Comfort in a small package: the power of a handmade goodie
When four-year-old Zyan Laurenco arrived at Canberra Hospital, the environment was loud, unfamiliar and overwhelming. His mum, Guinevere Laurenco, hadn’t anticipated packing essentials for a hospital stay, including a way to ease the anxiety of a frightened child. It was a moment that underscored a powerful truth: sometimes healing begins with something small, like a knitted octopus—“blue squiddy”—that fits in a child’s hands and heart.
That tiny comfort item is part of a much larger effort by Good Omen Goodeze (GOG), a volunteer-driven charity in Canberra that produces “comfort goodies” for patients of all ages. For nearly eight years, a dedicated team of knitters, crocheters and knit-and-pack volunteers has created blankets, teddy bears, beanies, and small fidget toys, delivering them to hospitals and health care centres across the Australian Capital Territory.
The reach and the routine of a growing charity
GOG now counts more than 265 volunteers. The group’s gifts are plentiful—so much so that committee member Julie Samuels says they frequently issue yarn donations requests on social media to keep the production line moving. The aim is simple: provide comfort during hospital stays and present a tangible sign of care when patients may feel most alone or overwhelmed.
Therapeutic toys and sensory items have long been used in healthcare to reduce anxiety and to create more approachable environments for patients. GOG’s founder, Mary Liondi-Barlow, notes that these items do more than entertain: they can ease stress for patients, reduce the workload for busy staff, and even become cherished keepsakes that patients take home after their hospital experience.
Beyond the stitches: building community and reducing isolation
For many volunteers, the act of knitting, crocheting, or packaging gifts becomes a social lifeline. The charity actively seeks to bring people together across languages, ages and cultural backgrounds. “It’s a place for Canberrans to come that’s safe, respectful,” Samuels says. “There are a lot of people who are socially isolated in Canberra, and this is a way to connect.”
Deidre McCurdy, an 86-year-old volunteer who moved to Canberra from Queensland, describes GOG as a crucial source of belonging. “I get withdrawals if I don’t come here each week,” she says, highlighting how the project nurtures not just recipients but the volunteers themselves. For many, knitting is a lifelong hobby that has found renewed purpose through community service.
From a hospital bed to lasting memories
In Zyan’s case, the blue squiddy became more than a toy; it was a comfort item that helped him feel secure amid the hospital’s bustle. The moment left a lasting impression on his family and underscored a broader mission: to provide a tangible reminder of care that could accompany patients long after they leave the hospital doors.
Good Omen Goodeze’s impact isn’t limited to the moment of a patient’s stay. Children and adults alike can take a memories with them when they leave, turning a frightening experience into a positive, lasting impression. As Zyan returned to his everyday life, the comfort goodie continued to symbolize hope and care—an everyday reminder that someone cared enough to create something with their own hands.
A good memory that travels home
Guinevere Laurenco hopes future hospital visits for Zyan will be less stressful, partly because of the bond formed with the blue squiddy. The story resonates with many families who have benefited from the program, illustrating how small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in healthcare experiences.
As hospitals continue to seek patient-centered care solutions, groups like Good Omen Goodeze demonstrate the enduring value of community-driven support. By turning simple materials into comforting items, volunteers are transforming hospital stays, one goodie at a time.
