This month, Swan Rotary is proud to shine a light on the importance of supporting our tiniest and most vulnerable community members, and the families who care for them.

In collaboration with St John of God Midland Public & Private Hospitals, we provide resources and comfort to families of premature babies and children spending time in hospital. One of the most special (and cutest!) ways we show our care is through handmade knitted toys, like the beautiful little octopuses often seen in neonatal units and small knitted bears for newborns.

These thoughtfully crafted toys do more than bring a smile

Research has shown they can:

• Help calm babies by mimicking the feel of the umbilical cord

• Reduce heart and respiratory rates

• Provide comfort and a sense of safety in the Neonatal Nursery

For families, they become something even more meaningful:

• A way to bond during challenging moments

• A source of comfort both in hospital and at home

• A keepsake filled with love and hope

Each one is handmade with care using baby-safe materials, created not just as a toy, but as a small, powerful gesture of support.

At Rotary, we believe in service that makes a real difference. Supporting child and maternal health is one of the many ways we give back to our community, because every baby and every family deserves care, connection, and compassion.