\ **Jacinta’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/)[His friends and family could know when and where help was needed which allowed them to show Joe that he was supported. Joe was humbled and comforted by the circle that gathered around him.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Monica.png)\\ \\ **Monica’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/)[The practical tasks were a lifesaver – not only for the everyday needs like meals, watching kids, washing, etc., but also for help with completing renovating tasks to get the bathroom and laundry finished.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Stephanie.png)\\ \\ **Stephanie’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/stephanies-story/)[Our friend could not believe all the help she was receiving from work colleagues with a variety of scheduled drop offs.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacqueline.png)\\ \\ **Jacqueline’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacquelines-story/)[Gather My Crew really has been a ‘godsend’ for us. It is amazing that such an app exists for free.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Rachel.png)\\ \\ **Rachel’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rachels-story/)[I’ve appreciated being able to update everyone on my progress in one message, rather than lots of individual messages. This has saved me lots of time and energy, which is priceless when walking a cancer journey.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jen.png)\\ \\ **Jen’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jens-story/)[The app allowed us to let people know our needs both at RCH in Melbourne and at our home in Geelong. The app allowed me to give updates but also took away the constant need to reply to everyone which is very exhausting.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacinta.png)\\ \\ **Jacinta’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/)[His friends and family could know when and where help was needed which allowed them to show Joe that he was supported. Joe was humbled and comforted by the circle that gathered around him.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Monica.png)\\ \\ **Monica’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/) [More stories](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/) ## Meet Our Crew ## Meet ## The Crew Our team are passionate, wildly capable humans who believe kindness belongs at the heart of how we work. They bring practicality, compassion and care to everything they build, always focused on making helping and caring easier for everyday people. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/susan-palmer.jpg) ##### Dr Susan Palmer Founder, CEO & Clinical Lead [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-palmer-gmc/) Joyful, big picture thinker, people person, and the glue that holds the vision together. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/wendy.jpg) ##### Wendy Brown Chief Operating Officer [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-e-brown/) Calm-in-the-chaos queen, and the reason deadlines are met. Unflappably brilliant, heart of gold. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/jamie.jpg) ##### Jamie Shek IT & Digital Lead [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieshek) Tech wizard, creator of systems and fixer of all the things. If it’s working it’s because of Jamie. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/emily.jpg) ##### Emily Chadbourne Communication & Education Lead [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-chadbourne) Words, ideas and big-sister energy on tap. Shouts from the rooftops that helping each other is cool. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lauren.jpg) ##### Lauren Smith Referral Partnerships & Integration Lead [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-smith-8a0b97176/) Trusted legend, working alongside health teams and services. Warm, diligent and kind. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/monica.jpg) ##### Monica Pattison App Community & Support Lead [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-pattison-54a374333/) Kindest human ever? We think so. The person you want answering your email on a hard day. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/jo.jpg) ##### Jo Sherring Clinical Advisor [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-sherring-05554490/) Steady guide, clinical brain and generous mentor. Keeps us grounded and on the right path. ### Regional awareness project ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Denise.jpg) ##### Denise Campbell Regional Community Engagement & Education (South Australia) [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-campbell-a167031a/) Connecting people across South Australia with warmth, wisdom and a ‘we’ve got you’ reassuring smile. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/kathleen.jpg) ##### Kathleen Fair Regional Community Engagement & Education (Victoria) [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenfair/) Turns conversations into community and always shows up with heart, kindness, and understanding. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/hope.jpg) ##### Hope Cavendish Volunteer - Wearer of many hats. Creative, high-energy, can-do attitude and somehow everywhere at once. ## We love epic humans. If you’d like to be part of this, whether that’s volunteering, joining one of our committees, working with us or sharing your story, we’d love to hear from you. [Make an Enquiry](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/our-team-join-us.jpg) ## Community Care Projects ## Our projects ## How funding becomes impact Across Australia, we’re delivering projects that help people organise practical care within their own communities. Each one turns funding into tools, education and support that make helping and caring easier when life gets hard. Explore some of the projects currently in progress. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Research-1024x576.png) ## Cancer Research The cancer patient support project is improving access for cancer patients in rural and regional Australia. We’re addressing these specific needs in the new update of the Gather My Crew app, due for release in July 2026. Proudly Funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Resources-1024x576.png) ## Everyday Support Resources We’re creating simple, practical resources to help people show up for each other outside of the app. Posters, downloadables and printable guides that build confidence and make it easier to ask for and organise help. Proudly Funded by Carers Victoria ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Nurse-Ed-1024x576.png) ## Oncology Nurse Professional Development We’re creating professional development for oncology nurses to support patients beyond the hospital. This work focuses on helping patients access practical care at home through the people around them. Proudly Funded by the Churchill Fellowship Impact Funding Program ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bendigo_CBD.width-1920-1024x683.jpg) ## Community Engagement in Bendigo With someone local on the ground in Bendigo, we’re building connections across health services and community groups. This work increases awareness, strengthens referrals, and helps more people access and share practical support in the area. Proudly Funded by the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rda_yorke_ardrossan_yorke_peninsula_by_luke_allen.jpg) ## Community Engagement in rural South Australia In rural South Australia, distance and limited services can make support harder to access. Through local connections and community outreach, we’re making sure more people know about Gather My Crew. Proudly Funded by Rural Health Innovation Fund, supported by CSA PHN ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Our-Place-1024x576.png) ## Our Place Strengthening communities by connecting local volunteers with people who need support outside of formal care. We’re matching people within their own postcode to share practical help, when and where it’s needed. Currently looking for funding ## All ideas are worth sharing! If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved in the projects we have underway, or have an idea you’d love to see in your local area, get in touch. [Contact Us](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/projects-group-friends.jpg) ## Corporate Partnerships ## Corporate partnership # Partner with Gather My Crew Gather My Crew exists to help people organise practical care during illness, grief, caring and disaster recovery. Corporate support helps keep our tools, education and guidance free, grow our reach and work towards an Australia where no one has to face a tough time alone. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/corporate-partnership-mother-son-1024x1024.jpg) ## Why partner with us Businesses partner with us because of the visible, practical impact we make in the communities we all live in. It’s care people recognise. Transport. Meals. School runs. Dog walks. Laundry. Company. Our work strengthens local communities, complements health and social services, and responds to real-life challenges in real time. #### Partnership offers: - Meaningful social impact grounded in everyday life - National reach with strong local relevance - Alignment with social responsibility and mental wellbeing priorities - Partnership with practical, recognisable community action Partners can support our work broadly or align with specific initiatives that reflect their values and strategic priorities. ## Our corporate partners We’re proud to work alongside values-aligned organisations committed to strengthening communities across Australia. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dusk-Australia-Partnership.jpg) ## dusk dusk joined Gather My Crew early as a founding corporate partner, backing our commitment to coordinated, community-led care. Their investment has supported our growth and helped build the free tools and resources communities rely on during tough times. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/KiNTO-Partnership.jpg) ## KINTO Our [partnership with KINTO](https://www.kinto.com.au/kinto-supports-gather-my-crew) supports us to grow awareness of Gather My Crew across Australia. Together, we share a belief in community, connection and practical support. We’re making it easier for more people to show up for each other in real, everyday ways. ## Partner with us # Interested in partnering with us? If your organisation is curious about supporting practical care in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Organisation Message(Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment Supporter Checking your Browser… Verifying... Stuck? [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/3s3zg/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Success! Verification failed [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/3s3zg/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/3s3zg/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/3s3zg/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/3s3zg/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Privacy](https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/) • [Help](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/help) Notifications ## Make a Donation ![Spinner: Black decorative](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/spin_bl.svg) ![](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/body_bl.svg) ![Spinner: Black decorative](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/spin_bl.svg) Make a donation # Your donation keeps Gather My Crew free for anyone who needs it \_title\_ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Make-donation-mother-daghters-1024x1024.jpg) # Why your donation matters Most people assume that when someone is sick, grieving, caring for a loved one, or going through a crisis, support automatically shows up. It doesn’t. There is no system managing school runs, meals, transport to treatment, clean clothes, dog walking, or the countless small tasks that keep life functioning during hard times. That care only exists when people around them are supported to step in. Your donation enables the tools and resources that help people show up for each other in times of need. ## Support Resource Sitemap https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/situation/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/cancer/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sick-kids/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/serious-illness/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/accident/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sudden-death/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/aged-care/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/disaster-recovery/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/other/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/community/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/community-group/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/faith-group/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/neighbourhood/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/school/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sports-club/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/workplace/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00 ## Meet The Board ## Meet ## The Board Gather My Crew is guided by a committed and experienced Board who bring expertise across health, community, governance and lived experience. They provide oversight and direction, ensuring we stay focused and accountable as we grow our impact across Australia. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kate-Siebert.jpg) ##### Kate Siebert Board Member [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-siebert/) Kate, Chair of the Gather My Crew board, is an experienced leader in non-profit, government and community development sectors. She is highly skilled in crisis management, government, policy and strategy development, emergency management, and business administration. More recently, Kate led Australian Red Cross Emergency Services staff and volunteers through a planned transformational change, in time to then lead the response to the devastating 2019/20 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic; the largest peacetime operations since World War Two. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TP_headshot.jpg) ##### Trent Peterson Board Member [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-peterson-6360a024/) Trent has over 20 years investment and private equity experience, focused primarily on businesses operating in consumer, retail and media sectors. Trent is Managing Director of Catalyst Investment Managers and the founder and Managing Director of Catalyst Direct Capital Management. Trent was non-executive Chairman of Adairs from 2010 until the IPO in 2015, being the period of Catalyst’s majority ownership. In addition to being a Non-Executive Director of Adairs Limited, Trent is a Non-Executive Director of dusk Group Limited, Shaver Shop Group Limited, Universal Store Holdings Ltd and Australian Pure Health Pty Ltd (trading as Mr Vitamins). Trent was qualified as a Chartered Accountant and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AM_headshot.jpg) ##### Andrea McNamara Board Member [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mcnamara-56097240/) Andrea is a founding partner of Alp McNamara, specialist accountants for business owners and private clients. A qualified Chartered Accountant with a Masters of Taxation and 30 years of providing trusted advice. Working with business owners across numerous industries including private hospitals, retirement villages, childcare, importing, manufacture and investment. This has provided Andrea the opportunity to learn and challenge, focusing on assisting clients to minimise their business, economic, investment risks. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Amy.png) ##### Dr Amy Timoshanko Board Member [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amy-timoshanko-8835b047/) With over 20 years of transformative leadership experience, Amy brings a strategic, systems-thinking approach to driving sustainable social change across the health, academic, and community sectors. She has a proven track record in setting strategic direction, optimising resources, and aligning organisational culture to deliver meaningful impact. Amy’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing community health and wellbeing, underpinned by expertise in executive management, advocacy, and public policy. She is passionate about mission-driven leadership and service delivery innovation, with core strengths in non-profit management, cross-sector collaboration, and creating scalable, values-led solutions.Amy holds a doctoral qualification from the University of Melbourne and MBA from Melbourne Business School. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SP_2025_4.jpg) ##### Dr Susan Palmer Board Member [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-palmer-gmc/) Susan, the founder of Gather My Crew, is a registered psychologist and health consultant. She has a Masters in Psychology, a Masters in Public Health, and a PhD in Psychology. Susan has worked in public health and the not-for-profit sector for the past 20 years and has considerable experience working with those suffering illness, trauma and loss. A passion to build healthier and stronger communities has been combined with this clinical, research and consulting experience to create the foundation of this unique project. Susan is a Churchill Fellow and a Westpac Social Change Fellow. ## We love epic humans. If you’d like to be part of this, whether that’s volunteering, joining one of our committees, working with us or sharing your story, we’d love to hear from you. [Make an Enquiry](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/our-team-join-us.jpg) ## Community Care Impact ## Our impact Gather My Crew exists to mobilise and coordinate untapped help and care within existing communities. By strengthening informal care networks, we reduce pressure on carers, support people to remain at home for longer, and extend the reach of existing health and community services. We do this by unlocking the willingness to help that already exists, and providing the structure that turns it into practical, sustainable care at scale. This page outlines the evidence, outcomes and impact of the Gather My Crew model. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-mother-daughter-a-1024x1024.jpg) ## The numbers ### Gather My Crew focuses on practical, non-clinical support that keeps life functioning when people are doing it tough. # 450,000+ ### hours of help and care, including transport, clean sheets, meals, childcare, and company. ### 15,000+ support crews formed, with thousands of Australians surrounded by care from their own community. ### 500+ helping education sessions for clinicians, support organisations, and community. ### 95,000+ people helping. ### 1,700+ referral partners. ### $22,000,000+ ### replacement cost of helping hours in the community. ## What the help looks like in practice Through both our app and our broader education and mobilisation work, communities are supported to help and care for each other. Transport to medical appointments ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-driving.jpg) Meal preparation and grocery support ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-meal-prep.jpg) Childcare and school drop-offs ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-school-kids.jpg) Household tasks and errands ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-gardening.jpg) Companionship and emotional support ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-friends-beach.jpg) ## The impact ### The impact of Gather My Crew goes beyond individual tasks. # 95% ### report a reduction in caregiver burden when using the app ### 90% report using the app made it easier to ask for help ### 80% experienced a reduction in social isolation when using the app ### 90% report using the app made it easier to coordinate help ### 70% report using the app increased the number of people providing help ### 80% ### experienced increased feelings of connection and community when using the app ## Outcomes By coordinating community care, our model contributes to: Increased community participation in care and support ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-grocery-drop-off.jpg) Improved continuity of care at home during illness and recovery ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-elderly-wheelchair-b.jpg) Greater social connection reducing isolation and loneliness ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-friends-hug.jpg) Stronger informal care networks that complement formal services ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-elderly-wheelchair-a.jpg) Reduced carer burnout by distributing care more evenly ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-carer-client.jpg) ## Evidence-informed and user-led Our approach is grounded in clinical expertise, lived experience and ongoing research. Gather My Crew was developed by clinical psychologist Dr Susan Palmer, in response to a gap she saw repeatedly in practice: support existed, but people struggled to access it. Gather My Crew is proudly user-led. Our app, resources and education continue to be shaped by the people who give and receive care. Impact is measured not only by reach, but by reliability, quality and user experience. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-team-group-session-1024x1024.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-family-1024x1024.jpg) ## The role of funding ##### Philanthropic, corporate and government funding enable Gather My Crew to: - 100% free to use - Invite-only access - User-controlled privacy - Built by clinicians, trusted by clinicians - Recommended nationally by peak bodies, health professionals and community organisations - We are a charity and not affiliated with any hospital, service or political organisation ## Partnerships and system alignment ##### Gather My Crew works alongside: - Patients in cancer treatment or palliative care - Carers who are overwhelmed - Families experiencing sudden loss - Ageing people wanting to stay at home - Anyone experiencing illness or injury - Parents with a child in hospital ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-nurse-patient-1024x1024.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/our-impact-community-bbq-1024x1024.jpg) ## Looking ahead ## The need for coordinated, community-based care is growing. As demand increases across health, ageing and caring systems, Gather My Crew is well positioned to expand its reach, deepen partnerships and continue delivering measurable impact. This is what it looks like when helping and caring is organised properly. **Practical, digital, local and personal.** ## Community Care Support # About ## Gather My Crew **Gather My Crew is built on the belief that people are good.** Not perfect. Not always organised. But fundamentally good. When someone is going through a tough time, most of us want to help. We just don’t always know how, when, or what would actually make a difference. Help can become awkward, overwhelming, or fall away altogether. We’re here to change that. Gather My Crew makes helping easier, and more practical, so we can all show up when it’s needed most. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/about-family-four-scaled.jpg) ## What we believe about helping and caring - No one should have to go through a tough time alone - Helping and caring are a shared social responsibility - Community matters, especially during tough times - Practical support makes a real difference to the health of our communities - When given clear direction, people show up for each other People deserve dignity, choice and support on their own terms We’re not here to replace services or put more pressure on individuals. We’re here to support communities to show up for each other. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/about-child-hugging-1024x1024.jpg) ## Our Vision A future where asking for help is normal, offering support is easy, and coordinated informal care is recognised, supported, and embedded within every care setting and community. ## Our Mission To make it easier for family, friends, and communities to provide meaningful, coordinated support during times of need. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/about-grandmother-grandaughter-1024x1024.jpg) ## How we make this happen While Gather My Crew is well known for our app, our work goes beyond technology. We support communities through... #### Resources to build helper and carer confidence Clear guidance, prompts and scripts that help people know what to do and how to help well. #### Practical tools that coordinate help and care Making it easier for communities to organise everyday help clearly and reliably. #### Strong referral pathways and partnerships Working alongside health services, community organisations and corporate partners. ## Our impact We care deeply about doing work that makes a real difference. Gather My Crew exists to mobilise and coordinate untapped help and care within existing communities. Want to see our outcomes, scale and system impact in more detail? [Learn more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-impact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/about-mother-daughter-grandson-1024x1024.jpg) # Our People ## Gather My Crew is proudly user-led. Good governance keeps us strong. Lived experience keeps us grounded. [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/susan-palmer.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/wendy.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/jamie.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/emily.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lauren.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/monica.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/jo.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Denise.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/kathleen.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/hope.jpg)\\ **Our Team**\\ \\ Our team are passionate, wildly capable humans who believe kindness belongs at the heart of how we work. They bring practicality, compassion and care to everything they build, always focused on making helping and caring easier for everyday people.](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/meet-the-crew/) [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kate-Siebert.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TP_headshot.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AM_headshot.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Amy.png)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SP_2025_4.jpg)\\ **The Board**\\ \\ Our Board provides strong governance and strategic oversight, with backgrounds across health, community services, technology and systems change. They help ensure Gather My Crew is ethical, sustainable and built to last.](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/meet-the-board/) [**Our Committee**\\ \\ Our Advisory Committee brings lived experience to the centre of everything we do, helping ensure our work reflects what people actually need.](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-advisory-committee/) [**Our Partners**\\ \\ We also work alongside partners who share our belief that caring for each other matters. Together, we strengthen communities, make caring for each other easier, and shift how support shows up in our society.](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-partners/) ## Caregiver Support Resources https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/your-needs-will-change-a-rough-guide-to-what-you-might-need-and-when/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/52.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/i-dont-know-enough-about-their-condition-and-im-afraid-to-ask/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/017-two-male-friends-smiling-and-hugging-on-city-street.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/when-serious-illness-is-invisible/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/010-compassionate-hug-caregiver-support.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-support-a-family-when-a-child-is-sick/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/015-affectionate-mother-hugging-children-in-sunny-park.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/dont-forget-the-siblings/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/014-parents-playing-and-laughing-with-son-outside-home.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/dont-let-awkwardness-keep-you-away/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/037-be-kind-message-colorful-sidewalk-chalk-art.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-show-up-for-someones-whos-grieving/2026-05-20T15:35:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/035-person-holding-single-yellow-wildflower-outdoor-bokeh.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/franks-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/older\_man\_2-1024x683-1.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/debbies-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG\_7843.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/but-what-do-they-really-need/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-12.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/two-weeks-ago-was-the-anniversary-of-my-husbands-death/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG\_4015\_Original.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/angelos-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/User-Story-Images-March-2024-11-e1716161794926.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/lisas-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/linkedin-sales-solutions-VKJt1EZHlWs-unsplash-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-support-someone-from-a-distance/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-21.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/joshs-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Joshs-story-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/why-does-asking-for-help-feel-so-uncomfortable/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-1.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/i-need-help-but-i-dont-have-anyone-to-ask/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-17.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/not-sure-what-they-want-from-you/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/what-do-i-do-when-the-the-people-i-thought-would-show-up-havent/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-2.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/she-was-just-15/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-15.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/top-10-ways-you-can-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-18.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-can-i-tell-if-they-want-to-talk-about-it/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-3.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/try-to-find-time-for-the-tiny-joys/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-4.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/is-this-more-than-a-tough-time/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-5.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/turning-tasks-into-care/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-6.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/ask-with-you-or-for-you-when-offering-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-7.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/make-time-for-the-carer-too/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-8.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/offering-help-so-its-not-awkward/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-9.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/community-is-not-the-backup-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-10.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/chanels-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG\_3246-scaled.jpeghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/school-community-is-not-the-backup-plan-we-are-the-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/033-cheerful-child-heart-sunglasses-thumbs-up-grass.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/we-call-them-hidden-angels/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-22.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/workplace-community-is-not-the-backup-plan-we-are-the-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/022-excited-college-students-cheering-indoors.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/sports-club-community-is-not-the-backup-plan-we-are-the-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/71.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-provide-the-right-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/helping-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/faith-community-is-not-the-backup-plan-we-are-the-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/69-1.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Monica-Pattison.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/community-group-is-not-the-backup-plan-we-are-the-plan/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/046-stylish-older-couple-enjoying-road-trip-yellow-convertible.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-workplaces-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/024-cheerful-office-workers-racing-desk-chairs.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gather-my-crew-2-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-sports-clubs-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/71.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-faith-communities-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/004-help-others-chalk-art-rainbow-asphalt.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/the-supportive-role-of-friends-and-family/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/friendship-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-neighbours-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-children-helping-in-garden-practical-tasks.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-community-groups-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/043-three-young-women-sharing-drinks-and-looking-at-phone.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-a-family-at-your-school-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/72.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-a-colleague-at-work-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/023-happy-multicultural-couples-relaxing-at-home.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-someone-in-your-sports-club-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/030-female-soccer-team-posing-on-football-pitch.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-someone-in-your-faith-community-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/036-woman-making-heart-shape-with-hands-close-up.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-a-neighbour-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/020-multigenerational-diverse-group-sharing-coffee-outdoors.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/there-might-be-someone-in-your-community-group-who-needs-your-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/018-colorful-letters-spelling-community-on-chalkboard.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-make-it-easy-for-people-to-help-you/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-6.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/when-you-feel-like-you-should-be-able-to-handle-this-alone/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-5.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/not-sure-what-to-ask-for-heres-where-to-start/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/042-muslim-family-three-generations-smiling-at-smartphone.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/5-tips-for-schools-using-the-gather-my-crew-app/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-16.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/when-treatment-ends-the-support-shouldnt/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-4.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/helpful-help-after-an-accident-or-injury/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-3.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/its-not-just-physical/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-2.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-maintain-their-sense-of-independence/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-1.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/when-caring-feels-heavy/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/044-happy-senior-man-in-wheelchair-with-family-outdoors.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/whos-caring-for-the-carer/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/041-senior-woman-talking-with-female-caregiver.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/when-someone-has-cancer/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/disaster-recovery-is-a-marathon-not-a-sprint/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/51.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/a-story-about-asking-for-help/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Let-me-talk-about-stuff.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-gather-my-crew-began/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Content-Images.-Website-244-7.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/do-they-really-need-another-lasagne/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-19.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacquelines-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/jotform-gw8CRwGEDZk-unsplash-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/stephanies-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image4.jpeghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/kaylas-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/kaylas-story-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/lores-story/2026-05-20T15:35:50+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/LiLo-cherry-blossom-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/why-gather-my-crew-is-better-than-a-whatsapp-group/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/better-than-whatsapp--scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jodies-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/User-Story-Jodie-V2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/merrans-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/User-Story-Merran-V2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/lynettes-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sven-mieke-zlA7c39DfFk-unsplash-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rohans-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Rohan\_bw.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/martines-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/User-Story-Martine-V2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/helens-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/helen-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/carolines-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/carer\_post-4.pnghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/richies-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG\_0129.jpeghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rachels-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/michael-mims-fWWiaDox0BU-unsplash-1-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/fayes-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/faye\_and\_daughter\_samantha.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/penelopes-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Penelope-Watson-e1708138635326.jpeghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jens-story/2026-05-20T15:35:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/kayla-farmer-Wh4CGblGImg-unsplash-scaled.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/2026-05-21T03:50:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/2026-05-28T05:45:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/2026-06-15T05:00:48+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/how-to-offer-help/2026-06-15T05:01:23+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-how-to-offer-help-tile-hero-v2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/small-things-that-often-help-poster/2026-06-15T05:01:58+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-small-things-tile-hero-v2.jpghttps://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/10-things-real-gather-my-crew-app-users-want-you-to-know/2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-13.png ## Advisory Committee Overview ## Our ## Advisory Committee Gather My Crew is proudly user-led. Our Advisory Committee brings lived experience to the centre of everything we do, helping ensure our work reflects what people actually need. ## Evidence-informed and user-led Our work is grounded in clinical expertise, lived experience and ongoing research. Gather My Crew was developed by clinical psychologist Dr Susan Palmer to complement clinical care by making everyday support easier to organise. That foundation continues today through close collaboration with our Advisory Committee. #### What the Advisory Committee helps shape - Website and content - Resources and education - App development and features - Research projects - Media and public conversations - Storytelling and fundraising ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/advisory-committee-group-1024x1024.jpg) ## Join the Advisory Committee We encourage people with lived experience of illness, caring, grief or navigating support systems to join our Advisory Committee. If you’re interested in helping shape Gather My Crew’s work, we’d love to hear from you. [Make an enquiry](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/advisory-committee-hands.jpg) ## Sitemap Resources Index https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/page-sitemap.xml2026-06-17T01:39:42+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources-sitemap.xml2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario-sitemap.xml2026-06-17T02:36:52+00:00 ## Gather My Crew Info https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/2026-06-17T01:39:42+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-projects/2026-05-27T01:06:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/meet-the-crew/2026-05-27T01:14:45+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/meet-the-board/2026-05-27T03:46:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/media-speaking/2026-05-27T03:51:24+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support-contact-form/2026-05-27T03:56:52+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/make-a-donation/2026-05-27T04:11:12+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-library/2026-05-27T04:17:49+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/2026-05-27T04:20:14+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/subscribe-to-our-newsletter/2026-05-27T04:33:46+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/privacy-policy/2026-05-27T04:35:33+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/terms-of-service/2026-05-27T04:35:40+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/book-a-session/2026-05-27T04:42:11+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/desktop-invite/2026-05-27T04:44:00+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-enquiries/2026-05-27T04:47:12+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-advisory-committee/2026-05-27T05:31:06+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/2026-05-28T02:04:46+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-impact/2026-05-28T05:28:17+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/2026-06-15T00:22:31+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/share-your-story/2026-06-15T00:25:00+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/our-partners/2026-06-15T02:53:51+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/2026-06-15T04:50:36+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/give-help/2026-06-15T05:08:13+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/need-help/2026-06-15T05:08:47+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/2026-06-15T05:53:24+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-hub/2026-06-15T06:09:31+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/about-us/corporate-partnerships/2026-06-17T00:51:41+00:00https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/2026-06-17T00:56:10+00:00 ## Our Collaborative Partners ## Our partners # At the heart of Gather My Crew is collaboration We believe that when people bring their resources together to help each other, communities grow stronger and fewer people fall through the cracks. That same spirit extends to our partnerships. Together, we’re working towards a future where no Australian has to face a tough time alone. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dusk-Australia-Partnership.jpg) ## dusk dusk has stood alongside Gather My Crew since our early days as a founding partner. Their belief in the power of practical, community-led care has helped strengthen our foundations and extend our reach. We’re proud to partner with a brand that shares our commitment to connection, community and supporting people through life’s tougher chapters. ## Founding Partner #### Founding Partner ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-dusk.jpg) #### Philanthropic Partners ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-10x10-Philanthropy.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-Aged-Persons-Welfare-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-CVA.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-WCT.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-EQT.png) #### Government Partners ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-partners-AGDHDA-2.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-phn.jpg) #### Corporate Partners ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-dusk.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-kinto.jpg) ![The Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN)](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-partners-mscan.jpg) ![The Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN)](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-partners-mscan.jpg) #### Research Partners ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-DU.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gather-my-crew-partners-AU.jpg) ## Our referral partners Professionals from over 850 health and community organisations refer to Gather My Crew. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ## Partner with us # Interested in partnering with us? If your organisation is curious about supporting practical care in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you. Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Organisation Message(Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment Supporter Checking your Browser… Verifying... Stuck? [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6i9aq/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Success! Verification failed [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6i9aq/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6i9aq/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6i9aq/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6i9aq/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Privacy](https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/) • [Help](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/help) Notifications ## Media and Speaking ## Gather My Crew ## Media & Speaking We love to chat. For media, interviews or speaking opportunities, get in touch. We’d love to be part of the conversation. [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506) ## We love sharing our story. The more people who know about Gather My Crew, the fewer people will face a tough time alone. Help us spread the word. We’re available for podcasts, radio, speaking engagements, media requests and guest articles. [Make an enquiry](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/contact/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/media-speaking-susan-palmer.jpg) ## Gather My Crew Support ![Spinner: Black decorative](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/spin_bl.svg) ![](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/body_bl.svg) ![Spinner: Black decorative](https://cdn.userway.org/widgetapp/images/spin_bl.svg) ## App Support ## We're here to help If you need help starting a Crew, joining a Crew or using the Gather My Crew App – reach out to our friendly support team. Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Subject(Required) Device Type(Required) \-\- Select --iPhoneiPadAndroid Phone (e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel, Oppo)Android Tablet (e.g., Samsung Galaxy Tab)Other / Not Sure Device Model Screenshot Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 128 MB, Max. files: 5. Attach a screenshot or file to help us solve your issue faster. Message(Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand(Required) GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment(Required) GMC App User Checking your Browser… Verifying... Stuck? [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/0o923/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Success! Verification failed [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/0o923/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/0o923/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/0o923/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/0o923/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Privacy](https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/) • [Help](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/help) Notifications ## Resource Library Explore # Our Resource Library Education and guidance to make helping easier, for people and communities doing it tough. What’s going on for you right now? ## I’m here because of a tough situation [**Cancer**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/cancer/) [**Sick Kids**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sick-kids/) [**Serious Illness**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/serious-illness/) [**Accident**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/accident/) [**Sudden Death**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sudden-death/) [**Aged Care**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/aged-care/) [**Disaster Recovery**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/disaster-recovery/) [**Other**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/other/) ## I’m here for my community [**Community Group**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/community-group/) [**Faith Group**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/faith-group/) [**Neighbourhood**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/neighbourhood/) [**School**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/school/) [**Sports Club**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/sports-club/) [**Workplace**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-scenario/workplace/) ## Not sure where to start? That’s okay. Choose the option that feels closest to your situation, or start anywhere. We’ve got you! ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/resources-couple-on-phone.jpg) ## Real Life Stories Real user stories # From our community Every story here is a reminder that none of us have to do it alone. Read about how others have gathered their crew and made it through, together. [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/older_man_2-1024x683-1-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ January 28, 2026\\ \\ **Frank’s story**\\ \\ Frank was a much loved member of the dog park community. You get to know people reall...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/franks-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Joshs-story-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ January 23, 2026\\ \\ **Josh’s story**\\ \\ His wife had some mental health issues that meant her ability to care for their child...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/joshs-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Let-me-talk-about-stuff-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ January 10, 2026\\ \\ **A story about asking for help**\\ \\ She went to bed feeling completely overwhelmed and woke to find every task she liste...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/a-story-about-asking-for-help/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/kaylas-story-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ January 2, 2026\\ \\ **Kayla’s story**\\ \\ Kayla’s biggest concern was finding ways to keep the boys lives as ‘norma...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/kaylas-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/linkedin-sales-solutions-VKJt1EZHlWs-unsplash-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ September 20, 2025\\ \\ **Lisa’s Story**\\ \\ Over the past 5 years, Lisa has been the main carer for her ageing parents who live i...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/lisas-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/User-Story-Images-March-2024-11-e1716161794926-700x525.png)\\ \\ July 30, 2025\\ \\ **Angelo’s story**\\ \\ “I can’t tell you how much easier it is to cope with things when you know...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/angelos-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7843-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ March 19, 2024\\ \\ **Debbie’s Story**\\ \\ The sudden passing of my husband in August last year came as an awful shock to me and...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/debbies-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gather-my-crew-2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ February 17, 2024\\ \\ **Jacinta’s Story**\\ \\ Our daughter Audrey is 7 yrs old. She is such a beautiful and precious girl, who has ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Monica-Pattison-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ February 17, 2024\\ \\ **Monica’s Story**\\ \\ Recently, I lost my brother, Joseph, to prostate cancer. Over the last months of his ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_4015_Original-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ November 13, 2023\\ \\ **Two weeks ago was the anniversary of my husbands death…**\\ \\ It marked four years without Jake. It feels like a lifetime in ways… four years since...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/two-weeks-ago-was-the-anniversary-of-my-husbands-death/) - [1](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/) - [2](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/page/2/) - [3](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/page/3/) [Next »](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/real-life-stories/page/2/) ## Your story matters. Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. [Share your story](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/share-your-story/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/about-family-four-scaled.jpg) ## Newsletter Subscription ## Stay connected ## Subscribe to our newsletter Get inspiring stories, practical tips, and simple ways to help others through tough times sent straight to your inbox. It’s feel-good and useful. - Your Name\* FirstLast - Email\* - How did you hear about us? \-\- Select --Social mediaApp user (recipient of help)App user (part of a crew)Google searchWord of mouthReferral organisationOther - This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment\* - [x] Supporter - This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand\* - [x] GMC - Checking your Browser… Verifying... Stuck? [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/kcs9q/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Success! Verification failed [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/kcs9q/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/kcs9q/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/kcs9q/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/kcs9q/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Privacy](https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/) • [Help](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/help) Notifications ## Privacy Policy Overview Gather My Crew # Privacy Policy **1 PURPOSE OF OUR POLICY** **1.1** The Gather Group Co. Pty Ltd ACN 608 898 308 ( **we**, **us** or **our**) has adopted this Privacy Policy to ensure that we have standards in place to protect the Personal Information that we collect about individuals that is necessary and incidental to: (a) Providing the system and services that we offer; and (b) The normal day-to-day operations of our business. **1.2** This Privacy Policy follows the standards of both: (a) The Australian Privacy Principles set by the Australian Government for the handling of Personal Information under the _Privacy Act 1988_ (Cth) ( **Privacy Act**); and (b) The regulations and principles set by the European Union’s _General Data Protection Regulation_ ( **GDPR**) for the handling of Personal Data. **1.3** By publishing this Privacy Policy, we aim to make it easy for our users and the public to understand what Personal Information we collect, why we do so, how we receive, obtain and/or use that information, and the rights of control an individual has with respect to their Personal Information in our possession. **2 WHO AND WHAT THIS POLICY APPLIES TO** **2.1** Our Privacy Policy deals with how we handle “personal information” and “personal data” as it is defined in the Privacy Act and the GDPR respectively ( **Personal Information**). **2.2** We handle Personal Information in our own right and also for and on behalf of our users. **2.3** Our Privacy Policy does not apply to information we collect about businesses or companies, however it does apply to information about the people in those businesses or companies. **2.4** The Privacy Policy applies to all forms of information, physical and digital, whether collected electronically or in hardcopy. **2.5** If, at any time, an individual provides Personal Information or other information about someone other than himself or herself, the individual warrants that they have that person’s consent to provide such information for the purpose specified. **2.6** We consider the protection of privacy of children very important. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 18 without obtaining parental consent. If we learn that Personal Information has been collected on the service from persons under 18 years of age without verifiable parental consent, then we will take the appropriate steps to delete such information. **3 THE INFORMATION WE COLLECT** **3.1** Without limitation, the type of information we may collect is: (a) **Personal Information.** We may collect personal details such as an individual’s name, location, date of birth, nationality, family details and other information defined as “Personal Information” in the Privacy Act that allows us to identify who the individual is; (b) **Contact Information.** We may collect information such as an individual’s email address, telephone number, third-party usernames, residential, business and postal address and other information that allows us to contact the individual; (c) **Financial Information.** We may collect financial information related to an individual such as any bank or credit card details used to transact with us and other information that allows us to transact with the individual and/or provide them with our services; (d) **Statistical Information.** We may collect information about an individual’s online and offline preferences, habits, movements, trends, decisions, associations, memberships, finances, purchases and other information for statistical purposes; (e) **Information an individual sends us.** We may collect any personal correspondence that an individual sends us, or that is sent to us by others about the individual’s activities. **3.2** We may collect other Personal Information about an individual, which we will maintain in accordance with this Privacy Policy. **3.3** We may also collect non-Personal Information about an individual such as information regarding their computer, network and browser. Where non-Personal Information is collected the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR do not apply. **4 HOW INFORMATION IS COLLECTED** **4.1** Most information will be collected in association with an individual’s use of our digital platforms, applications and services for community care ( **Gather Group**), an enquiry about Gather Group or generally dealing with us. In particular, information is likely to be collected as follows: (a) **Registrations/Subscriptions.** When an individual registers or subscribes for a service, account, connection or other process whereby they enter Personal Information details in order to receive or access something, including a transaction; (b) **Communication**. When an individual sends a communication via Gather Group whereby it contains Personal Information; (c) **Supply.** When an individual supplies us with goods or services; (d) **Contact.** When an individual contacts us in any way; (e) **Access.** When an individual accesses us physically we may require them to provide us with details for us to permit them such access. When an individual accesses us through the internet we may collect information using cookies or analytical services; and/or (f) **Pixel Tags.** Pixel tags enable us to send email messages in a format customers can read and they tell us whether mail has been opened. **4.2** As there are many circumstances in which we may collect information both electronically and physically, we will endeavour to ensure that an individual is always aware of when their Personal Information is being collected. **4.3** Where we obtain Personal Information without an individual’s knowledge (such as by accidental acquisition from a user), we will either delete/destroy the information, or inform the individual that we hold such information, in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR. **5 WHEN PERSONAL INFORMATION IS USED & DISCLOSED** **5.1** In general, the primary principle is that we will not use any Personal Information other than for the purpose for which it was collected other than with the individual’s permission. The purpose of collection is determined by the circumstances in which the information was collected and/or submitted. **5.2** We will only process Personal Information when we can identify a lawful basis to do so. It is always our responsibility to ensure that we can demonstrate which lawful basis applies to the particular processing purpose. **5.3** The most common lawful bases relied upon are: (a) _Consent_: we will only rely upon express, clear and informed consent. Any consent provided may specify and/or restrict the purpose and can be withdrawn at any time without penalty. We will keep a record of when and how we got consent from an individual. (b) _Legitimate interests_: we will only rely upon an identifiable legitimate interest where we can demonstrate that the processing of Personal Information is necessary to achieve it by balancing it against the individual’s interests, rights and freedoms. We will keep a record of our legitimate interests’ assessments. **5.4** We will retain Personal Information for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. **5.5** If it is necessary for us to disclose an individual’s Personal Information to third parties in a manner compliant with the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR in the course of our business, we will inform you that we intend to do so, or have done so, as soon as practical. **5.6** We will not disclose or sell an individual’s Personal Information to unrelated third parties under any circumstances, unless the prior written consent of the individual is obtained. **5.7** Information is used to enable us to operate our business, especially as it relates to an individual. This may include: (a) The provision of goods and services between an individual and us; (b) Verifying an individual’s identity; (c) Communicating with an individual about: i Their relationship with us; ii Our goods and services; iii Our own marketing and promotions to customers and prospects; iv Competitions, surveys and questionnaires; (d) Investigating any complaints about or made by an individual, or if we have reason to suspect that an individual is in breach of any of our terms and conditions or that an individual is or has been otherwise engaged in any unlawful activity; and/or (e) As required or permitted by any law (including the Privacy Act). **5.8** The individual shall have the right to object at any time to the processing of their Personal Information for direct marketing purposes, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If we receive such a request, we will stop the processing of Personal Information for direct marketing purposes immediately without charge or penalty. **5.9** There are some circumstances in which we must disclose an individual’s information: (a) Where we reasonably believe that an individual may be engaged in fraudulent, deceptive or unlawful activity that a governmental authority should be made aware of; (b) As required by any law (including the Privacy Act); and/or (c) In order to sell our business (in that we may need to transfer Personal Information to a new owner). **5.10** We will not disclose an individual’s Personal Information to any entity outside of Australia that is in a jurisdiction that does not have a similar regime to the Australian Privacy Principles or an implemented and enforceable privacy policy similar to this Privacy Policy. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that any disclosure to an entity outside of Australia will not be made until that entity has agreed in writing with us to safeguard Personal Information as we do. **5.11** We may utilise third-party service providers to communicate with an individual and to store contact details about an individual. These service providers may be located outside of Australia. **6 OPTING “IN” OR “OUT”** **6.1** An individual may opt to not have us collect and/or process their Personal Information. This may prevent us from offering them some or all of our services and may terminate their access to some or all of the services they access with or through us. They will be aware of this when: (a) **Opt In.** Where relevant, the individual will have the right to choose to have information collected and/or receive information from us (for clarity, consent must involve an unambiguous positive action to opt in); or (b) **Opt Out.** Where relevant, the individual will have the right to choose to exclude himself or herself from some or all collection of information and/or receiving information from us. **6.2** If an individual believes that they have received information from us that they did not opt in or out to receive, they should contact us using the details as set out below. 7 THE SAFETY & SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION **7.1** We may appoint a Data Protection Officer to oversee the management of this Privacy Policy and compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles, the Privacy Act and the GDPR. This officer may have other duties within our business and also be assisted by internal and external professionals and advisors. **7.2** We will take all reasonable precautions to protect an individual’s Personal Information from unauthorised access. This includes appropriately securing our physical facilities and electronic networks. **7.3** Each individual that provides information to us via the internet or by post does so at their own risk. We cannot accept responsibility for misuse or loss of, or unauthorised access to, Personal Information where the security of information is not within our control. **7.4** We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of any third party (including third parties that we are permitted to disclose an individual’s Personal Information to in accordance with this policy or any applicable laws), unless otherwise required by the Privacy Act and the GDPR. The collection and use of an individual’s information by such third parties may be subject to separate privacy and security policies. **7.5** If an individual suspects any misuse or loss of, or unauthorised access to, their Personal Information, they should let us know immediately. **7.6** We are not liable for any loss, damage or claim arising out of another person’s use of the Personal Information where we were authorised to provide that person with the Personal Information. **7.7** Where there is a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, Personal Information, then: (a) We will immediately establish the likelihood and severity of the resulting risk to wider rights and freedoms of natural persons; (b) If we determine there is a risk from the security breach, then we will immediately notify the relevant supervisory authority and provide all relevant information on the particular breach, and by no later than 72 hours after having first become aware of the breach; (c) If we determine there is a high risk from the security breach (a higher threshold than set for notifying supervisory authorities), we will immediately notify the affected individuals and provide all relevant information on the particular breach without undue delay. **7.8** We will document the facts relating to any security breach, its effects and the remedial action taken, and investigate the cause of the breach and how to prevent similar situations in the future. **8 HOW TO ACCESS, UPDATE AND/OR REMOVE INFORMATION** **8.1** Subject to the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR, an individual has the right to request from us the Personal Information that we have about them, and we have an obligation to provide them with such information as soon as practicable, and by no later than 28 days of receiving the written request. The individual is free to retain and reuse their Personal Information for their own purposes. We may be required to transmit the Personal Information directly to another organisation if this is technically feasible. **8.2** If an individual cannot update their own information, we will correct any errors in the Personal Information we hold about an individual within 28 days of receiving written notice from them about those errors, or two months where the request for rectification is complex. **8.3** It is an individual’s responsibility to provide us with accurate and truthful Personal Information. We cannot be liable for any information that is provided to us that is incorrect. **8.4** Where a request to access Personal Information is manifestly unfounded, excessive and/or repetitive, we may refuse to respond or charge an individual a reasonable fee for our costs incurred in meeting any of their requests to disclose the Personal Information we hold about them. Where we refuse to respond to a request, we will explain why to the individual, informing them of their right to complain to the supervisory authority and to a judicial remedy without undue delay and at the latest within 28 days. **8.5** We may be required to delete or remove all Personal Information we have on an individual upon request in the following circumstances: (a) Where the Personal Information is no longer necessary in relation to the purpose for which it was originally collected and/or processed; (b) When the individual withdraws consent; (c) When the individual objects to the processing and there is no overriding legitimate interest for continuing the processing; (d) The processing of the Personal Information was otherwise in breach of the GDPR; (e) The Personal Information has to be erased in order to comply with a legal obligation; and/or (f) The Personal Information is in relation to a child. **8.6** We may refuse to delete or remove all Personal Information we have on an individual where the Personal Information was processed for the following reasons: (a) To exercise the right of freedom of expression and information; (b) To comply with a legal obligation for the performance of a public interest task or exercise of official authority. (c) For public health purposes in the public interest; (d) Archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific research historical research or statistical purposes; or (e) The exercise or defence of legal claims. **9 COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES** **9.1** If an individual has a complaint about our handling of their Personal Information, they should address their complaint in writing to the details below. **9.2** If we have a dispute regarding an individual’s Personal Information, we both should first attempt to resolve the issue directly between us. **9.3** An individual shall have the right to seek a judicial remedy where he or she considers that his or her rights under the GDPR have been infringed as a result of the processing of his or her Personal Information in non-compliance with the GDPR. Any proceedings should be commenced in Victoria, Australia, where we are established. **9.4** If we become aware of any unauthorised access to an individual’s Personal Information we will inform them at the earliest practical opportunity once we have established what was accessed and how it was accessed. **10 CONTACTING INDIVIDUALS** **10.1** From time to time, we may send an individual important notices, such as changes to our terms, conditions and policies. Where such information is materially important to the individual’s interaction with us, they may not opt out of receiving these communications. **11 CONTACTING US** **11.1** All correspondence with regards to privacy should be addressed to: The Privacy Officer The Gather Group Co. Pty Ltd he\\*\\*\\*@\\*\\*\\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*om.au You may contact the Data Protection Offer via email in the first instance. **12 ADDITIONS TO THIS POLICY** **12.1** If we decide to change this Privacy Policy, we will post the changes on our webpage at https://www.gathergroup.com.au/. Please refer back to this Privacy Policy to review any amendments. **12.2** We may do things in addition to what is stated in this Privacy Policy to comply with the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR, and nothing in this Privacy Policy shall deem us to have not complied with the Australian Privacy Principles and the GDPR. ## Terms of Service Gather My Crew # Terms of Service The Company provides the Platform to support people in need through creating a Carer Network and coordinating the completion of tasks. Use of the Platform is subject to these Terms of Service. ### Definitions The following terms are used regularly throughout these Terms of Service and have a particular meaning: (a) **ABN** means Australia Business Number. (b) **Account** means a registered account with the Platform. (c) **Administrator** means a Carer authorised to administer a Carer Network as appointed by the Captain from time-to-time. (d) **Business Day** means a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) on which banks are open for general banking business in Victoria, Australia. (e) **Calendar** means the online calendar for managing Tasks between Carers. (f) **Captain** means a registered user of the Platform that manages a Carer Network and, in some cases, may be the Person in Need themselves. (g) **Carer** means a registered user of the Platform that joins a Carer Network. (h) **Carer Network** means a group of Users connected via the Platform to support a Person in Need. (i) **Chat** means the chat function of the Platform for Users within the same Carer Network to communicate with each other. (j) **Company** means The Gather Group Co. Pty Ltd ABN 87 608 898 308. (k) **Confidential Information** means any written or verbal information that: i Any information deemed as confidential under these Terms of Service; ii A party informs the other party that it considers it confidential and/or proprietary; iii A party would reasonably consider to be confidential in the circumstances; and iv Is personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act and GDPR. but does not include information that a party can establish: v Was in the public domain at the time it was given to that party; vi Became part of the public domain, without that party’s involvement in any way, after being given to the party; vii Was in party’s possession when it was given to the party, without having been acquired (directly or indirectly) from the disclosing party; or viii Was received from another person who had the unrestricted legal right to disclose that information free from any confidentiality obligation. (l) **Inner Circle** means a selection of some Carers, as selected by a Captain from time-to-time. (m) **Intellectual Property** means all copyright, patents, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, product formulations, designs, circuit layouts, databases, registered or unregistered trademarks, brand names, business names, domain names and other forms of intellectual property. (n) **Materials** means any notices, newsletters, information, or other education materials that are sent via the Platform to Users. (o) **Mobile Platform Marketplace** means an online marketplace for access to the Platform and other applications for mobile devices, such as the App Store. (p) **Person in Need** means a person in need of assistance for which a Carer Network is set up to help. (q) **Personal Information** has the same meaning as in the Privacy Act. (r) **Platform** means the “#Platform Name” developed by the Company for the Provider and accessible from the Site and/or Mobile Platform Marketplace from time-to-time. (s) **Privacy Act** means the _Privacy Act 1988_ (Cth). (t) **Privacy Policy** means the Company’s privacy policy as updated from time-to-time. (u) **Provider** means #Customer Name. (v) **Site** means #Customer’s website. (w) **Special Conditions** means any terms and conditions with respect to the use of the Platform separately agreed between the Provider and Users from time-to-time. (x) **Task** means a task to be completed for a Person in Need, created by the Person in Need and/or a Captain. (y) **Terms of Service** means the terms and conditions of using the Platform, as updated from time-to-time. (z) **User** means any registered user of the Platform and includes a Person in Need, Captains and Carers. (aa) **User Content** means images, information, documents or other data, written or visual, that is uploaded or input into, or generated via, the Platform by the User or that forms part of the User’s Intellectual Property and shall include communications via the Chat but exclude statistical, analytical or other non-personal derivative data generated by use of the Platform. **1 AGREEMENT** **1.1** The licence granted under these Terms of Service shall be ongoing until terminated in accordance with these Terms of Service. **1.2** The User agrees that all use of the Platform is subject to these Terms of Service and must immediately cease to use the Platform if the User can no longer agree or adhere to these Terms of Service. **1.3** The Company may suspend an Account or restrict the access of any User that breaches these Terms of Service. **1.4** The Provider may require the User to agree to Special Conditions in addition and separate to these Terms of Service. **2 USING the Platform** **2.1** **General** (a) To use the Platform, the User must login and have set up their Account. (b) The User agrees to use the Platform in accordance with these Terms of Service, any Special Conditions that may apply, and any instructions provided within the Platform from time-to-time. (c) The Platform is not available to Users under the age of 18 without their parent or legal guardian’s consent. **2.2** **Account** (a) To set up a Carer Network, the Captain must first create an Account by registering with the Platform. (b) A Carer may only create an Account via an invitation link sent by the Captain responsible for creating the Carer Network. (c) The User must provide accurate and complete information when setting up an Account and, if necessary, update their Account to ensure that such information is maintained as current for the duration of these Terms of Service. (d) Subject to any Special Conditions, it shall be free for the User to set up an Account and start using the Platform. (e) The User may delete their Account at any time in their discretion. **2.3** **Features** The Company shall provide the User with access to and use of the features as made available within the Platform from time-to-time, however the Platform shall primarily serve as a digital platform to coordinate the completion of Tasks for a Person in Need. **2.4** **Carer Network** (a) Only the Captain can create (or delete) a Carer Network. (b) As part of creating a Carer Network, the Captain may invite certain individuals to join the Carer Network. (c) Invitees will receive an SMS to their mobile device with a link to download the Platform. Once they download the Platform and create an Account, they will be automatically connected to the Carer Network they were invited to join. (d) Unless specified otherwise in the Special Conditions, there are an unlimited number of Carers that may join a Carer Network. (e) An Inner Circle may be created within a Carer Network such that only some and not all Carers can complete certain Tasks or receive certain Chats. **2.5** **Captain & Administrators** (a) There shall only be one Captain appointed for each Carer Network. (b) The Captain shall have the exclusive responsibility to: i Create and delete the Carer Network; and ii Add and remove Administrators from the Carer Network. (c) The Captain may appoint more than one Administrator for each Carer Network. (d) The Administrator shall be responsible for administering the Carer Network including (without limitation) the power to: i Create and manage an Inner Circle; ii Add and remove Carers from the Carer Network; iii Create, delete and edit Tasks; and iv Create and manage Chats. (e) For clarity, Carers have restricted permissions in a Carer Network and generally limited to viewing, accepting, and completing Tasks. **2.6** **Tasks** (a) The Captain may add and manage Tasks in their discretion. (b) Tasks shall be added to the Calendar for Carers to accept which must be done via the Carer’s Account. (c) Subject to an Inner Circle applying, all Carers can view Tasks in the Calendar, and in particular whether Tasks are waiting to be accepted, have been accepted or have been completed. (d) Push notifications may be sent to Carers via the Platform to notify them that a new Task has been created, accepted, completed or still waiting to be accepted. (e) Carers shall have the complete discretion on whether or not to accept a Task. **2.7** **Chat & Materials** (a) The Captain may create a new Chat at any time within the Platform. (b) The manner in which the Chat is used and what topics are discussed within the Chat shall be at the complete discretion of the Captain creating the Chat. (c) Chats may be accessible by all Carers or only the Inner Circle. (d) Users may receive Materials from the Provider and/or the Company from time-to-time within the Platform. **2.8** **Conduct** (a) The User acknowledges and agrees that the Company accepts no responsibility for: i The conduct and activities of any User, whether in the course of completing Tasks or otherwise; ii The management and/or completion of Tasks; iii Any interaction between Users, whether that interaction occurs within the Platform or not; iv The content of any Chat; and v Any decision or action taken by a User in connection with Platform. (b) The Company makes not representations or guarantees that the Platform will be effective in completing Tasks, which will depend on the cooperation of Users Carers within a Carer Network outside of the Company’s control. **3 User Content** **3.1** The User acknowledges and agrees that: (a) User Content is the sole responsibility of the User; (b) All information input into the Platform by a User is provided with that User’s consent; (c) To the extent permitted by law, under no circumstances will the Company be liable in any way for User Content; and (d) The Company shall not access, use, modify or otherwise deal with User Content except where required by compulsion of law or upon the User’s authority (such as to provide support for the Platform). **4 General conditions** **4.1** **Licence** (a) By accepting the terms and conditions of these Terms of Service, the User is granted a limited, non-exclusive and revocable licence to access and use the Platform for the duration of these Terms of Service, in accordance with these Terms of Service. (b) The Company may issue the licence to the User on the further terms or limitations as it sees fit. (c) The Company may revoke or suspend the User’s licence(s) in its absolute discretion for any reason that it sees fit, including for breach of these Terms of Service by the User. **4.2** **Modification of Terms** (a) The terms of these Terms of Service may be updated by the Company from time-to-time. (b) Where the Company modifies the terms, it will provide the User with written notice, and the User will be required to accept the modified terms in order to continue using the Platform. (c) The modified terms shall come into effect the next time the User accesses the Platform following notice of the updated terms. **4.3** **Software-as-a-Service** (a) The User agrees and accepts that the Platform is: i Hosted on servers managed by the Company and shall only be installed, accessed and maintained by the Company, accessed using the internet or other connection to the Company servers and is not available ‘locally’ from the User’s systems; and ii Managed and supported exclusively by the Company from the servers managed by the Company and that no ‘back-end’ access to the Platform is available to the User unless expressly agreed in writing. (b) As a hosted and managed service, the Company reserves the right to upgrade, maintain, tune, backup, amend, add or remove features, redesign, improve or otherwise alter the Platform. (c) The Company shall not exercise its rights under clause (b) in a manner that would intentionally cause the User to lose access to User Data or fundamentally decrease the utility of the Platform to the User, other than in accordance with the terms of these Terms of Service. **4.4** **Use & Availability** (a) The User agrees that it shall only use the Platform for legal purposes and shall not use it to engage in any conduct that is unlawful, immoral, threatening, abusive or in a way that is deemed unreasonable by the Company in its discretion. (b) The User is solely responsible for the security of its username and password for access to the Platform. The User shall notify the Company as soon as it becomes aware of any unauthorised access of its the Platform account. (c) The User agrees that the Company shall provide access to the Platform to the best of its abilities, however: i Access to the Platform may be prevented by issues outside of its control; and ii It accepts no responsibility for ongoing access to the Platform. **4.5** **Support** (a) The Company shall provide reasonable support services via the Platform in the manner agreed with and/or notified in writing to the User from time-to-time. (b) The User should notify the Company of any difficulties or problems they may experience with the Platform as soon as practicable. **4.6** **Privacy** (a) The Company maintains the Privacy Policy in compliance with the provisions of the Privacy Act for Personal Information that it collects about the User. (b) The Privacy Policy does not apply to how the User handles Personal Information. If necessary under the Privacy Act, it is the User’s responsibility to meet the obligations of the Privacy Act by implementing a privacy policy in accordance with law. (c) The Platform may use cookies (a small electronic tracking code) to improve a User’s experience while browsing, while also sending browsing information back to the Company. The User may manage how it handles cookies in its own browser settings. **4.7** **Data** (a) **Security.** The Company takes the security of the Platform and the privacy of its Users very seriously. The User agrees that the User shall not do anything to prejudice the security or privacy of the Company’s systems or the information on them. (b) **Transmission.** The Company shall do all things reasonable to ensure that the transmission of data occurs according to accepted industry standards. It is up to the User to ensure that any transmission standards meet the User’s operating and legal requirements. (c) **Storage.** Data that is stored by the Company shall be stored according to accepted industry standards, and the Privacy Policy. (d) **Content.** All content (excluding User Data) submitted to the Company, whether via the Platform or directly by other means, becomes and remains the Intellectual Property of the Company, including (without limitation) any source code, analytics, insights, ideas, enhancements, feature requests, suggestions or other information provided by the User with respect to the Platform. **4.8** **Intellectual Property** (a) **Trade marks.** The Company has moral and registered rights in its trade marks and the User shall not copy, alter, use or otherwise deal in the marks without the prior written consent of the Company. (b) **Proprietary Information.** The Company may use software and other proprietary systems and Intellectual Property for which the Company has appropriate authority to use, and the User agrees that such is protected by copyright, trademarks, patents, proprietary rights and other laws, both domestically and internationally. The User warrants that it shall not infringe on any third-party rights through the use of the Platform. (c) **The Platform.** The User agrees and accepts that the Platform is the Intellectual Property of the Company and the User further warrants that by using the Platform the User will not: i Copy the Platform or the services that it provides for the User’s own commercial purposes; and ii Directly or indirectly copy, recreate, decompile, reverse engineer or otherwise obtain, modify or use any source or object code, architecture, algorithms contained in the Platform or any documentation associated with it. (d) **Content.** All content (excluding User Content) submitted to the Company, whether via the Platform or directly by other means, becomes and remains the Intellectual Property of the Company, including (without limitation) any source code, analytics, insights, ideas, enhancements, feature requests, suggestions or other information provided by the User or any other party with respect to the Platform. **4.9** **Third Party Dependencies** The User agrees and acknowledges that the Platform has third party dependencies which may affect its availability, including (without limitation) internet service providers and hosting services, and that the Company has no means of controlling the availability of such dependencies and shall not be liable for any interruptions to such. **4.10** **Confidentiality** (a) The Company agrees to keep all User Content in the strictest confidence, and to the extent User Content is accessed and/or received by the Company it shall be deemed as Confidential Information for the purposes of these Terms of Service. (b) Each party acknowledges and agrees that: i The Confidential Information is secret, confidential and valuable to the disclosing party ( **Discloser**); ii It owes an obligation of confidence to the Discloser concerning the Confidential Information; iii It must not disclose the Confidential Information to a third party except as permitted in these Terms of Service; iv All Intellectual Property rights remain vested in the Discloser, but disclosure of Confidential Information does not in any way transfer or assign any rights or interests in the Intellectual Property to the receiving party; and v Any breach or threatened breach by the receiving party of an obligation under these Terms of Service may cause the Discloser immediate and irreparable harm for which damages alone may not be an adequate remedy. Consequently, the Discloser has the right, in addition to other remedies available at law or in equity, to seek injunctive relief against the receiving party (and its agents, assigns, employees, officers and directors, personally) or to compel specific performance of this clause. (c) A party must notify the Discloser in writing, giving full details known to it immediately, when it becomes aware of: i Any actual, suspected, likely or threatened breach by it of any obligations it has in relation to the Confidential Information. ii Any actual, suspected, likely or threatened breach by any person of any obligation in relation to the Confidential Information; or iii Any actual, suspected, likely or threatened theft, loss, damage, or unauthorized access, use or disclosure of or to any Confidential Information. (d) The receiving party must promptly take all steps that the Discloser may reasonably require and must co-operate with any investigation, litigation or other action of the Discloser or of a related body corporate if there is: i Any actual, suspected, likely or threatened breach of a term of these Terms of Service; or ii Any theft, loss, damage or unauthorized access, use or disclosure of or to any Confidential Information that is or was in its possession or control. **4.11** **Liability & Indemnity** (a) The User agrees that it uses the Platform at its own risk. (b) The User acknowledges that the Company is not responsible for the conduct or activities of any User and that the Company is not liable for such under any circumstances. (c) The User agrees to indemnify the Company for any loss, damage, cost or expense that the Company may suffer or incur as a result of or in connection with the User’s use of or conduct in connection with the Platform, including any breach by the User of these Terms of Service. (d) In no circumstances will the Company be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential or indirect damages, damage to property, injury, illness, loss of property, loss or corruption of data, loss of profits, goodwill, bargain or opportunity, loss of anticipated savings or any other similar or analogous loss resulting from the User’s access to, or use of, or inability to use the Platform, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, negligence, in equity or any other legal theory, and whether or not the Company knew or should have known of the possibility of such damage, injury, illness or business interruption of any type, whether in tort, contract or otherwise. (e) Certain rights and remedies may be available under the _Competition and Consumer Act 2010_ (Cth) or similar legislation of other States or Territories and may not be permitted to be excluded, restricted or modified. Apart from those that cannot be excluded, the Company and the Company’s related entities exclude all conditions and warranties that may be implied by law. To the extent permitted by law, the Company’s liability for breach of any implied warranty or condition that cannot be excluded is restricted, at the Company’s option to: i The re-supply of services or payment of the cost of re-supply of services; or ii The replacement or repair of goods or payment of the cost of replacement or repair. **4.12** **Termination** (a) Either party may terminate these Terms of Service by giving the other party written notice, which will be deemed to be given when the Account linked to the User is cancelled. (b) Termination of this Agreement is without prejudice to and does not affect the accrued rights or remedies of any of the parties arising in any way out of this Agreement up to the date of termination. **4.13** **Dispute Resolution** (a) If any dispute arises between the parties in connection with these Terms of Service ( **Dispute**), then either party may notify the other of the Dispute with a notice ( **Dispute Notice**) which: i Includes or is accompanied by full and detailed particulars of the Dispute; and ii Is delivered within 10 Business Days of the circumstances giving rise to the Dispute first occurring. (b) Within 10 Business Days after a Dispute Notice is given, a representative of each party with the authority to resolve the dispute, must meet (virtually or otherwise) and seek to resolve the Dispute. (c) Subject to clause (d), a party must not bring court proceedings in respect of any Dispute unless it first complies with the requirements of the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in this clause. (d) Nothing in this clause prevents either party from instituting court proceedings to seek urgent injunctive, interlocutory or declaratory relief in respect of a Dispute. (e) Despite the existence of a Dispute, the parties must continue to perform their respective obligations under this document and any related agreements. **4.14** **Electronic Communication, Amendment & Assignment** (a) The words in this clause that are defined in the _Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)_ have the same meaning. (b) The User can direct notices, enquiries, complaints and so forth to the Company as set out in these Terms of Service. The Company will notify the User of a change of details from time-to-time. (c) The Company will send the User notices and other correspondence to the details that the User submits to the Company, or that the User notifies the Company of from time-to-time. It is the User’s responsibility to update its contact details as they change. (d) A consent, notice or communication under these Terms of Service is effective if it is sent as an electronic communication unless required to be physically delivered under law. (e) Notices must be sent to the parties’ most recent known contact details. (f) The User may not assign or otherwise create an interest in these Terms of Service. (g) The Company may assign or otherwise create an interest in its rights under these Terms of Service by giving written notice to the User. **4.15** **General** (a) **Disclaimer.** Each party acknowledges that it has not relied on any representation, warranty or statement made by any other party, other than as set out in these Terms of Service. (b) **Relationship.** The relationship of the parties to these Terms of Service does not form a joint venture, agency or partnership. (c) **Waiver.** No clause of these Terms of Service will be deemed waived and no breach excused unless such waiver or consent is provided in writing. (d) **Further Assurances.** Each party must do anything necessary (including executing agreements and documents) to give full effect to these Terms of Service and the transaction facilitated by it. (e) **Governing Law.** These Terms of Service is governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Each of the parties hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of courts with jurisdiction there. (f) **Severability.** Any clause of these Terms of Service, which is invalid or unenforceable, is ineffective to the extent of the invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the remaining clauses of these Terms of Service. (g) **Interpretation.** The following rules apply unless the context requires otherwise: i Headings are only for convenience and do not affect interpretation. ii The singular includes the plural and the opposite also applies. iii If a word or phrase is defined, any other grammatical form of that word or phrase has a corresponding meaning. iv A reference to a clause refers to clauses in these Terms of Service. v A reference to legislation is to that legislation as amended, re‑enacted or replaced, and includes any subordinate legislation issued under it. vi Mentioning anything after _includes_, _including_, or similar expressions, does not limit anything else that might be included. vii A reference to a _party_ to these Terms of Service or another agreement or document includes that party’s successors and permitted substitutes and assigns (and, where applicable, the party’s legal personal representatives). viii A reference to a _person_, _corporation_, _trust_, _partnership_, _unincorporated body_ or other entity includes any of them. ix A reference to _information_ is to information of any kind in any form or medium, whether formal or informal, written or unwritten, for example, computer software or programs, concepts, data, drawings, ideas, knowledge, procedures, source codes or object codes, technology or trade secrets. **END TERMS OF SERVICE** ## Free Information Session ## Information sessions ## Book a free online information session for your team Learn how your patients and clients can access practical, coordinated support at home through the people who already care about them. We’ll show you how the app and resources work, and the simplest ways to refer. There will also be time for questions. ## Mobile Invite Information # Thank you! # Thank you for your interest in joining the support crew. **Please note - the invite link you have received must be opened on your mobile phone or tablet**. The invite link will not work from your computer. For general enquiries please contact us at [hello@gathermycrew.org](mailto:hello@gathermycrew.org) ![Gather My Crew - Invite](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Gather-My-Crew-Invite.jpg) ## Referral Partner Program ## Add us to your resources ## Become a referral partner We’re actively seeking health and community partners who want to embed informal care into the care journey. Reach out! Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Organisation(Required) Job Title Postal Address for Resource Pack(Required) Street AddressAddress Line 2CityStatePost CodeAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland IslandsCountry Message I would like to: Request a physical resource pack Request a digital resource pack Book a free online information session for your team Enquire about one of our team presenting at your next event Subscribe to newsletters and updates This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand(Required) GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment(Required) Referrer Checking your Browser… Notifications ## App Support Services # App Support ## We're here to help Need some help with the app? We've got you. First, head to our thorough FAQ page. In the unlikely event you don't find what you're looking for there, drop Support Desk a message. Frequently asked questions If you've got questions, we've got answers. We'll help you learn about the app, start a crew, understand the features and answer any other app related question you might have. [Learn More](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) Continue our support desk form If need further support, get in touch! Your enquiry will be read by a real life human who will be in touch to help you solve your problem within 1 business day. [Contact Support](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support-contact-form/) ## Share Your Story # Inspire & Connect with Others # Share your story Sharing your story is a powerful way to support others going through a similar experience. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/home-mother-daugher-a.jpg) ## We would love to hear from you Here are a few suggested topics: - What was your experience using our Gather My Crew app? Did it make it easier to ask for, provide or coordinate support? We are looking to highlight positive stories that normalise asking for help, offering and accepting help. - Tell us your story about getting through a tough time. What sorts of actions or intangible kindnesses provided you comfort and/or helped the most? Specific examples can be really useful for those people who want to show their support but aren’t sure where to begin. Recommended word count is 500-1000 words. Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Write your story(Required) Upload photos Drop files here or Select files Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, webp, Max. file size: 5 MB. Thank you for helping to normalise help and ensure every Australian gets the support they need - both every day and through life's most challenging moments. _\*By submitting your story, you consent for it to be shared on our social media and our website._ This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment Supporter Checking your Browser… Verifying... Stuck? [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6gzaa/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Success! Verification failed [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6gzaa/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6gzaa/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) Verification expired [Refresh](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6gzaa/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Troubleshoot](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/h/b/turnstile/f/ov2/av0/rch/6gzaa/0x4AAAAAADTclYLYk9eiFoXD/light/fbE/new/normal?lang=auto#refresh) [Privacy](https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/) • [Help](https://challenges.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/help) Notifications ## Community Support App # Welcome to a simpler way to organise help and care. The Gather My Crew app takes good intentions and turns them into meaningful, coordinated and dependable help for someone doing it tough. [![Get it on Google Play](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/google-btn.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gathermycrew)[![Download on the App Store](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/appstore-btn.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/gather-my-crew/id1595556266) ![Gather My Crew - App Features](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-page-hero-1024x1024.jpg) Testimonials ## What our users say [The practical tasks were a lifesaver – not only for the everyday needs like meals, watching kids, washing, etc., but also for help with completing renovating tasks to get the bathroom and laundry finished.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Stephanie.png)\\ \\ **Stephanie’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/stephanies-story/)[Our friend could not believe all the help she was receiving from work colleagues with a variety of scheduled drop offs.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacqueline.png)\\ \\ **Jacqueline’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacquelines-story/)[Gather My Crew really has been a ‘godsend’ for us. It is amazing that such an app exists for free.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Rachel.png)\\ \\ **Rachel’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rachels-story/)[I’ve appreciated being able to update everyone on my progress in one message, rather than lots of individual messages. This has saved me lots of time and energy, which is priceless when walking a cancer journey.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jen.png)\\ \\ **Jen’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jens-story/)[The app allowed us to let people know our needs both at RCH in Melbourne and at our home in Geelong. The app allowed me to give updates but also took away the constant need to reply to everyone which is very exhausting.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacinta.png)\\ \\ **Jacinta’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/)[His friends and family could know when and where help was needed which allowed them to show Joe that he was supported. Joe was humbled and comforted by the circle that gathered around him.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Monica.png)\\ \\ **Monica’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/)[The practical tasks were a lifesaver – not only for the everyday needs like meals, watching kids, washing, etc., but also for help with completing renovating tasks to get the bathroom and laundry finished.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Stephanie.png)\\ \\ **Stephanie’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/stephanies-story/)[Our friend could not believe all the help she was receiving from work colleagues with a variety of scheduled drop offs.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacqueline.png)\\ \\ **Jacqueline’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacquelines-story/)[Gather My Crew really has been a ‘godsend’ for us. It is amazing that such an app exists for free.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Rachel.png)\\ \\ **Rachel’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/rachels-story/)[I’ve appreciated being able to update everyone on my progress in one message, rather than lots of individual messages. This has saved me lots of time and energy, which is priceless when walking a cancer journey.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jen.png)\\ \\ **Jen’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jens-story/)[The app allowed us to let people know our needs both at RCH in Melbourne and at our home in Geelong. The app allowed me to give updates but also took away the constant need to reply to everyone which is very exhausting.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Jacinta.png)\\ \\ **Jacinta’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/jacintas-story/)[His friends and family could know when and where help was needed which allowed them to show Joe that he was supported. Joe was humbled and comforted by the circle that gathered around him.\\ \\ ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GMC-Testimonial-Monica.png)\\ \\ **Monica’s Story**](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/monicas-story/) App ## Features ### Home The Home screen is the central hub for everything happening across the crew. Updates, tasks, messages and activity all come together in one place, making it easy to stay connected without needing to go searching. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-actions.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-invites.jpg) ### Invites Invites make it easy to bring people together without awkward conversations. Instead of trying to work out who to ask for help, a simple invitation creates a space where family and friends can stay updated, offer support and get involved when they can. ### Crew The Crew section helps everyone understand what is needed and how support is best offered. Preferences, guides and care information give people the confidence to help in ways that feel welcome and useful, while avoiding misunderstandings and unnecessary questions. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-crew.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-plan.jpg) ### Plan Plan is the shared care calendar where tasks, appointments and practical help can be organised. Everyone can see what is needed and put their hand up for things that fit around their own busy lives, making support easier to share and coordinate. ### Chat Chat keeps everyone in the loop without the need to repeat yourself. Share updates once, keep conversations together and make sure family and friends always know what is happening. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-chats.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gather-my-crew-app-features-tips.jpg) ### Tips Tips helps people feel more confident in how they care and support others. Filled with practical ideas, lived experience and expert guidance, it makes it easier to know what to do, what to say and how to help. ## Who is the app for? Anyone who could use practical help and compassionate care from the people around them, including: - People in treatment, recovery or palliative care - Carers who are overwhelmed - Families experiencing sudden loss or crisis - Older adults wanting to stay at home - Anyone experiencing illness or injury - Parents with a child in hospital - Anyone navigating a tough time who needs their community ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-app-happy-community-group-1024x1024.jpg) ## Why thousands of Australians use the app ### Free Gather My Crew is an Australian charity. Our app and resources are free across Australia. ### Easy Set up in minutes. Designed so even your Nan can use it. ### Private Invite-only crews. All data stored securely in Australia. Never shared, never sold. ### In-control The Inner Circle feature lets you choose who sees what and who can accept which tasks. ### Organised Clear tasks and notifications mean nothing gets doubled up or missed. ### Clear The inbox keeps all communication in one place. No more overwhelming group chats or updating twelve different people. ### Supportive In-app guidance helps people show up for each other in meaningful, compassionate ways. ### Trusted Built from lived experience and clinical research, so you can take the guesswork out of asking for and offering help. ## As featured by [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Radio-National-Breakfast.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/changing-oz-susan-palmer-gathering-you-crew-/106301094)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-white-Leukaemia-Foundation-1.png)](https://www.leukaemia.org.au/podcast/facing-young-loss/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allied-Health-Podcast-1.jpg)](https://alliedhealthpodcast.com/gather-my-crew/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RNABC.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHpfEixm1k)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MamaMia-1.png)](https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Life-Matters-1.png)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/gather-my-crew-pic/9070344)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/abc-melb-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn1VmCoIhb0)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-World-Today-1.png)](https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/news/audio/twt/201707/twt-2017-07-13-12-tragedy-tool.mp3)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Kids-Spot-1.png)](https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/family-health/if-youre-too-sick-to-look-after-your-kids-who-cares-for-you/news-story/d71d95684f24a765de2a6921aa9eb14a)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3AW-180x180-1-1.png)](https://www.3aw.com.au/how-to-give-practical-help-to-our-brave-health-workers/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ABC-Bris-180x180-1-1.jpg)](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-afternoons/gather-my-crew-susan-palmer-&-karen-mcivor/8705506) ## You might be thinking... ### I don’t want to seem like I can’t cope. Asking for and accepting help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you a leader, reassuring others that it’s okay for them to ask for help if they ever need it. And it gives your community a chance to show up for you in meaningful ways. People love to help! ### I’m not great with technology. Can I still use the Gather My Crew app? The app is designed to be simple and intuitive, even if you’re not confident with tech. And if you get stuck, our Help Desk is staffed by real people, ready to guide you through it step by step. The app is designed to be simple and intuitive, even if you’re not confident with tech. And if you get stuck, send a message to our Help Desk. It's staffed by real people, ready to guide you through it step by step. ### What if I don’t have many people around me? Even a small crew can make a big difference. Some of our strongest Crews are made up of just a few people. A neighbour, a couple of family members and a close friend or two. If you’d like to widen your circle, our resources include ideas for where to find more support in your local community. ### Will I annoy people by asking for help? No. You’re not bothering anyone, you’re giving them a chance to do what they do best: help, care, and feel useful. Our guidance and resources include gentle ways to ask for and accept help, so it feels natural for everyone involved. ### What if no one says yes to helping me? People are more likely to say yes when it’s clear what they’re being asked to do, and when it’s easy for them to do it. The Gather My Crew app helps by breaking support into clear, practical tasks, and our free resources offer guidance on how to ask in ways that make it easier for people to step in. ### What if no one accepts the tasks I list in the app? Start small. The key is to make tasks easy to say yes to. One meal, one lift, one small errand. Once people understand what’s needed, they’re usually quick to step up. Our in-app guidance includes tips on how to list tasks so that they’re easy to say yes to, so everyone feels comfortable helping. ### If I use the app, is my information safe? Yes, completely. Your details are stored securely in Australia and are never shared or sold. Gather My Crew is private by design. You choose who’s in your Crew and what they can see. You can also use our Inner Circle feature to keep sensitive updates or personal tasks just between your closest people, while leaving everyday jobs (like meals or errands) visible to the wider crew. ### Who can I add to my Crew in the app? Anyone you trust. Usually it’s family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, community members. If you’re short on people, check out our list of local community ideas to help you connect with others. ### What if I need support getting started with the app? Our Help Desk is run by real people, not bots. If you send a message it will be read by real human eyes and we'll respond to you personally. We’re here to help you. ## A simpler way to organise help and care. The Gather My Crew app takes good intentions and turns them into meaningful, coordinated and dependable help for someone doing it tough. [![Get it on Google Play](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/google-btn.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gathermycrew)[![Download on the App Store](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/appstore-btn.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/gather-my-crew/id1595556266) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-app-female-app-user.jpg) ## Support Without Stress # You’re here because you want to help. We’re going to show you how. When someone you care about is having a tough time, it can be hard to know what to do. You don’t want to say the wrong thing or make them feel like a burden, and you don’t want to take on too much yourself. We've got you! #### On this page, we’ll help you: - Coordinate help with ease - Build your caring confidence - Find the right words to say ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/give-help-mother-daughter-1024x1024.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/give-help-chess-1024x1024.jpg) ## How to coordinate help and care without the chaos The free Gather My Crew app makes it simple for friends, family, and neighbours to share the load, without messy group chats, awkward asks, or anyone feeling like a burden. It’s free, private and trusted by health professionals across Australia. [Download the app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) ## How to feel confident offering help We know it can feel awkward or uncertain to reach out when someone’s going through something big. Our resources make it easier to know what to say, how to offer help, and how to respect boundaries while staying connected. You’ll find conversation starters, examples of what to say (and what not to), and practical ideas for supporting someone in a way that feels meaningful, compassionate and useful. [Explore resource library](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-library/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/give-help-grandmother-daughter-granddaughter.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gather-my-crew-1446913169.jpg)![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2.jpg) ## How to know what to say When someone is going through a tough time, knowing what to say can feel surprisingly hard. Good intentions don’t always translate into helpful words, and silence can feel just as uncomfortable. This free ‘Words To Say’ guide breaks down what to say, what not to say, and why it matters, so you can show up with confidence, warmth, and care when it counts most. [Download \[PDF\]](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/download/20295/?tmstv=1781500071) ## You might be thinking... ### I want to help, but I don’t want to overstep That’s a very common worry, you’re not alone. The best kind of help is offered with clarity and choice. The Gather My Crew app makes it easier to help in specific, practical ways, so the person receiving help stays in control of what they accept. Our free resources also include guidance on how to offer help that feels respectful, supportive, and welcome. ### Do I need permission to start a crew for someone else in the app? Yes. It’s important that the person you’re supporting knows and agrees to a crew being created for them. Once they’ve given permission, you can set things up in the app and help coordinate support in a way that works for them. ### What if my friend is reluctant to accept help? Many people worry about being a burden or don’t know how to say yes. Starting with small, specific offers can make help feel safer and easier to accept. The Gather My Crew app makes accepting help easier because your friend never has to ask anyone directly. Instead, support is listed as simple, practical tasks, and people only accept the jobs that are convenient for them to do. This removes pressure, awkward conversations, and the feeling of “putting someone out.” Our free resources also offer guidance on how to have these conversations with care, patience, and respect. ### I’m not great with technology. Can I still use the Gather My Crew app? Yes absolutely. The app is designed to be simple and intuitive, even if you’re not confident with tech. We have a thorough how-to-use-the-app video series. And if you get stuck, our Help Desk is staffed by real people, ready to guide you through it step by step. ### Will people actually download another app? Yes. When they understand how easy it makes things, most people are happy to join. You can say: “I know it’s another app, but it keeps things simple, no endless texts.” “You’ll only see what’s relevant to you and can help in ways that suit your time.” “It takes 60 seconds to join and then you’re done.” “This helps us coordinate everything without anyone being overloaded.” ### If I set up a Crew on the app, will I have to manage everything? Once your Crew is running, tasks and updates take care of themselves. Notifications remind people of what they’ve committed to, our inbox features means everyone can stay up to date in one convenient place, and you won't have to spend all your time managing logistics - the app does it all for you. ### What if no one picks up the tasks in the app? Not asking guarantees no one helps. Asking gives people a chance to step in. The in-app guidance helps you list tasks in a way that makes them easy to accept. ### Is everyone’s information safe in the app? Yes, completely. Your details are stored securely in Australia and are never shared or sold. Gather My Crew is private by design. You choose who’s in your Crew and what they can see. You can also use our Inner Circle feature to keep sensitive updates or personal tasks just between your closest people, while leaving everyday jobs visible to the wider crew. ### If I don’t want to use the app, how else can I help? We get it, not everyone wants to use the app. That’s why we have a whole suite of resources and printable guides for you to use. ## Get Help Easily # You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll help you gather your people. Gather My Crew helps you turn offers of “Let me know if there’s anything I can do” into useful, practical support from the people who already care about you. We’ve got you! #### On this page, we’ll show you how to: - Ask for help - Identify the help you need - Coordinate the help offered ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/need-help-mother-daugher-a-1024x1024.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/need-help-mother-daugher-b-1024x1024.jpg) ## How to make asking for, and accepting help easier We know that asking can feel uncomfortable, even when people want to help. Our resources make those conversations easier. You’ll find simple phrases to use, printable conversation prompts, and gentle ways to accept help without guilt or awkwardness. [Explore resource library](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resource-library/) ## How to work out the help you need It’s not always obvious what would make life easier. We help you identify the small things that make a big difference, from errands to school runs, from mowing the lawn to emotional check-ins. Our printable ‘Small Things That Would Help’ list will help you figure out where you need support most. [Download \[PDF\]](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/download/20279/?tmstv=1781500116) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-small-things-tile-hero-v2.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/need-help-male-app-user-1024x1024.jpg) ## How to easily coordinate help and care The free Gather My Crew app is the easiest way to coordinate practical help without messy group chats, awkward asks, or trying to remember who can do what, when. It’s free, private and trusted by health professionals across Australia. [Explore the app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) ## You might be thinking... ### I don’t want to seem like I can’t cope. Asking for and accepting help doesn’t make you weak. It makes you a leader, reassuring others that it’s okay for them to ask for help if they ever need it. And it gives your community a chance to show up for you in meaningful ways. People love to help! ### I’m not great with technology. Can I still use the Gather My Crew app? Yes absolutely. The app is designed to be simple and intuitive, even if you’re not confident with tech. And if you get stuck, our Help Desk is staffed by real people, ready to guide you through it step by step. ### What I don’t have many people around me? Even a small crew can make a big difference. Some of our strongest Crews only have a handful of people, close friends, a neighbour, or family. If you’d like to widen your circle, our resources include ideas for where to find more support in your local community. ### Will I annoy people by asking for help? No. You’re not bothering anyone, you’re giving them a chance to do what they do best: help, care, and feel useful. Our guidance and resources include gentle ways to ask for and accept help, so it feels natural for everyone involved. ### What if no one says yes to helping me? People are more likely to say yes when it’s clear what they’re being asked to do, and when it’s easy for them to do it. The Gather My Crew app helps by breaking support into clear, practical tasks, and our free resources offer guidance on how to ask in ways that make it easier for people to step in. ### What if no one accepts the tasks I list in the app? Start small. The key is to make tasks easy to say yes to. One meal, one lift, one small errand. Once people understand what’s needed, they’re usually quick to step up. Our in-app guidance includes tips on how to list tasks so that they’re easy to say yes to, so everyone feels comfortable helping. ### If I use the app, is my information safe? Yes, completely. Your details are stored securely in Australia and are never shared or sold. Gather My Crew is private by design. You choose who’s in your Crew and what they can see. You can also use our Inner Circle feature to keep sensitive updates or personal tasks just between your closest people, while leaving everyday jobs (like meals or errands) visible to the wider crew. ### Who can I add to my Crew in the app? Anyone you trust. Usually it’s family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, community members. If you’re short on people, check out our list of local community ideas to help you connect with others. ### Who can I talk to if I need support getting started with the app? Our Help Desk is run by real people, not bots. If you need a hand setting up your Crew or just want to talk it through, we’re here for you. ## Gather My Crew FAQs # Explore our ## Frequently Asked Questions Common questions about our app Needing help starting a Crew, joining a Crew or using our app? Explore all our FAQ topics below. ## Common questions about our app ### I have someone in my life I want to help. Where do I register? If you are ready to help by setting up a Crew and acting as the Captain, you can download the Gather My Crew app from the App Store or Google Play. If you want to help out as a Crew Member, you must be invited by the Captain. Crew Members receive an SMS with a link to the Crew and an invitation to join. ### How private is my information? Your information is very safe. We are compliant with the Australian Privacy Principles. Your data is stored in Australia in compliance with the regulations set by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation - the highest level of regulation world-wide. The best practice data protection for personal information handling is our highest priority – from two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption. All measures are independently verified through external penetration testing. You choose who you will invite to make up your crew and so who you will share your information with. Even our staff can’t get into your crew. Even within the crew, you can choose some members to be a part of an ‘Inner Circle’. This means there can be help or messages that will only go to those members and not the whole crew. ### Who should set up a Crew? The person who sets up the Crew becomes the Captain. That can be the person in need of help or someone they trust. The Captain is responsible for inviting Crew Members, adding Tasks and handling communications. They can share this responsibility with Admin. If you want to set up a Gather My Crew account for someone else, make sure you ask their permission and ensure they are involved in nominating the help needed. ### I want to join a Crew. Where do I register? To join a Crew, you must be invited by the Captain, the person who created the Crew. They will send you a link which will direct you to download the app and connect you with the Crew. For privacy reasons, you cannot search for Gather My Crew accounts on our website. ### I want to volunteer. How do I sign up to help? Gather My Crew does not use volunteers to directly help our users. Our app helps people to easily coordinate support from their own Crew of friends and family. ### Is the Gather My Crew app available outside Australia? Gather My Crew is an Australian charity and is only available through an Australian account for the App Store or Google Play with an Australian mobile number. ### How can I get help from Gather My Crew? Gather My Crew is not a support provider. We have created a free app that links people who need support with their own family and friends who are able to provide help. The app makes it simple to request and organise informal care from your ‘crew’. ### Do you send reminders to Crew members? The app sends notifications to keep the Crew updated. It sends a reminder when a scheduled task is due. Notifications are sent when new Tasks are added, help is still needed close to a due date, and when new message are added. You can control your notifications in the app’s menu and your phone settings. ### I want to set up a support crew, but I’m not sure I can handle it? You could ask someone to set up a crew on your behalf or you can have admin who can help you manage the crew. You can have as many admin as you wish. They will be able to invite people, manage Tasks, create guides, share updates, edit preferences, and start chats. To give a Crew Member admin rights, go to the Crew screen, click on the ellipsis to the right of their name and change their role to Admin. ### What are the different roles of the members of a crew? The Captain is the owner of the support crew. They have full access and is the only person who can delete the crew or remove Admin. Admin help manage the crew. They can invite people, manage Tasks, create guides, share updates, edit preferences, and start chats. Helpers make up the rest of the support crew. They can accept Tasks, respond to chats, and view shared content. You can nominate Helpers to be a part of your ‘Inner Circle’. These are people close to the person in need and can access and respond to ‘Inner Circle only’ Tasks, chats, guides, and preferences. ## App Captains ### How do I get started? Download the app from App Store or Google Play and follow the prompts to set up your account. ### How do I create a Crew? Once you’ve downloaded the app and set up your account, you will be prompted to create your Crew. This involves naming it and some information about who the crew is for. There is an option to provide some further details for your crew members and a photo if you wish. You will be asked about the reason for needing a crew. This allows us to tailor support for you. Scroll down the screen and tap ‘Create My Crew’. You will be taken through a guided tour of the app. It will go through all of the screens and basic functions of the app. ### Can I have more than one crew? You can create and/or be a part of up to three crews. To add a new crew, click on the crew name at the top of the screen and ‘Add Crew’. ### Who should I invite as a Crew Member? Anyone can be part of your Crew. We encourage you to think broadly about your Crew. People will surprise you. So don't forget about your neighbours, parents in your child's class, your work colleagues, your faith group or sporting club. ### How do I invite my Crew? On the Crew screen - Click on the ‘Members’ button - Click on ‘Invite members’. - If you choose to ‘Invite via SMS’, you’ll be asked for permission to access your contacts. You’ll then have the option to choose from your contact list who will get an invitation. - If you choose to ‘Share invite link’, you can choose an option of how you will share it, or copy and paste it into an email or message. ### How do I access my contacts? You have to give permission for the app to access your contacts. The first time you share an invitation by SMS you will be asked for permission. If you did not give permission at that time, you will need to go into your phone Settings > Apps > Gather My Crew. For iPhone users, you’ll see Contacts and for Android users, you’ll go to Permissions, then Contacts. Allowing the app Full Access to your Contacts does not mean that all your Contacts will be invited. It means that you will be able to choose from all your Contacts on the app. ### Where can I find the Settings? Click on your crew name in the top left corner. ### What are the different roles of the members of a crew? The Captain is the owner of the support crew. They have full access and is the only person who can delete the crew or remove Admin. Admin help manage the crew. They can invite people, manage Tasks, create guides, share updates, edit preferences, and start chats. Helpers make up the rest of the support crew. They can accept Tasks, respond to chats, and view shared content. You can nominate Helpers to be a part of your ‘Inner Circle’. These are people close to the person in need and can access and respond to ‘Inner Circle only’ Tasks, chats, guides, and preferences. ### Can I have more than one Admin? Yes, you can have as many Admin as you’d like. - On the Crew screen, click on the ellipsis next to the name of the Crew Member. - Click on ‘Change Role’ and change their role to 'Admin'. ### How do I ask for help? You ask your crew for the help you need by adding 'Tasks'. There are two ways to add a Task - On the Home screen, click on the shortcut ‘Add Task’ button. - On the Plans screen, click on the ‘+’ icon and click on ‘Add Task’ Once added, the task will be visible to your Crew members and they click to ‘Accept’ it. ### What is the difference between a ‘Task’ and a ‘Key Date’? A ‘Task’ is something that you need help with. On the Home and Plans screens, it will have an ‘Accept’ button next to it, ready for one of your Crew Members. A ‘Key Date’ will appear on those screen but it will show as a purple box and there will be no ‘Accept’ button next to it. You can use these to let your Crew know about treatment, surgery dates, hospital discharges etc. ### Can I see who has accepted a task? Yes. On the Plans screen, you will see the image of the Crew Member (or Members if you have asked for multiple Helpers. All members of the crew will be able to see this unless it is an Inner Circle task. ### Can I select people to do certain Tasks? No, but you can select Crew Members to be your 'Inner Circle'. When you create a task, you will be asked whether you want it to be visible to ‘Everyone’ or just to your Inner Circle’. To create your Inner Circle: - Go to the Crew screen and click on ‘Members’. - Click on the ellipsis next to the Member’s name. - Select ‘Change Role’, make your selection and click ‘Change’. Admin are automatically members of your Inner Circle. ### How do I edit the details of my Crew? - On the Crew screen, click the settings icon in the top right of the screen. - Edit the details and save the changes. ### How do I create a Task? - On the Home screen, click on the ‘Add Task’ shortcut or on the Plans screen, click on the ‘+’ icon in the bottom right corner and click ‘Task’ - Choose a task from your Help List or if it is not on your list, start typing in the ‘New task’ box. - Choose who the task is visible to, the date, and time. Choosing to add a Guide, Image, Link and Location are optional but not necessary. - Click ‘Create Task’. ### What is a Guide? Guides can be pinned to your Home screen or added to Tasks. We have included some templates of information our users often need to share with their crews, from Favourite Meals and Food Sensitivities to How We’re Talking to the Kids. There is also the option to create a Custom Guide. ### How will my Crew know when I’ve added something or when they’ve got a task due? If they have given permission, notifications are sent to your crew when Tasks are added or edited, when a task they have accepted is due or if there are Tasks in the next few days that have not yet been accepted. They can choose to get notifications when there is a new message or a new tip as well. ### How can I change my Notifications settings? Within the app, click on the crew name in the top left corner of the Home screen. - Click Notifications. - Select your preferences for notifications. - Click ‘Push notifications’ so it is on. It is a good idea to check your phone settings as well. - Open Settings and go to Apps. - Scroll down to Gather My Crew and choose Allow Notifications. - Select your preferences for how you would like your phone to display notifications i.e. banners, sounds or badges. It’s a really good idea to check that your crew members have allowed notifications. ### How do I edit my Help List? - On the Crew screen, click the ‘Edit’ button next to Help List. - Select the Tasks you would like on your list and ‘Save’ in the top right corner. ### What can I do if the task I want to add to the Help List is not an option? - On the Home screen, click the Add Task shortcut or on the Plans screen, click the ‘+’ icon and ‘Task’. - Start typing in the ‘New task’ textbox. - Fill in the details and click on ‘Create task’. This task will now be added to your Help List under Custom Tasks. ### What does ‘Inner Circle’ mean? The ‘Inner Circle’ enables you to identify members of your Crew who are the closest to you. When you create Tasks, Guides and Chat Folders, you can choose to nominate that they are for your Inner Circle. The rest of your Crew will not be able to see these Tasks or messages. Admin are automatically in your Inner Circle. ### How do I edit a task? - On the Home or Plans screen, click on the task. - Click on the ellipsis (3 dots) in top right corner of the screen. - Click on ‘Edit’. - Make the changes and click on ‘Edit task’. A notification of the changes will be sent out to your crew. ### How do I delete a task? - On the Home or Plans screen, click on the task. - Click on the ellipsis (3 dots) in top right corner of the screen. - Choose ‘Delete’. A notification will be sent to your crew. ### How can I keep Crew Members up to date? The easiest way is to add an update on the Home screen. Just click on the ‘Add Update’ button, type in your message and the latest Update will be visible to all your crew members. The Captain and Admin can add Updates. ### How do I start a Chat Topic? - On the Chats screen, click on the ‘+’ icon. - Add a Chat Name and an image (optional). Click on the ‘Visible to’ button and select ‘Everyone’ or ‘For Inner Circle only' if you would like the chat to be visible only to your Admin or Inner Circle. - Click ‘Add Chat’ - To add a message to the Chat just tap on the topic name. ### Can I have more than one crew running? Yes. Click on the current crew name at the top left of the screen. Select ‘Add Crew’ and fill in the details. ### Where are my account settings? Click on your crew name in the top left corner of the Home screen. Here you can edit your profile, change your details, set your notification preferences, log out and delete your account. ### How do I delete a Crew Member? - On the Crew screen, click on the Members button. - Click on the ellipsis (3 dots) to the right of the Crew Member’s name. - Click on ‘Delete member’ and ‘Delete user’. ### How do I delete a Crew? - On the Home screen, click on the Settings icon in the top right corner. - Scroll down to ‘Delete crew’ and ‘delete’. ### How do I delete my account? - Firstly, you will have to delete the crew you are Captain of or nominate another member of the crew to be Captain. - On the Home screen, click on the name of the crew at the top of the screen. - Click on ‘Settings’. - Click on ‘Delete Account’. ### How can I get help with a problem I am having with the app? - Click on the name of the crew in the top left of your screen. - Click ‘Settings and click on ‘Support’. - Complete the online form. ## Crew Members ### I want to join a Crew. Where do I register? To join a Crew, you must be invited by the Captain, the person who created the Crew. They will send you a link which will direct you to download the app and connect you with the Crew. For privacy reasons, you cannot search for Gather My Crew accounts on our website. ### I created a new crew instead of joining the crew I wanted to. What should I do? Firstly, delete the crew you have created. - On the Home screen, click on the Settings icon in the top right corner. - Scroll down to ‘Delete crew’ and ‘delete’. If you had received an invitation, click on the link in that message and you will be directed to the crew. If it has expired, you may need to contact the Captain to get it resent. If you haven’t received an invitation, contact the Captain of the crew and ask them to send you one. ### How will I know when help is needed? The Captain of your crew will post Tasks which will appear on the Home under the Unallocated tab, and on the Plans screen. It’s a good idea to allow notifications to be sent to you so you can keep up to date. They are sent when Tasks are added, edited or deleted, when a Task you’ve accepted is due or if there are Tasks in the next few days that have not yet been accepted. You can choose to get notifications when there is a new message or a new tip as well. ### How can I change my Notifications settings? There are Notifications settings within the app and in your phone settings as well. Within the app: - On the Home screen, click on the name of your crew at the top of the screen. - Click on ‘Settings’. - Make sure the ‘Push notifications’ button is in the on position. - Select your preferences for notifications. It is a good idea to check your phone settings as well. - Open Settings and go to Apps. - Scroll down to Gather My Crew and choose Allow Notifications. - Select your preferences for how you would like your phone to display notifications i.e. banners, sounds or badges, and also when and how long the notifications will show on your screen. ### Can I limit or turn off notifications? Yes. You can set your notification preference in your account settings. - On the Home screen, click on the name of your crew at the top of the screen. - Click on ‘Settings’. - Select your preferences for notifications. We do recommend that you leave some of these on so that you do not miss out on anything and are reminded when a Task you have accepted is due. ### How do I accept a task? - On the Home screen, click the ‘Unallocated’ tab. - Click the ‘Accept’ button. - This task will now move to the ‘Mine’ tab. This can also be done on the Plans screen. ### How can I see the details of a task? On the Home or Plans screen, click on the name of the task. ### How can I add a task? Only the Captain and Admin of a crew are able to create Tasks. ### What do I do when I have finished a task? Once you have accepted a task, it is assumed you will complete it. Therefore, there is nothing further on the app that you need to do. But if you would like to let your crew know anything or ask for information about that task, you can ‘Add comment’ or add a photo. ### Can I withdraw from a task I have accepted? - On the Home or Plans Screen. Click on the task. - Click on the ‘Withdraw’ button and ‘Yes’. The task will revert to being 'Unallocated' and a notification will be sent to the crew. If you are doing this with short notice, we recommend that you also notify the Crew Captain or Admin directly. ### Can I see who is in the Crew? Yes. Go to the Crew screen and tap on ‘Members’. ### Can I see what other Crew Members are doing? On the Plans screen, click on ‘All’ at the top of the screen. The image of the crew member who has accepted the Task appears next to it. ### Where are my account settings? On the Home screen, click on the name of your crew at the top of the screen. You will see the ‘Settings’ icon. Here you can edit your profile, change your details, set your notification preferences, and delete your account. ### Why can't I post in chat? Helpers are able to write a message in an existing Chat topic. These have to be made by the Captain or Admin. If you need to ask for more details or let your Captain know anything about one of your tasks, you can do that by tapping on the task and adding a comment at the bottom of the screen. ### How do I leave a crew? - On the Home screen, click on the name of the crew in the top left corner. - If the name of the crew you would like to leave is not highlighted, click on it. - Click on the ellipsis (three dots) beside the name of the crew. - Click ‘Leave crew’ and ‘Leave’. ### How do I delete my account? - Click on the name of the crew in the top left corner. - Click on ‘Settings’. - Click on ‘Delete Account’. ## Patient Support Coordination # Help us help you. Recommend Gather My Crew. Gather My Crew helps people organise practical help around them during times of illness, caring or crisis. Our app is a simple way for friends, family and community to coordinate support, so care is shared and no one is left managing it alone. [Free Resource Pack](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-hub/#ResourcePack) [Online Information Sessions](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-hub/#InfoSession) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-female-patient-nurse-b-1024x1024.jpg) ## Gather My Crew is trusted by health professionals across Australia. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-nurse-testimonial.jpg) Gather My Crew is a brilliant service. It assists people in their greatest time of need to gain the assistance that they actually need, which is a much harder process than it seems. Many times families in need are bombarded with help (like cupcakes or lasagnes) - but not the practical support they might need and most likely would not ask for. The difference Gather My Crew makes to the family needing assistance is enormous. Carmel Clinical Nurse Consultant, Brisbane ## What Gather My Crew does We help your patients organise the people who already want to help them - their family, friends, neighbours. Our free, easy to use app coordinates the at-home help and care that makes all the difference, such as transport, childcare, errands, collecting prescriptions, meals and company. Better support at home means better outcomes for your patients. Better health and wellbeing outcomes for patients Less pressure on primary carers More engaged, less overwhelmed patients Fewer late arrivals and missed appointments ## Recommend the app ## It’s quick and easy. Identify someone who needs support at home. Tell them about Gather My Crew, and give them our flyer. ## Need the words? ## Here’s a simple script you can use to explain the Gather My Crew app. You’re likely going to need some help at home. Gather My Crew has a free app that helps organise offers of support from friends, family and neighbours. It takes the pressure out of asking for help, coordinating care, and keeping everyone up to date. They (or someone they trust) create a Crew. That’s it! No setup or follow-up required from you. Gather My Crew complements your care without adding to your workload. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-male-nurse-1024x1024.jpg) ## Overcoming common questions ### Can I trust the Gather My Crew app? Yes. The Gather My Crew app was created by clinicians, and is recommended by clinicians. It is used daily across cancer services, hospitals, community care, aged care, and mental health organisations. ### Is it safe? It’s safe, private and free. - Data stored in Australia - Invite-only access - User-controlled privacy settings - Endorsed by major health organisations - Used by 80,000+ Australians ### Will this add extra work to my day? No. You don’t need to set anything up. You simply hand them a flyer or say: “The best thing you can do is set up Gather My Crew.” The patient (or their chosen support person) does the rest. ### What if my patient doesn’t want to use an app? That’s completely fine. We also offer printable guides, conversation tools and simple paper-based resources. Give your patient a flyer and direct them to the website where they will find all of these tools and resources. ### Is it okay for me to recommend this? Yes. Gather My Crew is an independent charity. We are not affiliated with any hospital, service or political organisation and we are recommended by peak bodies all across Australia. The app is completely free, private and controlled by the patient. You are simply sharing a safe, helpful support tool for your patient at home. ## Resource pack ## Everything you need to make recommending, easy #### We can provide: - Printed brochures for patients, clients, and carers - Posters for wards and waiting rooms - Clinician information sheets - Simple scripts for your team - Digital brochures for patients, clients and carers [Request a pack](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/referrer-enquiries/) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/referrer-hub-resources-v2.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-female-patient-nurse-c-1024x1024.jpg) ## Information sessions ## Book a free online information session for your team Learn how your patients and clients can access practical, coordinated support at home through the people who already care about them. We’ll show you how the app and resources work, and the simplest ways to refer. There will also be time for questions. [Book a session](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/book-a-session/) ## Helpful & Safe ## Gather My Crew is especially helpful for: - Patients undergoing cancer treatment or in palliative care - Carers who are overwhelmed - Families experiencing sudden loss - Ageing people wanting to stay at home - Anyone experiencing illness or injury - Parents with a child in hospital ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-elderly-male-patient-1024x1024.jpg) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-male-app-user-1024x1024.jpg) ## Safe, private, trusted - 100% free to use - Invite-only access - User-controlled privacy - Built by clinicians, trusted by clinicians - Recommended nationally by peak bodies, health professionals and community organisations - We are a charity and not affiliated with any hospital, service or political organisation Testimonials ## What other professionals say One of the greatest potential resources people have in times of need is their community of friends, family and supporters. Unfortunately mobilising that resource is not easy when a crisis hits. Gather My Crew helps solve that challenge and enables communities of care to gather around those who need support. It has become an invaluable asset to people who use it and for their communities. **Tim** Redkite Cancer Charity, Sydney Gather My Crew is a brilliant service. It assists people in their greatest time of need to gain the assistance that they actually need, which is a much harder process than it seems. Many times families in need are bombarded with help (like cupcakes or lasagnes) - but not the practical support they might need and most likely would not ask for. The difference Gather My Crew makes to the family needing assistance is enormous. **Carmel** Clinical Nurse Consultant, Brisbane Gather My Crew is a fabulous Organisation. I am so impressed by the simple to use app and recommend it to anyone going through crisis. **Shane** Youngcare, Brisbane It’s a great resource especially for people who have short term requirements and friends/family offering to help – aids co-ordination and empowers people! **Gina** Social Worker I recommend Gather My Crew to all of my patients. No one should have to go through cancer without this kind of support. **Marylee** Marylee, Psychologist We recommend it to all our patients. **Kate** Oncology Social Worker, Melbourne Gather My Crew is a fabulous resource that benefits people in crisis, their families and those willing to act as support. **Lucy** Oncology Social Worker, Melbourne One of the greatest potential resources people have in times of need is their community of friends, family and supporters. Unfortunately mobilising that resource is not easy when a crisis hits. Gather My Crew helps solve that challenge and enables communities of care to gather around those who need support. It has become an invaluable asset to people who use it and for their communities. **Tim** Redkite Cancer Charity, Sydney Gather My Crew is a brilliant service. It assists people in their greatest time of need to gain the assistance that they actually need, which is a much harder process than it seems. Many times families in need are bombarded with help (like cupcakes or lasagnes) - but not the practical support they might need and most likely would not ask for. The difference Gather My Crew makes to the family needing assistance is enormous. **Carmel** Clinical Nurse Consultant, Brisbane Gather My Crew is a fabulous Organisation. I am so impressed by the simple to use app and recommend it to anyone going through crisis. **Shane** Youngcare, Brisbane It’s a great resource especially for people who have short term requirements and friends/family offering to help – aids co-ordination and empowers people! **Gina** Social Worker I recommend Gather My Crew to all of my patients. No one should have to go through cancer without this kind of support. **Marylee** Marylee, Psychologist We recommend it to all our patients. **Kate** Oncology Social Worker, Melbourne ## Our referral partners Professionals from over 850 health and community organisations refer to Gather My Crew. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Cancer-Council-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Dementia-Support-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-CarerHelp.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Kidney-Health.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Health-Direct.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Leukaemia-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-Ovarian-Cancer-Australia.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/gmc-referral-partner-McGrath-Foundation.png) ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/referrer-hub-female-patient-nurse-a-1024x1024.jpg) ## Built by clinicians. Recommended by clinicians. Shaped by lived experience. Gather My Crew was founded by clinical psychologist Dr Susan Palmer after nearly two decades supporting people through crisis. In practice, she kept seeing the same gap: people often had friends, family, neighbours and colleagues willing to help, but no clear way to organise that help into practical, useful care. Gather My Crew exists to fill that gap. We’re a registered charity that provides tools, education and guidance to help people support and care for each other within their own communities. The app is the coordination tool that makes this possible. Gather My Crew continues to be shaped by clinician insight, user feedback, and continued research, and is designed to sit alongside formal health and support services, not replace them. ### Clinical experience across our team ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/susan-palmer.jpg) ##### Dr Susan Palmer BA (Psych), M.Psych, MPH, PhD ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/kathleen.jpg) ##### Kathleen Fair RN BScN MBA ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/jo.jpg) ##### Jo Sherring BSc., Occupational Therapy ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lauren.jpg) ##### Lauren Smith BBiomedSc., MRes (In progress) ## Contact Us ## Want to know more? # Contact Us Want to get involved? Got a question about us? Get in touch here. If you have a question about the app, please head to [app support](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/), and submit your query here. - [hello@gathermycrew.org.au](mailto:hello@gathermycrew.org.au?subject=&body=) - 1/63 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea VIC 3185 LinkedIn This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Name(Required) FirstLast Email(Required) Organisation Message(Required) This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Brand GMC This field is hidden when viewing the form CRM Property > Segment Supporter Checking your Browser… Notifications ## Evolving Needs After Disaster April 27, 2026 # Your needs will change – A rough guide to what you might need, and when. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/52-1024x536.png) In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the needs are obvious. Somewhere to sleep. Clothes. Food. The basics of just getting through the next few hours. But recovery and rebuilding don’t end there. So, nor does the need for support. As time passes, what you need will change. And that’s completely normal. Here’s a rough map of what that can look like, so you can start to identify what would actually help at each stage. **Right now** - Emotional support and someone to be with - Help locating important documents and ID, or replacing them if they’re gone **In the coming weeks** - Help navigating insurance claims and paperwork - A temporary place to stay that feels stable - School runs and childcare while you find your feet - Meals, groceries and household basics - Help sorting through what can be salvaged - Space and support to process what just happened, emotionally as well as practically **In the months ahead** - Working bees to help with clean up or repairs - Help with rebuilding admin, like council forms or contractor quotes - Help navigating government assistance, grants and relief funds, the paperwork is relentless and having someone in your corner makes a real difference - School runs, activity drop offs and pickups, keeping the kids’ routines as normal as possible while the rebuild happens - Help with the household basics, washing, groceries, errands, so daily life keeps functioning while your energy goes into rebuilding The support you need six months from now might be different, but it’s just as valid. The Gather My Crew app makes it easy to communicate what you need at each stage. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Supporting Loved Ones April 27, 2026 # I don’t know enough about their condition and I’m afraid to ask ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/017-two-male-friends-smiling-and-hugging-on-city-street-1024x536.jpg) If someone in your crew has been diagnosed with a serious illness and you’ve gone a little quiet, you’re not alone. A lot of people do. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, asking something insensitive, or making it worse. So, they say nothing. And the person who’s sick feels invisible. Here’s the thing: not knowing is not a reason to disappear. It’s a reason to learn. **Start with some research** You don’t need to become a medical expert. But a basic understanding of what your person is living with will change everything about how you show up for them. - Start with a Google search of their condition - Look for peak bodies, the national foundations and associations dedicated to that illness. They exist for exactly this reason, and their resources are reliable, accessible and written for people like me and you. Think Heart Foundation, Stroke Foundation, Kidney Health Australia and so on. - Read enough to understand the basics: what it affects, how it’s treated, what day to day life looks like This takes twenty minutes and it means your person doesn’t have to spend their limited energy educating you from scratch. **Then ask, thoughtfully** Once you have some basic understanding, it’s okay to ask. In fact, it’s more than okay. Most people living with serious illness would far rather you asked than avoided them entirely. Some ways to open that conversation: - “I’ve been reading a little about your condition. Is it okay if I ask you some questions?” - “I want to understand what you’re going through better. What do you most want people to know?” - “I don’t always know the right thing to say, but I’m here and I want to show up well for you.” And then listen. Really listen. Without jumping to fix, compare or reassure. **What to do with what they tell you** Use it. Remember it. Show up accordingly. If they tell you Tuesdays are hard because of medication side effects, check in on Tuesdays. If they tell you they can’t manage big social situations right now, think of ways to keep them connected. If they tell you they’re having a good stretch, celebrate it without assuming the hard part is over. **The most important thing** Your person is still your person. Their diagnosis is not their new personality. They still want to laugh, complain about normal things, talk about something other than their health, and be treated like the full human being they are. Show up for the person. Learn about the condition. Don’t confuse the two. And lastly remember this: you don’t have to be perfect or get it ‘right’. You just have to keep showing up. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Invisible Illness Support April 27, 2026 # When serious illness is invisible ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/010-compassionate-hug-caregiver-support-1024x536.jpg) Some illnesses announce themselves with physical symptoms that you can clearly see and understand. Others don’t. Some serious illnesses don’t always look the way we expect. Someone living with kidney disease, recovering from a stroke, managing a chronic condition or navigating a serious diagnosis can look, from the outside, completely fine. The problem with someone looking fine, is that it can be easy for us to assume they’re… fine. So, support fades away. The meals stop coming. The check-ins get less frequent. The crew quietly assumes things are under control. And the person living with the illness is left managing something relentless and largely invisible, mostly alone. **What invisible illness can look like** Behind closed doors, serious illness often means: - Fatigue that doesn’t respond to rest - Medication schedules that shape every single day - Medical appointments that never really stop - Cognitive effects like brain fog and memory changes - Emotional weight, anxiety, grief, uncertainty about the future - Physical limitations that aren’t always obvious to others - Good days that mask how hard the bad days really are This is the reality that doesn’t always show itself to the outside world. **If that person is you:** - You’re allowed to ask for help, even when you look well - Your crew want to help, but they might not know you need it. Be clear about what would actually make a difference to your life right now. Use the Gather My Crew app to communicate what you need and remove the awkwardness of asking people directly - It’s okay if your needs change day-to-day or over time **If you’re part of their crew:** - Looking fine and being fine are two completely different things. Don’t step back just because they look okay - Check in regularly and consistently, not just during the obvious crisis moments - Remember that a good day doesn’t cancel out a hard week - Steady, consistent support matters. Taking one thing off someone’s plate can make the world of difference Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support for Sick Children April 27, 2026 # How to support a family when a child is sick ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/015-affectionate-mother-hugging-children-in-sunny-park-1024x536.jpg) When a child is very sick, every parent is living their worst fear. And if someone you care about is going through that, of course you want to help. That instinct is human and it’s beautiful. It’s also natural to feel uncertain, or to worry about overstepping. This guide is here to help you show up in ways that are genuinely useful and compassionate. **What they’re dealing with** When a child is seriously unwell, family life is completely upended. It comes with: - Hospital appointments, treatments and overnight stays - Exhausted, frightened parents running on empty - Siblings who need stability and attention - Disrupted work, routines and finances - Paperwork, medication schedules and logistics - Emotional overload for every single person in that house Your support can help ease this. Let’s start with your words. Words are important and while we know that everyone’s different and there’s no perfect script, there are some phrases that tend to land better than others. **Avoid saying:** - “Let me know if you need anything” - “Kids are so resilient” - “It could be worse…” - “My friend’s child went through something similar and…” - “Everything happens for a reason” **Try instead:** - “You’re doing an incredible job in an incredibly tough situation.” - “I’m thinking about you, no need to respond.” - “I don’t know what to say, but I’m here for you.” - “I can do school pickup Thursday, want me to add Friday too?” **Practical ways to help** The most useful help is the help they need. Offer specific tasks but be sure to check that they’re what’s required on any given day. The Gather My Crew app is the safest, simplest way to keep communication clear about what’s needed and who’s helping where and when. Offer to set up the app for the family. It’s quick, safe and easy. Here are some of the practical tasks that can really help a family through a tough time. - Meals that are easy to reheat and kid friendly - School runs, uniform washing and remembering when it’s PE kit day - Pharmacy runs - Errands - Making sure siblings of sick kids get to after school/weekend activities - Washing, housework or garden maintenance - Walking the dog - If possible, giving the parents some time out **Stay flexible** Plans change constantly when a child is unwell. Cancellations are not personal. Support that adapts without fuss is one of the most valuable things you can offer. **The moments that matter most** Big medical days, results, procedures, the first day back at school after a long absence, these are big. A message before and after costs nothing and means everything. Add “no need to reply.” **Consistency is everything** Help that arrives in one big burst and then disappears is hard to rely on. What families need is steady, predictable support over the long haul. Keep showing up. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Siblings Need Support April 27, 2026 # Don’t forget the siblings ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/014-parents-playing-and-laughing-with-son-outside-home-1024x536.jpg) When a child is sick, the family’s whole world reorganises around that child. Understandably so. But in the middle of hospital appointments, treatment schedules and sleepless nights, there are often other children in that home quietly navigating something enormous, without much of the spotlight. The siblings of a sick child need support too. Not instead of, but as well as. As part of the crew around that family, this is one of the most meaningful things you can do. **What siblings are often feeling** They may not have the words for it, but siblings of sick children are frequently dealing with: - Fear for their brother or sister - Confusion about what is happening and why - Guilt for feeling normal things like boredom or frustration - Loneliness, especially if parents are stretched thin - Disrupted routines, school life and friendships - A sense that their needs come second right now It’s completely normal for them to feel this way. And you can help by showing up consistently for them. **How to show up for the siblings** - Include them in your own family days out - Help keep after school activities and weekend routines running as normally as possible - Offer to do school runs, help with homework, and wash uniforms - Have them over for dinner, a sleepover, or a playdate - Offer to do some household chores to free up time for the parents to spend with the other kids - If the parents can’t make it to the footy pitch, dance recital or school production, be their stand in. Cheer, applaud, take pictures If you’re part of this family’s crew, letting the parents know you are specifically looking out for their other children is a gift. It is one less thing for them to worry about. Remember, consistency matters. Showing up regularly and reliably is everything. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support Grieving Friends April 27, 2026 # Don’t let awkwardness keep you away ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/037-be-kind-message-colorful-sidewalk-chalk-art-1024x536.jpg) When someone we know is grieving, it can be hard to know what to say. We might feel awkward, or unsure, and those perfectly normal feelings can cause us to hold back instead of lean in. But the person grieving needs us to lean in. Here’s what we know: in almost every case, showing up imperfectly is better than not showing up at all. So, the next time you feel the awkwardness and want to retreat, do these things instead. **Words to say:** - “I’ve been thinking about you.” - “I don’t know what to say, but I didn’t want to say nothing.” - “You don’t have to respond to this. I just wanted you to know I’m here.” - “I’d love to hear about them if you ever want to talk.” - “I’m so sorry. I’m here.” **Words to avoid:** - “Everything happens for a reason” - “They’re in a better place” - “At least…” - “I know how you feel” - “You’ll get through this” or “You’re so strong” - “Let me know if you need anything” **What actually helps** - Showing up, even when you don’t know what to say. “I don’t know what to say but I’m here” is enough. - Saying their person’s name - Checking in weeks and months later, not just in the immediate aftermath **Think about what their person used to do** This one takes a little thought, but it matters. The person who has died often left behind a gap in the practical running of daily life, not just an emotional one. Think about what they used to take care of and offer to help fill that gap. - Did they mow the lawn? Offer to take that on. - Were they the one teaching the teenager to drive? Offer to take them out for their hours. - Did they handle the finances or the bills? Offer to sit with your person and help them work through it. - Were they the one who did school pickup, cooked on weeknights, walked the dog every morning? Can you help with that practicality? When someone in your community is dealing with grief, lean in. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Supporting Grieving Individuals April 27, 2026 # How to show up for someone’s who’s grieving. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/035-person-holding-single-yellow-wildflower-outdoor-bokeh-1024x536.jpg) If there’s one thing I’ve learnt through my own experience of grieving my darling mum, it’s that grief is not linear. It doesn’t move neatly through stages and arrive at acceptance on a predictable schedule. It really does come in waves. It shows up on a random Tuesday, eighteen months later, when you least expect it. It can feel huge on a day that looks ordinary from the outside, or strangely okay on a day that should be hard. No, grief is not linear. And it’s important that we remember this when someone we know is grieving the loss of someone they love. Because if we believe grief has an endpoint, we stop checking in. **How to keep showing up:** - Set a calendar reminder for anniversaries, birthdays and important dates - Check in regularly, without pressure or expectation - Ask how they are genuinely, and listen to their reply without trying to fix anything - Talk about their person. Say their name. Most people want to remember the person they’ve lost - Let them know they can always opt in or out of things without explanation or judgement - Continue to offer specific, useful, practical help that might lighten their load when grief gets heavy Grief doesn’t have an end date, nor should our support. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Frank's Inspiring Journey January 28, 2026 # Frank’s story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/older_man_2-1024x683-1.jpg) For years, Frank spent his mornings at the local dog park with his much-loved sausage dogs – all three of them. He’d wander through the park, chatting to fellow dog owners, checking in on their lives, remembering birthdays. He was quick with a smile and always offering lemons from the overflowing tree in his front yard. Everyone at the park knew Frank. They knew he lived alone. They knew he didn’t have close family. And they knew his house was just behind the park – the one with the big lemon tree out the front. Frank was a much-loved part of the dog park community. You get to know people well when you see them every morning – rain, hail, or shine. Then one morning, Frank wasn’t there. The regulars noticed right away. He hadn’t mentioned going away or any changes to his routine. Day three… still no Frank. Day five… concern grew. By the end of the second week, a small group had gathered, worried. No one had his number, but they agreed someone needed to check on him. Aleshia volunteered to walk past his house. When she arrived, she noticed the community nurse’s car in the driveway and her concern deepened. Frank had taken a nasty fall and broken his ankle in two places. With limited mobility and upper body strength, he was now confined to a wheelchair or bed. He was relying on community nursing and Meals on Wheels just to get by – and recovery was expected to take months. When the nurse answered the door, she was visibly relieved. Frank had told the entire care team that he was completely alone. That he had no one who could help. But Aleshia and the others knew that wasn’t true. They were _his_ people. _His_ community. And they were here to help. That same day, they created a Gather My Crew account and set up three months of coordinated support – not just for Frank, but for his beloved dogs too. Meals, shopping, dog walking, companionship – all shared among an initial group of 11 concerned park-goers. Word spread. More familiar faces joined in… and before long, Frank’s support crew had grown to 27. 27 amazing people looked after Frank until he was well enough to get back on his feet and back to the dog park. And he thought he was all alone… People are incredible ❤ _\*Image changed at users request_ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Debbie’s Support Story March 19, 2024 # Debbie’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7843-1024x768.jpg) The sudden passing of my husband in August last year came as an awful shock to me and my family. **Myself, my two children, my grandchildren and our extended family were devastated.** I let the school where I work as a cleaner know what had happened and left it at that. Without me knowing, one of my beautiful colleagues asked the school staff community if anyone would like to help with me, and set up a Gather My Crew network. She asked people to cook, shop, and a number of other tasks. When bags of groceries and cooked food started to appear at my door, I was so overwhelmed that my little school community would come together to help us in a meaningful way. The fact that I didn’t have to cook or get groceries was awesome. This outpouring of love lasted for 4 weeks. In those 4 weeks a big burden was lifted off me, as I didn’t have to worry about feeding myself or my family. Some crew also donated money, which helped us enormously. I feel I don’t have adequate words to describe just how much Gather My Crew helped us in the most difficult time. **I would remind everyone that** **the little things that you can do when people are hurting, help so, so much.** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Identifying Real Needs December 19, 2025 # But what do they really need? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-12-1024x536.png) Back in the very early days, when **Gather My Crew** was still just an idea, I was working in Brisbane with women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. A group of these incredible humans agreed to come together as a reference group to help me better understand the problem I thought I was seeing, and what a solution might genuinely look like for them. They were deep in their cancer journeys. All were undergoing treatment. All needed help in different ways. Many were single parents with young children. As we sat together, they spoke honestly about how hard it was to ask for help, and how overwhelming it could be to manage and coordinate the offers of help they did receive. Then one woman raised something that stopped me in my tracks. She talked about how hard it was to know what to say when people offered or brought things that were well intentioned, but not actually helpful. Flowers. Another lasagna. Kind gestures, but not what was really needed. That caught my attention. So I asked them, “If you could turn those flowers and lasagnas into the help you _really_ needed, what would that be?” Their answer was simple. Changing the bedsheets. They went on to explain that because of ongoing fatigue, pain, or the physical impacts of surgery, many of them couldn’t strip a bed, remake it, carry heavy wet washing, or hang it on the line. And because they were often the only adult in the household, there was no one else to notice, and no one to step in. Some of these women hadn’t had clean sheets for themselves or their children for a long time. And they were undergoing cancer treatment. That was the moment I knew Gather My Crew was essential. This was the problem we were trying to solve, laid bare. The gap between the help we _offer_ and the help that is _actually needed_. Because who thinks to offer to change the bedsheets? I certainly didn’t. Not until that moment. Do you? 🤔 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Anniversary of Loss November 13, 2023 # Two weeks ago was the anniversary of my husbands death… ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_4015_Original-1024x684.jpg) AUTHOR : Lauren Smith This anniversary marked four years without Jake. It feels like a lifetime in ways… four years since I heard his voice, four years since I hugged him, four years since I could tell him I loved him. In other ways though, I remember the day like it was yesterday. Time is funny like that. For me, the anniversary of his passing is more than a singular day. October is a tough month all round. My mind and my body remember and re-live so much. For context, my husband had been fighting an aggressive cancer for 10 months before he passed. October began with hope – hope that the latest treatment had worked. Very quickly, that hope dissipated as we watched him deteriorate over a long weekend and then on the 8th October, we had the hardest conversation of our lives – there was no more treatment available. Despite it being the hardest conversation, we were blessed with a deep sense of peace. Grateful for the peace we felt, the next 11 days looked like us treasuring every moment we had left together, soaking in special moments with friends and family and making sure Jake was as comfortable as possible. It also looked like me being on high alert constantly, lying awake all night listening to his breathing, looking after him as his needs increased each day, but wanting to help him keep his dignity as long as possible. He then passed away on the 19th October. Now, when October rolls around, I find that my whole body experiences grief and re-lives trauma in a deep way. As soon as October hits, my body is tense, I become quite emotional at the drop of a hat, I experience flashbacks and a prolonged feeling of “holding my breath” sets in until the 19th. It’s a tricky thing to juggle real life responsibilities (work, study, friends, events) and hold space for grief. Society seems to allow us grace for one day on the anniversary but that’s about it. After navigating this cycle for a few years, the things that help me are scaling all my commitments back in October, lowering my expectations on myself for the month, letting myself cry when I need to instead of bottling it up, and taking myself away around the 19th to ensure I have space away from normal responsibilities to process grief and hold space for the emotions. On the actual day, it’s not unusual for me to feel quite numb and not sure what to do with myself, I think that’s the impact of having anticipated the day for the whole month. The day after a grief anniversary I usually feel like I have been hit by a bus physically and mentally, I suppose it’s an emotional hangover from the past few weeks. I try to plan for that and take the day easy. **From my perspective, these are the things that others do that help…** 1\. I love it when people talk about and share stories about Jake. It reminds me that he’s not forgotten. 2\. I love seeing or hearing of people honouring him in their own ways – going to his favourite place, eating his favourite food, having a drink in his honour. 3\. Receiving flowers is always a nice thing, it reminds me that I’m not forgotten. 4\. Supportive friends and family who let me know they were thinking of me but text rather than call, so I could focus on looking after my heart and emotions and respond later. **From my perspective, these are the things that others have done that do not help…** 1\. Asked me to commit to things on the anniversary. 2\. People who haven’t spoken to me in years decide to message on that day and hold expectations for a response. It’s one of the only days in the year where I really only have capacity for my own emotions. 3\. Close friends of mine and Jake’s who forget entirely. 4\. People imposing timelines/expectations on my grief. Grief is something you learn to carry, but it never goes away. It’s important to remember that grief isn’t bad – it’s usually just love with nowhere to go. Hold space for that when you need to. ❤️🌺 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Angelo's Journey July 30, 2025 # Angelo’s story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/User-Story-Images-March-2024-11-e1716161794926-1024x739.png) I met Angelo\* while working at a hospital in Brisbane. We met because his young son Billy\* had been born with serious health, intellectual and developmental issues. Now 5 years old, Billy was a very sick little boy. He could not move, eat or breathe without help and required around the clock care – which was mostly provided by his parents. When this little guy was born, Angelo and his wife lived together in a happy marriage, they had full time jobs, a lovely home with a manageable mortgage… and a happy and energetic 3 year old daughter. By the time I met Angelo, just five years later, he had separated from his wife (although they remained living under the same roof), they had both left their jobs to look after their son’s full time needs, they were looking to sell the family home as they could no longer make the repayments and their 8 year old daughter was confused, withdrawn and struggling to socially to connect to her peers. We met in the city where the hospital was located – an easy 30 minute drive from his family home – but a time consuming and difficult commute by bus. Angelo arrived late, frazzled and angry. He told me that he had recently fallen asleep at the wheel with his daughter in the car. Terrified of what could happen if he nodded off behind the wheel again, he had imposed a driving ban on himself. This meant that – along with all of his other losses… his wife, his job, his house, his financial security, his happy daughter, his own mental health – he had now lost his mobility. In the 5 years since Billy was born, Angelo had not had more than 3 hours of sleep a night. His son was attached to a machine with an alarm that would sound when his breathing was compromised – and this alarm went off frequently and would wake the whole family. Billy would often scream out in pain throughout the night and needed to be calmed and soothed. He also required regular feeds through his feeding tube. There were a range of tasks that had to be addressed every evening just to get Billy safely through the night – and these needed to be done by Angelo. Over the years, Angelo had become so exhausted that he was unable to complete basic tasks… reading, following a storyline on a TV show, remembering important events, having a conversation, and now driving. He was so consumed with the needs of his son he had neglected himself, his daughter and his wife. He was overweight, anxious, unhappy, angry… and unable to see how he could keep going. When I asked him what he needed right now, he simply said “sleep”. There was some urgency in Angelo’s situation. He was only just coping and I was very concerned for him and his family. He was asking for help and, with the support of an emergency respite agency, we were able to get someone to come to his home and provide some short term help during a couple of evenings so that the family could have some sleep. However – this was not a long term solution for Angelo and Billy. Respite is hard to access, is time limited and some families just do not want it. They want just a little bit more help all the time… so they do not get to the crisis point of requiring intensive respite just to survive. A couple of weeks later, I sat down with Angelo to work out how he could avoid getting to the point again when he felt he could not go on. We talked about his friends and family. People who had offered help over the years… but had eventually stopped as they were constantly rebuffed by Angelo and his wife who didn’t want the ‘pity’ of others. We talked about the ways these people might be able to help to support the family over the longer term. We spoke about how Angelo might go about initiating these conversations after all of these years. Angelo agreed to talk with his Aunty, his sisters and his four best mates from high school. These were the people in his life who he felt “really cared – not just say they care but then walk away”. He identified that regular sleep was the thing that he – and his family – needed the most. This was a little bit complicated as it required his ‘support crew’ to be trained in all of the machinery that Billy needed and they needed to be confident looking after him…. Angelo was not sure if they would be up for it… The next time I saw Angelo he looked like a different man. He was sitting up straight, was no longer constantly angry and shaking, and was speaking of the future with hope. “What has changed?” I asked him. He told me that his new ‘support crew’ had been thrilled when he asked for their help. They told him how painful it had been to watch him and his family struggle over the years and not be ‘invited in’. They had arranged a training session with the nursing team at the hospital and 12 of Angelo and his wife’s friends and family attended. They rostered on regular Saturday night shifts (in pairs until they built the confidence to do it alone). And Angelo and his family had been getting a stretch of 12 hours sleep every week since. Part of the benefit of having a roster of support is knowing that there are people who really care about you. People who know exactly what is going on in your life and have put their hand up to help out. Angelo got almost as much support from just knowing that the help was there… than the actual support itself (almost!). By going through the process of asking for specific help – and rostering people on to provide that help – he began to understand that these people were coming on the whole journey with him. They did not leave him when things got tough. They had been waiting there all along. “I honestly did not think I could keep going. I couldn’t think straight” he told me when I checked in on him a couple of months later. “I can’t tell you how much easier it is to cope with things when you know that help is on the way” he told me. “Reaching out for help saved my life”. _\*Image and name changed at users request_ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Lisa’s Support Journey September 20, 2025 # Lisa’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/linkedin-sales-solutions-VKJt1EZHlWs-unsplash-1024x683.jpg) Lisa lives in rural Victoria. She is in her mid-50’s, works as a teacher and has three children living at home. Over the past 5 years, she has also been the main carer for her ageing parents who live in the same town. Despite having 4 siblings living close by, Lisa – by default – had somehow taken on the daily care that her parents require and is close to burnout. Over the years Lisa has told her siblings that she needs more support but, although they told her they would help out, nothing changed. Lisa decided to try the Gather My Crew app as a last resort before she would have to make the decision to place her parents in residential care. Upon sending a digital invite to her siblings (along with their partners and children) she had a support crew of 15 people created within 3 hours. She rostered in all of the help her parents needed for the coming month (care that was normally left to Lisa to manage alone) and uploaded all the important documents in the app (including shopping lists, photos showing where medications were kept, details of the pharmacist and key medical contacts). When looking at the Gather My Crew app, Lisa’s family were shocked to see the amount of care that she was providing. Even though she had been telling them, they had not fully realised the extent of their parents’ care needs. The five siblings were motivated to come together to share the care load – making sure that Lisa was getting a regular rest from caring so she could focus on her own family and children. The app sent reminders for upcoming tasks and updated the support crew when there were new tasks that needed accepting. The support crew communicated together via the chat function which became a daily update on how the parents were going. Lisa’s support crew has now been going for 2 years. The siblings (and their extended family) have been working together in a coordinated and transparent manner to keep their parents independent and at home through the simple process sharing of responsibility and accountability – while also making sure lines of communication stay open. Lisa has told Gather My Crew that without the app, her parents would have been placed in residential care 2 years ago. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support From Afar March 10, 2024 # How To Support Someone From a Distance ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-21-1024x536.png) You care, but you’re not nearby. That can feel frustrating when most support seems to rely on practical, in-person tasks like running the kids around or mowing the lawn. But distance doesn’t mean disconnection. It just calls for a little creativity. **Here’s what helps:** **1\. Stay present, even from afar.** Consistent connection is powerful, even at a distance. When times are tough, social support often fades, not because people stop caring, but because they feel awkward, unsure, or scared of saying the wrong thing. Sometimes their own lives catch up with them, or the urgency of the situation fades in their mind. Don’t be that person. Stay in touch. **2\. Use a mix of platforms.** Not every check-in needs to be a deep and meaningful phone call. Rotate between: - Quick texts or voice notes (with a gentle “no need to reply” so there’s no pressure) - Shared Wordle scores or online games - A “FUNNY MEMES ONLY” WhatsApp group - Watching a show together, even while texting from separate couches - Good old-fashioned letters in the post (my fav) Different days call for different types of contact. Let them lead, but keep showing up in ways that feel light, supportive, and pressure-free. **3\. You can still help, practically.** If you’ve got the means, there’s plenty you _can_ do: - Send a supermarket gift card - Pay for a cleaner or Uber - Cover babysitting or dog walking - Organise a grocery delivery Just check the **Gather My Crew** app first. Make sure what you’re offering is actually needed. No one wants to send a meal to a fridge that’s already full. Your generosity is most powerful when it lands in the right place at the right time. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Josh’s Support Journey January 23, 2026 # Josh’s story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Joshs-story-1024x681.jpg) Josh and his young family had just moved to a new country town. His wife had some mental health issues that meant her ability to care for their children when under stress was unpredictable. He had 3 children under the age of 6 – and he was about to leave for a 3 week stint away for work. He was scared for his children and terrified his wife would not be able to cope in this new place with no one to call on if she was having a bad day. Josh contacted me in a panic. He needed to find people to help him…. But the Gather My Crew platform connects people in need of help to the support they have in their own community. It coordinates friends, family and neighbours to provide meaningful and practical help. What do you do if you don’t have this support network? I suggested to him that – given his situation – his new street represented the fastest way to build community and ‘gather a crew’ of people who could help out while he was away. He had nothing to lose from knocking on the doors of his neighbours, explaining his situation, and asking these people if they could step up to help his family for the next few weeks… In a country like Australia, where we are often ashamed to show vulnerability and ask for the help we need, this is exactly what this gorgeous, desperate, brave father and husband did. He knocked on 18 doors in his street that night. When people answered he introduced himself, explained his situation, and asked for help. Two hours later he returned back home… with a new community and ‘support crew’ he had not even realised was there. He had met… - 15 lovely people who offered to help his family - 8 who signed up to become part of his ‘support crew’ via Gather My Crew - 3 ‘hidden angels’ who followed him home to meet his wife and talk about exactly what they could do to help From this single act of wild bravery, he and his family found their new community and the help they needed to get through the next few weeks. While all 15 people he met helped out in a range of ways while he was away – taking out the bins, mowing the lawns, popping over for a chat, and even cleaning the gutters – the three women who came over to introduce themselves to his wife looked after his family like they were their own. They were all grandmothers. They all had families that had moved away. They were all looking for the connection and community that came with engaging with this young family. These women had been waiting for people to shower their love on… and, over the next weeks, they cooked, talked and played. They took his wife and the kids down to the local shops and introduced them around. They welcomed them into their sewing circle and bridge club. These strangers became more than a ‘support crew’… they became part of the family. And the benefits of this were felt by all involved. Josh contacted me while he was away with an update… sharing tales of new adventures for the kids and new friends for his wife. He was so thankful that he had been encouraged to knock on the doors of his neighbours, to share his vulnerability and to ask them for help. It had been completely life changing. In return, I am thankful that people like him exist in the world. People that are brave enough to do what needs to be done when things get really desperate. And to those wonderful women who opened up their hearts and lives to this young mum and her 3 daughters… what can we say? You are the living example of humanity and community. ❤❤❤ If you have a story to share about when you needed to reach out for help, we would love to hear from you. Help us to break the stigma around asking for help. Join the movement. _\*Image and name changed at users request_ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Asking for Help January 30, 2026 # Why does asking for help feel so uncomfortable? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-1-1024x536.png) You’re not alone if asking for help feels uncomfortable. It’s a very common feeling. But we need you to know this: asking for help isn’t selfish and saying yes to help isn’t weak. It’s human. It’s how we’ve survived for thousands of years. Somewhere along the way, we lost the village mindset. Now, asking for help can feel awkward or unfamiliar even though it’s one of the most natural things in the world. Most of us were never taught how to ask for or receive help, so when we suddenly need it, it can feel unsettling. **What helps:** **Know that you’re not a burden.** When you ask for help, you’re not taking something away from others. You’re inviting connection. You’re modelling community care, and showing that it’s okay to lean on people when things are hard. That permission matters more than you might realise. **Don’t let discomfort be the decision-maker.** The uneasy feeling that can show up isn’t a warning sign. It’s a sign you’re doing something unfamiliar. New things often feel awkward at first. Asking for, or accepting, help is a skill, and like any skill, it becomes easier the more you practise it. **Reframe asking for help as strength, not weakness.** You might see yourself as “in need,” but others don’t see vulnerability the way you do. What they see is someone brave enough to speak up. Most people respond to courage with care, not judgement. **Remember that letting people help you helps them too.** Helping others supports mental health. It releases feel-good hormones, strengthens relationships, and creates a sense of purpose. Many people report feeling more connected and uplifted for weeks after helping someone they care about. You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to start. And the **Gather My Crew** app is here to make it easier. 💚 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Finding Support Community March 10, 2024 # Need help but don’t feel you have anyone to ask? Read this ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-17-1024x536.png) Sometimes, but not often, I am contacted by people who need help but do not feel they have anyone to ask. They may be new to an area, socially isolated or estranged from their family. I always find these situations terribly sad – not because I believe that there actually is no one that is there to help (I have seen too many acts of extraordinary kindness, generosity and community since the launch of Gather My Crew to truly believe this). I am sad that we have got to the point where some people live so isolated from others that they don’t recognise that their community is actually all around them. They may not always be easy to see and we may actually need to do some work to find them –  and, in some cases, it might be necessary to go out and hunt them down… But they ARE there. Humans thrive on community and we have a natural propensity to want to connect and support others – particularly if we can see them struggling. If the terrible bushfires over summer have taught us anything – surely it has taught us that. The tricky thing about needing help when feeling isolated is that it seems impossible to find the energy or strength to do anything about it. It is challenging to put yourself out there when feeling vulnerable and alone. We totally get that. We also get that it can be hard to know where to start… so here are a few ideas… **Your street.** Community can be based on proximity and the people in your street represent a little community all on their own. Even if you have not had much to do with your neighbours, you will often find they are more than willing to help out with some of the more practical tasks of running a house. Think taking the bins out, collecting the mail, mowing the lawn and walking the dog. These are small tasks that can be integrated into their own routines – but they can have a big impact on feeling like you are not having to cope all alone. **Local council.** Local councils are a great place to find groups that may be running that will be full of ‘like minded’ people. You can have a look at what is happening in your local area and get involved. While this is not necessarily the best option to find people at the time of the crisis… it is a great place to start if you are feeling like you dont have any community and want make some changes. **Faith groups.** These groups often consist of people who are focused on looking out for vulnerable people and finding ways to meet their needs – and they often have groups of volunteers set up to do just that. Have a think about the faith groups that are around you and, if you feel an affinity with any of them, perhaps now is the time to reach out and connect. **Your workplace.** People often hide how serious their issues are from their workplace. This can be a serious missed opportunity. More and more businesses are becoming aware that they have a moral obligation to look after their staff beyond the work environment. Consider reaching out to people at work to let them know what is going on and ask for the help you need. And, don’t forget, you spend an awful lot of time with work colleagues so – whether you know it or not – they are actually one of the communities you belong to. **Schools.** Are you connected to a school? Schools are ready made communities. These hubs of connection and community are always gathering around those in need. Many schools even have ‘pastoral care coordinators’ or members of the parent council who specifically coordinate care for families going through difficult times. **Facebook groups.** Facebook has become an amazing ‘community builder’ in recent years with groups of people who live in the same area coming together to create meaningful connections and look after each other. You can search for your local ‘Good Karma Network’ or ‘Neighbourhood Group’, get involved and even ask directly for help. We know of situations where Good Karma Networks have created Gather My Crew accounts to transport someone to cancer treatment for 6 weeks. We know it can feel hard – but we also know people are good. They are waiting for you. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support Strategies January 30, 2026 # Not sure what they want from you? Read this ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-1024x536.png) When someone you care about is going through a tough time, it can be genuinely hard to know what kind of support they want or need in the moment. Do they want space or company? Are they overwhelmed by messages, or quietly feeling forgotten? There’s no perfect answer, and that uncertainty can make even the most caring people hesitate. We get it. It’s confusing. The good news is that you don’t have to get it exactly right. What matters most is staying connected and responsive. **Here’s what helps:** **1\. Don’t assume.** Tough times change people’s capacity. Messages that would normally feel comforting can feel overwhelming. Silence or slow replies aren’t rejection. They’re a sign someone is stretched, tired, or managing a lot internally. This isn’t a normal time for them. Show care anyway. Keep offering help. Keep including them, gently and without expectation. Take your cues from their energy, not from what you think should be happening. **2\. Ask with clarity and kindness.** Clear, low pressure questions reduce the emotional load for someone who’s already exhausted. They don’t have to guess what you want or worry about disappointing you. Try: “I want to be the best possible support for you. Do you feel like talking today, or not?” “When I come to clean the bathroom later, would you like to chat, or should I quietly take care of the task?” “Totally okay if you don’t feel like talking. Just letting you know I’m still here.” These kinds of questions give people choice, control, and relief, without forcing them to explain themselves. **3\. Match your support to your relationship.** Not every relationship carries the same kind of support, and that’s okay. A close friend or family member might offer emotional support or deeper conversation. A neighbour or colleague might be better placed to offer practical help like meals, errands, or transport. You don’t have to offer everything. Just offer what fits. **4\. Let the app guide you.** Task lists are helpful clues. If the task is “walk the dog” or “mow the lawn,” they likely need practical help. If it’s “sit with me during chemo” or “keep me company,” they’re asking for presence. Trust what’s been asked for. You’re not expected to read minds. **5\. Be willing to adjust.** Needs change, sometimes day to day or even hour to hour. What feels supportive today might feel like too much tomorrow. Keep checking in. Stay flexible. Be kind to yourself if you don’t always get it right. Showing up, paying attention, and being willing to adapt. That’s what real support looks like. 💚 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Coping with Disappointment January 30, 2026 # What to do when the people you thought would show up, haven’t ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-2-1024x536.png) It can really hurt when the people you expected to step in don’t. Sometimes it’s disappointing. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking. And sometimes it’s surprising who does show up instead… Here’s what we know: **It’s not always about you.** People often want to help but don’t have the confidence or the words. They might feel awkward, afraid of saying the wrong thing, or unsure what’s actually needed. **Life catches up with people.** They may care deeply, but work, family pressures, health issues, or their own crises can limit their capacity to step in, even when they wish they could. **Some people just can’t.** For emotional, practical, or personal reasons you may never see, they don’t have the capacity to help in the way you hoped or needed. Here’s what helps: **Focus on who is here.** The crew you’ve built, whether close friends or unexpected supporters, are the people showing up. Their presence matters, even if it wasn’t who you imagined. **Keep the door open.** Those who didn’t show up this time may be able to in the future. Circumstances change, and capacity can return. **Let go of the “shoulds.”** Support rarely arrives in the neat package we picture. Try to see the help you are receiving as real and valuable, even when it comes from unexpected places. You deserve support. Sometimes it just comes from different people than you pictured. And this can actually be really beautiful… 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Understanding Grief Support January 10, 2026 # She was just 15 when she died ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-15-1024x536.png) AUTHOR: Dr Susan Palmer I had met her a few months earlier. She had just been told by her oncologist that she had only weeks to live. Her doctors thought that talking to a psychologist might help. When we met, she was equal parts angry, heartbroken and terrified. She would lash out at those around her. Suddenly drop to the floor weeping. Sit in total silence for entire sessions with me. I was a young psychologist at the time. Not many years out of my training. And I felt totally out of my depth as I struggled to support her through her grief. After one particularly difficult session, I headed straight to the office of my mentor. She was a social worker with over 35 years’ experience working with cancer patients. She had sat with countless patients as they came to terms with their own mortality and had been with many as they took their final breath. I was looking for her guidance. I was desperate to learn from her wisdom. I wanted her to tell me how I could do better. How I could be a better psychologist. How I could ‘help’ this young girl as she fought to make sense of her own mortality. She listened to me in the quiet and patient manner that she has and then said… “You are trying to fix this. She already has enough people around her trying to fix this. Be the person that can just sit with her and handle all of her emotions. Be the person that will not change the topic or pretend her pain isn’t real. Be the person that will walk alongside her; who will follow her lead. Be the person that can feel her pain – but doesn’t walk away from it. You cannot fix this. But you can make sure she does not go through this alone”. This was THE single most powerful learning experience of my career. I am sharing this because I know many of you have felt the same way I did when sitting so close to someone who is grieving. You have felt the need to make it better. You have felt inadequate or that you were not ‘doing it right’. You have felt certain that others would know how to handle grief better than you. But what if that is how we all feel when faced with grief and loss. What if feeling ‘out of our depth’ is a totally normal response to witnessing another person’s unimaginable pain. What if, next time someone you know is grieving, you do not assume that others know how to deal with this better than you. What if you just sat with them, feeling uncomfortable, knowing they are in terrible pain and you can not fix it… Does it help to know that sitting in silence may be the best thing you can do? We can all offer that. 💙 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Ways to Help Others March 10, 2024 # Top 10 ways you can help ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-18-1024x536.png) When someone we know is going through a tough time, it’s natural to want to help. Many of us show that care by sending flowers or cooking a meal. And while those gestures come from a place of love, they don’t always meet the practical, day to day needs of someone who is struggling. Often, what helps most isn’t the traditional response. It’s the practical support that quietly keeps life going. Gather My Crew encourages people to think more broadly about how they can help. To pause and consider which actions will have the greatest impact for the person who needs support, right now. Helping doesn’t need to involve a huge sacrifice. Small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference when they are well considered and matched to what someone actually needs. **A good place to start is by putting yourself in their shoes and asking, “What would help me in this situation?”** If they social isolated – think about a visit for a cup of tea. If they are needing medical care – offer to take them to an appointment. If they have young kids – suggest a play date or sleepover at your place to give them a rest. If they have older kids – think about how you can help with the logistics of activities. If they live next door – take their weekly bins out. If you are a close friend or family member – offer to change the bed sheets! **Here are the top 10 help requests shared through the Gather My Crew app…** Come for a visit Cook dinner Transport to an appointment Take kids to school Do the laundry Bake lunch snacks Walk the dog Make lunchboxes Take the carer out Arrange a playdate Practical help, offered with thought and care, can turn a hard time into something more manageable. 💛 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Talking About Tough Times January 30, 2026 # How can I tell if they want to talk about it? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-3-1024x536.png) When someone’s going through a tough time, it can be hard to know whether they want to talk about what’s happening or would rather focus on something else. The good news is that you don’t have to guess. Clear, gentle communication can take the pressure off both of you. Here’s what helps: **Ask directly and gently.** Simple, open questions reduce uncertainty and give your friend control over the conversation. Try: “Do you feel like talking about it today, or would you rather chat about other things?” “I’m happy to talk about it if you want, or we can stick to lighter stuff.” This approach shows care while making it clear that either option is okay. **Watch their cues.** People often communicate their needs through behaviour as much as words. If they change the subject, give short answers, or seem distracted, follow their lead. If they bring it up themselves or linger on details, that is usually a sign they are open to continuing the conversation. **Be okay with switching.** Someone might want to talk one moment and not the next. Needs can change quickly, especially when things feel overwhelming. Try not to take it personally if the conversation shifts direction. **Keep the door open.** A simple “I’m here if you want to talk about it later” lets them know the option is always there, on their terms. You don’t have to get it perfect. What matters most is showing that you care, respecting their boundaries, and staying connected. 💛 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Tiny Joys Matter January 30, 2026 # Finding time for the tiny joys ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-4-1024x536.png) When you’re going through a tough time, joy can feel distant or even inappropriate. But experiencing small moments of joy doesn’t make the hard stuff disappear, and it doesn’t mean you’re suddenly okay. Joy and tough times can exist side by side. While joy might not take away what you’re carrying, it can make it a little lighter to hold. Even brief moments of relief can help your nervous system settle and give you a small pause from the weight of everything. Research shows that intentionally finding just 15 minutes a day for something joyful can support mental health, lower stress, and even help physical recovery. This doesn’t mean adding another task to your list. It means noticing or creating a small pocket of time that’s just for you. If you can, try to make space for tiny joys like: - **Simple sensory comforts** - A really good cup of tea or coffee, drunk slowly - Fresh sheets or a freshly made bed - Sitting in the sun for a few minutes - A favourite scented candle or essential oil - A bubble bath - **Nature and outside moments** - Watching clouds move - Listening to birds or rain - Watering plants or standing in the garden - Feeling grass or sand under your feet - Opening a window and taking a few deep breaths - **Quiet connection** - Sitting near someone without talking - Looking at old photos that make you smile - Patting a dog or cat, even someone else’s - **Creative and soothing** - Jigsaw puzzles or word games - Playing music softly in the background - Rearranging flowers or leaves in a jar - **Gentle movement** - Stretching in bed or on the couch - A very slow walk around the block - Rocking in a chair - Lying on the floor and looking at the ceiling - **Little treats** - Your favourite snack without sharing it - Ice cream straight from the tub - Chocolate you actually savour - Your 15 minutes doesn’t need to be planned, productive, or perfect. If all you can manage is a few minutes, that still counts. It’s simply a gentle reminder to your brain that says, “There’s still some good here.” When you’re ready, try to find time for the tiny joys. They’re small, but they matter. 🦆 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Mental Health Support January 30, 2026 # Is this more than a tough time? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-5-1024x536.png) When you’ve been in the trenches for a while, it can be hard to tell where understandable stress ends and something more serious begins. When life has been heavy for a long time, it’s easy to normalise feeling unwell. If your sleep is off, your appetite has changed, you feel teary, flat, or numb most days, or the things that once brought you joy just don’t anymore, it might be time to gently check in with your mental health. You might notice other signs too. People close to you may have commented that you seem different. You might be pulling back socially, cancelling plans, or avoiding connection. Motivation might feel out of reach, and even small, everyday tasks can feel exhausting. These aren’t personal failings. They’re signals. Mental health needs care sometimes, just like physical health does. When something has been under strain for a long time, it deserves attention and support. You don’t have to navigate this alone. A good place to start is your GP. They’re a safe, practical first step and can help you work out what support might be helpful next. You can also talk to someone in your crew. Letting someone know what’s been going on can ease the load more than you expect. Needing mental health support doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you. It means your brain is doing its job and letting you know that you’ve been carrying a lot. And it’s okay to need help with that. 💙 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Tasks into Care January 30, 2026 # Turning tasks into care ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-6-1024x536.png) Practical help keeps life moving. It gets the jobs done and lightens the load. But when someone is having a hard time, it’s often the personal touches that make the biggest difference. A small, thoughtful gesture can turn an ordinary task into something that feels deeply caring. It says, “I was thinking about you,” without needing a long conversation or the right words. These moments of warmth can help people feel seen, remembered, and supported, especially on days when everything feels heavy. Here are some easy ways to add a little extra warmth: - Add a Post it with a note or a joke to a meal delivery - Leave a flower or a sprig of herbs from the garden after mowing the lawn - Write “done with love” on the task note in the app - Write a kind message or draw a small sketch on the outside of a meal container - Add a fun fact on a sticky note with the groceries - Drop off an easy read book you’ve loved when delivering a prescription - Tie a bright ribbon or bow around the bin handle after bringing it in - Leave a little wrapped chocolate on top of the folded laundry pile - Pop a sachet of hot chocolate or a fancy teabag in with the mail you’ve collected - Drop a postcard from a local café or gallery in with the groceries as a surprise Small touches turn routine jobs into reminders of care, connection, and kindness. 🌻 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Offering Support When Helping January 30, 2026 # Ask ‘with you’ or ‘for you’ when offering help ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-7-1024x536.png) When someone is going through a tough time, support can feel complicated. You want to help, but you don’t want to overwhelm them, take over, or accidentally make things harder. What feels supportive to one person can feel frustrating or disempowering to another. That’s because support isn’t one size fits all. Some people want company and shared effort. Others need things taken off their plate so they can rest or focus on getting through the day. And what someone wants can change from task to task, or day to day. **Here’s what helps:** Before you jump in, ask: “Would you like me to do this with you, or would it help more if I just take it off your plate?” **Doing it with someone** might look like preparing a meal side by side, gardening together, going with them to pick up a prescription, accompanying them while they run errands, or sitting in on an appointment. This approach supports independence while also offering connection. **Doing it for someone** might look like dropping off a week’s worth of freezer meals, mowing the lawn while they rest, picking up groceries, or handling admin so they don’t’t have to. This approach reduces load and creates breathing space. “Asking with you or for you” is a simple way to respect autonomy, protect independence, and still provide meaningful care. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support for Caregivers January 30, 2026 # Make time for the carer too ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-8-1024x536.png) Behind every person in need, there is often a carer quietly carrying the daily load. Carers juggle appointments, medications, emotions, logistics, and worry, often while trying to keep life running for everyone else. Their role can be invisible, especially when all attention is focused on the person who is unwell. Carers often put their own needs last. Many feel guilty stepping away, even briefly, or worry that asking for help makes them seem ungrateful or incapable. Over time, this constant holding can lead to exhaustion, isolation, and burnout. Supporting the carer is not an extra. It is essential. When carers are supported, they are better able to keep going, and the whole household benefits. Here’s what helps: **Give them time out.** Offer to do something that is just for them, like going to the movies, taking a walk, sitting in a café, or booking a massage. Even short breaks can help carers reset and breathe. **Encourage support for them too.** Remind them that it is okay to post tasks in the app that support their needs, not just the person they are caring for. Their wellbeing matters. **Offer respite at home.** Staying with the person in need for a few hours can allow the carer to truly switch off without worry. Knowing someone they trust is there makes a big difference. **Check in with them directly.** When you ask how things are going, include them too. A simple “How are you doing?” can help carers feel seen, not just useful. Supporting the carer supports the whole household. 💛 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Offering Help Easily January 30, 2026 # Offering help so it’s not awkward ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-9-1024x536.png) When someone is going through a tough time, accepting help can feel surprisingly hard. Even when they need support, they may worry about being a burden, taking too much, or inconveniencing others. The way help is offered can make a big difference. Certain phrases lower the emotional barrier and make it easier for someone to say yes without guilt or discomfort. Here are a couple of simple language shifts you can try. **Use “I’m already doing it language”** Help often feels lighter when it doesn’t sound like a favour. Framing support as something you are already doing makes it feel natural and easy to accept. Here’s what helps: “I’m heading to the shops anyway. I’ll grab bread and milk for you while I’m there.” “I’m putting my bins out. I’ll roll yours down too.” “I’m cooking pasta tonight. I’ll make double and drop some over.” These kinds of everyday offers remove pressure. They make help feel woven into normal life, rather than something extra that needs to be repaid or acknowledged. **Use “You’d be doing me a favour” language** Sometimes people hesitate to accept help because they don’t want to feel like a burden. Flipping the script can help. When it sounds like they are helping you out, the dynamic shifts and dignity stays intact. Here’s what helps: “I baked too much cake. You’d be doing me a favour by taking some.” “I bought extra groceries and don’t want them to go to waste. Can you use them?” “My kid is driving me nuts. Can yours come over for a playdate?” This kind of language makes support feel mutual rather than one sided. It creates connection, not obligation. Small changes in wording can make a big difference. When help feels easy to accept, people are far more likely to say yes and get the support they need. 💙 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Community Support Matters January 30, 2026 # Community is not the backup plan. We are the plan ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-10-1024x536.png) When someone in your community is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. The reality is different. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many people going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a back up plan quietly kicking in. Most of the time, there is just us. Neighbours. Friends. Colleagues. School parents. Footy mates. Community. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. A neighbour brings dinner. A colleague walks the dog. A friend does the school pick up. Small acts add up to something powerful. No one left alone. No one left carrying it all. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. Let’s do this. ⭐ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Chanel's Cancer Journey November 1, 2023 # Chanel’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_3246-1024x768.jpeg) My story began mid-May 2022. I was 37 years of age, and with very mild symptoms, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. I was at the time my son had just started Prep, my partner was embarking on the first year of setting up his own business and I was a few months in working from home at a new job. My world went into a spin of appointments, scans, blood tests and I was into surgery within 2 weeks of diagnosis. I wasn’t allowed to drive for 4 weeks so had to rely on family and friends to get me around. I then started my first round of chemo. I would have chemo fortnightly and didn’t feel great. Being a busy Mum I didn’t have time to stop and rest – I had to accept help (which I am forever grateful for). I set up my Gather My Crew app. My friends cooked me soup, walked my dog, helped with pick ups from appointments, school pick ups for my son and taking him to swimming lessons. I even set up pick ups and drop offs for chemo. **I loved it as I didn’t have to “ask” people for help each time. They just accepted the things they could help with in the app.** I had 12 rounds of chemo in total. My first operation was a bowel resection. In October 2022 I had 80% of my liver removed and my gallbladder. In total I was hospitalised for about 2 months. My immune system was weak, I caught every germ my son could harvest at school. In early March 2023 I had my last round of chemo. I am currently in remission. I am closely monitored by my health team. I am forever grateful for those who helped. **Even those who didn’t physically help, the emotional support was everything**. I hope to use my experience to help others, cancer can be a lonely road. It’s hasn’t been easy but my crew have been great. I’m also preparing for more surgery so will fire up the app again. It was really helpful and meant no one got burnt out from helping me out. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Community Care Matters April 27, 2026 # School community is not the backup plan. We are the plan. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/033-cheerful-child-heart-sunglasses-thumbs-up-grass-1024x536.jpg) When a family in your school community is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many school families going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a backup plan kicking in. Most of the time, there’s just us. Teachers. Parents. School staff. Grandparents on the morning drop-off. Fellow school families. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely and often it’s the kids who feel it most. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. Here are just some of the small ways you can make a big difference for a family at your school doing it tough. - Have the kids over for a playdate so parents can get some rest. - Help with school drop-offs or pick-ups. - Wash school uniforms and sports uniforms. - Drop off lunchbox fillers and kid-friendly meals. - Make sure siblings of sick kids still make it to after-school activities. Small acts add up to something powerful. No child left unsupported. No family left carrying it all. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. Let’s do this. ⭐ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Hidden Angels of Support February 13, 2025 # We call them hidden angels ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-22-1024x536.png) AUTHOR: Dr Susan Palmer They are the people who, before everything changed, you never would have described as part of your inner circle. And yet, when times get tough, they are the ones who keep turning up. They’re not your closest friends. They’re often not the people you expected to be there. They are the quiet, unexpected supports who emerge during your hardest days and, in doing so, become one of the most precious parts of the experience. It might be the neighbour three doors down, someone you’d only ever waved hello to. An old school friend you haven’t seen in ten years. A parent from your child’s class. A work colleague you never socialised with. Someone you chat to at the dog park. These are the hidden supports. I was reminded of the power of these people this weekend when I read a comment by Rosie Batty in _The Age_. She shared that, “People that you think are going to go the distance… you look around and realise you no longer hear from them.” She spoke honestly about the sense of abandonment and rejection that can follow. And then she added the part that matters just as much. The upside, she said, is that “amazing people come in.” It can be hard to witness someone else’s pain. The discomfort, the helplessness, the fear of saying the wrong thing can cause people to step back. And when that happens, those who are already struggling can be left feeling very alone, at the exact moment community matters most. **But walking among us are what we call ‘hidden angels’.** They are the people who step forward when others step away. The ones who move beyond “let me know if you need anything” and instead show up, again and again. The ones who help in quiet, practical ways and, in doing so, build deep and lasting connections. To all the hidden angels out there, this is for you. Thank you. You are the definition of empathy. You are what community looks like when it really counts. 💛 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Workplace Community Support April 27, 2026 # Workplace community is not the backup plan. We are the plan. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/022-excited-college-students-cheering-indoors-1024x536.jpg) When a colleague is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many people going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a backup plan kicking in. Most of the time, there’s just us. Colleagues. Managers. Work friends. The person who sits across the desk. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. - Offer to drive them to and from work if you live nearby. - Organise lunch so there’s something on their desk without them having to think about it. - Help rearrange deadlines or shift project loads so their workload feels manageable. Small acts add up to something powerful. No colleague left unsupported. No one left carrying it all alone. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. **Let’s do this. ⭐** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Community Support Action April 27, 2026 # Sports club community is not the backup plan. We are the plan. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/71-1024x536.png) When someone in your sports club is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many club members going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a backup plan kicking in. Most of the time, there’s just us. Teammates. Coaches. Club volunteers. The people cheering from the sideline every week. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. Here are just some of the small ways you can make a big difference for a teammate or club member doing it tough. - Organise transport to and from training and games. - Wash and return their kit so they’re not adding it to an already full plate. - If they can’t make it to games or social events, keep them in the loop so they still feel part of the crew. - Pitch in with household tasks like mowing the lawn, a bit of housework, and the jobs that pile up when life gets hard. - Help cover registration fees so staying connected to the club isn’t another thing to stress about. Small acts add up to something powerful. No teammate left unsupported. No one left carrying it all. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. **Let’s do this.** **⭐** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Right Help Guidance February 10, 2024 # How to provide the RIGHT help ![Community support](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/helping-1024x683.jpg) When someone we know is going through a tough time, it is a natural response to want to offer some help. Many of us show our desire to help by giving flowers or cooking a meal. And while these offers of support come from a place of love… there are also many other practical ways we can assist someone doing it tough. Gather My Crew encourages people to think more broadly about the ways they can help someone in need. To think about what action will have the greatest impact. It does not need to be an act of huge sacrifice on the part of the support person – small actions can have a big impact if they are well considered and targeted to the specific needs of the person requiring the help. Here are some of the ways you can have the greatest impact when providing help and support to someone you care about. **1\. Think about what would help you in their situation** The first step towards making a real difference to someone needing support is to ‘put yourself in their shoes’. - If they social isolated – think about a visit for a cup of tea. - If they are needing medical care – offer to take them to an appointment. - If they have young kids – suggest a play date or sleepover at your place to give them a rest. - If they have older kids – think about how you can help with the logistics of activities. - If they live next door – take their weekly bins out. - If you are a close friend – offer to change the bed sheets, clean the bathroom or do the laundry. **2\. Remember that everyone is different** It is important to be aware that the same offer of support will not be the best fit for everyone. What has worked for someone before, may not work for the next person. People are different, their home situation is different, their capacity to do things will be different and the issue they are facing will be different. As part of their support Crew, we all need to be mindful of these differences when we are trying to target the best possible way we can help. We want to have IMPACT not just ‘tick a box’. **3\. Things change** Many people going through something difficult are in it for a period of time. Throughout this time, things will change for them. Support that was essential early on may no longer be as pressing. Other new and different needs may pop up along the way that need to be addressed. It is important to remember that things do change throughout this journey and it is recommended that you check in with the person along the way. You want to avoid the situation where a family has 3 months’ worth of lasagna in the freezer but no one to take the kids to footy training that started 2 weeks ago. **4\. Talk to family and close friends** People can be very uncomfortable about asking for help or identifying the help they really need. We find that people are often more comfortable accepting specific help if it has been suggested by someone close to them. Friends and family are very good at identifying what would make the biggest difference to the person in need. So, if you are unsure what the best way to help is, get the input from the family and their close friends to target the help needed. Ask family and friends what help they think would have the biggest impact and offer up some of your own ideas for feedback. **5\. Normalise the offer of help** People often feel uncomfortable asking for help so it is important to normalize this process as much as possible. Help the person in need understand that this is just a normal way that community works. It is not a sign that people think they are not coping. It is how community used to operate in previous generations and we are bringing it back in a digital context. It is important to remember that everyone will need help at some point in their lives and this is just their turn to be on the receiving end. Make the offer to help really low key and simple. **6\. Don’t say ‘let me know how I can help’** How often have you said that to someone going through a tough time? We have too – before thinking about the impact it has. When we say “Let me know how I can help”, we put all of the responsibility to request help back on the person who is in total chaos and distress. When you really think about it, in order for them to turn that offer into something useful to them, they will need to… - Realise that we genuinely mean it - Identify what help they actually need - Work out who the best person is to ask for this help - Find the courage to contact this person and ask - Find the same courage to ask the next person when the first person was not available… - And then find the energy to do all of this again and again… In many ways, saying “let me know if I can help” is a way to make the person doing the offering feel better that they have said something – without really thinking about what is best for the person in need. If you REALLY want to help – you need to find a way to make it easier for the person in need to actually take you up on your offer. **7\. Talk to the person (or their family) about setting up a Gather My Crew account** To get the most out of the help that is on offer a simple way to pull it all together is essential. Gather My Crew allows people to select the help they need, invite friends and family to lend a hand, and then coordinates it all via a shared calendar. Friends can be a great source of support in setting up and administering a Gather My Crew account – but it is important that the family is aware of the Crew so make sure you get their permission first. So – once all of those things have been considered, here are the top 10 help requests from Gather My Crew… - Cook dinner - Do the laundry - Come for a visit - Bake lunch snacks - Transport to an appointment - Take kids to school - Walk the dog - Make lunchboxes - Take carer out - Arrange a playdate **8\. When offering help make sure you are CLEAR, SPECIFIC and CHECK IN on them throughout their journey to see if anything has changed for them** It can be hard to know what to do when someone you care about is doing it tough but we hope with these tips, you feel more confident about where to start. ❤ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support in Faith Communities April 27, 2026 # Faith community is not the backup plan. We are the plan. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/69-1-1024x536.png) When someone in your faith community is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many people going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a backup plan kicking in. Most of the time, there’s just us. Fellow worshippers. Leaders. Volunteers. The people who share the same values and gather in the same space. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. Here are just some of the small ways you can make a big difference for someone in your faith community doing it tough. - Offer lifts to and from worship so they can still show up when getting there feels hard. - Be present. Offer to visit, call, or simply sit with them. - Pray with them or for them, in whatever way feels right. - Help with household tasks. Every day jobs pile up when life gets overwhelming. - Have the kids over for a playdate so parents get a moment to breathe. Small acts add up to something powerful. No one in the community left alone. No one left carrying it all. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. **Let’s do this. ⭐** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Monica's Caregiving Journey February 17, 2024 # Monica’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Monica-Pattison.jpg) Recently, I lost my brother, Joseph, to prostate cancer. I was his primary carer. Over the last months of his life, he became more dependent on me to drive him to appointments, as well as manage his other care needs. I was struggling. In fact, I was breaking. Friends and family offered to help but coordinating that on top of everything else was overwhelming. I considered a shared online calendar but setting that up took more focus than I had at the time. And then I remembered hearing a podcast, in which Mia Freedman recommended an app that helped organise meals for a friend recovering from surgery. I couldn’t remember the name but a google search found me Gather My Crew and I knew that I’d found the answer to our problem. Within a week, I had set up the tasks and our crew. Joe had drivers for his thrice weekly hospital visits for transfusions and to see his oncologist. Not only did this give me a little respite, it meant Joe got to catch up with friends from all the parts of his life. His friends and family could know when and where help was needed which allowed them to show Joe that he was supported. Joe was humbled and comforted by the circle that gathered around him. And as his needs escalated, and he could no longer cook for himself, it became a running joke as to which of his ‘crew’ made the best breakfast or dinner. I think one of the major strengths of the app is that it took the pressure off both the person asking for help and the person giving help. It can be a very hard thing to do, ask for help. It can also be very hard to refuse a request even if it is not a ‘task’ you really feel up to. I cannot thank you enough for easing the load during what was an extremely difficult time. I have told everyone I know about your wonderful app. I have let them know that even though they might not need it at this moment, to lodge it somewhere so that when the time comes, they, like me, can bring it forward. I have been surprised that medical staff, general practitioners, palliative care staff had not heard of Gather My Crew… Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Community Support Plans April 27, 2026 # Community group is not the backup plan. We are the plan. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/046-stylish-older-couple-enjoying-road-trip-yellow-convertible-1024x536.jpg) When someone in your community group is facing illness, crisis, or caring for a loved one, it’s easy to assume they must be getting help somewhere else. Government services and formal supports can help in some situations, but they rarely cover everything. Even when support exists, it usually addresses only a small part of what people actually need day to day. Many members going through tough times are carrying far more on their own than we realise. There isn’t a hidden team of professionals waiting in the wings. There isn’t a backup plan kicking in. Most of the time, there’s just us. Community members. Book club friends. Sewing circles. Rotary members. Dog walking groups. Running crews. If we don’t step in, the load stays heavy and lonely. But when people chip in, even in small ways, the weight of care is shared. Here are just some of the small ways you can make a big difference for a community group member doing it tough. - Offer lifts to and from group meetups. - Drop off meals so they have one less thing to think about. - If they can’t make it for a while, keep them in the loop so they still feel part of things. - Help with household tasks. The everyday jobs that pile up when life gets hard. Small acts add up to something powerful. No member left unsupported. No one left carrying it all. We’re not the back up. We are the plan. **Let’s do this. ⭐** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Gather My Crew Tips April 27, 2026 # 5 tips for workplaces using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/024-cheerful-office-workers-racing-desk-chairs-1024x536.jpg) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for workplaces to coordinate practical support for a colleague going through a tough time. Anyone can get a crew together quickly. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the person first** No crew gets set up without the person’s permission. Have a simple conversation. Let them know you’d like to help coordinate some support and ask if they’d be comfortable with that. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set it up themselves or whether they’d prefer someone to do it for them. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If they’d like help setting things up, nominate one person to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. It’s also worth adding the person in need as an Admin, along with one or two people from their wider circle who might want to add tasks or invite people. Admins have the same permissions as the Captain. Two or three is plenty. **4\. Think beyond the workplace** Covering meetings and shifting deadlines are a great place to start. But colleagues can do so much more. Lifts to and from work, freezer meals, grocery runs, having the kids over for a playdate. Make sure the task list reflects the full picture of what someone needs, not just what happens between 9 and 5. **5\. Make it part of workplace culture** The workplaces that do this best are the ones that treat it as standard practice. A colleague is doing it tough, so the team pulls together. No fuss, no fanfare. Just people looking out for each other. The more normal it becomes, the easier it is for people to say yes to help. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Jacinta's Experience February 17, 2024 # Jacinta’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gather-my-crew-2-1024x768.jpg) I first heard about your app from a friend from school. I was in need of someone to liaise with our amazing support network. Our daughter Audrey is 7 yrs old and has TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex), Epilepsy and ASD. She is such a beautiful and precious girl, who has endured multiple brain surgeries. This latest was to remove a brain tumour. The app allowed us to let people know our needs both at RCH in Melbourne and at our home in Geelong. The app allowed me to give updates but also took away the constant need to reply to everyone which is very exhausting. I loved that I could create different Info boards, for those who wanted updates, wanted to pray and a very special one, those who wanted to donate to our daughters “bunny fund”. I had previously created chat group where I could update people on our daughter as she went through surgeries but had never seen anything like your app before. It was easy to use, although I did have the blessed problem of not being able to fit everyone into one group. This posed more work and logistical issues with a few weeks of 2 lots of meals being delivered. But I really can’t complain. In all this, the app was a huge blessing. Thankyou Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Tips for Sports Clubs April 27, 2026 # 5 tips for sports clubs using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/71-1024x536.png) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for sports clubs to coordinate practical support for a member going through a tough time. Anyone can get a crew together quickly. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the person first** No crew gets set up without the person’s permission. Have a simple conversation. Let them know the club would like to help coordinate some support and ask if they’d be comfortable with that. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set it up themselves or whether they’d prefer someone to do it for them. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If they’d like help setting things up, nominate one person to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. It’s also worth adding the person in need as an Admin, along with one or two people from their wider circle who might want to add tasks or invite people. Admins have the same permissions as the Captain. Two or three is plenty. **4\. Think beyond the club** Transport to training and help with kit are a great place to start. But club members can do so much more. Lawn mowing, grocery runs, meals, help around the house, keeping someone in the loop when they can’t make it to games. Make sure the task list reflects the full picture of what someone needs, not just what happens at the club. **5\. Make it part of club culture** The clubs that do this best are the ones that treat it as standard practice. Someone is doing it tough, so the club pulls together. No fuss, no fanfare. Just people showing up for one of their own. The more normal it becomes, the easier it is for people to say yes to help. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Gather My Crew Tips April 27, 2026 # 5 tips for faith communities using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/004-help-others-chalk-art-rainbow-asphalt-1024x536.jpg) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for faith communities to coordinate practical support for someone going through a tough time. Anyone can get a crew together quickly. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the person first** No crew gets set up without the person’s permission. Have a simple conversation. Let them know your community would like to help coordinate some support and ask if they’d be comfortable with that. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set it up themselves or whether they’d prefer someone to do it for them. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If they’d like help setting things up, nominate one person to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. It’s also worth adding the person in need as an Admin, along with one or two people from their wider circle who might want to add tasks or invite people. Admins have the same permissions as the Captain. Two or three is plenty. **4\. Think beyond worship** Lifts to worship and meals are a wonderful place to start. But faith communities can offer so much more. Household tasks, grocery runs, sitting with someone for company, having the children over for an afternoon. Make sure the task list reflects the full range of what your community can offer. **5\. Make it part of community culture** The faith communities that do this best are the ones that treat it as standard practice. Someone is going through a tough time, so the community comes together. No fuss, no fanfare. Just people caring for one of their own. The more normal it becomes, the easier it is for people to say yes to help. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Supportive Role of Friends January 20, 2024 # The essential role played by friends and family ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/friendship-1024x681.jpg) AUTHOR: Dr Susan Palmer A few years ago I was working as a psychologist supporting people with cancer and I sat down with a woman who had just finished her last chemotherapy treatment. You would expect this to be a happy time – triumphant even – but the first thing she said to me after enduring months of horrid treatment was ‘I wish I was dead’. She went on to explain that she feels there is no point being alive when she has lost all of her friends, her place within her local community, and she has no one who understands what she has just lived through… You see, throughout her very lengthy cancer journey, friends had fallen away. They were busy with their own lives, embarrassed by what the illness was doing to her, ashamed by their own feelings of helplessness, unsure what to say or how to say it… and so they simply avoided her. And now, here she was at the end of this life-changing experience and she felt totally alone. She did not know how to reconnect with these people and build up her community again. Friends, family and community play an ESSENTIAL role in supporting people going through tough times. Humans thrive on connection with others. We need to know that people care about us and that someone ‘has your back’ when times get tough. **So – next time you hear about someone you know doing it tough and wonder what you can do to help, know this…** You don’t need to ‘fix it’, you can’t take the pain away, you don’t need to have the ‘right thing’ to say – you just need to be there for them. ❤️ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Gather My Crew Tips April 27, 2026 # 5 tips for neighbours using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-children-helping-in-garden-practical-tasks-1024x536.jpg) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for neighbours to coordinate practical support for someone on their street going through a tough time. You don’t need a formal role or an official title. You just need to be willing to take the first step. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the person first** No crew gets set up without the person’s permission. Have a simple conversation. A knock at the door and a few minutes is enough. Let them know you’d like to help coordinate some support from the street and ask if they’d be comfortable with that. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set it up themselves or whether they’d prefer someone to do it for them. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If they’d like help setting things up, nominate one person to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. It’s also worth adding the person in need as an Admin, along with one or two people from their wider circle who might want to add tasks or invite people. Admins have the same permissions as the Captain. Two or three is plenty. **4\. Think about what actually helps day to day** Bin nights. Lawn mowing. Grocery runs. Prescription pickups. A meal dropped at the door. Playdates for the kids. These are the things that keep a household running when someone is struggling. Build a task list around the practical realities of daily life, not just the obvious gestures. **5\. Make it the kind of street you’d want to live on** The neighbourhoods that do this best are the ones where looking out for each other is just what people do. Someone is doing it tough, so the street pulls together. The more normal it becomes, the easier it is for people to ask for help and to offer it. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Gather My Crew Tips April 27, 2026 # 5 tips for community groups using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/043-three-young-women-sharing-drinks-and-looking-at-phone-1024x536.jpg) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for community groups to coordinate practical support for a member going through a tough time. Whether you’re part of a book club, a running group, Rotary, or any other community group, anyone can get a crew together quickly. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the person first** No crew gets set up without the person’s permission. Have a simple conversation. Let them know the group would like to help coordinate some support and ask if they’d be comfortable with that. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set it up themselves or whether they’d prefer someone to do it for them. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If they’d like help setting things up, nominate one person to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. It’s also worth adding the person in need as an Admin, along with one or two people from their wider circle who might want to add tasks or invite people. Admins have the same permissions as the Captain. Two or three is plenty. **4\. Think beyond the group** Transport, meals, groceries, walking the dog. The best task lists go beyond what happens at group meetups and into the practical realities of everyday life. Think about what someone actually needs to get through the week and make sure those tasks are in there. **5\. Make it part of group culture** The groups that do this best are the ones that treat it as standard practice. Someone is doing it tough, so the group pulls together. No fuss, no fanfare. Just people showing up for one of their own. And make sure to keep them connected — share updates, loop them into group news, let them know they’re still part of things even when they can’t be there in person. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Help Families In Need April 27, 2026 # There might be a family at your school who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/72-1024x536.png) Schools are remarkable places. Every day, hundreds of people move through the same gates, drop off at the same kerb, and stand in the same playground. There’s so much connection happening and yet, some families can be right in the middle of it all and still feel completely alone. When a family is going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, they often go quiet. Sure, they keep dropping off and picking up. They smile at the gate. They might even stay on top of school emails. But it doesn’t mean they don’t need help. It often means they don’t know how to ask for it. **So how do you spot a family that might need support?** Everyone’s different and there’s no exact science to this. But if something feels off, it probably is. Here are a few things that might be worth noticing. - A family who joined the school recently and hasn’t quite found their people yet. - A parent who used to chat at pick-up and has gone quiet. - A family who has stopped coming to school events they used to attend. - A parent who looks exhausted in a way that goes beyond the usual tired. - When grandparents or someone unfamiliar suddenly starts doing school pick-up or drop-off. Of course, none of these things automatically mean someone is doing it tough. Sometimes people are just tired, busy, or naturally quiet. And that’s completely fine. This isn’t about making assumptions. It’s about making yourself available. A warm smile, a genuine hello, a specific offer. So that if someone does need support, they know where to find it. And if they don’t you’ve just been friendly. Here’s how to do that well. **If you’re not sure how things are, they’re a private person, or you don’t know them that well:** Sometimes the kindest offer is one that doesn’t require them to explain anything. Keep it casual, specific and make it easy for them to say “yes”. - ” I can cover school drop-offs next week, would that be useful?” - “We’re having some kids over for a playdate on Saturday. Would \[NAME\] like to come?” - “I’m heading past footy training anyway this week. It makes sense for me to swing past and grab \[NAME\] on the way.” **If you know they’re doing it tough:** If you know a little more about what’s going on, you can go a little further in what you offer. Always keep it specific. - “I can cover school pick-up this week. Would it also help if I threw \[NAME\]’s uniform and PE kit in with ours?” - “I can take \[NAME\] to dance this week. Will it be useful if I drop off some lunchbox fillers when I bring her home?” - “Would you like a lift to your appointment on Wednesday, or would it be more helpful if I nipped in and changed the bed sheets for you?” You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people did one thing each, no one person is left doing 12 things. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple for school communities to organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything so there are no duplicated lasagnes turning up, and it makes everything clear, so everyone knows exactly how to help. School communities are powerful. Make sure no one at the school gates has to struggle through a tough time alone. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Help Colleagues at Work April 27, 2026 # There might be a colleague at work who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/023-happy-multicultural-couples-relaxing-at-home-1024x536.jpg) Most of us spend more waking hours at work than almost anywhere else. So, we get to know our colleagues well. We know when someone takes their coffee black, we notice when they’ve had a haircut, and we can usually tell when something feels a little off. And yet, when a colleague is going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, the workplace is often the last place they feel they can say so. They keep showing up. They attend meetings. They say “I’m fine” in the kitchen. And all the while, they might be carrying something enormous, with very little support around them. You see the people you work with most days. That puts you in a position to notice when they’re going through a tough time. And when you notice, you can do something simple that makes a real difference. You don’t need to know the full story to offer meaningful help. Here are some ways to do that. - “We live so close to each other. Can I pick you up next week, so you’ve got one less thing to think about?” - “I know you’ve got a lot on at the moment. Would it help if I dropped lunch at your desk for the next couple of weeks?” - “I had a big cook up on the weekend and I’ve run out of freezer space. Can I bring you some freezer meals tomorrow?” - “Our kids go to the same school. Would \[NAME\] like to come for a playdate on Tuesday?” You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. That’s what happens when a group of people come together and step in. That’s a crew. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple to bring that crew together and organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear, so everyone knows exactly how to help. Work communities are powerful. Make sure no one on your team has to struggle through a tough time alone. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Help Your Sports Club April 27, 2026 # There might be someone in your sports club who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/030-female-soccer-team-posing-on-football-pitch-1024x536.jpg) It starts with a missed training. Then another. Then they’re not at the game. At first, it’s easy to assume they’re just busy. Life gets full. Things come up. But sometimes, something else is going on. When someone is going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, staying connected to the club can become one more thing to juggle. Training. Games. Getting there. Having the energy for it. So, they stop coming. And once they stop coming, it’s very easy to lose that connection altogether. You’re in a position to notice that. And when you notice, you can do something about it. You don’t need to know the full story. You just need to make one thing a little easier. Here are some ways to do that. - “I’m heading to training anyway. Want a lift this week?” - “I’ll grab your kit and wash it with mine. One less thing to think about.” - “Can’t make the game? I’ll keep you posted so you’re still across everything.” - “I’ve got a bit of time this weekend. Want me to take care of the lawns or a few things around the house?” - “Our kids go to the same training; I’ll swing past and pick yours up if you like.” Remember, you don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. That’s what happens when a group of people come together and step in. That’s the power of a crew. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple for sports clubs to bring that crew together and orgnise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear, so everyone knows exactly how to help. Sports clubs are powerful community hubs. Make sure no one in your club has to go through a tough time on their own. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support Your Community April 27, 2026 # There might be someone in your faith community who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/036-woman-making-heart-shape-with-hands-close-up-1024x536.jpg) Faith communities are built on the belief that we are stronger together. That showing up for one another matters. That no one should have to carry things alone. And yet, even in communities built on exactly that foundation, people fall through the cracks. When someone’s going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, they can go quiet. They might stop coming to worship. They might pull back from the people and the place that could help them most. Not because they don’t want support, but because asking for it feels hard. Or because they don’t want to feel like a burden. When you notice someone might be going through a tough time, you’re in a position to do something about it. You don’t need to know the full story to be supportive. - “We’re heading to worship this weekend. I can swing past and pick you up if you like.” - “Would the kids like to come over for a few hours on Saturday?” - “I’m popping to the shops. I’ll pick you up some basics like eggs, milk and bread. Is there anything else you’d like?” - “I’m free on Sunday afternoon. Would it be more useful for me to come and sit with you, or would you like me to do a couple of loads of washing ready for Monday?” You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. That’s what happens when a group of people come together and step in. That’s the power of a crew. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple for faith communities to organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear, so everyone knows exactly how to help. Faith communities are powerful. Make sure no one in yours has to go through a tough time alone. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support Neighbours Together April 27, 2026 # There might be a neighbour who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/020-multigenerational-diverse-group-sharing-coffee-outdoors-1024x536.jpg) We often know more about our neighbours than we realise. We notice when their car hasn’t moved in a few days. When the bins go out late, or not at all. When the lawn that’s always neat starts getting long. Or a neighbour you used to see regularly hasn’t been spotted in a while. These can be signs that someone is going through a tough time. Of course, none of these things automatically mean someone is doing it tough. Sometimes people are just busy or away. This isn’t about making assumptions. It’s about making yourself available. A wave, a knock, a specific offer. So that if someone does need support, they know where to find it. And if they don’t, you’ve just been a good neighbour. Here’s how to do that well. - “I’ll grab your bins while I’m putting mine out tonight.” - “I’m heading to the supermarket this afternoon. I’ll grab you some basics like milk, bread and eggs. Text me if there’s anything else you need.” - “I’m mowing the lawn this weekend. It makes sense to do your verge while I’m at it.” - “I made way too much dinner last night. Can I drop some over?” - “I’ve got the kids this weekend. Would yours like to come over for a playdate?” You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. That’s the power of a crew. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple for neighbours to come together and organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear so everyone knows exactly how to help. Neighbourhoods are powerful. Make sure no one on your street has to go through a tough time alone. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Community Care Support April 27, 2026 # There might be someone in your community group who needs your help. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/018-colorful-letters-spelling-community-on-chalkboard-1024x536.jpg) Community groups come in all shapes and sizes. Book clubs. Dog walking groups. Rotary. Running crews. What they all have in common is people who show up regularly because they want to be part of something. But when someone’s going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, the groups they love can become the first things to give. That’s where you come in. Keep them included even when they can’t be there. Share updates, loop them into decisions, let them know they’re still part of the group. And if you can, make it easier for them to stay connected by taking a few things off their plate. You don’t need to know the full story to be of help. - “I’m driving past yours on the way. I’ll pick you up.” - “I’m doing a grocery run this week. I’ll pick you up some basics like milk and bread. Text me if you need anything else.” - “The kids would love to walk the dog this week. Can we come and grab Buddy after school on Tuesday?” You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. That’s the power of a crew. The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) makes it simple for community groups to organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear so everyone knows exactly how to help. Community groups are powerful. Make sure no one in yours has to go through a tough time alone. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Easier Ways To Ask April 27, 2026 # How to make it easy for people to help you ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-6-1024x536.png) When someone says, “let me know if there’s anything I can do,” most of us smile and say, “I’m fine, thanks.” Not because we are fine, but because turning a vague offer into actual help feels like yet another thing to organise on an already full plate. Another conversation to manage. Another moment where you have to ask for something. Here’s the thing though: most people who offer really do want to help. They’re just waiting to be pointed in a direction. And there are some simple ways to make that easier for everyone. **Be specific** “Help with the kids” is hard to say yes to. “Could you do school pick up on Thursday?” is easy. Specific asks give people something concrete to grab onto and remove the guesswork, the awkwardness, and the back-and-forth that can make asking feel harder than it’s worth. The clearer you are about what you need, the more likely you are to get it. **Break big tasks into small ones** Large tasks can feel overwhelming to ask for, and equally overwhelming for someone to accept. The trick is to break them into smaller pieces that fit into a normal day. Instead of “I need help cleaning the house” break it down to one room and reach out to a few different people. That way no one person is cleaning the whole house, but 3 or 4 people are spending 15 mins cleaning one room each. Small tasks are much easier to say yes to and spreading them across a few people means no one person feels overloaded, and more people get the chance to help in ways that actually fit their life. **Turn vague offers into tangible tasks** Next time someone says, “let me know if you need anything,” take them up on it. Reply with one or two specific things: “Actually, could you grab a few groceries on Saturday?” or “Would you be up for coming over Wednesday evening?” You don’t need to give a big explanation or apologise for asking. One simple, concrete thing is enough. **Say yes when help lands in your lap** If someone says, “I’m heading to the shops, need anything?” say yes. Even if it’s just a loaf of bread. Every time you accept help, you’re making it easier for people to keep offering. Every time you wave it away, even with the best intentions, you make it a little harder for them to offer again next time. **Want to skip the awkward conversations altogether?** That’s exactly what the Gather My Crew app is designed for. Instead of reaching out to people one by one and asking directly, you list all the help you need in the app, broken into specific, manageable pieces, and share it with your crew. They can see everything that’s needed and choose the tasks that work for them, in their own time. It’s the easiest way to communicate what you need and keep everything organised in one place. And it means the people who want to help you can show up, without the guesswork. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Need Help? You're Not Alone April 27, 2026 # When you feel like you should be able to handle this alone ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-5-1024x536.png) There’s a particular kind of exhaustion that comes not just from the tough situation you find yourself in, but from the story running underneath it. The one that says you should be coping better. That other people manage just fine. That needing help means something’s wrong with you. That you’re weak and a burden. If that sounds familiar, this one’s for you. Feeling like we _should_ be able to cope is an understandable response to a culture that’s spent decades telling us that independence is the goal, self-sufficiency is the measure of a capable adult, and needing people is something to be grown out of. Most of us absorbed that story so early and so completely that we don’t even notice it’s there until we’re white knuckling our way through something we genuinely cannot do alone. The problem is the story isn’t true. It never was. Every human being who’s ever lived has needed other people. The idea that we should be able to manage illness, grief, crisis, or caregiving entirely on our own is not a high standard. It’s an impossible one. And holding yourself to it doesn’t make you stronger. It just makes everything harder and lonelier than it needs to be. There’s also something worth sitting with here: the people in your life who want to help you aren’t doing it out of obligation or pity. They’re doing it because they care, and because being useful to someone feels meaningful to them. When you keep saying you’re fine because needing help feels like a personal failing, you’re not just making things harder for yourself. You’re also taking something away from the people who wanted to show up. Letting people help you is not a concession. It’s not admitting defeat. It’s choosing connection over the performance of coping, and that takes more courage than going it alone ever does. Being human is not a solo sport. We’ve always needed each other. It’s not a design flaw, it’s our superpower. Don’t let a story that was never true be the reason you carry this by yourself. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Ask for Help April 27, 2026 # Not sure what to ask for? Here’s where to start. ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/042-muslim-family-three-generations-smiling-at-smartphone-1024x536.jpg) When you’re in the thick of a tough time, the mental load is already enormous. Being asked to also identify, articulate, and delegate your needs on the spot can feel impossible. And yet that’s exactly what happens when someone says, “let me know how I can help!” Here at Gather My Crew, we understand that overwhelm can often lead to people not getting the help and support they need. So, if you’re thinking “I don’t even know what help I need right now”, here’s a starting point. These are the ten most common things people ask for through the Gather My Crew app. Have a read and see what jumps out. Anything that would take even a small weight off your shoulders is worth asking for. 01. Cook dinner 02. Transport to an appointment 03. Take the kids to school 04. Do the laundry 05. Drop off groceries 06. Walk the dog 07. Help with some light housework 08. Give the carer a break 09. Arrange a playdate 10. Come for a visit Think about what keeps your household running on a normal week and notice where the gaps are appearing. That’s where to start. And you don’t have to limit yourself to this list, it’s just here to help you consider what might be useful. **Let the app do the organising for you** The free [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) was built for exactly this moment. You literally just list the help you need and if you’re not sure where to start, we have prompts to guide you. Then you invite your crew and they can see everything in one place and simply accept the tasks that work for them. No group chats, no repeating yourself, no keeping track of who said they’d do what. As your situation changes, you can update your list. Different week, different needs… the app moves with you. And if setting it up feels like too much right now, ask someone you trust to do it for you. Handing your phone to a friend and saying, “can you sort this?” is a completely valid first ask. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Tips for Schools March 10, 2024 # 5 tips for schools using the Gather My Crew app ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-16-1024x536.png) The [Gather My Crew app](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/gather-my-crew-app/) is a simple and powerful way for schools to coordinate practical support for families going through a tough time. A school representative can set up an account and get a crew together quickly. Here are 5 things to keep in mind. **1\. Always check with the family first** No crew gets set up without the family’s permission. Have a simple conversation. Let them know your school regularly coordinates this kind of support for families who could use a hand through a tough time and ask if they’d like to have a crew set up for them. Reassure them that they’re in control of the tasks that get listed, who gets invited, and who sees what. **2\. Check whether they already have a crew** They might already have a Gather My Crew account set up by someone in another part of their life. If they do, offer to join it rather than starting a new one. If they don’t, ask whether they’d like to set the crew up themselves, whether they have someone they’d like to nominate to do it for them, or if they’re happy for your school representative to do it. **3\. Nominate a Captain and a couple of Admins** If the family would like help setting things up, nominate a school representative to be the Captain. The Captain creates the account, builds the task list, and invites the crew. You can also add a couple of admins who have the same permissions. It might be an idea to allocate these roles to close friends of the family and of course the family themselves. **4\. Think beyond the school gate** Transport to and from school and lunchbox fillers are a great place to start. But the school community has so much more to offer. Meals, grocery runs, help around the house, after school playdates, lifts to after school activities. Make sure the task list reflects the full picture of what a family needs, not just what happens during school hours. **5\. Make it part of school culture** The schools that do this best are the ones that treat it as standard practice. A family is doing it tough, so the school community pulls together. No fuss, no fanfare. Just people looking out for each other. The more normal it becomes, the easier it is for families to say yes to help. _If you need any help getting your account set up, visit our [FAQ page](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/) or email our [support desk](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/app-support/) at. A real person will read your enquiry and get back to you._ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Ongoing Post-Treatment Support April 27, 2026 # When treatment ends, the support shouldn’t ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-4-1024x536.png) Finishing treatment is worth celebrating. It’s also, for a lot of people, one of the more disorienting moments of their cancer journey. The structure that held everything together suddenly disappears. Appointments, check-ins, a medical team around you, people showing up with meals and messages. Then the final treatment session ends and the world more or less exhales and moves on. Except you haven’t quite caught up yet. Finishing treatment is not the same as being okay. Recovery from cancer isn’t just physical. The emotional weight: fear of recurrence, grief for the version of yourself that existed before, exhaustion that runs deeper than tired, can actually intensify once the busyness of treatment stops. Some people describe a strange kind of loss when it ends. The scaffolding comes down, but the building isn’t fully standing yet. And the physical reality doesn’t just switch off either. Fatigue from treatment can last months. Side effects don’t stop at the final appointment. The body has been through something significant, and it takes time, sometimes a long time, to find its footing again. **If you’ve finished treatment, remember:** - There’s no deadline on needing support - Asking for help months after treatment ended is not weakness - People aren’t bored of you. They still want to help - Be specific about what you need. - “I’ve got a check up on Tuesday. Will you come with me?” - “I’m wiped today. Could you take the kids for a couple of hours?” **If you’re part of their crew:** - Treatment ending doesn’t mean it’s over for them - Don’t assume they’re okay just because the appointments have stopped - Check in around the big dates, follow-ups, scans, anniversaries - Fatigue can last a long time after treatment. Keep offering specific, practical help, especially when they seem tired Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support After Injury April 27, 2026 # Helpful help after an accident or injury ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-3-1024x536.png) When someone in your crew is recovering from an accident or injury, the instinct to help is immediate. That instinct is kind and we think it’s wonderful. But help that hasn’t been thought all the way through can sometimes create more work for someone, not less. Before you offer, think about what they can and can’t do physically right now. Because half finished help can be just as frustrating as no help at all. **Think it through to the end** - If you put a load of washing on, can they hang it out? - Are there jars they can’t twist open in the groceries you’re dropping off? - Taking out the bins? Amazing. Likelihood is they’ll also need help bringing them back in - Dropping off meals? Wonderful! Make sure it’s in a container they can open, lift and reheat on their own - If you offer a lift somewhere, think about whether they can get in and out of the car easily and the accessibility of where you’re going The question to ask yourself before you help is: can they finish what I’m starting? If the answer is no, adjust the help. **Ask before you assume** Different injuries affect different things. A shoulder injury is not the same as a knee injury. A concussion is not the same as a broken leg. Before you decide what kind of help to offer, ask what’s difficult for them right now. A simple “what are the things you’re struggling to do at the moment?” will help you help in a way that’s… helpful! **Be consistent** Recovery from a serious accident can take weeks, months, or sometimes longer. The help that makes a real difference is consistent. It doesn’t die down after the initial shock wears off. It keeps showing up for as long as it’s needed. Small, specific, thought all the way through. That’s what makes the difference. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Emotional Recovery Insights April 27, 2026 # It’s not just physical ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-2-1024x536.png) When someone has a serious accident or injury, the focus is immediately and understandably on the physical. The broken bones, the surgery, the rehabilitation. And those things matter enormously. But the body is often only half the story. The emotional aftermath of a serious accident can be just as significant as the physical recovery, and it can take a lot longer. Trauma doesn’t heal on the same timeline as a fracture. Anxiety, fear, grief, a changed sense of safety in the world, these things don’t show up on an x-ray and they don’t have a discharge date. **What the emotional recovery can look like** Every experience is different, but for many people recovering from a serious accident or injury, the emotional load can include: - Fear of it happening again - Anxiety in situations that feel similar to the accident - Grief for the life, mobility or independence they had before - Frustration at a body that isn’t working the way it used to - Depression, particularly during long or difficult rehabilitation - A changed sense of identity, especially if the injury affects work or daily life - Feeling like they should be over it by now **If that person is you:** - Physical recovery and emotional recovery are not the same thing. Be compassionate with yourself - Struggling emotionally after a serious accident is not weakness, it is a normal response to something frightening and significant - You’re allowed to still need support, long after the cast comes off **If you’re part of their crew:** - Keep checking in, even when the physical recovery seems to be going well - Ask how they are actually feeling, not just how the injury is healing - Don’t assume that looking better means feeling better - The emotional recovery often peaks just as the physical recovery starts to plateau, stay close during this time Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Maintaining Independence April 27, 2026 # How to maintain their sense of independence ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-1-1024x536.png) When someone we love is getting older and needs more support, the instinct is to jump in and help them. But help that takes over, even with the best intentions, can feel like a loss of independence, dignity and control. There’s a difference between doing something _for_ someone, and something doing it _with_ them. And for an older person who has spent a lifetime doing things independently, that difference can mean everything. **A simple question to ask** “Would you like me to do this with you, or would it help more if I just take care of it?” **Doing it with them might look like:** - Cooking a meal side by side - Accompanying them on a dog walk - Taking them to the shops so they can choose their groceries **Doing it for them might look like:** - Delivering a meal - Walking the dog for them - Picking up and dropping off groceries Neither is better than the other. It depends on the person, the task, and the day. The simple act of asking “ _with_ you or _for_ you” respects their autonomy and reminds them that they are still in charge of their own life. That is not a small thing. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Caring Support Resources April 27, 2026 # When caring feels heavy ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/044-happy-senior-man-in-wheelchair-with-family-outdoors-1024x536.jpg) Caring for an ageing person doesn’t look like a crisis from the outside. But on the inside, it can be consuming, complex and exhausting. There’s the practical load. The appointments, the medications, the phone calls, the paperwork, the logistics of a life that increasingly needs managing. That part is visible, at least to you. And then there’s everything else. The anticipatory grief of watching someone you love change. The role reversal. The isolation of carrying something that’s almost impossible to explain to anyone who hasn’t been through it. If you’re caring for an elderly person right now, here’s what we want you to know: - Accepting help doesn’t mean you’re not coping - Wanting a break doesn’t mean you love them any less - People want to help you. You just need to tell them how You don’t have to ask your crew to take over the caring for you. But you can ask them to support you while you do it. What would make your life easier right now? - A few dinners dropped at your door - A school run or two - Dropping off groceries - Picking up prescriptions - Or maybe sitting with your person so you can have a break Caring for the people we love as they age is a community responsibility. You don’t have to do this alone. Gather your crew. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Caring for Caregivers April 27, 2026 # Who’s caring for the carer? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/041-senior-woman-talking-with-female-caregiver-1024x536.jpg) Most of the time, caring for an elderly person doesn’t start as a full-time job. But it can end up like one and often, it falls on the shoulders of one or two family members. If you know someone who’s caring for an elderly person, they’re probably managing an enormous amount, on top of work, family, and their own life, week after week, with very little support. You can help lighten their load. **What the carer in your life might actually need** - Help with their own household – school runs, grocery shopping, a load of washing or two - Someone to sit with their person for a while so they can have some time out - A low-pressure check in that’s about them, not about how their person is doing - The Gather My Crew app! Simple, safe, private. The best way to coordinate useful help the carer actually needs. Setting up a crew is quick and easy so offer to do it for them if they’re too overwhelmed right now Remember, it’s our community responsibility to care for the people who are caring. Even one or two tasks off someone’s plate can make a big difference. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Helping Loved Ones with Cancer April 27, 2026 # When someone has cancer ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Content-Images.-Website-244-1024x536.png) When someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, it can feel heavy. You want to help, fix, and make it better. That instinct is human, and it’s beautiful and we think you are wonderful for caring so much. It’s also natural that your own stuff comes up. This nifty little guide is here to help you centre them (because, with love, it’s not about you). And to give you the confidence to show up in ways that are useful and compassionate. **Here’s what your person really needs from you.** **What they’re dealing with** Cancer affects every corner of someone’s life. It comes with: - Appointments, scans and blood tests - Side effects like fatigue, nausea and brain fog - Immune vulnerability - Medication schedules - Paperwork and admin - Disrupted routines - Emotional overload Your support can help. Here’s how. Your words are important and while we know that everyone’s different and there’s no perfect script, there are some phrases that tend to land better than others. **Avoid saying:** - “Let me know if you need anything” - “Stay positive” - “Everything happens for a reason” - “I know someone who had this and they were totally fine” - “You’re so strong, so brave, so inspiring” - “At least…” **Try instead:** - “I don’t know what to say, but I’m here.” - “Let me take XXX off your plate this week.” - “Thinking of you, no need to respond.” - “I’m going to be here for you though this.” **Practical ways to help** Flowers are lovely but not particularly handy. What people really need is meaningful, compassionate help to get through the day to day. There are no formal services coming to walk the dog or change the bed sheets. The most useful thing you can do is offer specific, practical help. - Lifts to appointments - Waiting room company - Meals - Pharmacy runs - Errands - Childcare - Household jobs, especially on fatigue days - Low pressure check-ins One of the easiest, simplest and safest ways to ensure all needs are met and no one doubles up (no one family needs 8 lasagnes turning up in the same week), is the Gather My Crew app. Offer to set the app up for them (it’s quick, safe and simple). **Be mindful of immune vulnerability** Some treatments lower immunity, which makes even a small cold risky. Check before visiting and offer alternatives like doorstep deliveries, outdoor catch-ups or virtual calls. A simple “I’m cold free and RAT tested, would a visit help today?” goes a long way. **The moments that matter most** Scan days and results days are heavy. A message before and after can make them feel less alone. Add “no need to reply.” Remember the dates that live large for them: follow-up appointments, anniversaries etc. **Consistency is everything** Cancer is a marathon. Small, steady support makes the biggest difference. Keep showing up, offering specific, practical help. And remember, you can’t fix it. But you can make sure they don’t have to carry it alone. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Long-term Disaster Recovery April 27, 2026 # Disaster recovery is a marathon, not a sprint ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/51-1024x536.png) When disaster strikes, communities show up. It’s one of the most beautiful things about people. The donations pour in, the volunteers arrive, the meals get dropped off, the social media posts go up. And for a moment, the person or family going through it feels held. And then the news cycle moves on. The donations dry up. The volunteers go home. And the family is still standing in what’s left of their house, trying to work out how to talk to their insurance company, get the kids to school, and hold it together, with a fraction of the support they had in week one. This is the gap. And it’s where you come in. **What recovery actually looks like over time** Disaster recovery can take months. Sometimes years. The visible crisis passes quickly. The invisible one doesn’t. In the weeks and months after a disaster, families are often navigating: - Complex insurance claims and paperwork - Temporary living situations that are exhausting and disorienting - Children who are unsettled, anxious and out of routine - Financial strain that compounds over time - The emotional weight of loss, not just of belongings but of a home, a sense of safety None of this is resolved in the first fortnight. **How to show up for the long haul** - Offer specific practical help that matches where they are. Shelter and a hot meal might matter in week one. Help with insurance paperwork might be the most useful thing you can do for them in week two. A working bee might be what they need in month four. - Don’t assume that because they seem to be coping, they don’t need support anymore. Keep checking in, offering specific, practical help and remember their needs may change over time. - Keep the crew coordinated. The free Gather My Crew app makes it easy to respond to changing needs over time. Recovery and rebuilding take time, and needs will shift along the way. Keep checking in, keep showing up, and stay responsive to what actually helps in each moment. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Asking for Help January 10, 2026 # A story about asking for help ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Let-me-talk-about-stuff.jpg) This is the story about an amazing woman who was one of the first users of Gather My Crew. She was a sole parent to two young boys after her husband died from cancer 5 years earlier who now found herself facing her own cancer fight having been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was understandably overwhelmed with fear at the thought of leaving her children orphaned – and her children were scared to let their mother out of the sight. She had many gorgeous friends around her that had offered to help – but she had not taken them up on their offers and, as the impact of the chemotherapy began to take hold, she found herself unable to manage the everyday tasks of looking after her boys and running the household. Understanding the situation, her breast care nurse provided her with information about Gather My Crew and this is where we see how powerful it is to reach out and ask for help. This strong, resilient, powerful woman tells the story of how she went to bed with her iPad one evening feeling completely overwhelmed. She set up her Gather My Crew account and listed all of the help she needed over the coming 8 weeks – meals for the boys, help with the laundry, transport for the kids to school and activities and a companion to come with her to chemotherapy treatments. In the morning, she woke to find that every single task she had listed had been accepted. She had a full calendar of support from the people in her own network – and many were sending her messages requesting that she add more tasks so they could offer even more help. There were even friends who had missed out on accepting her request for help that were still available for support… In the space of 12 hours, she went from feeling isolated, overwhelmed and alone to feeling completely supported. This is the power of Gather My Crew. If you find the strength within yourself to ask for the help you need – we will be there to make it happen for you. We’ve got your back. Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Gather My Crew's Origins May 6, 2024 # How Gather My Crew began ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Content-Images.-Website-244-7-1024x536.png) AUTHOR: Dr Susan Palmer I have spent almost 20 years supporting people and families going through crisis. As a psychologist, my job involves helping people find a way through the chaos and confusion. Supporting them to put one foot in front of the other until they can find their way out of the darkness. Regardless of the issues they face, our discussions always include talking about ways to engage with their support network to make sure they got the practical help they needed to get through the months ahead. I have seen over and over again that there are often friends, family, neighbours and colleagues standing by ready and able to to help… but who don’t know how to offer help or what help is most needed… And so they cook. As the awful news begins to spread through the community, the lasagna starts to pile up at the front door. Each meal is made with love and care by someone wanting to help – but meals are not always the most practical way to support a family in need. As a psychologist, I would talk to families about turning these ‘lasagna-shaped parcels of love’ into the help they really needed. When a friend asked “What can I do to help?” or said “Shout out if you need anything?” – I would encourage them to respond immediately and specifically with what they most needed at that time. I would suggest they create a list of all of the practical help they needed so they would have an answer ready to go – or even even turn this list into a roster that would keep all of these offers of help in one place… Then, in 2016, a friend of mine was in trouble. She was due to have back surgery and would be out of action for six weeks. She was from overseas, had no family in Australia, was a mum to five-year-old twins, and her husband had used up all of his leave in the lead-up to her surgery. I decided to do for her what I had always encouraged others to do – to create a list of all of the things she needed help with and turn it into a roster so that friends could help out. After emailing the class list at school to ask who was able to help, then talking to my friend about the practical help she needed in order to stay afloat, I found myself with 30 helpers and a list of chores as long as my arm: school drop-offs and pick-ups, transport to and from hospital, laundry, house cleaning, after-school care, meals, grocery shopping and so on. So now what? It was through this personal experience that I realised how hard it is to actually coordinate specific and practical help when going through a crisis. Text messages, ring-arounds, spreadsheets and late-night phone calls are difficult, time consuming and often just too much for someone to manage when they are already in the turmoil of a serious life crisis. I wanted to help my friend but didn’t have the free time to coordinate all the assistance she needed with all the wonderful people who had offered to help. It was a ‘lightbulb’ moment when I realised that something I had been encouraging people to do for years in my clinical practice – was virtually impossible to achieve in my private life. And that’s how Gather My Crew began… After talking with my colleagues around Australia looking for an easy, ‘online help roster’ that would make this level of coordination a breeze… I was shocked to discover that nothing like it existed and that none of my psychologist friends were able to recommend such a tool to any of their patients. This was when the hustle really began – and 12 months later Gather My Crew was launched. Created based on the expertise of people who had ‘been there, done that’, as well as the clinicians who supported them, Gather My Crew exists to make sure people going through a crisis get the right kind of help from all their well-meaning friends, family, neighbours and colleagues – without all of the stress that usually comes with coordinating help via traditional means. Gather My Crew is a registered charity. We provide our easy to use app to the public for FREE. I encourage anyone who needs help, wants to provide help, or wants to build a community of support in their neighbourhood to download the app today. After all – we will all need help at sometime in our lives… Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Support for Families June 26, 2025 # Do they really need another lasagne? ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-Facebook-Ad-19-1024x536.png) At the local primary school my children attended, we were quick to rally around families who were doing it tough. We became experts at baking cakes, lasagnes, and casseroles, and we prided ourselves on our collective ability to support a family by providing their evening meal for a full school term if needed. Our school community became so good at this that we even purchased a couple of chest freezers. These were regularly delivered to the homes of families in need and filled with lovingly prepared meals. The intention was beautiful. The reality was more complicated. Although driven by goodwill and a strong desire to do something helpful, this approach often failed to address the most pressing challenges families were facing. In some cases, it unintentionally created extra stress. Families were grateful, of course. But many quickly became overwhelmed by the volume and repetition of meals. Children refused to eat the fourth lasagne of the week. Parents felt guilty about food going uneaten and frustrated at having no flexibility. Tension crept in when well-meaning parents asked for their glassware back, or followed up in the playground about meals they had provided. What started as care sometimes added pressure at a time when families had very little capacity to manage more. **So the question becomes this:** How do we better harness that love and goodwill and turn it into support that truly helps? There’s a longer answer to that question, and it includes tools like the Gather My Crew app, which allows families to identify exactly what they need and when. But there’s also a simple shift anyone can make right now. Instead of defaulting to another meal, think about what would help a family get through the next couple of days. Start with a simple care box. A care box offers flexibility, dignity, and practical relief. It supports daily life, not just dinner. Here are some ideas to get you started. As always, let your knowledge of the family and what you would want in their situation guide you. **Everyday essentials** Toilet paper, toothpaste, milk, bread, dishwashing liquid, soap, breakfast cereal, and fruit are used daily and often run out when life is chaotic. **Lunchbox and snack items** Sandwich fillings, bread or rolls, school snacks, baked goods, and cut up fruit can remove the daily stress of feeding children or carers looking after someone at home. **Simple meal ingredients** Items for quick, low effort meals such as pasta and sauce, tacos or wraps, homemade pizza, or salad ingredients allow families to choose when and how they eat. When we think differently about how we support people doing it tough, our help becomes more meaningful and more effective. Small, thoughtful shifts can have a huge impact. 💜 Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Jacqueline's Inspiring Support November 3, 2023 # Jacqueline’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/jotform-gw8CRwGEDZk-unsplash-1024x684.jpg) One of the very best things about Gather My Crew is that any one can use it. **Anyone can be THAT person. The one who puts their hand up to coordinate help for someone needing support.** In this story, it was Jacqueline. Jacqueline was not the partner. She was not the sister. She was not the best friend. Jacqueline was a work colleague. A colleague that saw another person in need of help – and then made it happen. Here is how Jacqueline tells her story… _I coordinated help using Gather My Crew for our work colleague who sadly lost her husband._ _I sent a request out and lots of colleagues downloaded the app. People were more than happy to help out. So many people said what a great idea it was getting it all done with the help of the app._ _Our friend could not believe all the help she was receiving from work colleagues._ _We focused on scheduling drop offs of essentials, such as bread and milk, dinners, baked goods and fruit._ _It provided her with support during the time and for many weeks after._ _She was extremely grateful._ Remember this story next time someone in your ‘orbit’ is struggling. **Perhaps you can be THAT person…** _\*Image has been changed_ Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/) ## Stephanie's Journey November 3, 2023 # Stephanie’s Story ![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image4-1024x768.jpeg) It was a few days after I had gutted our laundry and bathroom when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was overwhelming. I remember thinking that this couldn’t be happening because I was in the middle of renovating and I really needed to get that done. When my breast care nurse sent me a welcome pack, there was a link to Gather My Crew. I knew I didn’t have the brain space to coordinate help while processing what treatment was going to look like and coming to terms with the upheaval of life I was experiencing. I made a Facebook post as a response to the many kind “let me know if I can help” messages I had received. I am grateful that many of my friends, family and colleagues jumped on board and joined my crew. The practical tasks were a lifesaver – not only for the everyday needs like meals, watching kids, washing, etc., but also for help with completing renovating tasks to get the bathroom and laundry finished. It was a true team effort. **From my experience, some of my favourite things about the app are:** 1\. The app took away the awkwardness and vulnerability of asking for help. 2\. The ability to assign another admin. My husband, mum and best friend all took turns being admin at different times to take the load off me. 3\. The layers of access to tasks. I was really glad that I had the option to set certain tasks for my inner circle only when it involved my kids or intimate/sensitive jobs. 4\. I was supported during the marathon of my cancer journey rather than just at the start. 5\. When there were times that I was isolating or not up to seeing people, getting a notification to say someone had accepted a task was a lovely reminder of the support I had. 6\. My crew found it easy to use and liked the real time notifications and the ability to help in a way that was meaningful and fit their schedules. 7\. When my treatment was coming to an end, I was able to scroll back and see who helped us so that I could thank them properly. Amongst a hard set of circumstances, using GMC to activate my support crew has been a special opportunity to teach my kids what it looks like to have your “village” supporting you and in turn, how we can play our part in our friend’s villages. **It has shown them that even though sometimes we face hard things, the support of a village makes it far less scary.** Share this article: ### Your story matters Every story is a reminder that none of us has to do it alone. Share yours and help thousands of others who are in need of help. Share your story ## Latest [![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gather-my-crew-stories-mark-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 28, 2026\\ \\ **Marcus’s Story**\\ \\ When Marcus was diagnosed with brain cancer, he had to stop driving.   His ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/marcuss-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Headshot2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ May 21, 2026\\ \\ **Cathrine’s Story**\\ \\ “I’m not someone who asks for help.”  It happened on a Sunday morning, four days...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/cathrines-story/)[![](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/gather-my-crew-words-to-say-tile-hero-v2-700x525.jpg)\\ \\ April 29, 2026\\ \\ **Words to say when you don’t know what to say**\\ \\ Finding the “perfect” words to comfort someone going through a hard time ...\\ \\ Read more](https://www.gathermycrew.org.au/resources/words-to-say-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say/)