67 Minutes of Kindness- Mandela Day

Nelson Rolihlala Mandela: 

18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013 


67 Years in the fight for Human Rights, Freedom and Reconciliation 

for 67 Minutes of your time for Kindness!


On the 18 July, we celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela – a man of integrity, kindness and a passion for peace and reconciliation. We give thanks to his incredible legacy that spans generations with a celebration of giving back to the community. 

 

Called into action on the by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 – the 18th July is a global celebration of the life and commitment of Nelson Mandela – a global call to action for people to recognise their power to change the world around them. 

Nelson Mandela’s hope for the 67 Minutes Campaign was that just 67 minutes of giving back to the community would inspire us all to perform regular acts of community service, collectively becoming a society who devote time to improve conditions in our community: 

Changing Lives for the Better – Every Day! 

Let us celebrate his life and legacy:

Here is what you can do! 

 

South Africa 

67 Blankets For Madiba: Shhh… Secret Scarves Challege 2024! 


67 Blankets for Mandela was founded by Carolyn Steyn in December 2013, when Zelda La Grange (Nelson Mandela’s former personal assistant), challenged Carolyn to make 67 Blankets for Mandela Day in 2013. Carolyn committed to the challenge and realised she would need help from friends – so through social media Carolyn rallied those around her and 67 Blankets was formed. It is now a global initiative, having distributed over 165,000 blankets and broken 4 Guiness world records! 


To mark 21 years of democracy in South Africa, 67 Blankets created the worlds largest crochet blanket in the world (measuring 3,377m) that was spread over the Union Buildings in Pretoria South Africa! 




The Challenge this year is for the community to drop scarves in Secret Locations around South Africa. Each scarf will be handmade and can be dropped off at various locations where it will be labelled by 67 blankets with a message that reads: 


“I AM NOT LOST. IF YOU ARE COLD AND NEED ME, PLEASE TAKE ME. With LOVE,

67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY.” 


 67Blankets is a Global Initiative and has worldwide representatives – if you are not in South Africa, you can still participate from anywhere in the world! – find your Country Ambassador here. 



United Kingdom 

Mandela8 – Celebrating Communities 


Princess Park in Liverpool has officially created a Memorial dedicated to Nelson Mandela and will be hosting various events around the city.  For the full events and ideas list Click here 


 

It doesn’t stop there – here are some ideas of how you can spend your 67 Minutes anywhere in the world: 

  •  Distribute food Parcels 
  • Volunteer at an Animal Shelter 
  • Plant a tree 
  • Volunteer at an Old Age home 
  • Donate old clothing to the Salvation Army or Shelters in your area. 
  • Draw a chalk message with your children and post it to social media 
  • Read a book at a Children’s Home/Shelter 
  • Involve your company/ organisation to Donate or spend time as a team giving back to the community – create memorable moments with your colleagues by creating challenges 

The list is endless – all that is required is 67 Minutes of time dedicated to giving back, spread the love on social media and create global awareness with the hashtags: 

#MandelaDay2024 #ItsInYourHands

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters More Than Ever

By Health Staff Australia • June 1, 2026
World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.

The Human Touch in a Digital World: Why Support Workers Matter More Than Ever

April 30, 2026
The Human Touch in a Digital World: Why Support Workers Matter More Than Ever As healthcare continues to evolve, technology is playing a bigger role than ever before. From digital care records and remote monitoring systems to telehealth appointments and automated scheduling, the way care is delivered is becoming faster, smarter, and more connected. But even in this increasingly digital world, one thing remains irreplaceable — the human touch. At the heart of quality care are support workers. And no matter how advanced systems become, their role is more important now than ever before. Technology is transforming care — but it can’t replace connection Modern healthcare tools have improved efficiency and accessibility across the sector. Information can be shared instantly, care plans are more structured, and communication between providers has never been easier. However, care is not just about data, schedules, or systems. It is about people. A device can track vital signs, but it cannot offer reassurance during a difficult moment. A digital system can record needs, but it cannot interpret emotion, tone, or unspoken concerns. This is where support workers step in — bridging the gap between clinical care and human experience. 

The Growing Demand for Care Workers in Australia

March 30, 2026
Why the country’s fastest-growing sector is facing a critical workforce shortage Australia is facing an unprecedented challenge in care — a data-driven crisis that is rapidly reshaping the healthcare landscape. As demand for aged care and disability support accelerates, the supply of qualified care workers is struggling to keep pace. The result? A “perfect storm” where providers are under pressure, workers are stretched thin, and the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. The Care Crisis: A Sector Under Pressure The care and support sector is now Australia’s largest employing industry , accounting for over 16% of the national workforce . Yet despite its size, demand continues to surge at a pace the system is not fully prepared for. Aged care and disability support roles are projected to be among the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade , driven by both demographic and policy changes. Simply put: more Australians need care than ever before — and that number is only rising. A Demographic Shift Driving Demand At the heart of this demand is a significant and accelerating demographic shift. Australia’s population aged 65 and over is expected to increase by more than 2 million (67.8%) between 2024 and 2044 The number of Australians aged 85+ — those with the highest care needs — will grow by 67% between 2024 and 2035 The number of people requiring care is projected to rise from 1.5 million today to 2.5 million by 2050 This ageing population is not just growing — it is living longer, often with more complex health needs that require consistent, skilled support. At the same time, the expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to increase demand for qualified disability support workers, further intensifying pressure on the system. The Workforce Shortage Crunch While demand accelerates, workforce supply is falling behind. Australia could face a shortfall of 400,000 aged care workers by 2050 The NDIS sector alone requires an additional 128,000 workers by mid-2025 Staff turnover remains high, with attrition rates between 17% and 25% in disability support roles This shortage is not just about numbers — it’s about sustainability. High turnover, burnout, and ongoing recruitment challenges are making it increasingly difficult for providers to maintain consistent, high-quality care. Why Agencies Like Health Staff Australia Are Essential In this high-pressure environment, healthcare providers are realising they cannot solve workforce challenges alone.  This is where specialist staffing agencies like Health Staff Australia (HSA) play a critical role.