In pre-corona times we had loads of young families attending ACC regularly. We usually host a variety of playgroups, including Czech Playgroup, two Japanese Kilin Playgroups, Community Playgroup and Peer Support Playgroup each week. And we are missing all the familiar faces! So it is wonderful to have a list relating to resources for young families to put out into the universe this week.

We’d like to thank Jacinta and the Family Programs and Inclusion Team at Yarra Council for this list. We’re very lucky to have such a supportive relationship (and such lovely colleagues) across both Yarra and Darebin Councils.

So, here’s the list of local activities and services for young families that are free and can be accessed online in corona times:

• Join in playgroup at home with Playgroup Victoria

• Join a free music zoom session running weekly with Playgroup Victoria

• Join a free movement group - dance and sing with your toddlers to keep fit and healthy

• Enjoy storytime for toddlers. This is a series of podcasts by Yarra Libraries

• Register for family Lego sessions

• Learn about baby massage and yoga in practical online sessions for babies up to 12 months

• Join a family music group for babies up to 12 months featuring soothing music

• Dads - learn how to manage your preschooler in lockdown with a bloke called Ben

• Mums - get some techniques for stress management (we all need this sometimes right).

We hope you find these links useful! Thanks again Jacinta!

Our Community Shed has not just had an external makeover, but it has also had an internal makeover in the last couple of weeks. Getting things away so that surfaces can be cleaned down after use has been motivation to find a home for every last nut, bolt and screw.

We’re super pleased with the outcome. We look forward to resuming our Women in the Shed program on Tuesdays (with 2 sessions, one running from 9.30am-12.30pm and the second running from 1-4pm) and our Men in the Shed program, running from 12-3pm on Thursdays when we can.