Join us for a fun day @ Revolution Sports Park these School Holidays
You may have noticed in the last newsletter that FUN DAYS ARE BACK so come along and have fun for a couple of hours at Revolution Sports Park, Wickham!
Children will have a multi-pass to go on most activities for two hours! Grip socks must be worn so if you have a pair, bring them along otherwise we will purchase them on the day. Supervising adults are free but also must wear the grip socks if they are walking on the equipment.
There will be tea and coffee, drinks, snacks and lunch provided. Coffee is available for purchase from the venue.
As usual, if you or your children are feeling unwell or have covid symptoms, please stay at home to keep yourselves and others safe.
JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
12th July 2023
10am to 12pm
RSVP your Case Worker with numbers attending by Tuesday 4th July 2023
Edgeworth Trains
After a fun day out? On the last Sunday of every month you can got to Edgeworth Trains and ride a miniature train. The local Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society runs the rides from 12.30pm to 3.30pm (weather permitting). There is a variety of miniature trains such as steam and diesel and different rail routes (both elevated and ground-level) so you can watch as well as ride. The fee for these rides is $2.50 per train ride and you must wear fully enclosed footwear. The grounds are lovely and shaded with plenty of grass for picnics, barbecues supplied with wood, a kiosk and conveniently located toilet blocks.
Location: Off Velinda Street, Edgeworth with limited off-street parking.
Here are the remaining 2023 dates to mark in your calendar (weather permitting):
- Sunday 25 June 2023
- Sunday 30 July 2023
- Sunday 27 August 2023
- Sunday 24 September 2023
- Sunday 29 October 2023
- Sunday 26 November 2023
My Forever Family Online Training
The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting - June 21 | 6:30-10:30pm
If you haven’t already registered for this training, have a look! There may be places still available. Have you read The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting? Sarah Naish is the author of The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting and has first-hand experience parenting five children with developmental trauma.
Join Sarah Naish, Sarah Dillon and My Forever Family NSW as we guide parents and professionals on their therapeutic parenting journey, helping you to:
- Overcome challenges
- Understand how trauma affects children every day
- Rediscover empathy
- Learn step-by-step processes to navigate difficult situations
- Understand how trauma affects behaviour and decision-making
- Learn about the PARENTS Model
Numbers are limited to 66 so be quick to register if you would like to be part of this training. Here is the link:
June book review
by Chantelle Dillon, Case Manager F&P
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture
By Gabor Maté with Daniel Maté
Trigger Warning: This book is about all different types of trauma – so there is a chance that something in this book will resonate with you personally.
This is not the first works of Gabor Maté and like his other books, this one is informative, well researched and thought provoking. Maté leads us through nature, human development, societal and cultural influences, concluding with strategies to assist with healing from trauma. The set up of the book is based on various stories with research interwoven to prove the point Maté is making.
Various quotes are presented at the start of each chapter to set the scene for the topic being discussed. The most interesting topics discussed for me were ones around ADHD, addiction, brain development and I enjoyed Part 3: Rethinking Abnormal: Afflictions as Adaptations, as it challenged my own perception about certain things and stirred me to research more.
Togetherness, collaboration, community activities and personal connections are the general premise of the way to heal through trauma. It is important to note that trauma affects everyone, in some way or another, and to help others and us the best way to start is to educate ourselves. This book will help with that for sure.
Upcoming Ongoing Training
August 24 | Cultural Training
This training will be run by one of our Cultural Therapeutic Specialist – Barry McGrady. The training will cover:
- History
- Children’s Connection to Culture
- Cultural safety
- Connection to Value and Beliefs
- Cultural Protocols
- Overcoming Barriers
June 14 – 7pm to 8pm | Online | Managing Bullying
This training aims to develop an awareness of bullying, its impacts and strategies we can use to support our children. Bullying can happen anywhere, like at school, at home or in the neighbourhood. It can be in person or can happen online and sometimes is obvious and other times hidden or subtle. Children with experiences of trauma are particularly vulnerable to bullying, so what can we do to better support them.
June 15 – 7:30pm to 8pm | Online | Advocacy: Have the tools, have the confidence
As a foster carer, kinship carer, adoptive parent or worker in the out-of-home care sector, there will be many occasions which will require you to advocate for the child or young person in your care, for yourself, your family and other. This course looks at:
- What is advocacy
- The need for advocacy
- The types of advocacy
- The advocacy processes
- The rights of all people
- Social justice
- Empowerment
- Setting goals
June 21 – 6:30pm to 10:30pm | Online | The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting
Therapeutic parenting is a deeply nurturing parenting style that is especially effective for children with attachment difficulties or who have experienced childhood trauma. This training session will provide you with everything you need to know to effectively therapeutically parent. Sarah Naish is the author of 'The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting' and has first-hand experience parenting five children with developmental trauma.
June 27 – 10am to 11am | Online | Tips for responding to disclosures
Supporting a child who has disclosed abuse can be challenging and it can feel difficult to know how to respond or what actions to take after the initial conversation. This webinar will highlight some key tips for responding to disclosures of abuse and neglect.
The Whales are back!
It's Whale Watching season in NSW again! From June to November, you can spot whales off our coastline. It’s fun, it’s free and a great activity do with the kids. The easiest way to look for whales is to look for the blow. This is the water the whale sprays into the air as it exhales as it comes to the surface.
You’ll see it from a distance as a big disturbance of water and is much easier to spot when seas are calm.
You might also spot whales breaching as most of their body leaves the water. Keep an eye out for slapping. You might see a flash of black as a whale slaps the water with his fin or tail.
If you’re not sure of a good place near you that’s good for whale spotting, Here’s a list of the best whale watching spots in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.
Nobbys Headland Stockton
Newcastle Beach Fort Scratchley
The Obelisk Shepherds Hill Lookout
Anzac Memorial Walk Bar Beach
Merewether Redhead Bluff
Caves Beach Tomaree Headland (After June)
Barry Park Boat Harbour
