The transition from primary school to high school can be a difficult time… The Family Centre were approached by one of our funders to develop a program for Year 6 students at Murwillumbah schools that focussed on students’ emotional wellbeing and increasing their resilience through the transition to high school.

The program was developed using a co design approach by researching the topics students thought most important to include in the 3-week program. Working with year 6 students from Uki and Stokers Siding Public Schools, 15 topics where put on the table that the children had discussed. The students were then asked to vote for their top three topics which were; how to handle changing friendship groups, peer pressure and increasing school workloads.

The students loved getting involved in this process and were super proud in the knowledge that they were helping out the students of the future. ‘Prime to High’ was also the name that they came up with! The program is funded via YWCA Murwillumbah Communities for Children.

The Family Centre recently approached the Enid St Community Garden in Tweed Heads  for a garden bed for young people in our transitional housing to learn the art of gardening and the satisfaction of growing their own food. Garden beds are much sought after, so we are fortunate to be given access.

The Enid St community garden is a collaborative project where participants share the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthy and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. Throughout the year gardener’s get together and have working bee’s to maintain the garden and resources.

Community gardens also offer physical and mental health benefits by providing the opportunity to eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, engage in physical activity, build and share skills and create green spaces, increase a sense of community and belonging.

Youth and Family workers will support the young people in the garden as well as in their kitchen’s demonstrating ways to prepare and cook the fresh produce.

If you are a keen gardener and would like to volunteer some time mentoring our budding green thumbs send an email to [email protected] or call (07) 5524 8711.

The Family Centre enjoyed attending NAIDOC events across Tweed, Byron and Ballina Shires. It was great to see lots of families enjoying cultural performances, bush tucker, arts, crafts, running races and the biggest touch football game ever!

A big thank you to Bunning’s at South Tweed Heads for providing the wonderful rock painting craft activity at the Tweed Sports Day. We would also like to thank Woolworths in Ballina for their generous donation of sausages, bread etc. for the Ballina Sports Day sausage sizzle.

The continuing generosity of our supporters and the community has given 9 year-old Alice the opportunity to participate in regular weekly gymnastic classes. This class has empowered Alice to adopt and maintain a healthy diet, and is increasing her exercise and activity each week. The weekly gymnastic lessons will also provide many other benefits including but not limited to increased health, flexibility and control, strong and healthy bones, increased self-esteem, increased cognitive functioning, coordination, discipline and social skills.

Opportunities like Alice’s classes are funded by The Family Centre’s ‘Creating Opportunities Fund’ (COF). The Family Centre welcomes any donations to assist us assist families. To find out more about COF click on the button below

The Family Centre partnered with Tweed Richmond Libraries to hold stories in the park. Families had a lovely day at Knox Park in Murwillumbah enjoying story time under the trees and lots of art and craft.