Strong Families Grow Up Strong Kids

National Families Week celebrates the fundamental role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children as they grow up. The week also highlights that families, including grandparents, uncles and aunts, are central building blocks within our communities.

Anglicare NT provides a wide range of services that support people across the Northern Territory to build connections that strengthen children, families and communities. Services include early childhood, child development, intensive youth and family support, accommodation assistance, early intervention and Out of Home Care. They also play a vital role in supporting Territorians with counselling, mediation and parenting education.

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is offered by Anglicare NT in Katherine, Darwin and Yurrwi. The free two year HIPPY program aims to empower and support parents to be their child’s first teacher. Parents are encouraged to read, play and do fun activities with their child at home and attend group events.

In East Arnhem, Anglicare NT works with a range of local partners to support the strengthening of families, early childhood development and children’s services. This month, the team are hosting the ‘We Grow Them Up’ Learning Forum in Nhulunbuy from 14 to 16 May to celebrate and promote culturally meaningful, locally based activities and regional initiatives. Community leaders and key stakeholders will meet with staff from a range of children and family services to share learnings, develop networks and explore ways of listening to children’s voices and promoting child friendly communities. The forum is a two-way learning event where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal knowledge is shared equally and where cultural safety and respect is the foundation for all work.

By supporting families, we are helping to create the best possible environment for our children, as well as the wider community.