CENTRAL Victoria is home to many and varied initiatives aimed at helping families.
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But, as two Bendigo mothers have found, not everybody knows about them.
Leanne Boston and Tanya McFarlane are seeking to help change that by creating a space where parents can drop by and learn more about what’s out there to suit their family’s needs and interests.
Whether it’s keeping parents informed about upcoming family-friendly events, or helping connect them with the most appropriate service for specific needs, they want to ensure people’s questions are heard, valued and answered.
The Bendigo Family Hub is the sort of place both Mrs Boston and Mrs McFarlane were dreaming of when they were trying to find answers during health situations involving their children.
For Mrs McFarlane, it was help getting a diagnosis for her six-year-old son Jack, who has autism.
For Mrs Boston, it was caring for her eight-year-old daughter Evie after she came down with Kawasaki disease, a relatively uncommon illness involving inflammation of a child’s blood vessels.
“I’m hoping we will be able to make a change – a difference,” Mrs McFarlane said.
The volunteer-driven initiative is two years in the making, inspired by the findings of a series of consultations Communities for Children and Noah’s Ark conducted with families in the region.
Mrs Boston said those working in the Early Years sector had helped bring the Bendigo Family Hub to life, and was hopeful connections to industry would help engage families with services.
The Bendigo Family Hub is housed next door to the splash park in Long Gully, at 21 Cunneen Street.
Special activities are planned for a ‘meet and greet’ week, when the hub will be open each day from February 5 – 7 from 10am – 2pm.
It is expected to be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays thereafter from 10am – 2pm for free consultations, with no appointments necessary.
For further information, visit the Bendigo Family Hub Facebook page or email bendigofamilyhub@gmail.com