PlayConnect+ playgroups are built on the relationships that form between families and facilitators. The playgroups act as any other playgroup does- to welcome, support, engage, encourage- yet there is the extra layer of understanding. The groups are designed to welcome children with developmental delays, disabilities or chronic illnesses- along with their parents, carers, and oftentimes, siblings. No diagnosis is required to attend.

The facilitators are equipped to link families with other services, yet more than anything, they are a kind ear and compassionate presence, with the real endeavour to care for family and child.

The facilitators have a passion for PlayConnect+ and what it brings, not only enriching the lives of the attending families, but also to their own.

“I am so lucky,” says facilitator Cheryl.

“I get paid to work with beautiful children, amazing families and that is what I do for a living. It just brings so much happiness and joy and sense of accomplishment and joy, on a weekly basis. It’s beyond words, it just is the most wonderous thing I’ve ever done.”

People say to Cheryl that it must be hard working with children with disabilities but she says, “Well, no”. She has always loved the wonder and delight of children. She has personal experience with disability, with her own child, which grants her a deeper understanding.

Cheryl has always had an eye for creativity and that is something she sees, and receives, each week at her PlayConnect+ groups.

“I always wanted to be with children in the community, children with disabilities, families that are vulnerable, families that can really benefit from having or being given the opportunity to feel safe in an environment and understood and respected and to be able to increase their knowledge, share their lives and stories is just remarkable.”

Mum Meg has been attending PlayConnect+ with her son Neil and said it has been really helpful, being part the playgroup.

“Some of the advice and suggestions that Cheryl has given, that has been really lovely. So Neil has- well his paediatrician had flagged that he had expressive speech concerns so Chez has sort of helped me figure out what would be the best way of talking to him, communicating with him.”

Cheryl said that making PlayConnect+ widely accessible helps ease the uncertainty parents and carers feel. She can refer families to speech therapists, or an occupational therapist, or perhaps someone at the local council- and vise versa- someone from a kinder might get in touch about a family wanting to make the most of PlayConnect+ opportunities.

“Because they don’t need a diagnosis, they can just come in and they can start the journey,” said Cheryl.

Conversation and the compassion are what most families find here. Meg said how nice it has been to share with the other mums, hearing what their concerns are and how they have managed.

She mentions that one of the first things that slips by the wayside when caring for a child with additional needs is one’s own health and wellbeing.

“In the busy lives we live- it’s normally very easy to disregard yourself as you are constantly looking after things and people around you so it has been nice to sort of come here and just open up as a person and share with Houda and the other mums, express and learn strategies on how to tackle things, it’s been great.”

Houda is a fellow play helper at the playgroup. She is warm and welcoming, keeping an eye on the kids, allowing the parents and carers to chat and have a cuppa.

“It is very different to another playgroup, very different,” said Houda.  

“We give them a lot of information and help, whatever they need, and the way we work with kids and the parents- and speak to the kids as well.”

Houda enjoys modelling different forms of communication with the children, then the parents and carers can try it at home.

Like Cheryl, Houda can observe, while also becoming familiar with the families, getting to know them over the term. This allows for a great insight into the different personalities and preferences of the children, what sparks their curiosity and makes them smile.

“The kids, I love the kids and their imaginations and how they see everything and look at everything,” said Houda.

“You meet new families every year. We have met a lot of families over the years, beautiful. I am very happy about it actually. I am very happy to be part of it this, I love it.”

The playgroup is located in a great space, within the school grounds. The families can explore indoor and outdoor areas, a range of different toys and sensory opportunities, ready for the children to discover. There is also a routine in place, creating predictability and a homeliness that the children benefit from.

“We have learnt a lot of things over here that we take back home,” said Meg.

“It’s also one of the rare spaces I have seen where, even parents are not meant to use their devices which is great because you are so focused for the two hours with your kids and he is completely done by the end of the day- done in the sense that he is tired and ready to go to sleep so we really look forward to these two hours that we come here.”

On this particular Friday morning, a family that used to attend PlayConnect+ drops in. The child has since moved onto school but wanted to attend and see Cheryl and Houda. They know this is a safe and familiar space where they can play, relax and catch up.

Louise Buckle Smith travels around Victoria, helping to establish and support PlayConnect+ groups as part of her role as the Social Impact Manager at Playgroup Victoria. 

She knows how much of a soft-landing place PlayConnect+ is, what she sees as a vital service for families, for without, there is a large abyss where the core community support can sidestep families when they most need it. 

“I think PlayConnect+ is an important program that supports families to connect with others that are going through a similar journey. It’s a safe space where families can have open conversations and be heard. The PlayConnect+ team provides so much support throughout their diagnosis journey, with care, a listening ear and an understanding of community services to link families with. With these supports I think PlayConnect+ really strengthens both families and children’s wellbeing.”

Louise champions the online PlayConnect+ sessions that also run. While the in-person sessions cannot be underestimated in their value, the online groups allow for a point of connection when it is too hard to get out of the house, which Louise says is entirely understandable. 

“I think our online playgroup is an opportunity for those families that maybe in remote areas or for lots of different reasons are unable to attend a face-to-face playgroup.” 

“I would encourage families to go on and see how they feel being a part of an online group. It is a half hour session that has all the benefits of a face-to-face group, with a planned activity, songs and stories with a vibrant facilitator.”

Whether in-person or online, PlayConnect+ playgroups welcome families with open arms when they are ready to come along.

“Attendance is important as we feel families benefit more by building relationships and connections,” said Louise.

“What we hope for is that when families walk inside the door and build those connections there is a sense of belonging. While consistency is important, we can be flexible. We have families who alternate with another family so they can attend therapy sessions and some families that attend both online and face-to face, so it’s nice to have options.”  

The engagement, spontaneity, and enjoyment of the PlayConnect+ sessions fortifies the families. They are not alone in their experience. It is shared and they are supported.

“It’s been really lovely to be part of this group. We certainly look forward to it,” said Meg as she and Neil wave goodbye for the day.

Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Mylie Nauendorf