SHOWCASING OUR SUCCESSFUL ACORNPROGRAM
L ate last year AnglicareSA was successful in obtaining a $10,000 grant from Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week in order to produce a DVD about the benefits of philanthropy, showcasing our Acorn program. Acorn provides an opportunity for parents with diagnosed mental health difficulties who have attachment issues and their infants to come together and be supported in their relationship with their child. The program is delivered with the generous support of the Hopscotch Foundation. We invited mums and infants who attended our nine Acorn groups in 2016 to attend a session that was filmed and used to produce two DVDs. An amazing 18 mums agreed to appear on camera with their babies; singing, dancing, journaling, and telling their personal stories about the impact Acorn has had on them.
Students from the Adelaide University film school filmed the mums as they shared their stories about the difference Acorn has made to their lives. The staff that have been on the journey with the mums since they came into the program were blown away by the difference in the mums today and their confidence and willingness to share their stories in the hope of helping others facing similar situations. It was also fantastic that Professor John and Barbara Hopwood (benefactors of the Hopscotch Foundation) were part of the filming, speaking highly of the program and of the tangible benefits of philanthropy. The finished DVDs will be released in the coming months via our website and Facebook page.
Photo: Pictured above, Acorn program participants enjoying activities while being filmed for the upcoming DVD.
C hildren in the Playford area had no excuse for boredom during recent school holidays! Communities for Children (C4C) Playford, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, offered a large range of school holiday activities for children aged 0-12 years, focused around encouraging children to have fun while also learning new skills. All activities were offered free of charge to residents in the City of Playford. Activities included claymation workshops, nature play adventures, come ‘n’ try sports, garden arts and crafts, giant games, bugs n slugs show, daytime dress up disco and Aboriginal story-telling and activities. With such a wide range on offer, there really was something for everyone! Bugs n slugs was particularly popular, with one mother stating, “I can’t believe my child is touching stick insects!”
One grandmother, who brought her grandchildren along, told workers it was wonderful that Communities for Children was running the programs free of charge, as many families can’t afford to take their children to school holiday activities. The C4C Playford team is planning more activities for the April, July and September school holidays. Details of these events will be in the C4C Playford newsletter at www.anglicaresa.com.au.
Photo: Pictured above is AnglicareSA’s John on hand to provide information about C4C Playford’s services.
The Supporter Autumn 2017 — page 9
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