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With the cost-of-living quickly rising, many Penrith locals are finding themselves having to ask for help, leaning on local organisations and support systems.

Barnardos Penrith Children’s Family Centre has received a 400 per cent increase in requests for food support since February.

Centre Manager Jodi Owen said that it comes down to a combination of factors.

“We’re receiving larger requests post-COVID, because a lot of those financial assistance packages have stopped – so the COVID relief funds and things like that,” she said.

“The cost-of-living for families has gone up significantly. Things like fuel, electricity, gas, water, groceries, they’re contributing largely to people needing support.

“And, I think lastly, a lot of families or individuals post-COVID, they may have lost their jobs during COVID and now have regained employment, but are not working as many hours, so they’re not receiving the pay that they used to.”

Ms Owen notes that many of the individuals who have reached out in this time are people who have never requested support previously. This includes working individuals, the elderly, and people who have become homeless.

“We’re seeing a cohort of people not traditionally needing any sort of support or approaching any services in the past who are becoming homeless,” she said.

“People who have great tenancy histories, pay their rent on time, now landlords are wanting their properties back to live in their properties because of financial pressures. We’re seeing a lot of families who are actually homeless at the moment needing support with that.”

For those in need of assistance, Barnardos also offers financial counselling, mental health support, therapeutic groups, parenting education and vacation care.

Though Ms Owen admits that the increase in demand has been tough to manage, she continues to encourage members of the community to obtain help when it’s needed, even if it means being connected with alternative services and supports.

“I think there’s a lot of shame in the community to reach out to services like Barnardos for support. I think with that comes pride that most people are able to manage that and have been able to manage their finances really well pre-COVID, now post-COVID, there’s that sense of, I’m unable to now support my family,” she said.

“It’s really important that we’re just saying and letting anyone that walks through the door know that it’s OK, we’re here to support you at this point in time, and we can support you until you really don’t need us anymore.”

This article first appeared in the Western Weekender here.

We first met Tegan in 2018 when she escaped a violent relationship while she was still pregnant with her youngest child, Hudson. She was the victim of brutal violence and was forced to give birth in a different town to avoid being found by her former partner. Tegan was referred to our Linker domestic violence service who worked with her to ensure she and her children were supported on their journey to safety . Learn more about Tegan’s story with the Linker service here.

Five years on, we caught up with Tegan to see how her life has changed. Tegan said, “No one should ever have to go through what I went through, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.” She says having gratitude for where she is today helps her to heal from the past. “I was tested in a way that was almost inhumane. It helped me to learn how strong I am.”

Tegan’s ultimate goal is to use her experience for good, to help other children and families overcome violence and rebuild their lives. In addition to being a Mum to Hudson and her other four children (from a previous relationship), she is completing two degrees – a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education. Tegan is contemplating juggling work and post-grad studies when she completes her bachelors next year. When reflecting on her passion for learning Tegan says, “all that work that I do, no one can take that away from me. It gives me a different perspective on what I’ve been through and has helped me heal.”

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about some of the things that happened but then I look back and can see how far I’ve come.”

Tegan would like to see the legal system change to better support domestic violence victims. She speaks about the trauma of being questioned all day long by the perpetrator’s lawyer. “It’s mentally exhausting the way they wear you down. I feel really passionate about the court system needing to change. The victim gets treated as a criminal.”

“I wish there was more support for the children when dealing with domestic violence. People say, ‘they’re young, they’ll get through it,’ but it still sits with them. There’s still stuff that the kids bring up. My 9 year old recalled the other day about how he would hide in his bed. My 17 year old also sometimes talks about the impact the violence had on him.”

“Hudson experienced the violence in the womb. He has a lot of trouble regulating his emotions and has an underdeveloped central nervous system. There are studies that show a link between this condition and stress caused in the womb. It’s something I want to learn more about.”

Hudson has been getting support from medical specialists to help him bridge the gaps so he’s ready to start school next year.

Tegan’s study in primary education and psychology has lead her to explore how classroom environments are impacting children who are experiencing trauma from domestic violence. It is an area that requires further research but studies show that a teacher’s approach can have a significant impact on children facing trauma. Tegan acknowledged that for many children, school is the place that they go to feel safe when there are problems at home.
While Tegan deserves all the credit for her achievements, she says she has never felt more supported than what she does right now by her family and friends.

Despite everything that Tegan has gone through she feels that it has made her family closer. She believes without Barnardos’ support to leave the relationship she wouldn’t be here to tell the story. “If I hadn’t left that night he would have killed me. I can’t over-think that side of things because it’s quite a dark place.”

“It was hard to leave because you are leaving all those securities. You feel like you don’t know where you are going or what you are doing. It’s like someone has ripped all the other pages out of your book. You have to start by sitting with some really difficult feelings but the good news is that you get to choose what’s next as you heal.”

For those in the same situation Tegan says it’s important to start doing small things for yourself. “Start studying or going to the gym. Go as slow as you want but just start chipping away at it. You just have to keep moving forward.”

When asked about how she feels about life now Tegan says, “I love who I am today – wow, that was big to say – but I do, I like the person that I am. I’m looking after my kids, I’m here, I’m present, I’m very capable of doing this on my own, which I never thought I would be. Let alone studying and all the other things I’m doing. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 5 years brings for us.”

“My kids are my world. I’ve done this for me but I also do it for them and I want to show them that they are capable of doing all this too.”

You can read more about Tegan’s experience here.

On Saturday 13th August, staff at South Coast Children’s Family Centre joined members of the local community at Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club to support Hayley Pymont’s inspiring journey with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

Hayley, 27 and a proud Wiradjuri woman who was cared by Barnardos in her younger years, organised a 1km & 3km fun run, to engage her community. Hayley invited 6 local service providers to share their information with the community, with the significance that these services have supported Hayley and her family, throughout her life.

We were invited to a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony circle, with Hayley sharing her emotional story and connection to Barnardos with the community. “I was with Barnardos as a child, I had such amazing time with my carer and I remember she took me shopping to buy a figurine, I still have that figurine at home with me today 20 years later”. Hayley recalled the night her sister informed her of her Barnardos’ carer’s passing, and how even more significance that figure holds for her. Hayley acknowledged how much the carer meant to her and what an inspiration she was throughout her childhood.

Hayley encouraged her community to reach out and accept help just as she did as a child. “My aim today is to help other people suffering with mental illnesses and also those with good mental health, that there are people and organisations around to assist and be there for you. No one should feel they have to do it alone. Everyone is worthy and everyone is important”

To conclude the event, Hayley set off on a 25kms run, as she trains to compete in Alice Springs and in preparation for the 42km Marathon in New York in November.

There was a true sense of community at the event, and we are grateful and proud to have been a part of this journey with Hayley and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

Thank you to Kristen Phillips, Mary Petrovic, Danielle Williams & Manager Sarah Beale for the great set-up and support provided to Hayley on the day.​​​​​​​

Department of Communities and Justice have just released this video highlighting the successful Universal Screening and Supports (USS) Pilot at Mount Druitt and featuring Barnardos vital work with local young people and their families.

The Mount Druitt Project does a survey with 4 local high schools at the beginning of the year and screens in children at risk of homelessness, at risk of mental health issues and at risk of school disengagement.

Barnardos workers then meet with these families and hear from these children and talk to the schools to identify how we can support them. The project also applies a cultural lens to help break down barriers and get young people back into education.

The video features our fabulous workers from Barnardos Penrith Youth Support team, Amy Hawkes (Program Manager), Tano D’urso (Youth and Family Caseworker) and Hayley Murti (Senior Youth worker).

For most people in western New South Wales, the Three Wise Women mobile cafe is a place to grab a coffee, but for some women it’s a second chance.

The social enterprise, run by Barnardos Australia, aims to keep mothers who have been in contact with the criminal justice system at home with their families.

The organisation’s Beyond Barbed Wires program provides mothers coming out of jail with training, education and employment opportunities, including work in the coffee van.

“Getting out of jail is really hard. And putting yourself out there, looking for employment can be even harder,” Program Manager Shiree Talbot said.

“There can be problems with not having worked before, not being sure of yourself and not having the self confidence to put yourself out there in community and get employment.”

The coffee van, based in Wellington in central western New South Wales, services community events throughout the region.

Ms Talbot said building the women’s confidence was a key part of the program.

“We go out into the coffee cart with our mums, and support them to build confidence around things like money handling, confidence around customer service, and all of those skills.

“I think if you have a mentor, or someone that you know, in the community that is actually there with you, investing time… it is just such a great gain for our women.”

The flexibility of the hospitality industry allows the women to work around their home lives.

“They have children, ranging from babies all the way up, so [they have] that flexibility to be able to work in an industry where they can be in control of the hours that they’re working,” said Ms Talbot.

Benefits of social enterprises
It’s not just the hospitality industry that is benefiting from social enterprises like the Three Wise Women Mobile Cafe.

Prisoners Aid NSW runs a program that provides men coming out of jail with employment in waste management.

Prisoners Aid manager Craig Baird said the “Mates on the Move” social enterprise was more than just a job for those involved.

“[It] gives them a bit of a work history, should they want to move on to bigger and better things… but also provides them with a fair bit of motivation and feeling part of the community.

“[They’re] contributing to the community in earning wages and paying taxes and having the choices that you get when you have employment.”

Mr Baird said many people leaving the criminal justice system felt isolated and community engagement was key to reconnecting with their local communities.

“If they’re feeling part of the community, and have the positive feelings being engaged with the community brings… they’re less likely to fall back into the cycle of crime.”

Participants leading the way
Mr Baird welcomed further social enterprise initiatives like the Three Wise Women coffee van.

“Everybody’s an individual, and they’re looking for different types of work and different types of education opportunities.

“It’s just a matter of having as many different kinds of opportunities to meet people’s needs.”

Ms Talbot said listening to what those involved wanted was the most important part of the program.

“If we are serious about supporting vulnerable groups of people, and they can be no more vulnerable than women coming out of custody… we have to be led by what the women are telling us.”

She said the training and confidence the cafe provided was invaluable, regardless of which industry the women ultimately moved into.

“They may not want to go on to be baristas — that is no problem at all.

“I’m excited for the women. I love to see them grow and for these women to reach their full potential.”

This article first appeared on the ABC news

A massive thank you to Kyly Clarke in raising $10,000 for Barnardos during her win on Australian Ninja Warrior celebrity challenge against Love Island’s Tayla Damir. With this donation, she ‘hoped to help children that are in an unsafe environment’.

Kyly had trained for months in the lead-up to appearing on the show. She states “My chosen charity is Barnardos Australia and I’m looking forward to giving it everything I’ve got to help raise funds for this wonderful organisation supporting children in needs.”

This article first appeared in the Daily Mail here.

Image: Ahmad Malas – Program Director, My Foster Family, Ismail Davids – CEO of National Zakat Foundation, Hayfa Bakour – Project Officer, My Foster Family, Asif Mulla – Director of National Zakat Foundation, Dalal Johnson, Barnardos Foster Carer, Amy Weeks, Deirdre Cheers, Helen Fenwick, Ruth Drennan, Shaun Naidoo, Georgia-Lee Henricks, Bill Greenfield, Mary Haiek. Front row: Madona Labib

Barnardos Australia and My Foster Family have joined forces to improve the experience of Muslim children in foster care.

At the official launch held yesterday at the Barnardos Auburn Children’s Family Centre, representatives from Barnardos and My Foster Family came together to announce the partnership and what it will mean for Muslim children in the foster care system.

Barnardos Australia CEO Deirdre Cheers said “We are thrilled to partner with My Foster Family as part of our commitment to keeping children connected to their family, culture & community. We understand the need for Muslim children to be cared for a way which respects their faith. The community connections and cultural training that My Foster Family provides will be invaluable to both our Muslim and non-Muslim carers. We look forward to building a strong relationship and connection to the community through this partnership which will help us achieve positive outcomes for our children, young people and families.”

My Foster Family (MFF) was created to support Muslim children in finding exceptional foster carers who can provide stability, support and love to a child. MFF advocate for the needs of Muslim children in the system and provide cultural humility training for carers to learn how to better cater for Muslim foster children.

“We are really excited about working with Barnardos and the benefits this partnership will bring to the Muslim community. This collaboration will form an integral part of delivering a high-quality service that meets a strong community need. The synergies between both organisations will bring together industry leaders, best practice, and a deep cultural understanding that will have a positive impact in the multicultural foster care space.” Ahmad Malas, Director, My Foster Family said.

Barnardos vision is to empower every child in Australia to reach their full potential and believe a positive identity and sense of belonging is essential for vulnerable children to recover and thrive.

Both Barnardos and My Foster Family recognise the need for children to be able to practice and understand their faith. It is hoped that this partnership will encourage more foster carers to come forward from within the Muslim community as well as providing non-Muslim carers with support in meeting the needs of Muslim children who are under their care.

Barnardos latest campaign shows victims of child abuse hiding in plain sight

Tax time is unarguably the most competitive time of year for charities vying for donor attention. Hence Barnardos Australia engaged We Are Otter to doing something completely different to stand out from the crowd.

When it came to Barnardos work, what stood out to the We Are Otter creative team was children suffering sexual abuse do whatever they can to avoid attracting attention. In other words, they try to make themselves invisible.

The team built a campaign reflecting this by capturing children in various everyday scenes where the viewer has to find them. To tell this story and draw the audience in, the campaign focuses on three scenes all shot within the same house. It is a normal looking home, showing that child abuse can happen in familiar surroundings. Clever set design tells a story of family history in each scene, with colour building mood and tone.

The 30 second ad opens on a typical kitchen at breakfast time, then moves to a child’s bedroom in the mid-afternoon and then to a loungeroom in the late evening. Each of these rooms appear empty, but as the camera tracks, we see a child hiding in plain sight. The child is stock still with a face devoid of expression. The audience is compelled to empathise with the child trapped in this world of abuse, driving them to take immediate action. The voiceover explains:

Sometimes it’s those we can’t see who need our help the most

At home, children suffering from sexual abuse will do anything to avoid attention

Barnardos fights for children to be seen and protected

So they never have to hide again

The campaign shows the viewer that Barnardos is working hard to help children feel safe and seen, so they don’t need to hide from abuse.

Says Simon Jarosz and Jen Peace, We Are Otter: “For too long those the subject of sexual abuse has been in ‘the dark’, we were keen to literally show how Barnardos helps people step out from the shadows. This campaign is not a typical campaign designed to drive pity from hopelessness, rather, it’s about showing how Barnardos empowers and equips those affected to move forward toward a more optimistic future.”

We Are Otter also worked with Barnardos to help define and articulate their unique selling proposition (USP) as Fearlessly Optimistic in changing children’s lives to ensure they reach their brightest future.

This is the first campaign delivered under this new USP and the first time Barnardos have used a full production unit to create content for a fundraising appeal. It was only made possible thanks to We Are Otter and their production partners going the extra mile, investing time and effort over and above for such an important cause they truly believe in.

The campaign is being pushed out across YouTube, online display banners, paid social (Facebook & Instagram) and paid search.

This article first appeared in Campaign Brief here

Today marks the start of National Families Week (15-21 May) and the final week of the Federal Election campaign. It’s a time when politicians appeal to ‘working families’ about their vision for the future. Families are vital for children to be able to grow up safely and thrive. No doubt many families will welcome some short-term financial relief on offer as cost of living pressures rise. What we need even more than that is a long-term plan to ensure success of the next generation.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of National Families Week’s, which is a good time to reflect on the great work that has been done over those years by both government, community and non-government organisations to keep children safe. However, we also need to recognise how much more work there is still to do to reduce child abuse and neglect and its intergenerational impacts.

All children and young people in Australia have the right to grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture. They have the right to grow up in an environment that enables them to reach their full potential. It’s our responsibility to ensure this is front and centre in social policy.

When families in our communities experience domestic and family violence, poverty, alcohol and other drug use, mental health issues or homelessness, it is too often the children who suffer most. And they suffer silently. In these circumstances, early support is critical to strengthen families and help children to thrive. This includes helping children, young people and families to access material basics, health services and education, which is their fundamental right.

The Australian Government is currently developing the next stages of both the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children and the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. Within these frameworks, the focus must always be on the best interests of the child which is only achieved by really listening to the voices of children and young people. While this important policy work takes place, we need leaders to who will take these frameworks seriously. This is more than just a policy wish list. It’s an investment in our collective future.

Support services for vulnerable children and their families need to be developed at a local level, with programs that are evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally safe and inclusive. Children, young people, families and communities having a direct role in policy making and implementation is essential.

And in order to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care, it is vital that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations have increased say in decision-making, combined with priority allocation of resources to keep children on land, in culture, and within community. Building capacity in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the child and family sector is also vital to support increased focus on cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led services.

In order to overcome service gaps in our community, a collective and coordinated approach between services involving information sharing, monitoring and evaluation to achieve improved outcomes for children, young people and families is essential. As the cost of living rises, the domestic violence crisis continues and services are stretched, and children and young people are falling through the cracks. Closing these gaps and providing a greater investment in services will mean more children can safely remain at home with their families and local communities. It will mean they can do more than just survive, they will thrive.

On the eve of this election, Barnardos call for political parties and candidates to make the commitment to enact these plans and frameworks in real partnership with state and territory jurisdictions. Without strong families and strong communities, our children and young people cannot thrive.