The Family Centre along with Tweed Valley Sexual Assault Service run a 6-week course called Wrapped in Angels. It is a trauma informed course designed for young women ages 12–16 who have experienced sexual assault. The course allows them the opportunity to explore self-care, including mindfulness, confidence building and safety strategies in a gently held environment.
 
During the course the young women design and sew their own beautiful blankets. Some of them have never sewn before so learn new skills. Often the young women find it hard to focus, and the Youth and Family workers have found that in designing and sewing their own blankets the young women are concentrating and anincreased ability to focus flows from this.
 
The idea around the blankets is that they can leave with something of their own that they can use in life and hopefully create their own feeling of safety and security.
 
Wrapped in Angels also gives the young women the opportunity to connect with others who may have had similar experiences – beautiful connections and friendships are developed.

Switched On! Respectful Relationships is a one-day program for Year 10 students, delivered across the five public High Schools in the Tweed Shire.  The aim of the program is for students to increase their understanding of healthy/unhealthy relationships, and to increase their skills and capacity for respectful intimate relationships.
 
Switched On! is funded directly by our community, together with The Family Centre.  This year we were delighted to receive $10,000 from the Commonwealth Bank’s Kingscliff Branch.
 
We were thrilled to have Brian Lord, Tweed Mall Branch Manager (formerly from Kingscliff branch) and Stephanie Gent join us for our program at Tweed River High
School on Thursday, 18 October. It was a great chance for them to see the resources they provided in action.  The Commonwealth Bank team attended the final session of the day, in which students gain knowledge about where to get help and support in their community.  
 
Kate Binder from The Family Centre said, “The five public High Schools value the program and its importance in supporting the wellbeing of their students.  Feedback from the students is overwhelmingly positive and we are incredibly grateful to the Commonwealth Bank for seeing the value in our program.”
 
Pictured: Bronwyn Mackney (Head Teacher Welfare), Stephanie Gent (Commonwealth Bank), Brian Lord (Branch Manager, Commonwealth Bank), Michael Betts (Year 10 Advisor), Kate Binder (Senior Coordinator Youth and Family Services, The Family Centre)

The Murwillumbah Farmers Market Kiddies Patch is a dedicated space for families to connect with each other and with their children, to get information and access to services and discuss parenting topics. The Family Centre supports the space with a volunteer who provides weekly play-based learning opportunities during the term.
 
Lots of the activities include simple playdough fun and painting. In the school holidays craft activities are increased to cater for older children and ignite their imagination through nature-based activities.
 
Kiddies Patch is often utilised by the Murwillumbah Library or Art Gallery wishing to contribute to local families and their children.
 
The Kiddies Patch is a community space for families at the markets and is a collaboration between the markets, families and The Family Centre based on the idea that we all can positively influence children’s lives by supporting families and community.
 
Amanda our TFC volunteer is having a short break from providing play-based activities (7 weeks) and we have an opportunity for a creative and generous community member to inhabit the space and stay on as co-creator.

It’s a beautiful weekly opportunity –the Farmers market put up the marquees and tables and all you need to do is pop by with some craft or playdough and enjoy the morning. Paula from the Early Years Network will support you with resources and ideas.
 
Kiddies Patch operates Wednesday mornings 9am -11am at Murwillumbah Farmers Market. 

Earlier this year The Family Centre (TFC) hosted one of 18 NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) Regional Forums at our Tweed Heads office.
 
NCOSS travelled across NSW to hear directly from communities about key issues that matter to them, and the solutions to making a real difference. Over 220 individuals who work in their community with individuals experiencing poverty and disadvantage shared stories at the forums. In addition, an online survey of both people with lived experience and NCOSS membership canvased priorities for action. NCOSS members undertook research with children and young people. Building on this information expert advisory panels worked with the NCOSS team to develop the NCOSS 2019 Election Platform.
 
TFC Executive Director David Boutkan is an NCOSS regional representative.
‘Issues raised at the Tweed Forum have been reflected in the Election Platform and I will be working to promote the priorities in our region in the months leading up to the NSW election’ said David.

Thursdays Nov 1 – Dec 6, 10am-12pm
Murwillumbah Community Centre

Relationship and reflective practices are the heart of this program.
This is an interactive 6-week course which aims to support parents and their carers of children 0-8 years to:

·    Learn more about the origins of your own parenting style
·    Understand the underlying messages in children’s behaviour
·    Discover how to overcome some of the obstacles getting in the way of being the kind of
      parent you would like to be
·     Learn about the importance of building self-esteem in children
·     Discover ways you can take care of yourself and to find support when they need it

Childcare can be provided

COST: $30

To find out more or to register call (07) 5524 8711

Do you have enthusiasm and passion to creatively make a difference in your community? 

The Family Centre is seeking an enthusiastic Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator to drive and lead other volunteers in fundraising initiatives and assist with creative ideas contributing to a comprehensive fundraising plan for our organisation.
 
We are also seeking volunteers to join our vibrant fundraising team. Assist with generating fundraising ideas through to planning and organising projects and activities.

Volunteer fundraising contributes to raising funds for unique community projects and support local families experiencing disadvantage.
 
For more information contact Lotte Boer, Volunteer Coordinator (07) 5524 89711 or [email protected]

You are warmly invited to our 30thAnnual General Meeting

5pm – AGM and “Voices from Our Community”
Hear about our recent achievements, and our direction for the year ahead. And who better to tell the story of our year than the young people and families who participated in our programs and activities, our volunteers, our community partners and supporters?  Hear them share their stories and experiences of The Family Centre in the ‘Voices from Our Community’ panel discussion. 
 
6pm – Reflection and celebration 
After the AGM we’d love you to join us for some light refreshments. There’s been some amazing initiatives and achievements this year, with plenty of reasons to reflect and celebrate. Meet and mingle with our dedicated team of board members, staff, volunteers, community partners, sponsors and supporters. Let’s talk about your ideas about how we can be an even more vibrant and inclusive community. This is a child friendly event, so bring the kids along.
 
Thursday, November 15, 5–7pm
The Family Centre
Unit 1/14 Amber Rd, Tweed Heads South