A safe place to play

Mia found out about BSL’s Supported Playgroup through social media in early 2021 and started attending sessions with her daughter Ella. The program provides children and their families with an opportunity to socialise and make connections in their local community, with a focus on Early Years Learning activities, which are facilitated by our Early Years Practitioners and Volunteers.

After speaking to another parent at the Playgroup, Mia discovered that BSL could offer support in other ways. Mia contacted BSL and engaged with the Individual Parent Support and Home Visit Program. She spoke to them about her plans to stud, and her hopes for her future career once Ella had started school. BSL can offer support to parents, assisting them with applying for courses and offering practical support with job-hunting skills.

Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, our playgroups temporarily closed which meant that Mia and her daughter weren’t able to continue attending – but her case workers kept in touch, offering support and a friendly voice during lockdowns.

“They provide me a lot of activities for my daughter to do during lockdown. And even when we were going to playgroup, they would still contact me and ask how we're going. And if they have food relief package or something, they think it might help me, they will contact me.”

Thanks to support from people like you, BSL was able to continue to provide support for families in lockdown – providing much needed social contact for parents who are experiencing isolation, away from their support networks of families and friends.

“Because I was pretty down when the lockdown started... the middle of this year, because I haven't seen my family for so long. And they offered me to see, if I wanted to, they were telling me about a psychologist and if I want to study and work in the future, they can help me to look for courses and employment.”

This is only possible through the generosity of our BSL supporters. With your help, we can support people, like Mia, with practical support for their futures, helping empower them to build better lives for themselves and their families.

Mia wanted to let you know, how grateful she is for the support of people, like you, when you give to BSL. “I want to say thank you to them and for not just helping my daughter but also me, so I know I'm important, too.”

For more information about our children and family programs, visit bsl.org.au/services/family-support/