A BENDIGO community group plans to continue online offerings after COVID-19 restrictions end, after discovering new opportunities digitally.
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Online the Bendigo Multiple Births Association has connected with parents who would otherwise be unable to join the group.
Treasurer Jess Symes said the club had been able to offer more support for multiple birth parents living far away from similar connections, such as in Lake Boga, Seymour and Shepparton.
The Bendigo group is the only Victorian multiple births support group based outside Melbourne.
Ms Symes said COVID-19 restrictions had allowed the club to stop, consider and think about new ways to engage. She said the group was keen to meet again face to face in their playgroup, but it planned to keep up online webinars.
"It just presented some new opportunities we previously hadn't trialed," she said.
"It'll change our practice moving forward."
The group is now trying to push its identity as a support group for Bendigo and surrounds, so as not to put off people living too far away to travel.
The group has run online story times, coffee mornings for parents and webinars to provide information for expectant parents.
Ms Symes said an evening online format made their webinars more accessible for parents.
She said families from outside of Bendigo had been able to tune into online sessions, covering everything from information for expectant parents, to how to approach primary school.
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Ms Symes said the sense of belonging to a community with a similar experience was important for parents who wouldn't otherwise be able to connect.
She said families faced the normal challenges of having children, magnified by having two or more children go through them at once.
"It's always beneficial to just hear other people's experiences and hopefully pick up some things that might be useful for you on the way," she said.
"In the past, knowing you have to travel to engage in our services like playground or dinner events, may possibly put people out of town off.
"Now that they can see the access to professionals online, and peer support online."
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
