General News
6 August, 2024
Local playgroups encouraged
Playgroup Victoria is inviting residents to create friendships and memories for kids and carers thanks to the Helping Families Learn and Grow through Playgroup (FLAG) initiative.
Since its formation in 1974, the not-for-profit organisation has advocated for families across the state to have access to the benefits of playgroups.
Playgroup Victoria manager of development and support Leanne Dhami said the FLAG project, funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Social Services, aims to create equal opportunities for residents.
“We estimate that around 5000 community playgroups operating every week in Victoria and regional areas have a lot less opportunities than the metro areas,” she said.
“The aim is to support and advocate for the playgroup platform in [the shire] — create opportunities for families to meet, support new playgroups and bring together relevant and like-minded profes-sionals and community members to advocate for playgroups long-term.
“This project is driven by the needs and the wants of the local community — setting up these playgroups is about recognising that there is no other community playgroup running in that area or available at times they are most needed.”
Ms Dhami said while playgroups provide vital social, emotional, physical and intellectual develop-ment for children before they move into kindergarten and primary school, they can also boost the wellbeing of carers.
“It’s a misconception that playgroups only benefit children, they actually benefit parents and caregivers as well in terms of that social support and connection,” she said.
“The parenting journey can be quite isolating and challenging at times and so we do know that parents who are socially connected in that time, will be better connected through formal education and have better outcomes for their children.
“There is nowhere else for parents to enjoy that time with their child and other people quite like a playgroup”.
Currently seven playgroups are listed on the Playgroup Victoria website in the shire, with four supported playgroups hosted by the Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Playgroup Victoria Central Goldfields FLAG site officer Donna Parry said that additional playgroups can be tailored to participant’s needs and common interests, with intergenerational, school, maternal and disability playgroups set up across the state.
“Setting up and establishing playgroups, listening to the community about what they want and trialling it to see whether this looks like what they visualise it to be,” she said.
“The beauty of this program is that every playgroup is very unique and we strongly encourage that because it’s been driven by what those families want.
“Not every playgroup suits everyone — what we want is for everyone to have a choice about where they go and where they engage to find like-minded people who can support them through all their decisions when having young people in their lives.”
To find your local playgroup, visit www.playgroup.org.au/find or to start a community playgroup, go to www.playgroup.org.au/start-a-playgroup