Serco : SQCC women knit knockers for their local community

Women at Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (SQCC) have taken up knitting as a way to give back to their local community.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and survivors of the disease, the women at SQCC have been knitting 100% cotton prostheses for Knitted Knockers - a charitable organisation who rely on community members to knit casings, which are then filled and donated to women who have undergone a mastectomy.

All prostheses are quality controlled prior to being donated and Knitted Knockers South-West Brisbane Branch Coordinator Beverly Roberts has expressed how appreciative they are for the donations.

'We're so impressed with the quality of the knitted prostheses and very happy that the women are willing to donate their time to support this cause,' Ms Roberts said.

SQCC Contract Director Nick Rowe said initiatives like these provide the women with an opportunity to develop new skills and give back to their community at the same time.

'As part of our rehabilitation and reintegration strategy, which is underpinned by Serco's restorative justice framework and responsible prisoner model, we're always looking for ways to improve outcomes for the women here,' Mr Rowe said.

'It is wonderful to see the women take pride in their work and put in great effort to perfect their new-found skills.'

'Being a women's facility, providing opportunities like this to give back really does have a positive impact, not just for the women here, but also those in the community.'

ENDS

Media contact: Tim Evans, [phone]

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