JourneyOnline
A partnership launch between UnitingCare Community and Redcliffe Uniting Church brought a children’s favourite to town. Journey reports on the event and what’s in store for the community’s families.
Bob the Builder, the beloved children’s television icon, recently came to Redcliffe to help launch the Building Strong Families partnership-program between UnitingCare Community and Redcliffe Uniting Church.
The event attracted hundreds of children and their parents who were treated to sing-alongs with Bob, playgroup crafts and activities and food supplied by the church’s catering team.
As one happy parent later wrote on the church playgroup’s Facebook page, “Thank you very much for organising such a fantastic morning for the children.
The show was one thing, the activities and morning tea that came as a bonus was absolutely fantastic.”
The idea for Building Strong Families was sparked after the church expanded their popular playgroup from two days to five and UnitingCare Community commenced the Children and Parenting Program (CAPP) service in Redcliffe.
“CAPP is there to empower and strengthen parents and families before life gets tough,” says Cathy McCabe, CAPP team leader. “It’s a preventative program encouraging and equipping parents for the important role they have raising children.”
The church and UnitingCare Community soon recognised that a partnership-program could enhance and expand the range of services both bodies offered the community.
“When we realised we had five days of playgroup on our doorstep, it made our task so much easier,” Cathy explains. “We instantly had 100 families to relate to, a volunteer base of support and a fantastic playgroup program to build on.”
In addition to expanded playgroup and CAPP services, the partnership will include short parenting tips, education and self-care pamper mornings throughout the term, as well as free parenting breakfasts held every six to eight weeks on Saturday mornings.
With future directions already being planned, there are four-ingredient cooking classes, parenting programs and a parenting self-help book all in the pipeline.
Rebecca Clark, children and families pastor at Redcliffe Uniting Church, feels there’s only positive benefits to flow to parents as a result of the partnership.
“God keeps surprising us! We take a leap of faith and God meets us with even more than we expected.
“Cathy and her team have added to our program in ways we could never have done. We allow UnitingCare Community to do things they could never have achieved alone. The parents are loving the extra support they are getting.”
