Some people are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis and we are reaching out to these members of our Cockburn community.
We now offer a dedicated Cockburn COVID-19 telephone helpline so they can access the support and essential local services they need. This will allow them to stay safe and stay home.
Anyone facing challenges during this difficult time is encouraged to ring the Helpline, to access information, resources and options for further support.
Visit our website and fill in the COVID-19 online help form
Phone the Cockburn COVID-19 helpline08 9411 3319, 9am - 4.30pm, Monday- Friday (excluding public holidays)
Information about how services are operating is updated frequently, so check our Websiteand Facebook pages.
Let's get off the couch
Cockburn ARC Calling kids and parents. Time to get off the couch and join Cockburn ARC's FREE online workout options and you don't need to be a member.
For non-members Access free online fitness classes here. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page where you will see a series of different types of fitness you can select from.
For ARC Members All you need is a MyWellness account and access to the Cockburn ARC app. Click on the link below to access your classes. These will be updated regularly to keep you active while you're at home. More info
Better Health Program Its still going - a free 10-week healthy lifestyle program for 7-13 year old children who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Find out more info
Heart Foundation at home exercises here for adults.
Child Health - what's happening?
Child Health Centres Metro Child Health Centres are open and Child Health Nurses are available to support and give advice to families on the development and wellbeing of their children.
The call centre number is 1300 749 869 which will direct families to support and/or an appointment. Appointments are still occurring just in a different format utilising phone calls with shorter contact times.
Immunisations Immunisation clinics are open and appointments can be made by phoning 6151 1308. They will also be offering the flu vaccines for children from 6 months of age to year 6 school age and for adults over 65 years of age.
Building kids brains
Did you know?
At birth, an average baby brain is 1/4 of an adult brain in size
By 1 year it has doubled in size
By 3 years it is about 80% developed
By 5 year it is 90% developed and nearly fully grown.
Those early years are critical to your child's healthy development.
Bright Tomorrows App To help parents with babies to 5 year olds download the Bright Tomorrows Parenting App for free. The app has been developed by researchers at CoLab (Collaborate for Kids), a partnership between the Minderoo Foundation and Telethon Kids Institute.
What does the app do? It provides learning activities, ‘in-the-moment’ advice and practical tips to parents and carers with children from birth to age five.
Playgroup WA building brains link - check out our library page (see below)
Free Parenting Support
Cockburn Parenting Service are providing the following online groups/courses in Term 2.:
Sing and Play Online - Fridays 10-11am, 8 May-7 July. Supported playgroup - children up to 4 years. Limited number. Bookings essential.
Circle of SecurityParenting Online (Evening course, 7 sessions) Wednesdays 20 May - 1 July, 7-8.30pm
Circle of Security Parenting Online (Morning course, 7 sessions) Thursdays 21 May - 2 July, 10-11.30am
Bookings essential. Email parenting@cockburn.wa.gov.au or Phone 94113855. Details at beginning of Term 2 on cockburn.wa.gov.au/events - go to Families section.
Cockburn Parent Connect - A phone support service for parents/carers. Offering one to one parenting support, advice and information for your specific parenting concern. Phone 9411 3855 to book an appointment.
Meerilinga Parenting Service are providing a number of free, online workshops and events for parents.
Weekly Parents Connect support calls every Thursday 1-2pm
Family Fun Time for parents and kids on Wednesday 22 April 2-3pm
Sweeter Sibling Connections workshop for parents on Sunday 26 April 1-3pm
Family Fun Time for parents and kids on Thursday 30 April 10-11am
Playful Parenting workshop for parents on Saturday 2 May 10am-12noon
Parenting by Connection 6 week Starter Class beginning Tuesday 5 May 7.30-9.30pm ($60 materials fee)
Wellbeing for Mums and Dads workshop for parents on Saturday 9 May 1pm-3pm
All sessions are free (materials cost for the 6 week course) and bookings essential – email Belynda.Smith@meerilinga.org.au For more information go to South West Metro Parenting Facebook page.
Fun ways to learn and play
So many choices? With all the options online or on TV it's great when someone compiles this into one list.
24 Best Kids TV programs on ABC Family travel blog TOT: HOT OR NOT has compiled 24 of their favourite ABC TV shows for younger and older children.
It includes the popular Bluey and Play School, but also has options like Andy's Dinosaur Adventures, Dirtgirl to get kids outside and engaged with nature, Go Jetters (if you can't fly there, you can still learn about world cities) and Mister Maker which encourages creative kids craft, often with recycled or items you have at home.
Go to the Tot: hot or not website page or catch these programs on Free to Air ABC Kids (Channel 22) and ABC ME (Channel 23).
Twinkl Parents, carers and teachers looking for ways to ensure the continuity of education during school closures can check out Twinkl which is currently offering every teacher and parent in Australia access to all resources with a One Month Free Ultimate Membership. Setting this up is really easy to do - go to www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and enter the code AUSTRCODE. You can also visit their local website - www.twinkl.com.au
AISWA Libraries Spreadsheet (Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia) is full of hundreds of online educational resources and it is being updated regularly.
Cockburn Library
Our library has lots of online things for you to do and lots of great links so check their website regularly for what to do for kids and teens.
Library Craft is a free Minecraft Java Edition server for 7 to 17 year olds in Western Australia. They have competitions with great prizes, and heaps of other fun stuff! Head to the website for all the details.
Playgroup WA Building Brains is a series of free resources for parents of children aged one to five years, developed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Playgroup WA. The series includes videos, information and imaginative play ideas to help your child develop fundamental movement skills.
Busy things online resources for the early years includes 115+ fun learning activities for children to learn important skills like creative development, knowledge and understanding of the world and much more.
Mental health support?
Things are very weird for so many of us right now and you and your children or teens might need some additional support. There are lots of tips and an assessment tool on the WAGovernment Mental Health Commission website thinkmentalhealth.wa.gov.au
Remember our free support services are operating online including Parent Support, Financial Counselling and Cockburn Support Service.
Youth Services Update
The Youth Centre is closed however the team are working on new ways to deliver programs on-line, including Dungeons and Dragons, music lessons, LGBTIQA and Drama.
Youth Development – the Youth Advisory Group and Employ Me program are continuing online.
Youth Leadership is in the process of establishing an online presence
Youth Support Services – all clients in JAM and Outreach are being supported. Outreach staff are still providing outreach in person (observing the Governments physical distancing direction) and by phone to vulnerable young people in our communities.
Activities for Youth Last issue we shared some activities for kids to do at home, but here are some options for Youth.
CCK Virtual chats
Connecting Community for Kids (CCK) have virtual chats to support parents including:
Mums chat
Are you a pregnant or new mum experiencing increased anxiety or social isolation needing extra support and connection?
We have a fortnightly zoom chat group across Cockburn or Kwinana so you can chat to other mums, as well as our friendly CCK team.
We can also refer you to local services for support or information about feeding, solids, sleeping etc.
First chat Tuesday 28 April at 10am by Philippa Aitken at CCK talking about having a newborn baby during the Christchurch earthquake disaster. Email wendyk@connecting4kids.com.au for the zoom link, everyone is welcome!
Facebook messenger @connecting4kids To keep in touch with what CCK are up to go to their Website or Facebook page
Yangebup Family Centre
Yangebup Family Centre has various online activities
Cultural Cooking
Kids Yoga
Anzac day craft.
Their Street Library is still operating and while you return or take a book you can do rainbow chalk drawings outside the Centre.
The Share Trolley will be outside the Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.30am-3.30pm. If you have pantry items or excess from your garden that you would like to share you can leave it on the trolley.
Essential Early Education and Care programs still operate at the Centre. Occasional Care is available Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8.30am-3.30pm $87/day with CCS available Places are available. Contact info@yangebupfamilycentre.org or 9417 9995 to book.
More info: - Visit the website and sign up for enews - Join the Facebook page, and groups which are relevant to you.
Fresh air fun
In the last newsletter we reminded everyone about the Nature Play website, planting veggies with your children and the backyard bird count.
Support your local restaurants and coffee shops if you can, get deliveries if you cannot go out (lots of options on local Facebook pages and the City's Community Business Directory (below) and for those who are doing it tough, the Ottey Centre and other local groups are providing food assistance.
We will be adding more businesses and categories over the coming weeks, but this list represents all of the chemists and essential services that are offering delivery or non-contact pickup in Cockburn, and some companies responses about what they are doing differently to help the community.
Wellness Boxes Coogee Surf Life Saving Club has wellness boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables delivered direct to your door. Added selections include fresh ready made meals, milk and bread. Free delivery for City of Cockburn residents on orders over $50. For details on cut off times for orders and deliveries contact them on their Facebook page
The South Lake Ottey Centre, in partnership with Second Bite and Mobile Foodbank, provide Food Hampers on Fridays for those who are doing it tough. Contact the Ottey Centre for more information 9417 2372 or hello@otteycentre.org
