A new community initiative has launched in Sunbury to give families better access to support before problems escalate.
The Sunbury Village project aims to help families find and use local services more easily – from parenting support to financial and wellbeing assistance – reducing the need for involvement with the child protection system.
Funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the project has been shaped by local residents with lived experience of the child protection system, alongside more than 70 professionals from 35 agencies working with children and families in the area.
Sunbury Village lived experience lead Jess Stehn said: “The plan is to make things easier for families to navigate the services that are available to them. The aim is to give people the tools to support themselves to improve their own life circumstances.
“It’s really exciting that we are at the stage where the projects we have been planning, are coming to life and the work is about to begin.”
The project is being delivered in partnership with Hume City Council, Victoria Police, The Orange Door, local schools and community organisations.
The next step will be to set up a Sunbury Family Leadership Group, made up of local families who will share their experiences to help improve outcomes for others. The group will meet every two months.
If you are interested in joining the Family Leadership Group, or you are an organisation or service that works with families in Sunbury and you want to join the Sunbury Village partnership, call Nel Staite on 97444455 or email [email protected].
