Often, when in a particular chapter of life, it can feel as though we are the only ones residing there. It then can be a relief when you catch someone in the same stage. If you are seeking something, whether that be company, support while caring for someone, reassurance, guidance with finances or assistance coping with unrelenting stress, chances are, someone close by is experiencing a similar thing.
As was the realisation for Kelly, who wanted to start a playgroup to meet others with young children and create a fun weekly activity that she could share with her two little ones.
Now, the little blossoming playgroup gathers in a light-filled space in Camberwell. It is a hive of activity, of different ages and stages- stronger together and less isolated.
“Parenthood can be really lonely at times. There are so many of us deep in the trenches, all doing our own thing and feeling like we are on our own. There are so many people that I have connected with in the community just from inviting them to playgroup,” said Kelly.
“I might see someone in the park or someone at the shops, you start chatting and you say, ‘If you are looking for a Wednesday morning activity, we have got something that is not only an opportunity to connect but it is also free’. That was another goal for us, to be a low-cost. Going to play centres and things like that, the cost adds up with two kids, or even one kid, things are expensive.”
Kelly had a rough pregnancy with her second child. She had Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and was physically sick most days for nine months. It was only sausage rolls and vegemite toast that brought her some relief. At the time, she was going through it and keeping on keeping on- it wasn’t until later, with hindsight, that she realised how challenging that time was. She now has a greater awareness of other mums and parents, going through their own experiences.
“The pregnancy was really challenging and I think with both kids I hit a wall between four and six months, mentally and physically. I am now very conscious that those first six months were really tough for me and I am really thankful that I did get connected in with a mothers group and the support from some of the mums at church as well who are a few years ahead.”
One of the benefits that the mums here love at Little Lions playgroup is the multi-age group.
“I think that is what is so great about playgroup, you get that mix of different ages that open from new-born to preschool. You do get the mums with older kids, or mums such as Kirsty who has three kids, who has been one of our regulars so you can share those stories which you don’t necessarily get at a mothers group- you are all new mums. At Little Lions you can get that support from people at different stages, too and the reassurance that it will get better,” laughs Kelly.
For Kirsty too, the playgroup has given her a space to enjoy this time with her children, something not afforded to her with her first two children, born at the beginning and nearing the end of the height of the pandemic.
“It was really hard because I was pretty young.”
“I was looking for a playgroup because it is great to find a space where both of my kids can have a good time. Previously I was going to sing time at the library but that was only for babies. Isabel [second born] was a bit bored, it only goes for 30 minutes, trying to get two kids out the door and then he always sleeps- he slept through all the babies singing.”
“It has been great to find a space where my four-year-old can have a good time.”
“I think it is great for the kids too,” said mum Amy, “they are seeing bigger kids and they are seeing the little kids and it is a chance for them to learn from each other and play with each other. I mean, Oliver is the same age as my daughter and it has been so fun just seeing them progress together.”
“And how different they are right,” replies Kirsty. “She has been sitting up for ages, he is not crawling but he rolls everywhere. He’s a talker. He is my third and she is her first so it has been really nice to also share a journey together.”
The mums agree that it is difficult to meet others while caring for young children.
“I think it’s really hard to meet other parents,” said Amy. Playgroup has created new opportunities.
“It is just an easy way to meet people and people are really good at coming every week. There is good continuity.”
Sophie has had a similar experience to Amy. She said the only way she has met parents is through similar interactions such as swimming lessons or rhyme time at the library: “but that is so big and for a short period of time- you don’t really get a chance to have interaction, or the other activities end up being so expensive.”
Sophie was in the same mothers group as Kelly so that is how she discovered playgroup.
“It is a really nice social thing, lots of toys. It’s nice, particularly during winter to have an activity. Billy obviously loves it and it’s nice to see him interacting with his peers and also I have a chance to chat with other mums.”
The group has bonded and this is demonstrated by one mum who brings in an old doll crib to pass onto another younger child in the group.
“It’s great for trading clothes and swapping things,” said Kelly. “We have our own little playgroup market place.”
Kelly has been a busy bee since beginning Little Lions playgroup in the autumn of 2025. Kelly sought the support of the families minister at the local church, who has helped with child safety training and police checks for staff, to ensure everyone involved feels comfortable and confident.
Kelly has met with the ministers wife, Sarah, who is an occupational therapist. She has helped to guide Kelly to create a play space that welcomes families of all abilities.
“It was great to chat to her about creating an inclusive space for kids who might have special needs, if that does come up. We have also looped in with a local comprehensive therapies centre for families called Neuronaut and let them know we do have an inclusive space for families who may have little ones with special needs.”
Kelly was chosen as a Great Start playgroup recipient. The initiative, run by Playgroup Victoria, aims to support newly formed playgroups with mentoring, funding and ongoing guidance.
Kelly describes this as a “huge boost.”
“It is so encouraging to know that there is an organisation that wants to invest in building connection in the community and supporting young families.”
Kelly is hoping to welcome new families to the playgroup and would be thrilled to garner further support to run the group. While she has great support from her family, in particular, her mother-in-law Charlotte who has been coming along to help out at playgroup, things happen. Kelly’s family have had a hard winter with influenza A and an extra pair of hands would be great to keep the group going and growing under such circumstances.
Kelly said she has had great support from the local church and from Playgroup Victoria.
“I had a call from Danny [from Playgroup Victoria] when we were so unwell and he just understood where we were at. He took the pressure off to do a visit straight away or anything like that and said, ‘What can we do to help?’ That was really encouraging too.”
Small acts of encouragement and kindness go a long way. Kelly reaches out to regular attendees if she has not seen them in a while. She will send a text and see how things are going.
Kelly has been delighted to see grandparents come along to playgroup and would love to welcome more grandparents, dads and family members.
The playgroup has so many perks for families. There is a free car park, it is located close to public transport and has winter sunlight pouring in through the windows on the morning we attend. Moreover, the space has a great atmosphere with soft spaces to snuggle in, places for the adults to sit and have a cuppa while the children explore the variety of toys and crafts all around them.
Here at playgroup, the families all find a space to relax and potter, to chat and to play.
“I think for some mums in particular, going through the first six-12 months, depending on your child, things can be really isolating,” said Kelly. “You may not forge those connections with your mothers group because you are going through post-natal depression or just challenges with your child. It is so hard to form those friendships. Amy for example, had her little one in New Zealand, so she wasn’t connected in with a mothers group immediately.”
Here, while relationships take time to develop, the sense of comfort can be immediate- finding people in the same chapter, perhaps with a different story, but each sharing a strand of relatability that connects- and this provides reassurance and care.
Kelly has helped to create something that impacts each parent, carer, relative and child- that is to be part of a community. That is to belong.
Connect and Join Little Lions Playgroup Camberwell! Email: llplaygroupsmc@gmail.com
Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Mylie Nauendorf