Families flourishing under the Parent Group Program
The age-old saying is that it takes a village to raise a child, and the Parent Group Program wants to be part of yours.
Run by the Loddon Children’s Health & Wellbeing Local in partnership with Bendigo Health, the program offers parents and carers of children aged 0-11 a safe space to meet with others experiencing challenges involving mental wellbeing and parenting. Mental health staff are on hand to provide support, and all programs are run by Social Worker Annette Clemments.
“Through our various sessions, we’re aiming to equip children and families with the skills to support their emotional wellbeing,” Annette says. “There’s something for everyone.
“We’ve got our parent group information sessions, longer parenting programs, one-to-one consultations plus our school holiday parent and child sessions, which we’re actually trialing to meet fortnightly right now.
“The feedback we’ve had from participants has been fantastic. It’s lovely to hear the positive impact our sessions are having.”
All sessions within the Parent Group Program are open to families with children aged 0-11 who live in the Loddon region which covers:
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Campaspe Shire
- Central Goldfields Shire
- Loddon Shire
- Macedon Ranges Shire
- Mount Alexander Shire.
“I learnt a lot about anxiety and what happens when the brain gets overwhelmed and how to help my child settle.” And “I felt safe and comfortable in the group.”
Parent group information sessions
Running every Thursday these one-off sessions are a chance to meet other parents and carers for support, ask any practical parenting questions you may have, discuss any parenting issues you may be experiencing and talk to a mental health practitioner about your child. A range of topics are covered over the course of the term including:
- What is autism and how can I help?
- What is ADHD and how can I help?
- Sleep issues
- Anxiety in kids
- All about Anger
- Managing Big Feelings
- Supporting self esteem
- Building social skills
- Parent Mental Health
- Sensory issues
- Stop the tech.
