Pawfect addition to the team She is the golden retriever happy to be paid in belly rubs, a game of fetch, or a handful of treats.
“Then suddenly they are living independently, and they can experience feelings of loneliness, isolation, or like they don’t have a community or connection to other people or animals.” This is where Spoon playfully bounds into the picture. Spoon goes to work every day with Rinske at a house in the south-western suburbs that is part office and part housing unit. Young people visit here for additional one-on-one support. “Sometimes it can be hard to engage with them, so Spoon can enhance our support by motivating them to leave the house and doing things that help their mental health,” Rinske said.
Spoon is the Golden Retriever of Leaving Care Supervisor Rinske van der Pol and a part of AnglicareSA’s Youth Services team. Spoon plays an important role in the lives of young people connected to our independent living program for young people aged 16 to 18 transitioning out of the care system. “One of the things we really notice is they have often been coming from residential care, where there is staff around the clock and always someone to talk to, interact with, and listen to all of their stories,” Rinske said.
Cultural connection and a weekend of fun A trip to the annual Gynburra Festival in Port Victoria in January provided five AnglicareSA Foster Care families with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, language, and Country of the Nharangga people.
Supported by the Northern Foster Care team, the families – made up of 11 carers and 18 young people aged 6 months to 17 years old – attended the festival which celebrates the significance of the Gynburra (butterfish) to Nharangga people.
AnglicareSA Aboriginal Cultural Practitioner Troy Bond said the trip was made possible thanks to the support of Adventure Connect, which sponsored accommodation at Moonta Bay for the long weekend. “David and his crew also provided a boat to take some of the older young people and their carers out for a chartered fishing experience, while the younger children and their carers went out for shorter afternoon trips crabbing,” Troy said. “All of the families were able to enjoy dinner together each night throughout the long weekend, attend the Gynburra Festival, and experience a Welcome to Country,” Troy said. One carer described it as an experience the whole family would never forget. “From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed, and you could immediately sense the deep connection to Country and community,” they said. “The trip was a wonderful way for our kids to learn about First Nations culture in such an engaging and hands-on way.”
A group of 11 carers and 18 young people attended Gynburra Festival in Port Victoria
40
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker